Other superheroes and the omnipresent crossover style – review of the comic book “Harbinger Wars 2”

The paths of the world’s most powerful heroes – XO Manowar, Livewire, Bloodshot, Ninjak, Renegades, the GATE agency – collide in a comic book story that will leave no hero unscathed.

 

X-Men in the world of Valiant

The Heralds are a peculiar human race that encouraged the USA with their abilities to over-exploit them. One of them, however, Livewire, who knew Washington’s bad intentions, and Bloodshoot and the rest of the Harbingers face off against XO Manowar and Ninjak, who know that the rebel Heralds can bring destruction to Earth. There is a fratricidal fight similar to the Marvel Civil War, although there are more corpses here, the conflict intensifies the dilemmas of some superheroes who understand each of the feuding sides. However, as in any war – civilians are the most disadvantaged. Valiant has accomplished an act that both Marvel and DC have failed. He presented the clash of the most important heroes of the universe without unnecessary pathos and censorship, reaching his recipients with the essence of the conflict in the way they should actually perceive it. Wars between superheroes, showing that the consequences of superhuman actions affect the general public, as each conflict involves more than just struggles on the battlefield.

Livewire is the driving force behind the story. She is definitely closer to Magneto than Xavier (she is the leader of the Harbors herself), but her talk is much easier to understand. On the other hand, it is prone to terrorist attacks. The character is so complicated that it would be difficult for me to find someone similar in other comic book universes.

Beautiful drawings

The greatest advantage of this issue are the drawings. The comic begins with frames by Raul Allen and Patricia Martin, which clearly and penetrate to the eye present Livewire’s technical abilities. There is also a tossed resemblance to the style of David Ajia in his Hawkeye series, where his pictures are really dynamic and comic in the best sense of the word. In turn, Tomás Giorello and Renato Guedes sometimes even exceed the brutality of competition events, but do not go beyond the limits set in Bloodshota, making their teams stick to a certain convention. In addition to the fight scenes of the above-mentioned hero, the machines and costumes of the heroes outlined also make a huge impression. We are dealing with a certain immersion that allows us to immerse ourselves in the almost real world that remains the Valiant universe all the time.

Something for the Valiant fans only

Valiant is certainly a new universe and through its characters it gets to the new reader better and faster. The universe of this publishing house focuses on elements based on science and technology in its comics. While Marvel and DC portray gods and goddesses such as Thor and Wonder Woman, there is nothing like it in Valiant. You have aliens like The Vine from XO Manowar , but there aren’t many of them, so if you like something like that, go for this universe.

Harbinger Wars 2 is a story consisting of 6 notebooks that form a closed whole, which, unfortunately, cannot be understood without knowing the universe. No wonder, however, as this is always the case with comic book events from every publisher, including Marvel and DC Comics. It is also worth mentioning that due to many acts of violence and quite a strong language, this is a story mainly for an adult audience.