A review by carroq
Harbinger Volume 1: Omega Rising by Joshua Dysart

4.0

I've already read the second volume in this series, so I knew where this was going. It was still enjoyable though. The book does exactly what a first volume should do: introduces the reader to the characters and the world they operate in while setting the stage for things to come.

Peter Stanchek has superpowers and has been hunted along with his friend Joe for a while. When someone new approaches him that has abilities similar to his own, Peter can't resist the offer to join him. That man is Toyo Harada. I love the approach that is taken with him because it lays out reasons for the things that he does. This encompasses the businesses that he has amassed to bringing Peter under his wing.

The book also introduces characters that have an impact on a number of other Valiant books. It even sets the seeds for the animosity between the Harada Group and Project Rising Spirit (see Bloodshoot, volume 1 for more on them).

Anyway, the writing is good. The characters are believable and their speech is natural. I thought the book was a little lacking because it is setting the stage for things to come. It is more important as a way to get familiar with the Valiant universe and learn about Peter Stanchek than as a separate story. I like the art too. It fits perfectly into the style that Valiant has applied across its books. Definitely a good place to start with these characters.