Bloodshot #1

      This restart (reboot?) of the Bloodshot series from Valiant Comics puts the focus on action and intrigue. 

   Well, mostly action.

   We jump right in with an armed conflict in Yemen, as mercenaries with advanced weapons threaten innocent lives - and that's when Bloodshot steps in.

   What follows is a hard-pitched, action-packed battle between a super-powered soldier and a small army - a fight that may not end in the way you'd predict.

   Along the way writer Tim Seeley provides a recap of Bloodshot's origin and we learn why he's being hunted.

   Brett Booth provides art that packs a punch, loaded with dynamic action and intensity.

   It's a great jumping on point for this classic character, and a solid start to the series.

Grade: B+

--------------------

   

Bloodshot Salvation #10

   Having succeeded in his quest to save his daughter's life, Bloodshot must now pay the price for that rescue.

   He must fulfill a mission for the mysterious Baron Samedi - one that will take him into the distant future - namely, the year 4002 (which should ring some bells for longtime fans).

   Meanwhile, back in the present, his daughter's experience in other realms has left her significantly changed and a target for the forces of an organization called OMEN - and they don't have her best interests at heart.

   With a compelling story by Jeff Lemire and terrific art by Doug Braithwaite, this series continues to offer surprising twists and lots of action. 

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

-------------------------

Bloodshot Salvation #7

   My reaction to this issue is, quite simply: HAHAHAHA!

   And a tip of the hat for a gutsy move.

   The issue finds the hero Bloodshot trying something desperate to save the life of his young daughter: he carries her over to the dimension known as Deadside.

   It's a trip loaded with peril, especially since, upon arriving, the hero finds he is blind.

   So, of course, each page is back, only illuminated by word balloons and sound effects.

   So yes, most of the issue features black pages - and word balloons.

   It's the opposite of the old John Byrne / Alpha Flight "polar bear in a blizzard" gag - this issue has pages and pages of black..

   It's an interesting device, and the story is pretty compelling - but I suspect ,, to anyone who paid full cover price, it may seem to be a gag too far.

Grade: B 

------------------

 

Bloodshot Salvation #1

   The deadly killer Bloodshot has been resurrected in a new role: a family man!

   Well, at least for part of this issue.

   That nanite-filled character hoped to change his life, so he took on a normal appearance, fell in love with a woman named Magic, and together they had a child, a girl named Jessie.

   But a happy life isn't in the cards for the family, and the modern-day part of the story finds Magic and Jessie running for their lives from a terrible threat - and coming up against a surprising menace.

   It's a hard-hitting and emotional story from writer Jeff Lemire, and the art by Lewis LaRosa and Mica Suayan, with color art by Brian Reber, is stunning - it gives a painted, real-world look to the adventure.

    It's a strong start for this new series (though be warned, it's a bit on the bloody side), and well worth checking out.

Grade: A-

-----------------

Bloodshot's Day Off #1

   Amist the usual bombastic goings-on in the life of the soldiers who have been through the Bloodshot process, it's nice to throw in an occasional "quiet" issue - and that's what you get with Bloodshot's Day Off.

   Turned into invincible killing machines by the government, two soldiers are - surprisingly - given leave for a day.

   One is a veteran of the Vietnam War, the other of World War II - and both take advantage of their time off to take a trip down memory lane.

   It's a touching story about the sacrifices soldiers make - and it has a powerful message to share.

   The well-crafted story is by Eliot Rahal, and the art by Khari Evans captures the emotional impact of the story.

   It's a nice change of pace with a relative minimum of death and destruction, but plenty of life-affirming moments.

Grade: B+

-----------------

 

Bloodshot Reborn #5

      So here's a comic that seems to have everything going for it - an interesting, conflicted hero named Bloodshot (who lost his powers but now is in the process of being Reborn), a challenge / quest to deal with (tracking down the people infected with the nanites that give him his power), a potential love interest (or two), and that's just for starters!

   But this issue is a bit of a stumble, as it focuses on the (intentionally) annoying "Bloodsquirt," a possibly-imaginary sidekick / inner demon / heaven knows what that appears in this issue to torment the hero.

   That would be fine in small doses, but entirely too much time is given over to the Squirt, and not enough to the title character, who's too busy whining about his sad, sad life.

   It's fine for a hero to have problems, but it's tough to get behind one who does nothing else but.

   Lose the goofy demon, cut down on the whining, and focus on dealing with the problem at hand.

   Besides, I hate "dream sequences." They're a waste of my time - and the artist's.

Grade: B-

--------------------------