H.A.R.D. Corps

Last updated
H.A.R.D. Corps
Hardcorpsvaliantentertainment.png
Group publication information
Publisher Valiant Comics
First appearance Harbinger #10 (October 1992)
Created by Jim Shooter
David Lapham
In-story information
Type of organizationTeam
H.A.R.D. Corps
Series publication information
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing
Genre
Publication dateDecember 1992 – June 1995
Number of issues30
Main character(s)Gunslinger
Shakespeare
Flatline
Hammerhead
Hotshot
Creative team
Writer(s)
Penciller(s)
Inker(s)
Creator(s) Jim Shooter
David Lapham

H.A.R.D. Corps is a fictional superhero team appearing in books published by the American publisher Valiant Comics. The H.A.R.D. Corps team first appeared in Harbinger #10 (Oct. 1992), and were created by Jim Shooter and David Lapham.

Contents

Publication history

Original Valiant continuity

The original series ran for a total of 30 issues, from December 1992 – June 1995. Bob Layton explained the style of the series: "When David [Michelinie] and I set out to do H.A.R.D.Corps it was because ... We like light-hearted, hard hitting, bash 'em in the face, sock 'em guys." [1]

The cover of the first issue was pencilled by Jim Lee over a layout by Bob Layton. Lee had initially declined to take on the cover because he was too busy, but eventually did it in return for Valiant president Steven Massarsky getting him two U2 tickets. [1]

2012 Valiant continuity

In the second relaunch/reboot of the Valiant Universe, the HARD Corps was prominently featured in the third volume of Bloodshot, from issues 14 to 21. The further highlight this, the third volume was briefly titled Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps. [2]

Premise

Original Valiant continuity

The acronym stands for Harbinger Active Resistance Division. The title's focus is a corporate strike team which represents Omen Enterprises. Omen Enterprises are at war with Toyo Harada, and his Harbinger Corporation, which he uses in his goal to control all Harbingers. The original H.A.R.D. team is a group of fighter pilots who are victims of various accidents, rendered comatose, and revived with experimental neural implants.

The neural implants utilized by Omen Enterprises allow the team members to mimic the powers of Harbingers, and are all assigned and managed by an operator named "Softcore." The cerebral fail-safe procedures given are that any rebellion from the team members, as well as capture or death will result in the explosion of the neural implants. [3]

2012 Valiant continuity

In the 2012 Valiant relaunch, the team works for Project Rising Spirit, instead of the Omen Corporation. In this timeline, the team is being tasked by PRS to retrieve Bloodshot from the Harbinger Corporation.

Characters

The original team was composed of former fighter pilots and went by call signs in the field, starting a Corps tradition of using codenames.

Original team

The original team were all Vietnam War veterans who served together in the same unit.

Other members

Later additions

Reserves

Towards the end of the series, other recruits were drafted to form a second Corps team with Perp, Grasshopper, and Wipeout. These included:

Support staff

The operators who maintain contact with field agents and manage their powers.

Powers and abilities

Each member of the H.A.R.D. Corps could utilize one Harbinger power at a time. To switch powers, an operative had to radio Softcore and request she make the switch while at headquarters. They are often seen using a defensive power and firearms for offense, but switching powers is a quick enough process to be accomplished in combat. Needing to communicate to switch their powers sometimes becomes a weakness: Corps operatives who lose their headset cannot switch powers, and sometimes their opponents will jam or disrupt communications with their base, knowing that "microbeams" are used to alter the mimicked powers. In new continuity powers are supplied to operatives via Lifeline through their reverse engineered Harada Tech neural implants developed by Project Rising Spirit. Agents can only utilize one power at a time due to the human biology being unaccustomed to hardwired harbinger ability usage, special command sequences for chaining different powers in tandem through the bio-configuration process can be initiated such as; sequence 2, 4, 6, sequence epsilon, etc. The Implants are also wired to explode and can be detonated automatically either upon capture or death of operative and remotely from PRS home base.

Original Valiant continuity

The powers the H.A.R.D. Corps demonstrate include:

Valiant Entertainment continuity

A special store of one off powers called Bee Stings can be issued, but are adeptly named due to the fatality ratio making them useful only once.

Occasionally H.A.R.D. Corps will capture new Harbingers to analyze their powers. If a previously unknown power is discovered, a record is made in order to enable replication of the power.

Continuity

A spinoff of the Harbinger title, H.A.R.D. Corps is the ancestor of Psi Lords, which is set in the 41st century of the Valiant Universe and dealt with the descendants of the Corps.

Creative teams

Issue #WriterPencilerInkerCover
1 David Michelinie David Lapham Bob Layton Jim Lee & Layton
2Michelinie Mike Leeke Bob Layton Leeke & Layton
3MichelinieLeeke Katherine Bollinger & LaytonLeeke & Barry Windsor-Smith
4MichelinieLeeke Tom Ryder Leeke & Ryder
5Michelinie & Layton Bernard Chang RyderLeeke & Ryder
6Michelinie & LaytonLeekeRyderLeeke & Ryder
7–8Michelinie & LaytonLeeke Paul Autio Leeke & Ryder
9Michelinie Andrew Wendel AutioLeeke & Ryder
10Michelinie Ted Halstead AutioLeeke & Autio
11–16Michelinie Yvel Guichet Rodney Ramos Guichet & Ramos
17Layton Rik Levins John Dixon Guichet & Ramos
18 Jorge Gonzalez LevinsDixonLevins & Dixon
19–20 Maurice Fontenot LevinsDixonLevins & Dixon
21–22 Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning Jordi Ensign DixonLevins & Dixon
23Fontenot & GonzalezEnsign Frank McLaughlin & Jennifer Marrus Levins & Layton
24 John F. Kelly EnsignEnsignLevins & Layton
25 Mike Baron Steve Ellis Richard Space
26BaronEllis Rudy Nebres DR
27–29Baron John Calimee Ramos Val Mayerik
30BaronLeeke Mike DeCarlo Grey

Collected editions

TitleMaterial collectedPublished dateISBN
Valiant Masters: H.A.R.D. Corps Vol. 1H.A.R.D. Corps #1-6, Harbinger (vol. 1) #10-11June 2014 978-1939346285
Bloodshot Vol. 4: H.A.R.D. CorpsBloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #14-17, Bloodshot (vol. 3) #0January 2014 978-1939346193
Bloodshot Vol. 5: Get Some and Other StoriesBloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #18-19, 22-23, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps #0September 2014 978-1939346315
Archer & Armstrong Vol. 5: Mission: ImprobableBloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #20-21 and Archer & Armstrong: Archer #0, Archer & Armstrong #18-19June 2014 978-1939346353
Bloodshot Deluxe Edition Book 2Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #14-23, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps #0 and Bloodshot (vol. 3) #0, 24-25, Archer & Armstrong #18-19October 2015 978-1939346810

Related Research Articles

The Order is the name of two fictional superhero teams appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first team was a brief offshoot of the team Defenders, and the second is part of an initiative to place a superhero team in each state of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valiant Comics</span> American comic book publisher

Valiant Comics is an American comic book publisher, the first incarnation of which was founded in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter along with lawyer and businessman Steven Massarsky. In 1994, the company was sold to Acclaim Entertainment. After Acclaim’s 2004 bankruptcy, the company’s assets were purchased as part of Valiant Entertainment by entrepreneurs Dinesh Shamdasani and Jason Kothari in 2005. In 2011, Valiant received a capital infusion from private investment company Cuneo & Company, LLC. Peter Cuneo and Gavin Cuneo joined the company and a relaunch was announced.

Harbingers are fictional comic book superhuman beings who appear in books published by Valiant Comics. Two different groups of Harbingers appeared in the comic book series Harbinger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidewinder (character)</span> Fictional comics character

Sidewinder is the name of three different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original Sidewinder, Seth Voelker, first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #64, created by writers Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Macchio. A second Sidewinder appeared in 1998 but was killed during his attempt to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. A third Sidewinder, Gregory Bryan, was given powers similar to the original Sidewinder by the Brand Corporation.

Brain implants, often referred to as neural implants, are technological devices that connect directly to a biological subject's brain – usually placed on the surface of the brain, or attached to the brain's cortex. A common purpose of modern brain implants and the focus of much current research is establishing a biomedical prosthesis circumventing areas in the brain that have become dysfunctional after a stroke or other head injuries. This includes sensory substitution, e.g., in vision. Other brain implants are used in animal experiments simply to record brain activity for scientific reasons. Some brain implants involve creating interfaces between neural systems and computer chips. This work is part of a wider research field called brain–computer interfaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloodshot (comics)</span> Fictional superhero from Valiant Comics

Bloodshot is a superhero created in 1992 by Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton, appearing in comic books published by the American publisher Valiant Comics. The Bloodshot character has had different origins and incarnations, but he is consistently a character empowered by experimental nanites injected into his bloodstream, a procedure that leaves a red circular scar on his chest, hence the name. This gives Bloodshot enhanced physical traits, the ability to repair damage to his body, an internal database of weapons and hand-to-hand combat training, and a mental connection to computers (technopathy). A side effect of the use of his powers is that his skin becomes chalk-white and his eyes become red. Other powers vary with each incarnation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedlam (comics)</span> Fictional character in Marvel Comics

Bedlam is a mutant superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He originally possessed the mutant ability to create and project a bio-EM field. This has the effect of temporarily disabling any similarly powered technology in the vicinity. He can also utilize his power to scan the environment for other pre-existing energy fields. After the High Evolutionary reset the mutant genome in every mutant on the planet, Jesse's abilities expanded to be able to affect the human brain's neural chemistry, thus allowing him to project the illusion of pain and confusion into other people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archer & Armstrong</span> Comics character

Archer & Armstrong is a superhero duo in the Valiant Comics universe. The two were originally created by writer and artist Barry Windsor-Smith and introduced in their own self-titled comic book series in 1992. After Acclaim Entertainment bought Valiant Comics in 1996, the two characters were rebooted in a series of one-shot comics entitled Eternal Warriors. Valiant Entertainment, Inc. relaunched the Valiant Comics universe yet again in 2012 and Archer & Armstrong Volume 2 introduced a new version of the duo. Their stories are a mix of dark superhero action and comedic adventures.

<i>Harbinger</i> (comic book) American comic book series

Harbinger is an American comic book series published by Valiant Comics about a group of teenage super-powered outcasts known as Harbingers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ninjak</span> Comics character

Ninjak is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Valiant Comics. The original incarnation of the character was created by Mark Moretti and Joe Quesada, The character was first introduced as a ninja and spy in the Valiant Comics series Bloodshot in July, 1993. His appearance in that series served to encourage interest ahead of his own self-titled series, which began in November that same year. Acclaim Entertainment bought out Valiant Comics in 1996, after which Ninjak and other characters were rebooted. The Acclaim Ninjak series lasted only a year. Valiant Comics later returned and rebranded as Valiant Entertainment, and a new version of Ninjak, more in-line with the original incarnation, was introduced to readers in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rai (comics)</span> Comics character

Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus, Robot Fighter #5, in Rai #1. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psi Lords</span>

The Psi-Lords are a fictional team of superheroes from the Valiant Comics universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Dysart</span> American comic book writer

Joshua Dysart is an American comic book writer. He has done work for DC Comics, Vertigo Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, Valiant Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Penny-Farthing Press, Virgin Comics and Random House Books.

Kano is the pseudonym of Spanish comic book artist Jose Ángel Cano López.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livewire (Valiant Comics)</span> Comics character

Livewire is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by Valiant Comics. Created by Bob Layton and Joe St. Pierre. Livewire first appeared in Harbinger #15. She later played a major role in the Secret Weapons (1993) series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unity (team)</span> Fictional super team

Unity is a superhero team featuring in titles published by Valiant Entertainment. Taking its name from the classic Valiant crossover Unity, the Unity team first appears in Unity #1 written by Matt Kindt and illustrated by Doug Braithwaite. Unity is a global law enforcement team of super-powered operatives dedicated to protecting humanity from top-secret threats. The team works as agents of the Global Agency for Threat Excision (G.A.T.E.) and acts under the direction of American and British intelligence.

<i>Bloodshot</i> (film) 2020 film by David S. F. Wilson

Bloodshot is a 2020 American superhero film based on the Valiant Comics character of the same name. It is intended to be the first installment in a series of films set within a Valiant Comics shared cinematic universe. Directed by David S. F. Wilson from a screenplay by Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer, the film stars Vin Diesel in the main role, with Eiza González, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell, and Guy Pearce in supporting roles. It follows a soldier who was killed in action, only to be brought back to life with superpowers by an organization that wants to use him as a weapon.

The Valiant Universe is the fictional shared universe where most stories in American comic book titles that are published by Valiant Comics take place.

References

  1. 1 2 Samsel, Robert (January 1993). "The State of Valiant Address". Wizard (17). Wizard Entertainment: 47–54.
  2. Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #0, 14-21
  3. The H.A.R.D. Corps #1 (December)