Publisher: Valiant Comics
Writer: Joshua Dysart
Artist: Doug Braithwaite
Colourists: Brian Reber and Ulises Arreola
Release date: May 13 2015
Price: $3.99

If you’re going to read Imperium, take your time. It’s kinda complicated, but very, very worth it. Jump in by all means but check out the back issues too.

Valiant’s favorite heavy, psychic Toyo Harada wants world peace, and although Toyo Harada doesn’t want to kill he won’t hesitate if he has to; in the name of peace of course.

Toyo Harada takes over an area of Somalia, backed up the Foundation. However, both Toyo Harada and the Foundation are opposed by Project Rising Spirit, a defense contractor, along with its H.A.R.D. Corps (humans with implants for psychic power) for muscle.

Writer Dysart has a lot of threads to weave, and manages to not only provide action, but others plenty of thoughts on how an alien scientist might coldly and emotionlessly investigate humanity. The “Angela vessel” has no problem just sitting on a man’s lap as she begins to saw open his forehead.

And that’s just one part of this elaborately woven, narrative tapestry. Other plot points concern Harada’s plans and his crew, the fate of some H.A.R.D. Corps soldiers and Rising Spirit’s business ventures. Dysart’s manages to move the story along; providing exposition along the way.

Great artwork is a Valiant trademark and Braithwaite does not disappoint. Braithwaite’s style is realistic and easy on the eye. When the scientists move into another dimension Braithwaite’s panels take on curved and angular shapes that force the eye to follow them. Reber’s and Arreola’s coloring in the dimension is intentionally blurry and bright, giving expanse to the weird scenes.

Before it is finished Imperium will be epic.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviewers Editor: Steve Hooker