Written by Vita Ayala
Drawn by Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín
Published by Valiant Comics

I’m not someone’s who’s previously bought many comics Valiant Comics over the years, so I’m coming into this title as a total newbie. Quite a lot has gone on with this particular character before that I have missed, but the title page fills in many of the pertinent details. Livewire is Amanda McKee and she is a psiot, which is apparently rather like being a mutant in the Marvel Universe, except all of their powers are mentally-based. The public knows about their existence, and many regular human beings fear and hate them because of their abilities, and over the years various organizations and governments have attempted to kill or capture them for nefarious purposes. Livewire is described as having “teletechnopathic abilities” which enable her to take control of any computerized electronic device, from smartphones to satellites. In order to stop the United States government from killing psiots she temporarily shut down all electronic devices in the country, causing a nationwide blackout. And now she’s considered a wanted terrorist. And that’s where this series picks up.

This issue opens with an action sequence which gives us an example of Livewire’s powers, she also is able to fly and may have superstrength, but I’m not sure. She uses her ability to tap into electronic devices to trace three other psiots who are also in hiding and tries to convince them that she has found a place where they will be safe, but none of them want anything to do with her anymore at first. Later two them do agree to meet up again and talk to her, but Livewire hesitates. Then she’s suddenly ambushed by a bunch of heavily armed men and although she tries her best to fight them off she is eventually knocked out.

Admittedly, the story is a bit light on both action and characterization. While the opening summery helps, this issue isn’t as new reader friendly as it could be, I have to assume that if you’re someone who is already familiar with Valiant’s titles then you would probably enjoy this issue a lot more than I did. Nevertheless, there is just enough here for me to remain curious enough to want to at least check out the next issue to see what happens next.

The artwork is okay, it’s not bad but doesn’t really stand out, so I just don’t have much to say about it. Altogether I think I’d grade this issue a B.

Livewire #1