IMPERIUM #1 Review

Toyo Harada, the world’s most powerful psiot, has returned in Imperium #1. Is it worth your time? Read on to find out!

The official description from Valiant:

Toyo Harada is the most dangerous human being on the planet. Today he is a wanted man. His powers are public knowledge, his allies have turned to enemies, and he is hunted by every government on the planet. Instead of surrendering, Harada has one last unthinkable gambit to play: to achieve more, faster, and with less, he will build a coalition of the powerful, the unscrupulous and the insane.

Joshua Dysart brings back the most dangerous man alive in Imperium #1 and fans get ready to love to hate Toyo Harada all over again. Imperium kicks off one hundred and twelve years in the future and we get a glimpse of the utopia the world has become. Darpan-Sama embodies all the good a psiot can do in a life of service to others. Become “awakened” is now a choice and not against one’s will. Psiots are now trained and nurtured, but the heart of Imperium is the battle it took to get here at the hands and mind of Harada.

What starts off as peaceful turns violent quickly as Dysart gets back to the present and what’s left of the Harbinger Foundation. After the events in Harbinger, Harada is a wanted man by literally every government and military in the world. These are the kind of odds Harada loves and he spares no thought on morality or diplomacy. Nothing but unadulterated domination will be tolerated. Dysart has always had an undercurrent of doing what’s best for the future in Toyo Harada and at times has even made him a sympathetic character. But it’s their single-mindedness and win at all costs attitude which make them the great villains and Dysart has made Harada a man to like in any context.

Doug Braithwaite steps up to take on the art duties and long time Valiant fans should be pleased. His art is sketchy and rough but fits nicely into the gritty story at the center of Imperium. The panels are well laid out to convey the action of battle and the speed at which it ensues. Braithwaite has done great work with Armor Hunters and Unity so it’s great to see him on a new book.

Imperium #1 brings along some familiar characters like Stronghold but Dysart has brought in characters like robot Mech Major who despite the dark undertone throughout brings some levity and fun into the mix Truth be told a robot may be the most human of Harada’s team. Valiant’s book, Unity, has been a great team hero book and Imperium is the villainous equivalent. Harbinger fans all know that Harada, deep down, really wants what’s best for people with psiot powers it’s just his methods are dark and violent. Imperium #1 is a great start to this series and leaves enough to the imagination to anticipate great things to come. Imperium is a must for any Valiant fan and for those who are new to the Valiant Universe this is a perfect reason on why they are so good.