Harbinger will mess with your mind and the past two issues have been over the top in twists and turns. Issue #16 will leave you questioning everything you know about the series.

Official description from VALIANT:
It turns out that nightmares are just dreams too. Heading west, the Renegades have found themselves at the end of Route 66 in a little town called Los Angeles, California. But the war they left behind is still waging, somehow, unseen just below the surface of the sun and surf. What if it will never end? What if there is no escape?

Last issue of Harbinger we were left with the shocking image of Kris’ violent attack on Torque. Writer Joshua Dysart literally lulled an collective readership into the same trap being set for Torque and they viscerally felt the attack as much as the characters. Kris does not run in fear of what’s she’s done and even waits for Faith, Charlene and Peter to discover her caught red handed covered in Torque’s blood. The confusion starts there but then leads into a fantasy world created by and in Torque’s mind. Whether it’s life or death is left vague as well as where the rest of the story is heading.

Dysart takes us through a wild version of Torque’s heaven, or so he believes, and Kris is all to happy to follow along while coming to grips with the consequences of her actions. The story becomes a disjointed mess and you never really get a sense for where it’s ultimately heading. But it’s being done, effectively and wisely, by Dysart and once the final panels are revealed it all comes together in another shock and awe moment. The ending is scripted to remind everyone know that Toyo Harada is a very powerful man but also leaves you with a case of double guessing that will make your head spin.

There is an amazing amount of fun to be had in Torque’s “Torquehalla” and Dysart has as much fun as he can coming off Kris’ horrific attack. There’s no denying it’s a fun read as well but the events surrounding it will keep you guessing and on edge the whole time. Faith has her own moment of fantasy followed by clarity and Kris’ will still have to face the truth courtesy of Torque. Barry Kitson’s art jumps from the harsh violent reality to an all out free-for-all fantasy world and Kitson is right at home handling both. It feels as though he runs with the fantasy concepts and breaks all the rules in designing Torquehalla and it shows. The flow and action is a loose and over-the-top as possible making Torque’s mind a wonderful place to be.

Harbinger is about to change everything. The look into Torque’s mind is a tiny glimpse of a much larger question as to what is reality and has it ever been what we think. Yes, it’s that confusing but it also’s that smart and interesting. This sets a new course for Peter and the Renegades, Toyo Harada, the Harbinger Foundation and who knows how many other Valiant characters. Harbinger has been the most interesting title in the Valiant universe and it’s a must read to all fans who simply want great stories and characters.

5/5