Harbinger Vol. 3: Harbinger Wars

Still tied into Harbinger Wars this third volume of Harbinger is almost all flashback to an early confrontation between Toyo Harada & Project Rising Spirit.  There are really two different stories being told here the first of which is between a young Harada & the director of Project Rising Spirit, the second is set during present day & shows how the Renegades proceeded to Las Vegas & what trouble they got into along the way.  This is really the first time they have functioned as a team the previous volume was finding & activating them.  The way this is written I really have to sympathize with Harada he's not an out an out villain instead he is a lot like Magneto for Marvel Comics & the Renegades are like the X-Men without Xavier.  I like where this is going it was a great compliment to Harbinger Wars.

Bloodshot Vol. 3: Harbinger Wars

This volume of Bloodshot gives a detailed account of Bloodshot's journey from his showdown with Toyo Harada to the Harbinger War in Las Vegas.  Bloodshot has a lot of inner dialog with the nanites that control the healing in his body.  This explains how he regenerates after the battle with Harada.  Kuretich chooses a side & pays for his choice in this volume.  Bloodshot gives Kara an out in this volume which explains why she is not seen in the main Harbinger Wars book.  The final showdown between Bloodshot & Harada takes place in this book & sets up where Bloodshot is going after this event.  

Harbinger Wars

This is the first major crossover in the new Valiant Universe.  This is basically the big showdown between the Harbinger Foundation & Project Rising Spirit with Bloodshot, several new psiots & the Renegades caught in the middle.  This is a great little crossover its only four issues it builds directly off of the events in Bloodshot Vol. 2.  Project Rising Spirit is almost decimated by Bloodshot & is looking at a hail marry attempt to contain the situation by unleashing the H.A.R.D. Corps.  One of the major questions that has been lingering since the beginning can Harada be injured or is he just too powerful,  well Bloodshot can certainly hurt him.  By the end of this event some characters are dead & the balance of power has shifted more in one direction for psiots plus Toyo Harada is still anonymous when it comes to the Harbinger Foundation's true purpose for the global landscape.

Bloodshot Vol. 2: The Rise & The Fall

Project Rising Spirit just got their collective asses handed to them in this collection by Bloodshot & company.  Bloohdshot is every action star put together in one man he's Captain America, Cable & the Punisher at the same time.  Bloodshot is looking for answers about his past which take him to this super secret facility.  It is only at the end of this volume that you realize that he is still a puppet having his strings pulled to set events in motion.  Up next is the first big crossover for Valiant Comics in the form of Harbinger Wars.

Bloodshot Vol. 1: Setting the World on Fire

This first volume of Bloodshot is a lot like reading a Captain America book if Steve Rogers was being used & brain washed by a secret government organization.  Oh wait that is exactly what happened to the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes.  Bloodshot has been betrayed & is on the run looking for answers.  While this book offers a great introduction to the character it does not provide many answers.  One of the things I love about the Valiant Universe compared to that of the DC Universe or the Marvel Universe is that it feels fresh, new & inviting.  While the other two feel like a visit with old friends bogged down with history.  The Valiant Universe feels like anything can & will happen it is great to have this company back in the mix of weekly comics.  Another great thing about the Valiant Universe is that it is very condensed, while this may not always be the case currently it is a blessing that makes every title Valiant puts out accessible.