The Harbinger Wars are coming to Valiant Entertainment, and Clayton Crain has been drafted to participate in the first issue.

The artist, best known for his lengthy run on Marvel's "X-Force," is the latest creator to sign on for the publisher's first major crossover event, joining co-writers Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski and co-artist Clayton Henry for the first issue.

In speaking with CBR, Swierczynski emphasized the importance of the event, noting that it grew naturally out of events in his "Bloodshot" series and Dysart's "Harbingers" rather than being an editorially decreed storyline. "Since the very first plot discussions, we knew we were building somewhere for the larger Valiant Universe," the writer said. "For me, it's more organic. It's not "Six months are up, we've got to do an event. What have we got?" This is built into the DNA of the character. I think it's the same for Josh. It's built into your book as well. It's where the stories were going. The plus is that you don't have to read 87 books. You can read each series on its own. The miniseries is four issues, you can enjoy that, or even better all together, it tells a contained story that will hopefully be really satisfying."

Below, CBR presents the full press release regarding Crain's involvement with the series, along with CBR exclusive pages by the artist.

Official Press Release

Valiant is proud to announce that superstar artist Clayton Crain (X-Force, Carnage) is joining Joshua Dysart, Duane Swierczynski,and Clayton Henry for Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4) - the FIRST ISSUE of Valiant's first family crossover! Arriving in stores on April 3rd, Harbinger Wars #1 is the can't-miss first chapter of the event that will pit Bloodshot and Harbinger against a new generation of superhuman -and each other.

"Clayton Crain is a phenomenal talent and we're extraordinarily happy to have him joining Valiant for Harbinger Wars #1," said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. "He will be handling a pivotal sequence introducing Generation Zero, the strike force controlled by Project Rising Spirit that inadvertently sets the Harbinger Wars in motion."

Interior art by Clayton Crain

For decades, Toyo Harada's Harbinger Foundation and the government's own Project Rising Spirit have been waging a secret war over the rarest resource known to man - the unruly superhuman telekinetics known as Harbingers. Over the years, they've each collected a small army of these empowered children to inflict their agendas on the world. But now, the reformed Harbinger hunter known as Bloodshot needs to atone for his crimes - and he's going to start by releasing two dozen of the most volatile Harbingers from their PRS prison and into the world.

Bloodshot wants to lead them. Toyo Harada wants to control them. And Peter Stancheck, a teenage renegade with immense powers of his own, wants to give them free rein. But the runaway children of PRS have their own ideas for the future...and, as the body count rises, the Valiant Universe will realize that power this immense cannot be contained. It must be exercised. Who will survive the Harbinger Wars?

A 12-issue crossover event from an all-star cast of visionary talent, the defining Valiant Universe storyline of the year begins in Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4). Then the action continues with all-new jumping-on points in Harbinger #11 and Bloodshot #10 - the first issues of new standalone, four-issue story arcs chronicling the fallout of the Valiant Universe's first full-scale superhuman conflict. Spanning 12 issues total, follow the story independently in Harbinger Wars, Harbinger or Bloodshot, or read them all to experience the full scope and intensity of the Harbinger Wars saga!

It all begins on April 3rd in Harbinger Wars #1 (of 4)-written by Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski with art by Clayton Henry and Clayton Crain!

Interior pencils by Clayton Henry

HARBINGER WARS #1 (OF 4)

Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art by CLAYTON HENRY & CLAYTON CRAIN

Cover by LEWIS LAROSA

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON HENRY

Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE - 4/3/13 (FOC - 3/11/13)

HARBINGER WARS #2 (OF 4)

Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY

Cover by LEWIS LAROSA

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Variant Cover by STEPHANE PERGERbr>$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE - 5/1/13 (FOC - 4/8/13)