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Harbinger Wars (Collected Editions) #2
Harbinger Wars II
From New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR. DIVINITY, Mind MGMT), and Academy Award-nominated writer Eric Heisserer (Arrival), and superstar artists Tomas Giorello (X-O MANOWAR), Raul Allen (SECRET WEAPONS) and Patricia Martin (BLOODSHOT REBORN) the most powerful Valiant event ever attempted erupts in full force as X-O Manowar, Livewire, the Harbinger Renegades, Bloodshot, the Secret Weapons, Ninjak, and a cast of thousands draw their battle lines in HARBINGER WARS 2!
For the rare and immensely powerful subset of humanity known as psiots, their unique abilities have come with an enormous cost. Once, their existence was known only to a select few. Now, the revelation that thousands of these latent telekinetic "harbingers" secretly live among us...with the potential to be activated at any moment...has led the American government to a dramatic tipping point...
Armed with new extra-governmental authority, the deep-black military contractor known as Omen has been authorized to identify, evaluate, and, if need be, eliminate all super-normal threats to the homeland. H.A.R.D. Corps units have been deployed into cities and towns across the United States to enforce their orders.
In the East, one of the most powerful minds on Earth, Peter Stanchek, is leading his band of Renegades across the country, activating any potential psiots willing to join them, and building an insurrection force of ultra-powerful and unwieldy new abilities that will soon bring war to Omen's doorstep...and the unstoppable force known as X-O Manowar raging back to Earth.
In the West, Livewire - the telekinetic technopath with the ability to bend machines and computers to her will - will be forced to choose between her former allies...or her newfound team of Secret Weapons. As the situation escalates beyond human control, the United States will be plunged into darkness from coast to coast, launching Bloodshot and Ninjak into a dangerous mission to neutralize their one-time teammate - and setting the stage for the most shocking, most violent, and most consequential clash of powers ever witnessed in the history of the Valiant Universe!
Collecting HARBINGER WARS 2: PRELUDE #1, HARBINGER WARS 2 #1-4, and HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1.
For the rare and immensely powerful subset of humanity known as psiots, their unique abilities have come with an enormous cost. Once, their existence was known only to a select few. Now, the revelation that thousands of these latent telekinetic "harbingers" secretly live among us...with the potential to be activated at any moment...has led the American government to a dramatic tipping point...
Armed with new extra-governmental authority, the deep-black military contractor known as Omen has been authorized to identify, evaluate, and, if need be, eliminate all super-normal threats to the homeland. H.A.R.D. Corps units have been deployed into cities and towns across the United States to enforce their orders.
In the East, one of the most powerful minds on Earth, Peter Stanchek, is leading his band of Renegades across the country, activating any potential psiots willing to join them, and building an insurrection force of ultra-powerful and unwieldy new abilities that will soon bring war to Omen's doorstep...and the unstoppable force known as X-O Manowar raging back to Earth.
In the West, Livewire - the telekinetic technopath with the ability to bend machines and computers to her will - will be forced to choose between her former allies...or her newfound team of Secret Weapons. As the situation escalates beyond human control, the United States will be plunged into darkness from coast to coast, launching Bloodshot and Ninjak into a dangerous mission to neutralize their one-time teammate - and setting the stage for the most shocking, most violent, and most consequential clash of powers ever witnessed in the history of the Valiant Universe!
Collecting HARBINGER WARS 2: PRELUDE #1, HARBINGER WARS 2 #1-4, and HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1.
146 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 24, 2018
This is not a sequel to the original Harbinger Wars. It's more of a moniker like World War II. This borrows heavily from the Chris Claremont era of X-Men. Psiots (basically mutants) are being hunted down and murdered by the government and Livewire fights back. She can control any and all electronics and shuts down the power across the entire U.S. What follows is the various Valiant heroes taking sides and sets up Livewire for her first solo series.
I liked the premise of the series. What I don't like is the lack of introductions of the characters. You have to have read most Valiant comics of the last several years to know who's who. I don't remember seeing any of the H.A.R.D. corps characters since the original Bloodshot series at least 5 years ago and they play a large role in the story. Valiant really needs to include a primer to their crossovers, especially considering how much they start and stop titles. There's quite a few different artists on the book and the quality of the work varies greatly with each artist.
Received a review copy from Valiant and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
I liked the premise of the series. What I don't like is the lack of introductions of the characters. You have to have read most Valiant comics of the last several years to know who's who. I don't remember seeing any of the H.A.R.D. corps characters since the original Bloodshot series at least 5 years ago and they play a large role in the story. Valiant really needs to include a primer to their crossovers, especially considering how much they start and stop titles. There's quite a few different artists on the book and the quality of the work varies greatly with each artist.
Received a review copy from Valiant and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
November 5, 2018
Not bad. Artwork changed, but not ugly. Story was kind of cliche, “us vs. them”. Not bad, but not amazing. Solid 3 stars.
Disclaimer: received eCopy from publisher to read and review.
Disclaimer: received eCopy from publisher to read and review.
October 2, 2021
Hmmm
90% of this, I really loved. Tomás Giorello’s art was phenomenal, and Matt Kindt’s writing was as clever and punchy as ever.
That other 10% I didn’t love came down to it being too short and rushed, especially in the last act. Also… there were some bold moves regarding Livewire’s redeemability that may have been a little too much. She did kill a lot of innocent people.
All in all, it’s really fun and not boring… but something was still missing for me
90% of this, I really loved. Tomás Giorello’s art was phenomenal, and Matt Kindt’s writing was as clever and punchy as ever.
That other 10% I didn’t love came down to it being too short and rushed, especially in the last act. Also… there were some bold moves regarding Livewire’s redeemability that may have been a little too much. She did kill a lot of innocent people.
All in all, it’s really fun and not boring… but something was still missing for me
November 22, 2018
'Harbinger Wars 2' by Matt Kindt and a bunch of talented artists is the kind of big epic battle that other comic imprints wish they could create.
Livewire is trying to protect the young psiots, and the government is intent on killing them. This leads her to use her powers to create a sort of EMP that takes out power to lots of things. People die as a result and familiar heroes are on both sides of the conflict. There are scared kids on the run, and powered heroes taking swings and, sometimes, switching sides.
Throughout it all is some really good art. I say it's what other companies wish they could create because the stakes feel pretty real, and the motivations for each side are felt and understood. I really like this conclusion to the story, and a chance to see these characters battle things out.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Livewire is trying to protect the young psiots, and the government is intent on killing them. This leads her to use her powers to create a sort of EMP that takes out power to lots of things. People die as a result and familiar heroes are on both sides of the conflict. There are scared kids on the run, and powered heroes taking swings and, sometimes, switching sides.
Throughout it all is some really good art. I say it's what other companies wish they could create because the stakes feel pretty real, and the motivations for each side are felt and understood. I really like this conclusion to the story, and a chance to see these characters battle things out.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Valiant Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
October 4, 2018
Wonderful illustrations and pages/panels/frames organization. This was original and great. Unfortunately the story didn’t reach me in any way. I won’t have another go with this series...
November 6, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Harbinger Wars II is not a sequel to Valiant's first event back in 2013. It does share some characters and concepts though. Central to this story is Livewire, a psiot with the ability to control technology. After a government affiliated assault team goes after the group of kids that she has taken under her wing (see Secret Weapons for more information on them), she goes off the rails a little bit.
I can understand where she is coming from and that portion of the story is pretty good. The struggle between Livewire and the government worked. But this is labelled as a war and it just didn't feel like their was much of a war going on. It pulls in a lot of the mainstay Valiant characters and forces them to choose sides. The struggle feels minimal and could have been fleshed out a lot more (maybe more in line with the Armor Hunter series that Valiant put out).
There are some cool moments though. I like some of the stuff involving Pete. And the way Livewire manipulates Bloodshot. The art was pretty good. I recall a few moments, maybe all involving Faith, where the drawing felt weak. I think people that have read more of the current Valiant stuff will get something out of this book. It might end up being more of a transition story for Livewire than anything else. As on the fence as I feel about this book, I want to see what happens with her next.
Harbinger Wars II is not a sequel to Valiant's first event back in 2013. It does share some characters and concepts though. Central to this story is Livewire, a psiot with the ability to control technology. After a government affiliated assault team goes after the group of kids that she has taken under her wing (see Secret Weapons for more information on them), she goes off the rails a little bit.
I can understand where she is coming from and that portion of the story is pretty good. The struggle between Livewire and the government worked. But this is labelled as a war and it just didn't feel like their was much of a war going on. It pulls in a lot of the mainstay Valiant characters and forces them to choose sides. The struggle feels minimal and could have been fleshed out a lot more (maybe more in line with the Armor Hunter series that Valiant put out).
There are some cool moments though. I like some of the stuff involving Pete. And the way Livewire manipulates Bloodshot. The art was pretty good. I recall a few moments, maybe all involving Faith, where the drawing felt weak. I think people that have read more of the current Valiant stuff will get something out of this book. It might end up being more of a transition story for Livewire than anything else. As on the fence as I feel about this book, I want to see what happens with her next.
July 1, 2020
One of my favorite Valiant comics heroes is Livewire (Amanda McKee). Her powers are very cool and underrated, with most writers not exploring the extent of her powers as much as they could. She can communicate and interface with any electrical machines. The potential is vast! I'm so happy that this latest Valiant event is centered around her and is a cool showcase for the character. Note that this is NOT a sequel to Harbinger Wars: Deluxe Edition. Think of it as more of the second Harbinger War rather than a direct sequel to that other story. The tension between the United States and psiots, people born with extended mental abilities, has reached a major boiling point. And after the psiot massacre in Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 2: Massacre and the attempted assassination of Livewire's newest students, she finally snaps and plunges the entire country into a blackout. This former hero is now public enemy #1 and the U.S. brings in other super-powered heroes to stop her.
There is a lot of gossip and controversy surrounding this time of Valiant publishing but I liked this a lot more than I was lead to believe. I thought it was entertaining and filled with stakes, involving most of the shared comic book universe. You can tell that many smaller storylines in other books have been forgotten about, which is probably due to the publishing shake-up at the company during this time, but I still had a good time reading this. It was also strange that the characters and events that happened during Secret Weapons: Deluxe Edition were such a big deal leading up to the main story, but those characters are being seen once the main story gets going. Weird. But, especially as a showcase for Livewire, and for fans who've followed the psiot storylines like Harbinger Renegade, Generation Zero, and Secret Weapons, it's a good read!
There is a lot of gossip and controversy surrounding this time of Valiant publishing but I liked this a lot more than I was lead to believe. I thought it was entertaining and filled with stakes, involving most of the shared comic book universe. You can tell that many smaller storylines in other books have been forgotten about, which is probably due to the publishing shake-up at the company during this time, but I still had a good time reading this. It was also strange that the characters and events that happened during Secret Weapons: Deluxe Edition were such a big deal leading up to the main story, but those characters are being seen once the main story gets going. Weird. But, especially as a showcase for Livewire, and for fans who've followed the psiot storylines like Harbinger Renegade, Generation Zero, and Secret Weapons, it's a good read!
October 13, 2018
Valiant remain the publishing house most bullish about never telling newbies who anyone is, what their powers are, and what relations they have with all the other titles in their universe. So here I came, to this action sequel, finding characters I had no idea about – such as some bloke who can turn himself, other people and wooden tables into some impenetrable substance. But more importantly, I found the main core of this book – a very, very standard us-against-them X-Men styled revenge war. Floating aircraft carrier-styled headquarters? Rogue powered people doing more to damage their own cause than other groups of powered people think necessary? Yup, all were first on comics pages decades ago, so all you really get that's fresh here is the pleasantly painterly artwork. It's OK and entertaining, to a point, but is not going to stand out as a most memorable title, and even stalwarts should admit that those X-Men books of old were a lot more accessible to passing readers.
March 6, 2019
Harbinger Wars II is less of a war and more of a series of skirmishes as Livewire turns the entire world against her in a bid to keep psiots everywhere safe. Drawing on continuity from a multitude of Valiant titles like Generation Zero, Harbinger Renegades, X-O Manowar, and Secret Weapons, what follows is basically everyone telling Livewire she's wrong while she kicks their asses across the planet and back.
It's an odd story. I feel like it should have felt more epic than it did - it's over in a blink of an eye, and there aren't really many changes to the overall status quo. The psiots are still hunted, Livewire's still a fugitive - it makes things feel a little...cheap.
That's not to say it's not enjoyable. There are a few surprises along the way like the end of issue 2, and the prelude issue is basically Secret Weapons #5, and that mini-series was practically perfect. But HWII doesn't deliver on being the big event comic it should be.
Art-wise, the prelude issue is by Raul and Patricia Allen so it's fucking gorgeous, while Tomas Giorello jumps over from X-O Manowar for the main series. It's a bit less polished than before, and could maybe have done with some heavier inking, since the visuals feel more insubstantial than previously. Adam Pollina takes the aftermath issue, but this one's over so quickly that it's hardly worth mentioning aside from one very clever splash page that I really liked.
Harbinger Wars II is strange. It's not bad, it's not great - it just feels like the next step on the Valiant road, but one without many notable landmarks or potholes along the way. Your journey just goes through it, and you might be excused for not even noticing you did.
It's an odd story. I feel like it should have felt more epic than it did - it's over in a blink of an eye, and there aren't really many changes to the overall status quo. The psiots are still hunted, Livewire's still a fugitive - it makes things feel a little...cheap.
That's not to say it's not enjoyable. There are a few surprises along the way like the end of issue 2, and the prelude issue is basically Secret Weapons #5, and that mini-series was practically perfect. But HWII doesn't deliver on being the big event comic it should be.
Art-wise, the prelude issue is by Raul and Patricia Allen so it's fucking gorgeous, while Tomas Giorello jumps over from X-O Manowar for the main series. It's a bit less polished than before, and could maybe have done with some heavier inking, since the visuals feel more insubstantial than previously. Adam Pollina takes the aftermath issue, but this one's over so quickly that it's hardly worth mentioning aside from one very clever splash page that I really liked.
Harbinger Wars II is strange. It's not bad, it's not great - it just feels like the next step on the Valiant road, but one without many notable landmarks or potholes along the way. Your journey just goes through it, and you might be excused for not even noticing you did.
December 27, 2019
My review, with minimal spoilers, based on reading the individual issues . . . .
HARBINGER WARS 2 PRELUDE (Valiant Entertainment, May 2018) Eric Heisserer, writer. Raul Allen and Patricia Martin, art. Borja Pindado additional colors and inks. Patricia Martin, letters.
HARBINGER WARS 2 #1-4 (Valiant Entertainment, May - August, 2018) Matt Kindt, writer. Tomas Giorello and Renato Guedes, art. Diego Rodriguez, colors. Dave Sharpe, letters.
HARBINGER WARS 2 AFTERMATH (Valiant Entertainment, September 2018) Matt Kindt, writer. Adam Pollina, art. Diego Rodriguez, colors. Dave Sharpe, letters.
If you’re an avid reader of super-hero sagas, enjoy the team books, but are fed up with the never-ending “event” issues that promise epic storylines with ground-breaking changes - - don’t throw in the towel until you’ve experienced how Valiant handles things.
Sure, once in a while a comics publisher gets it right and delivers a worthwhile reading experience. But the number of clunkers, duds and flat-out tedious reading efforts far outnumber the ones you will remember and even consider a second or third reading of.
For my comics dollar, I’ll always prefer the Valiant events over the never-ending epics that the Big Two publishers pile one on top of another year after year. Valiant has been doing it right, and doing it well for a number of reasons:
1) The stories deal with big concepts but manage to wrap up within five or six issues, not the eight to twelve issues that the Big Two will often stretch and pad them out.
2) Valiant doesn’t use the events as a reason to cross over into every other title with the idea of taking advantage of completists who will buy all these extra books, even though the stories are vaguely related to the main plot and usually inconsequential.
3) An “epic event” at Valiant is a bigger deal. The stories have actual consequences that usually include changes or a progression that is lasting and affects the whole line of titles. The conclusion won’t be ignored or treated as imaginary/alternative, and future titles will respect the continuity.
4) Every issue of a Valiant event includes a concise synopsis or story guide on the opening credits pages, so that readers can jump right into the storyline without needing an extensive knowledge of who, what, where, when and why. Also, readers could still skip the Valiant event series and not be lost when they pick up any regular books that follow after it.
The highlights for me were:
PRELUDE: Rather than a teaser lead-in to the main event, this gets right to the key incident that escalates tensions and results in the “war”.
Confrontations between psiots and the government are increasing in frequency and intensity. After failing to come to an understanding, negotiations between Livewire (Amada McKee) and Homeland Security break down when she realizes she’s being lied to. That leads to her decisive action which Livewire hoped would dissuade government forces from trying to enforce a nationwide effort to capture, contain or eliminate psiots.
There’s a dramatic scene near the end where Amanda reunites with her young charges during a meteor-like shower of falling satellites. Amanda answers the question of what did she do by replying: “The wrong thing for the right reasons.”
ISSUE #1: Many of the psiots are innocent and scared youngsters, and the parallels to what’s being done in the real world to immigrant children on the U.S. - Mexico border come to mind immediately. X-O Manowar gets involved on the government’s side but begins with a pre-battle conversation with Livewire, in which she utters some memorable lines: “They’re putting children in prison. All tyranny needs to win is for people of good conscience to do nothing.”
ISSUE #2: There’s lots of action and meaningful battles this issue. However, the highlight for me was a short conversation where Livewire travels to Russia to try and persuade Abram, the ultra-powerful cosmonaut from DIVINITY to get involved and make Earth a safer place.
Livewire: “You can fix all of this with a snap of your fingers. Protect the psiots and end this war before it starts. Save lives.”
Abram’s answer: “I could do what you say. But, then what? What does humanity learn? They learn to come to me to solve their problems? I am not a God . . . nor do I wish to become one.”
ISSUE #3: This is the issue I’ll remember for the incredible fight scenes. Heroes on both sides of the battlefront begin to ask questions and have some decisions to make regarding the path forward.
ISSUE #4: Saved the best battle for last: the confrontation between Livewire and X-O Manowar.
AFTERMATH: Actions and words have consequences, as the future relationships between Livewire and X-O Manowar, Snowbeard and Peter Stancheck, Livewire and Ninjak are challenged and changed from this point forward
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: An intriguing storyline with lots of little surprises and great interaction and exchanges between the characters. The story makes sense and has a point to it all. 2.5 POINTS
ART: The minimalist art style of Raul Allen is particularly well-suited to the Prelude issue, especially in the multiple-panel pages of conversation and action. The photo-realistic art in the following issues and dynamic fight scenes illustrated by Giorello are awesome to behold. 2.5 POINTS
COVERS: Great character montages on every issue. The facial expressions and close-ups are a knock-out. 2 POINTS
READ AGAIN? There’s plenty to enjoy more than once. 1 POINT.
RECOMMEND? Definitely, especially if you want to read an “event” book that is done right. 1 POINT
TOTAL RATING: 9 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10 POINTS. A SUPERIOR EFFORT.
HARBINGER WARS 2 PRELUDE (Valiant Entertainment, May 2018) Eric Heisserer, writer. Raul Allen and Patricia Martin, art. Borja Pindado additional colors and inks. Patricia Martin, letters.
HARBINGER WARS 2 #1-4 (Valiant Entertainment, May - August, 2018) Matt Kindt, writer. Tomas Giorello and Renato Guedes, art. Diego Rodriguez, colors. Dave Sharpe, letters.
HARBINGER WARS 2 AFTERMATH (Valiant Entertainment, September 2018) Matt Kindt, writer. Adam Pollina, art. Diego Rodriguez, colors. Dave Sharpe, letters.
If you’re an avid reader of super-hero sagas, enjoy the team books, but are fed up with the never-ending “event” issues that promise epic storylines with ground-breaking changes - - don’t throw in the towel until you’ve experienced how Valiant handles things.
Sure, once in a while a comics publisher gets it right and delivers a worthwhile reading experience. But the number of clunkers, duds and flat-out tedious reading efforts far outnumber the ones you will remember and even consider a second or third reading of.
For my comics dollar, I’ll always prefer the Valiant events over the never-ending epics that the Big Two publishers pile one on top of another year after year. Valiant has been doing it right, and doing it well for a number of reasons:
1) The stories deal with big concepts but manage to wrap up within five or six issues, not the eight to twelve issues that the Big Two will often stretch and pad them out.
2) Valiant doesn’t use the events as a reason to cross over into every other title with the idea of taking advantage of completists who will buy all these extra books, even though the stories are vaguely related to the main plot and usually inconsequential.
3) An “epic event” at Valiant is a bigger deal. The stories have actual consequences that usually include changes or a progression that is lasting and affects the whole line of titles. The conclusion won’t be ignored or treated as imaginary/alternative, and future titles will respect the continuity.
4) Every issue of a Valiant event includes a concise synopsis or story guide on the opening credits pages, so that readers can jump right into the storyline without needing an extensive knowledge of who, what, where, when and why. Also, readers could still skip the Valiant event series and not be lost when they pick up any regular books that follow after it.
The highlights for me were:
PRELUDE: Rather than a teaser lead-in to the main event, this gets right to the key incident that escalates tensions and results in the “war”.
Confrontations between psiots and the government are increasing in frequency and intensity. After failing to come to an understanding, negotiations between Livewire (Amada McKee) and Homeland Security break down when she realizes she’s being lied to. That leads to her decisive action which Livewire hoped would dissuade government forces from trying to enforce a nationwide effort to capture, contain or eliminate psiots.
There’s a dramatic scene near the end where Amanda reunites with her young charges during a meteor-like shower of falling satellites. Amanda answers the question of what did she do by replying: “The wrong thing for the right reasons.”
ISSUE #1: Many of the psiots are innocent and scared youngsters, and the parallels to what’s being done in the real world to immigrant children on the U.S. - Mexico border come to mind immediately. X-O Manowar gets involved on the government’s side but begins with a pre-battle conversation with Livewire, in which she utters some memorable lines: “They’re putting children in prison. All tyranny needs to win is for people of good conscience to do nothing.”
ISSUE #2: There’s lots of action and meaningful battles this issue. However, the highlight for me was a short conversation where Livewire travels to Russia to try and persuade Abram, the ultra-powerful cosmonaut from DIVINITY to get involved and make Earth a safer place.
Livewire: “You can fix all of this with a snap of your fingers. Protect the psiots and end this war before it starts. Save lives.”
Abram’s answer: “I could do what you say. But, then what? What does humanity learn? They learn to come to me to solve their problems? I am not a God . . . nor do I wish to become one.”
ISSUE #3: This is the issue I’ll remember for the incredible fight scenes. Heroes on both sides of the battlefront begin to ask questions and have some decisions to make regarding the path forward.
ISSUE #4: Saved the best battle for last: the confrontation between Livewire and X-O Manowar.
AFTERMATH: Actions and words have consequences, as the future relationships between Livewire and X-O Manowar, Snowbeard and Peter Stancheck, Livewire and Ninjak are challenged and changed from this point forward
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: An intriguing storyline with lots of little surprises and great interaction and exchanges between the characters. The story makes sense and has a point to it all. 2.5 POINTS
ART: The minimalist art style of Raul Allen is particularly well-suited to the Prelude issue, especially in the multiple-panel pages of conversation and action. The photo-realistic art in the following issues and dynamic fight scenes illustrated by Giorello are awesome to behold. 2.5 POINTS
COVERS: Great character montages on every issue. The facial expressions and close-ups are a knock-out. 2 POINTS
READ AGAIN? There’s plenty to enjoy more than once. 1 POINT.
RECOMMEND? Definitely, especially if you want to read an “event” book that is done right. 1 POINT
TOTAL RATING: 9 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10 POINTS. A SUPERIOR EFFORT.
March 15, 2019
I just cannot get enough of anything Valiant and this is another great volume. I especially enjoyed the Livewire character arc and the relationship to Bloodshot.
March 27, 2022
Reading the Matt Kindt era od Valiant books has been less a roller coaster, and more a jerky bumper cars ride in an amusement park with electrical problems.
For the most part, I really liked this story. In part because of the Eric Heisserer and Raúl Allén, prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon, Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine, Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future, Secret Weapons, and Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King, all of which feed into this book.
Once Matt Kindt takes over, it's a free-for-all, he just throws characters at you, which is fine if you're caught up on The Valiant Universe, but if you're a new or lapsed reader, good luck.
The plot in this book: Unity superhero member Livewire goes to war with the US government and several international organizations after they reveal their plans to murder superpowered children, is fantastic, and allows some great character moments for members of the above mentioned series. I spent most of the book enthralled, and pleased that Matt Kindt, whose other Valiant titles from this time haven't excited me, appeared to be back on track.
Unfortunately, the pacing at the end seemed rushed, like he had to get the story over with, but needed another issue. The plot resolution wasn't unsatisfying but I wish we got to see more of the climax taking place rather than being told that the climax was taking place.
Overall, if you've enjoyed the bigger Valiant events, I think you'll enjoy this. And if you havent read the bigger events, but you've read at least a few of the series that lead into this series, you'll enjoy it. I don't know if this is a great First Valiant book.
Another slight complaint is the cover to this collection. It's a perfectly fine generic superhero book cover. But inside the book you'll see the individual covers for the individual issues, and almost all of them do a better job at conveying the art style and story.
For the most part, I really liked this story. In part because of the Eric Heisserer and Raúl Allén, prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon, Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine, Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future, Secret Weapons, and Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King, all of which feed into this book.
Once Matt Kindt takes over, it's a free-for-all, he just throws characters at you, which is fine if you're caught up on The Valiant Universe, but if you're a new or lapsed reader, good luck.
The plot in this book: Unity superhero member Livewire goes to war with the US government and several international organizations after they reveal their plans to murder superpowered children, is fantastic, and allows some great character moments for members of the above mentioned series. I spent most of the book enthralled, and pleased that Matt Kindt, whose other Valiant titles from this time haven't excited me, appeared to be back on track.
Unfortunately, the pacing at the end seemed rushed, like he had to get the story over with, but needed another issue. The plot resolution wasn't unsatisfying but I wish we got to see more of the climax taking place rather than being told that the climax was taking place.
Overall, if you've enjoyed the bigger Valiant events, I think you'll enjoy this. And if you havent read the bigger events, but you've read at least a few of the series that lead into this series, you'll enjoy it. I don't know if this is a great First Valiant book.
Another slight complaint is the cover to this collection. It's a perfectly fine generic superhero book cover. But inside the book you'll see the individual covers for the individual issues, and almost all of them do a better job at conveying the art style and story.
July 25, 2025
If you liked Marvel's Civil War, you'll love this story. It has everything from camaradery, to betrayal, to manipulation and plenty of dead bodies.
Livewire is wanted by the government for destroying the world's satellites and causing a blackout in the whole US. Peter Stanchek is using his power to activate psiots to keep them away from the government that would use them as weapons, while Omen is tracking his every move. Omen is targeting all psiots for containment or elimination using HARD Corps. They have Aric and Ninjak on their side. It's looking bad already and things are only going to escalate.
Livewire is wanted by the government for destroying the world's satellites and causing a blackout in the whole US. Peter Stanchek is using his power to activate psiots to keep them away from the government that would use them as weapons, while Omen is tracking his every move. Omen is targeting all psiots for containment or elimination using HARD Corps. They have Aric and Ninjak on their side. It's looking bad already and things are only going to escalate.
December 7, 2020
The entire US loses electricity and is plunged into a modern dark age, and the culprit - one of the heroes of the valiant universe: Livewire.
That's right, Livewire. Matt Kindt takes Livewire to the full measure of her power in this one. Where she has always been a powerful figure, here we realize just how much power she truly wields. And the reason why she goes to these extreme lengths actually reinforces her character. She learns that the government is experimenting and torturing kid psiots. When she tells them to stop or else, they try to kill her and more of her kids, and she does what she feels she has to in order to get them to comply. This leads to this event where Ninjak, X O Manowar, and the HARD corps are after her, and Bloodshot is being controlled by Livewire against them and the US government.
I like this event, but I did find it a bit lackluster at times. Besides the black out and a segment where Bloodshot infiltrates the last base of the "enemy", there isn't too much action. It is more of a philosophical discussion on which side is right - ultimately resulting in much grayer moral grounds on both sides than either would've expected.
An interesting read, but not sure it's worth a big crossover event - this one was fun none the less. Recommended for fans of the Valiant universe.
That's right, Livewire. Matt Kindt takes Livewire to the full measure of her power in this one. Where she has always been a powerful figure, here we realize just how much power she truly wields. And the reason why she goes to these extreme lengths actually reinforces her character. She learns that the government is experimenting and torturing kid psiots. When she tells them to stop or else, they try to kill her and more of her kids, and she does what she feels she has to in order to get them to comply. This leads to this event where Ninjak, X O Manowar, and the HARD corps are after her, and Bloodshot is being controlled by Livewire against them and the US government.
I like this event, but I did find it a bit lackluster at times. Besides the black out and a segment where Bloodshot infiltrates the last base of the "enemy", there isn't too much action. It is more of a philosophical discussion on which side is right - ultimately resulting in much grayer moral grounds on both sides than either would've expected.
An interesting read, but not sure it's worth a big crossover event - this one was fun none the less. Recommended for fans of the Valiant universe.
February 27, 2021
Matt Kindt does good work at Valiant. This series was similar to the X-Men as we have humans and superheroes vs Psiots, which are basically Valiant Universe mutants. Livewire plays the Professor X/Magneto role in taking drastic measures in order to ensure the safety of her fellow psiots, and while some of the heroes are sympathetic they also consider psiots to be dangerous. It ends up very similar to an Avengers vs. X-Men type situation.
Overall a good read with good art. Valiant continues to get high praise from me.
Overall a good read with good art. Valiant continues to get high praise from me.
March 26, 2021
It's great to see the psiots get another big event piece, because they just haven't been getting enough attention in the latter days of VH-E. But, this volume just doesn't have the nuance that I'd like. Livewire gets a nice central spotlight, but other than that this event is mainly about the biggies of the VH-E universe fighting each other head on. The conclusion is good, and it puts characters on interesting new trajectories, but in between seems like a lot of sound and fury.
December 1, 2020
It’s Valiant’s own Civil War 2. But the motivation between the big heroes who we all want to be good is unclear in choosing sides, an ending that’s way too talky, and honestly smaller stakes.
And with artists changing in Issues with very different styles...at times it feels like it’s jumping around.
Might be a 2.75.
And with artists changing in Issues with very different styles...at times it feels like it’s jumping around.
Might be a 2.75.
December 26, 2018
I'm a little mixed on how everything connects in Harbinger Wars 2, possibly because I'm not overly familiar with the Valiant characters. Also, not all of the characters are utilized to their full potential (i.e., Faith mostly takes a backseat in all of the action). (e-galley from NetGalley)
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