Livewire and Toyo Harada in issue 14 of “Imperium†have come to an impasse. At this point, they’re both using what they know about each other to get the upper hand. What’s more, as an audience you don’t know who to root for. Yes, Harada is a despot, but the Valiant universe isn’t that straight forward. You shouldn’t go looking for the usual villain tropes. If you do, Joshua Dysart’s narrative will use those assumptions against you.
There’s some serious daddy-daughter issues between these two protagonists. As Livewire uses Harada’s feelings for her to get the upper hand, Harada reminds himself that he is the most powerful psiot in existence. It makes for great drama and greater action. Everyone seems like pawns from Harada’s team to Livewire not taking orders from the so-called leader of the HARD CORPS. The aggravating thing is that she’s always right. But Harada, in his own way is also doing what he believes is best. These two are living in a world where they are the only ones who know how it works.
In a way, they will remind the reader of Rip Hunter from “Legends of Tomorrow.†Every timeline he visits he doesn’t see any of the people in it as real. To him, they’re either all dead or potential existences. It’s the nobodies he picked up to save his family from Vandal Savage’s future that has to remind him of his humanity; that just because these people may not exist in the future it doesn’t mean they don’t matter at the moment. Think about it, killers and assassins have to remind you that people count. But there isn’t anyone to keep Harada or Livewire in check. They’re playing Rummikub with real people. Nothing for these powerful mental beings is real. Someone dies, there’ll be another one to immediately take their place. Except the two who are playing a very dangerous game.
This leaves the reader constantly on their toes. There are some serious hold-your-breath moments. And alongside the witty banter and heart-stopping action, there’s a lot of over the top dramatic actions. Still you will get the sense that there is more to play here. Yes, Livewire and Harada are playing a game, but they’re not necessarily playing the same one. Throughout the storyline Dysart never lets you forget that Harada is not only powerful, he’s smart, devious and will soon get over his inability to hurt Livewire. At this point, he’s overstepped so many lines that destroying his protégé may be for the greater good. Harada seems to be so far beyond everyone else that he’s recapping.
Just what is Toyo Harada’s endgame? You also have to wonder that as the greatest mind-manipulator on the planet, will he spare Livewire, destroy her or bring her over to his side? Or will this dysfunctional family relationship finish him?
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