Imperium 2

The battle for utopia continues! The second shocking chapter from New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart (Harbinger) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Armor Hunters)!

A psychic dictator, an inhuman robot, a mad scientist, a murderous alien and a super-powered terrorist are about to try and take over the world…and you’re going to be rooting for them every step of the way. THIS IS IMPERIUM.

Writer:

Joshua Dysart

Penciler:

Doug Braithwaite

Publisher:

Valiant Entertainment

I was cautiously optimistic about last issue. I was really intrigued by the premise, but wondered how it would fulfil it. I shouldn't have worried – if future issues stay at this level of quality, we could have the best comic of the year.

Issue two gives us the point of view of the rest of the world reacting to the events of #1, where Toyo Harada set himself and his psychically empowered followers on the path of changing the world to paradise, no matter the cost on the way to it. To put it mildly, the rest of the world is terrified, especially when two young children who have been psionically activated turn up at the United Nations to put forth Harada’s ultimatum – cede to their attempts to make the world a better place, or face the consequences.

Into this is thrown perhaps one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in comics in a while, Gravedog. Head of the military unit H.A.R.D. Corps, themselves a superpowered team who have been gifted their powers in return for an explosive in their head should they go rogue, he’s complex and nuanced, Dysart keeping you guessing as to just what his motives are. I’ll admit that as a new reader to the Valiant universe I didn’t get all of the references, nor quite how they would impact the world, but it’s to Dysart’s credit that each action and reaction felt like they had weight to them. Doubtless for fans there are lots of little nods to people from other comics.

The colouring has come on in leaps and bounds this issue, even if there are a few missteps along the way. Some of the characters feel a little flat on the page, whilst others simply burst with life (given the content of the latter half of the comic, that’s description is literal), conveying the full weight of their actions and feelings. It’s a real step up on last issue too, with the action scenes blending far better with those meant to develop the characters that the prior somewhat clunky attempts.

As things stand at the end of the issue, I was left with a feeling I got when I read the first issues of Mark Weids’ Superior, that I’m reading a series that will only get better with time. The moral ambiguity of each character’s actions and that they seem to be allegorical to a few real world events at the moment works wonders.

In short, this series looks like it will only grow and grow. I can’t wait to read what comes next.

Cover image courtesy of Valiant Entertainment

Imperium #2 can be purchased from Comixology or your local comics retailer.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.