The power’s back online and the fighting is over…but who are the real victors of Harbinger Wars 2, and what was truly lost in the carnage? For those who survived the terrible onslaught – and who must now witness the devastating aftereffects of their actions – will there ever be peace again?

That the version of Harbinger Wars 2 we got differed from the version that was hinted toward in the years and months prior to the first issues (months that included a company buyout and some staff turnover), shouldn’t be in doubt. Regardless of what the intended direction for the story was, and how good that may or may not have been, we didn’t get that story. Instead Harbinger Wars 2 turned out to be a chaotic event with genuine consequences for the Valiant universe, but it was an event that didn’t quite live up to the hype. Harbinger Wars 2: Aftermath does a little to redeem the story, allowing the events of the finale to breath, but is far from required reading. Especially if you didn’t read Harbinger Wars 2. 

Despite not being required reading this isn’t a bad comic, but nor is it anything special. Harbinger Wars 2 Aftermath #1is a perfectly average comic that has some moments that trend toward the quality you’d expect of this creative team, but those moments don’t quite balance out the missteps in the art or the plot.

To be clear this isn’t a bad comic, and it is worth reading – if you have read the event. If not? The parts of this comic that will prove relevant in future series will doubtless be recapped within those comics which makes this a comic for completists and collectors, and not necessarily one for everybody else.

Story: Matt Kindt Art: Adam Polina
Colors: Diego Rodriguez Letters: Dave Sharpe
Story: 6.8 Art: 7.4 Overall: 7.1
Recommendation: Read if you’ve read the event, Pass if you haven’t

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review