Advance Review: Harbinger Wars II #1
Through the history of comics, there have been events; be it Secret Wars or Crisis on Infinite Earths or Civil War. Then, there have been the sequels, which some people love and some people hate. Where this leaves this sequel to the Harbinger Wars is open to debate.
Things have gotten worse for the planet. Psiots, once latent and unknown are now making their presence felt in greater numbers. Now living in a world that fears them, running from government agencies that seek to corral them for their own purposes psiots seek safe haven. Now, Livewire outraged at the double standards has become an apparent enemy of the state, so much so that the might of the Valiant heroes Bloodshot, Ninjak and XO are all on call. But are they there to help of hinder Livewire, who at times has been their friend.
Matt Kindt is a genuine universe creator who plans for the long game. Series like this do have a way of sharpening his skills as he spins various plates. It is the long game that is at the forefront in this first issue, especially as it does feel like the cast is kind of thrown together. That may be caused by my not reading a lot of Valiant. In this case it could really not be you, but me! Kindt has spent time in all corners of the Valiant universe and it shows through the scenes that sees these guys get together, in a way that is comparative to anything that the Avengers manage. As the cover suggests, this series is going include a wide raft of characters. I just hope the deus ex machine isn’t going to be a Divinity reunion.
Tomas Giorello provides the interior art and does a great job! The overwhelming feeling, looking through the book, it is a similar style from the various Divinity books. That’s not a bad thing automatically; it does give the book a serious, almost mature look. With the characters on show, you do have a certain expectation, which Giorello manages well. As the art progresses through the book, characters are placed in poses that remind me of a more subtle Daniel Brereton. Colors are provided by Diego Rodriguez with a painted style that seems to be the go to style of the Valiant events.
Valiant fans will love this book; all their favourites are on show and with the promise of other heroes and teams on the verge of introduction, sides have never been more cluttered or the reasons for choosing more complex. It does make you wonder how Kindt would handle that other threat to national security…..mutants. So until Kindt, makes his Marvel, enjoy the complexities of heroes living in a non-heroic world where actions carry their own level of political gain and public retribution.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Matt Kindt
Art by Tomas Giorello
Colors by; Diego Rodriguez
Published by: Valiant Entertainment
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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