I breathed a breath of fresh air after this one, knowing a book I looked so forward to lived up to the hype. Read Full Review

I expected this comic to be a hit for me. It has a lot going on for it. What separates this from most superhero comics, though, is that Livewire is such an interesting character, one who hasnt been explored too much yet. Theres a moment at the end of the issue that made me tear up because of the depth with which Ayala writes Amanda. And I was not expecting that. Given how this first issue ends, were in for a long ride with Livewire. And I cant wait to take it. Read Full Review

This is, frankly, a fantastic comic book. I can't wait for the second issue (I also can't wait to see this in print, either). Read Full Review

This book is going somewhere and ends on a pretty nifty fight sequence. The writing and the art are as strong as anything Valiant has ever put out. Something is brewing and it's a bit early to tell what it might be, but I know I'll be reading to find out. Read Full Review

Color me impressed by this Livewire #1. It was satisfying and lived up to the hype for the one Valiant hero who has needed this chance for a solo series more than most. I will give this creative team credit that it probably couldn't have been this engaging if this took place at any point other than now. Welcoming to new readers, great introduction to this new chapter of Amanda's life, while also creating some new threats along the way. At this point you can say that for better or for worse, she is getting the full hero treatment. Read Full Review

Shrewdly spinning off of Secret Weapons, Livewire #1 marks a solid launch for what could be a very compelling series featuring a character of untapped potential. Ayala has laced this first issue with a sense of uncertainty - not in terms of the book's execution, but in the belief of her main character. Has Livewire really done the right thing? Or can she not see the forest for the trees when it comes to making the world safe for psiots everywhere? Regardless of how these questions are answered, seeing Allen and Martin playing in this sandbox again is a welcome treat, and one that should afford Livewire enough goodwill to see where this series is headed next. Read Full Review

No time is wasted in getting this excited new on-going series off the ground and running; lively and well-balanced,Livewire #1 offers a strong reading experience that does all of the work of a debut issue without feeling like one. Read Full Review

At times, Valiant can be accused of using certain character stereotypes; the man in armour, the super rich weaponized spy, the gun tooting killing machine. This isn't just a Valiant foible in the least, but it does strike me odd that for a company that can produce some really original characters, there may be a feeling that it needs to fall back on “that which has gone before”. Personal opinion of their business model aside, Livewire has the potential to become Valiant's X-Men. Given that mutant fans have to put up with constant reboots, restarts and the like, maybe the quality of this book will win some new readers. As it is, I am interested in seeing how this first arc, maybe the forming of the team, plays out. No doubt, with the quality of the work seen so far, it will be quite a ride! Read Full Review

Straight out of Valiant's Secret Weapons series, Livewire issue 1 is a fantastic introduction to a great new character, although if you haven't read any of the Secret Weapons series you may be slightly confused at first, you soon get caught up in the story. Read Full Review

With Ninja-K, Quantum & Woody, and Shadowman soon to come to an end, Livewire will be joining X-O Manowar as the only real tent pole characters to show off the Valiant Universe for a bit of time. For Valiant fans, this book may need to be a tent pole property, but the jury is still out on whether it can be.Livewire#1 will be releasing in December. Read Full Review

"Livewire" #1 is a great solo debut for the longtime Valiant character, with complex character work, and stunning clean-lined and vibrant art. Read Full Review

All in all this is exactly what Valiant needed to do, Livewire is shown to be relatable yet wildly capable as a hero and they found a way to tweak the lighthearted tone of Secret Weapons with the adrenaline thumping nature of Harbinger Wars. Bottom line: Livewire #1 is lit, this is the perfect introduction to the character for anyone who's never read her with just enough sauce on it to get you hungry for the next issue. Read Full Review

There is a great character study at the heart of this title, and as long as they keep that at the center of their plans this should make for a great series. Now that the current has been set in motion, there's enough spark here to give this character a future to fight for on her own terms. Read Full Review

Livewire #1 has its problems, but a compelling lead heroine is enough to counteract everything else. Read Full Review

Vita kicks off the story with an action-packed catastrophe at an airport, where Livewire comes to the rescue just in time. The public still treats her like public enemy #1, but she is trying to make amends. Art is sharp, clean, and modern, which fits the character well. Read Full Review

Livewire #1 fails to serve as a jumping on point for new readers but offers a lot for fans of the character. Read Full Review

Livewire #1 is by no means a bad comic. However, it is a missed opportunity to bring new or lapsed readers into the Valiant Universe. Hopefully, there should be improvement in the coming issues now that the setup is out of the way. But for now, only the publisher's strident fans will get a fulfilling reading experience. The rest of us are best off looking elsewhere. Read Full Review

Artistic inconsistencies aside, LIVEWIRE isnt necessarily a bad comic as such, its just a fairly forgettable one, and one which completely fails at delivering on its brand new jumping-on point! claim. Theres clearly some interesting history between the main characters here, but without a prior knowledge of backstory which provides the main thrust of the narrative, theres pretty much zero reason for new readers to pick this one up. Read Full Review

Ayala is a force of nature. Now THIS is a first issue!

Full disclosure this is probably the worst single issue I've read of 2018. It's probably one of the worst #1 issues I've ever read in my 20+ years as a comic fan. 

Livewire #1 takes place after an event. Our hero Amanda McKee (Livewire) in an act of perceived terrorism took control of the nations power grid making her public enemy #1. I assume that this is what happened because the issue doesn't really spell it out. Amanda meets with her friends but they call her out for her actions. One of the citizens makes her in the crowd and she is forced to leave. 

Later that evening Amada is attacked and eventually captured by bounty hunter...thats it. 

The event that made Livewire an enemy of the state is not in this issue and it's glaring because if you have no experience with this character you feel like you're missing part of the story and this issue feels like more of a second issue than a first. We see Livewire using her powers but its really vague what she's doing and it's hard to gauge what her skillset is. Sure, its mentioned in the rundown but its another thing entirely when the entire book really depends on my working knowledge of the character. It also seems that the narrative will be decompressed so it may be a few issues before the story really comes into focus. If that's the case this issue also fails because I have no idea what's going on to keep me interested. 

There are supporting characters but they really don't have much to do in this issue and essentially show up to yell at Amanda. 

The only praise I can give the issue is that I'm a fan of the color palette used for the issue. I'm not a fan of the linework. The character isn't too bad but there are pages where the backgrounds are incredibly sparse and it really jumps out because the panels are incredibly clean.

I don't really want to blame the writers' and artists for this issue's failure it seems that it would fall firmly on the editors here. 

My suggestion for this issue would have been to keep this issue and make it double-sized. Valiant should have reprinted the comic that lead to this issue and included it here. Without the context of why Amanda is on the run, this issue is an utter failure and I cannot recommend it. Every comic is someone's first issue and its nearly impossible to get excited for a comic if the entire experience depends on knowing what came before.

I will pick up the second issue to see if the comic course corrects but if the current path is the path the series is taking it will be my last issue.  more