The Life and Death of Toyo Harada #1
Publisher: Valiant
Story: Joshua Dysart
Pencils: Cafu, Mico Suayan
Inks:
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Mico Suayan
If this is to be our final Toyo Harada story then the creative team is determined that we get nothing but the best to kick things off. Joshua Dysart lays out the creation of the universe and seamlessly integrates that into Harada’s first moments on Earth. The event that helps shape young Harada is one of the most horrific in history and Dysart uses this as the catalyst to where the young man’s ideals begin to take shape. The shift to the present day is just as organic and throws us right in the middle of Harada’s to save the world. Even if he has to shed blood to do it.
If this is your first time meeting Harada and his team then know that the events that unfold here are perfect for you. Dysart caters much of this issue to help new readers settle in while those seasoned fans still get plenty of new story to keep them invested as well. At no point does this feel like a rehash of old events just to play “catch up” either. You’ll get a solid grasp of who each member is and their roles in this compelling story. One that’s weighted in a moral conflict as well as the physical action that takes place. We know that a good villain sees themselves as the hero of their story and that is part of what makes Harada such a compelling character. Dysart is providing layer after layer of solid character building and it might even make you uncomfortable if you find yourself agreeing with some of Harada’s actions.
As far as the art is concerned you’re in the very capable hands of CAFU and Mico Suayan. Two vets from Valiant with different styles that handle two different time periods to tell this story. Harada’s past is a highly detailed and expressive collection of panels that displays the intense drama and emotional weight to move things along. Whereas the present day art moves heavy action sequences that are brutal and great to look at. There’s also an introduction to the team that is not only easy to follow but it doesn’t halt the action taking place in those dynamic panels. Let’s not forget how Andrew Dalhouse’s colors brings it all together with that visual punch to take it up a notch.
Regardless of how familiar you are with the character, The Life and Death of Toyo Harada is a comic that should not only be in your read pile but at the top of it.
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
