Harbinger Wars 2 Prelude

   So what would happen if a group of young people started developing superpowers?

   That's what Harbinger Wars is all about, as those Psiots (as they're called) are trying to find a safe place to live.

   With the guidance of the incredibly powerful Livewire, that seems to be happening - but then the war with humanity begins.

   It's brutal and raw, but imaginative as they fight for their lives with their unique powers.

   It's a smart story by Eric Heisserer, with powerful art by Paul Allen, Patricia Martin and Borja Pindado - I love the clever, involved layouts!

   It's a powerful start / prelude to the upcoming series, and a great jumping-on point!

Grade: A-

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Harbinger Renegade #1

   While I've never been a fan of "zero" issues, this is a "done in one" adventure that sets up the upcoming Harbinger Wars event book for Valiant - and it's well worth checking out.

   The focus is on a military strike mission by the augmented H.A.R.D. Corps team (a SEAL-type team with super-powers), which hopes to take down a psiot terrorist.

   Their target seems to be hiding on a remote island, so the team plans its attack carefully. Of course, any war plan rarely survives the first encounter on the battlefield - and the team soon finds itself in a fierce firefight.

   It's a wild, brutal fight from start to finish, with a strong script by Rafer Roberts and powerful art by Juan Jose Ryp.

   It lays the foundation for a bigger story down the road - one that has world-shaking potential. Recommended!

Grade: B+

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Harbinger Renegade #4

   The original Harbinger series was one of the best of the original Valiant series, and those characters are back (in one form or another) in the new Harbinger Renegades book.

   This issue wraps up the opening story arc, so it's a tough starting point (I advise waiting for the collection), but it's definitely putting in place a powerful story.

   It's the opening salvo in the war between Toyo Harada, a powerful psiot who has built an industry around his vision for the future, and those trying to maintain their freedom.

   He's opposed by a small but powerful group known as the Renegades - but can they survive Harada's plans?

   It's a sprawling story, with flashbacks, deadly confrontations, plot twists and heroic rescues.

   With powerful artwork and a strong story that nicely sets up lots of possible future scenarios, this is a terrific successor to the original series - but one that makes its own way.

Grade: A-

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