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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'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.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
4.0
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 [a:Eric Heisserer|1639228|Eric Heisserer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Raúl Allén,|14856081|Raúl Allén,|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading [b:Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon|33142313|Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1 The Judgment of Solomon|Rafer Roberts|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480338202l/33142313._SY75_.jpg|53827200], [b:Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine|29332093|Faith, Volume 1 Hollywood & Vine (Faith, #1)|Jody Houser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456858096l/29332093._SY75_.jpg|49564767], [b:Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future|34094132|Generation Zero, Vol. 1 We are the Future|Fred Van Lente|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485924406l/34094132._SY75_.jpg|52467355], [b:Secret Weapons|36295022|Secret Weapons|Eric Heisserer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529622847l/36295022._SY75_.jpg|57960977], and [b:Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King|20313289|Unity, Volume 1 To Kill a King|Matt Kindt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392028211l/20313289._SY75_.jpg|28147960], 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 [a:Eric Heisserer|1639228|Eric Heisserer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Raúl Allén,|14856081|Raúl Allén,|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] prelude issue. It's a gorgeous, straightforward, setup to introduce readers who may not have been reading [b:Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1: The Judgment of Solomon|33142313|Harbinger Renegade, Vol. 1 The Judgment of Solomon|Rafer Roberts|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480338202l/33142313._SY75_.jpg|53827200], [b:Faith, Volume 1: Hollywood & Vine|29332093|Faith, Volume 1 Hollywood & Vine (Faith, #1)|Jody Houser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456858096l/29332093._SY75_.jpg|49564767], [b:Generation Zero, Vol. 1: We are the Future|34094132|Generation Zero, Vol. 1 We are the Future|Fred Van Lente|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485924406l/34094132._SY75_.jpg|52467355], [b:Secret Weapons|36295022|Secret Weapons|Eric Heisserer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529622847l/36295022._SY75_.jpg|57960977], and [b:Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King|20313289|Unity, Volume 1 To Kill a King|Matt Kindt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392028211l/20313289._SY75_.jpg|28147960], 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.
jhstack's review against another edition
3.0
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)
carroq's review against another edition
3.0
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.
lukeisthename34's review against another edition
5.0
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.
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