In Livewire #6, Amanda finds herself face-to-face with a brand-new foe and things are beginning to get personal. The Psiot Safety & Education Program welcomes Livewire into a supported safe haven for psiots. Is Livewire willing to let the same government that once hunted psiots house her family of outcasts?

The last issue of Livewire introduced a new organization to the Valiant Universe in PSEP. Livewire was apprehended and taken in by PSEP, which sets up Livewire #6. Writer Vita Ayala gives us a more cerebral comic than we’ve had before. Livewire is focused on trying to gather information on the organization that may or may not be holding her captive.

Kano‘s style is visually impressive as he makes use of every ounce of space in the page. His focus on the security cameras tells you more than anything that Ayala says. The art to draws your attention and tells you all you need to know. His panels, angles and framing in this comic are once again subtle and yet strangely exciting. It gives the comic a much more traditional feel with the panels and grids. That style works exceptionally well in this issue again.

There’s an awesomely choreographed action scene that is one of the focal points of the book. It works both in terms of how Kano lays it out, and the dialogue that surrounds on page action. One gets the sense that the real fight isn’t necessarily the one happening on screen…

Livewire #6 is a strong, cerebral issue that adds a lot to the story by focusing on the title characters mental and physical assets. Livewire may be an incredibly powerful psiot, but she’s also more than capable without her powers. This issue reminds you of just how compelling that combination is.

Story: Vita Ayala Art: Kano
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Story: 8.8 Art: 8.9 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

New story arc! “GUARDIAN,” Part 1. 

Investigating the disappearance of a young psiot girl, Livewire stumbles upon OMEN’s answer to the psiot “problem,” a facility where young psiots are taken and taught to control their powers. Is this facility the safe haven Livewire’s dreamed of or is there something more sinister to this sanctuary?

The first four issues of Livewire took us in a uniquely framed redemptive arc for the title character; redemptive not because she is suddenly viewed as a hero in the Valiant universe (she isn’t), but because she seems to have come to terms with her choices and actions during the events of Harbinger Wars II. Vita Ayala was able to acknowledge these actions and bring us very organically past the elephant in the room.

After a slight dip in the series with the previous issue, I’m more than happy to report that the series has returned to its earlier highs – if not more so.

This issue is perhaps one of the best starting points for new readers; indeed there can be arguments made that this is actually a more accessible place than the first issue because of the focus on new character Phoebe Daniels rather than on the title character. It’s a bold choice by Ayala, but one that pays off as we develop an attachment and understanding of the young psiot who is bound to play a bigger role in the series in the future (and possibly the Valiant universe as a whole).

Joining Ayala on art duties this go around is Kano, whose style is visually similar enough to the previous art team, while still be able to deliver an injection of freshness to the series. This is ultimately irrelevant to those starting with this series, unless they choose to pick up the first four issues (and you should do such a thing), however what isn’t is that Kano is a brilliant visual storyteller. His panels, angles and framing in this comic are subtle and yet strangely exciting, lending the comic an odd technological bend at times without relying too heavily on digitized flavours.

Livewire #5 is a return to the quality that Ayala established early in the series, and it’s a comic that adds a lot to the Valiant universe when you look at the potential opened up by Ayala in this issue. A new arc means a new jumping on point, which means potential new readers; thankfully, with this comic those new readers are going to be able to embark on a fantastic journey with one of Valiant’s more complex characters.

Story: Vita Ayala Art: Kano
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Story: 8.8 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.8 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review