by Russell Johnson @director421
My head was spinning from the last issue as I was duped into believing that the Renegades finally escaped Project Rising Spirit’s grasp, that they have actually been Toyo’s prisoners of war all along. This issue begins with a fair amount of surrealism as Monica Jim, one of P.R.S.’s escaped psi-ops, is shown using her physic constructs during the Harbinger War battles and is one of the few children recaptured by Harada and his team. We also finally see how P.R.S. was able to capture Peter and his exhausted gang after the Vegas fight. Inside P.R.S. the Renegades are being controlled by Toyo’s hyper-psychics in believable constructs while Harada must control Peter on his own; it’s taking it’s toll. Toyo is on the verge of exhaustion himself and a devastating mind-squall that if not contained can be disastrous.
Joshua Dysart does a nice job here with the reveal of P.R.S.’s mind-prisons as well as a wild cartoonish vision of Monica Jim’s new found freedom (she believes is happening). It’s both fun and light while exposing a very dangerous new enemy to Harada and P.R.S. if not contained. While we have seen what the Renegades were experiencing in their virtual trip to Los Angeles, the real mystery lies inside Peter’s mind and what’s yet to be revealed. There’s also an intriguing bit of exposition on Toyo’s need for sleep, or lack there of. The mind-sqaull, that we get a small glimpse of, shows that Harada has limitations too and that he is on the brink of those limitations.
Clayton Henry’s art is stellar as usual and his blending of cartoons that Monica Jim can create through constructs balance with real world elements is both interesting and slightly off putting in it’s simplicity and potential horror. It’s subtle but can’t be ignored. Henry has a lot to work with this issue and he takes full advantage of it.
Harbinger is Valiant’s most consistent and thought provoking title and this issue is a demonstration of all it’s unique qualities. This is a title to look forward to each month because you never know what’s coming and will keep you on your toes for the unexpected. Highly entertaining and a consistently great read.
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