Bloodshot #0 (2013) Retro Review

 

 

Writer: Matt Kindt

Art: Crisscross

Colors: Moose Baumann

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Dave Bullock

Price: $3.99

Release Date: August 21, 2013

 

Bloodshot is the ultimate killing machine. But what's his history? Let's leap into Bloodshot #0 and find out!

 

Story

Scientists created Bloodshot. They infused him with the memories of dying soldiers. There was just one problem. Anyone who stood in his way died.

 

The military hired Rees to give Bloodshot a conscience. Through Rees, we learn the scale of the Bloodshot project and some of its history. Although Bloodshot #0 begins in 1992--when Bloodshot comics first hit the stands--it shows how Bloodshot evolved into the person he was in 2013, when the new era of Valiant Comics began.

 

Bloodshot Action figure from the Valiant Store

 

 

Art

Crisscross delivers bracing action and realistic portrayals in Bloodshot #0. Characters inhabit compelling landscapes and buildings. We see office clutter, Bloodshot leaping from a helicopter, and the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan. Layouts give good panel flow, and composition builds smaller panels into something more.

 

Moose Baumann's vibrant colors enhance nanite-infested laboratories and battlefields. We inhabit military operations and quiet assassinations. Perhaps the violence and carnage convey too much realism, but by its nature, Bloodshot is a violent book.

 

Dave Sharpe's sound effects help us hear gunfire, crashing helicopters, and missiles racing toward their targets. White dialogue balloons contain readable black uppercase text. Sharpe conveys Kindt's narrative-driven story as hand-written entries on a lined, yellow legal pad. These narrative boxes are usually smaller than a postage stamp. One narrative box contained six sentences. Do you know all the fine print that no one ever reads because it's too tiresome? You'll spend your precious "relaxation time" reading it in Bloodshot #0!

 

Final Thoughts

A researcher tries to program a living weapon with a conscience in Bloodshot #0. Does he succeed? Read later issues and find out!

 

Rating 8/10

Time To Explore

 

Beaches were made to explore.

New Partnership With Alien Books

 

 

Prepare for a new dawn in the Valiant Universe!

 
Valiant Entertainment has entered into an agreement with international comics publisher Alien Books to continue to expand Valiant’s publishing capabilities.
 
Alien Books and it’s Director Matias Timarchi have built a strong and unique comic book publishing company with over 25 years of experience publishing in the United States as well as overseas and international markets. The expansion of the Valiant line of publishing is a major point of emphasis in this partnership, with eyes towards a vibrant and voluminous 2024 publishing schedule!
 
On this monumental partnership Timarchi says: “Being able to collaborate on the creation of new stories with Valiant, the third largest connected superhero universe, is truly a dream come true. As a lifelong superhero fan and self-professed geek, the opportunity to work with these incredible characters fills me with boundless enthusiasm. Our goal is to expand the entire Valiant universe by crafting new books that will delight longtime fans while also innovating to engage a new generation of readers interested in webtoons, manga, and digital storytelling experiences. We are immensely proud that Valiant has selected us as their new partners for this thrilling venture, and we are excited to embark on a new chapter in Valiant's illustrious history.”

 

Link to Alien Books video on Youtube

 

Valiant’s President of Consumer Products, Promotions & Ad Sales, Russ Brown, says this of the deal: “We remain fiercely committed to publishing Valiant comics and expanding our publishing line in ways we’ve never seen before. In partnership with Alien Books, we see an opportunity to push the boundaries of comic book publishing to help develop our incredible IP in exciting new ways for a rapidly expanding global audience.”
 
With all the critical and commercial success it has experienced, X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED will be continuing as our new world order takes shape, along with the long-awaited publication of NINJAK SUPERKILLERS this fall. The Valiant team will be working hand in hand with the Alien Books team to shape the Valiant publishing line. More to come very soon on the upcoming 2024 publishing schedule! Until then, continue to #StayValiant!

 

 

Questions can be sent to Codyw@valiantentertainment.com

With so much news on the horizon coming from both Valiant Entertainment and Alien Books, here's a list of all the places you can follow as more details develop.

Alien Books:

Website: www.alienbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aliencomicbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alien_books
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aliencomicbooks

Valiant Entertainment:

Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/valiantcomics
Twitter: www.twitter.com/valiantcomics
Instagram: www.instagram.com/valiantentertainment
Newsletter: www.valiantentertainment.com/newsletter

___________________________________________________________________________

 
About DMG Entertainment
 
DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot feature starring Vin Diesel.
 
About Valiant Entertainment
 
Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 90 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and ValiantEntertainment.com. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.
 
About Alien Books
 
Introducing Alien Books, the cutting-edge New York-based comic book publisher responsible for bringing an unparalleled diversity of comics and graphic novels to the English speaking markets. Alien Books has curated an extraordinary collection of works from Italy, Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and numerous other corners of the world. 

Among their impressive lineup, Alien Books proudly presents acclaimed titles like "Sunshine Patriots!" by the legendary Howard Chaykin, "Blood, Love, Ghosts and a Deadly Spell" by bestselling author Damian Connelly, "Far South" by Rodolfo Santullo and superstar artist Leandro Fernandez, "The Art of Ariel Olivetti" curated by Olivetti himself, and "Immortal Ascension" by David Chisa and Kristian Rossi. That's not all—with a wealth of upcoming releases, Alien Books plans to present a legacy collection of works from master storyteller Juan Gimenez, a groundbreaking graphic novel from superstar artist Renato Guedes, the complete works of the esteemed Lord of the Dragons: Ciruelo, a highly anticipated artbook by graphic novel sensation Eduardo Risso, an exciting selection of Japanese manga, and much more.

Brace yourself for the dawning of a new Valiant era, as Alien Books spearheads the creation of thrilling Valiant titles alongside their international publishing line. Prepare to be captivated by the boundless creativity and imagination that will unfold within the pages of these groundbreaking works. Be prepared to see the birth of a new Valiant era!

 

X-O Gnomeowar Unconquered

Is your garden plagued by the invasive Hara Vine?

For all your extermination needs, call on X-O Gnomeowar.

He's here to help!

Offer not valid for evil Romans.

X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 Pre-Order Edition

 

Co-writer Michael W. Conrad welcomes you to the Pre-Order section of X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 with an essay that outlines his and Becky Cloonan's approach to the series. You'll also find the covers for the next three Pre-Order editions, and learn why Valiant commissioned the artists. Additionally, there's a preview of X-O Manowar Unconquered #4. 

My favorite extra is the retro cover. In addition to being the co-creator of Bloodshot, Kevin VanHook also served as the editor on 90s X-O Manowar. He may only have been credited with overseeing the series for an issue or two, but I suspect he had input on everything Valiant produced back in those halcyon days.

All hail Kevin VanHook! 

Rock on, retro covers!

Long live Aric of Dacia, X-O Manowar!

X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 Review

 

Writer: Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad

Artist & Colorist: Liam Sharp

Letterer: Troy Peteri

Cover Artists: Liam Sharp, David Rubin, Kevin VanHook & Andrew Dalhouse

Publisher: Valiant

Price: $3.99

Release Date: May 24, 2023

 

Aric damaged Shanhara--his sentient armor—protecting Earth from a potential extinction event. Recovering on an icy moon, he held off Novus Romanus soldiers until Senior Centurion Thyra Antius launched a missile at him. General Cadmus welcomed Aric aboard his command ship, but a soldier whipping a slave confirmed his suspicions: the only good Roman is a dead Roman. Aric's closeness to the soothsayer Nimane outraged Thyra. With Shanhara reeling from her earlier attack, can Aric fend off another from the General's favorite warrior? Let's activate our laser swords, leap into X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 and find out!

 

Story

Thyra’s formed her opinion of Aric, and it’s not favorable. She views Visigoths as little more than savages and believes stories surrounding his exploits are overblown. Aric fights her off with Shanhara’s help, but then General Cadmus stops the fight. “Look,” he commands, “the Emperor is calling!”

 

Emperor Ursus Nox’s welcome doesn't convince Aric to join them. But what are his options? Should he flee once Shanhara recovers? Although his X-O Manowar armor advises caution, Aric’s attracted to Nimane. Seemingly returning his feelings, she leads him deeper aboard the command vessel and shows him more of the spacefaring Romans' plans.

 

The links to writer Robert Venditti’s series grow clearer in this issue. We learn more about Nimane, Thyra’s armor, and Commander Aurum. While the Emperor still hides behind his mask, I suspect many readers share my suspicions regarding his species. No narrator's voice intrudes to share insights into Roman history and practices in X-O Manowar Unconquered #3. While there may be no link, the similarity of the name Cadmus with the Cadmium race in writer Matt Kindt’s X-O Manowar series intrigues me.

 

Art

Liam Sharp mesmerizes with gallery-ready art in X-O Manowar Unconquered #3. Characters appear freshly honed in panels only to lose their edge in the next. Aric glows with Shanhara’s power, and Thyra’s armor appears adept and unstable. Nimane’s attire seems straight out of an '80s Heavy Metal magazine, and Aric resembles the messiah the Jews always wanted (as opposed to the one they eventually got). Backgrounds—often merely suggested—invoke awe.

 

Troy Peteri places Shanhara’s thoughts in puffy bronze clouds. When attacked, her words slant and bend. Peteri shows dialogue as uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons. Ursus Nox’s greeting—transmitted via hologram from afar—appears as blue letters in white dialogue balloons with lightning bolt arrows. Sound effects in X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 are as brutal as the Roman soldiers. Instances of tiny lettering, and uppercase letters grouped closely together, may stress older readers' eyes, as will the somewhat transparent dialogue balloons that allow Sharp's extremely dark art to show through.

 

Final Thoughts

Plotting in the ranks, discoveries aboard General Cadmus' command ship, and a powerful vision remind us of Aric's past and reveal much about the Nova Romanus. More mystery than space opera, X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 imbues characters with more humanity, giving their plights—and plots—welcome clarity.

 

Rating 8.4/10

 

This review originally published at Comic Book Dispatch.

The Harbinger Book Two

 

If you missed out on last year's The Harbinger series, the second half came out in trade paperback this week. The Harbinger Book Two collects issues #5-8 of this serial covering the trials and tribulations of people blessed (or cursed) with psychic power. If you missed out on this story, the latter issues, or simply wish to refresh your memory, follow the links below.

The Harbinger #5 Preview

The Harbinger #5 Review

All the best, and have a great day!

X-O Manowar Unconquered #3 Preview

 

 

It's Aric of Dacia versus THYRA ANTIUS in X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED #3!

The battle you've all been waiting for is finally upon us! X-O MANOWAR versus the rogue Novus Romanus warrior TYHRA ANTIUS in a battle for SHANHARA! Plus a trek deep into the bowels of the Novus Romanus flagship reveals the dark secrets of the imperial plots of the intergalactic empire! Who, or what, is The Engine? Find out more in X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED #3!

And now, here's a sneak preview, courtesy of the great folks at Valiant Entertainment. 

Read the rest tomorrow, when you battle past the hordes at your local comic shop, and demand your copy of X-O Manowar Unconquered #3!

And now, as always, kneel before the all-conquering blurb! 

All hail the mighty blurb!

X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED #3
Written by BECKY CLOONAN and MICHAEL W. CONRAD
Art by LIAM SHARP
Letters by TROY PETERI
Cover A by LIAM SHARP
Cover B by DAVID RUBIN
Pre-order Cover by KEVIN VANHOOK WITH ANDREW DALHOUSE

New intergalactic threat Novus Romanus holds a weakened Aric of Dacia captive. Will our hero survive combat with one of the fiercest and most brash of the Novus Romanus warriors– Thyra Antius in her very own T-O Armor?

On sale May 24th | 32 pages, full color | $3.99 US | T+

 

Read my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Shadowman: Dark Legacy

 SHADOWMAN RETURNS TO GAMING IN ACTION-HORROR ADVENTURE 

DARQUE LEGACY

 

Shadowman, the best-selling fan favourite comic series with more than 5 million copies sold, reawakens to explore haunting secrets and voodoo mysticism in Shadowman: Darque Legacy. The all new action-horror game from developer and publisher Blowfish Studios in partnership with renowned comic publisher Valiant Entertainment and their parent company DMG Entertainment will emerge from the darkness on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

As a flagship title for Valiant, the adventures of Jack Boniface and other Shadowmen against the forces of the Deadside have entertained comic readers and gamers alike for decades. First published in 1992, the franchise has garnered such acclaim that it even boasts an officially declared “Shadowman Day” since Jan. 17, 1993. 

 

As a conspiracy threatens to overrun the realm of the living, Shadowman must contend with horrifying inhuman entities with challenging melee combat. Follow a dark path from the land of the living to the hellish realm of the Deadside as you cross the veil between both. Embody the hero of the dark to traverse the necromantic divide, overcome dastardly obstacles, and silence the terrifying threats lurking within.

“It’s been an honour to breathe new life into such an iconic IP, wth Shadowman’s first venture into gaming since the PlayStation 2 era,” said Clinton McCleary, Game Director, Blowfish Studios. “We’re looking forward to ushering fans into the horrifying, punishing, but rewarding experience we’ve crafted. Stepping into the role of Shadowman, players will encounter a compelling cast of heroes and villains while taking their scythe to the most wretched denizens of the Deadside.”

 

 

“It is a testament to the evergreen popularity of this franchise that we’re able to tell a brand-new, out-of-continuity Shadowman story, nearly thirty years after he was first introduced to the world,” said Russell Brown, President, Consumer Products, Valiant Entertainment. “In Shadowman: Darque Legacy, our friends at Blowfish Studios have been working with our team at Valiant to write the story and are creating a unique, carefully crafted, spine-chilling Shadowman experience. We can’t wait for Shadowman fans to jump into this action-horror adventure and for gamer fans to get introduced to Shadowman and the Valiant Universe.”

Shadowman: Darque Legacy will release in 2024 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. For more information about the Shadowman series and its upcoming game, please visit the official website and follow Blowfish Studios on Twitter.

 

About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel.

 

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 90 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and https://ValiantEntertainment.com/. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit https://ValiantStore.com/.

 

About Blowfish Studios

Blowfish Studios is an award-winning game developer and publisher based in Sydney, Australia. The studio strives to release original multi-platform games, while also collaborating with developers from around the world. As developers first, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to any partnership. The studio provides development services to get the game release ready, porting to all major platforms, platform approval, marketing, and promotion to the world. Blowfish Studios is a subsidiary of Animoca Brands.

To learn more about Blowfish Studios please visit the team’s website as well as follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contacts

Blowfish Studios: press@blowfishstudios.com

 

Valiant Adventures Roleplaying Game

 

Attention dice-masters and card-campaigners, here's some hot gaming news from Valiant HQ.

 

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT AND BLACKSTONE PUBLISHING 

ANNOUNCE INAGUARAL TITLES AND AUTHORS 

FOR JOINT NOVEL VENTURE

 

Green Ronin Publishing announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with DMG Entertainment and Valiant Entertainment and will be publishing the Valiant Adventures Roleplaying Game in 2024. The game is based on Green Ronin’s popular and award-winning Mutants & Masterminds RPG.

“We have designed RPG material that’s appeared in Valiant comics before, so making a full roleplaying game is the natural next step,” said Green Ronin President Chris Pramas. “We’re excited to bring the characters and settings of the Valiant Universe into the Mutants & Masterminds family.”

“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to team up with Green Ronin and bring our unique and exciting characters to life in the Valiant Adventures Roleplaying Game using their versatile Mutants & Masterminds RPG format. Valiant fans are some of the most engaged fanbase around the world and to give them the chance to inhabit the Valiant Universe as never before is a wonderful opportunity” said Russ Brown, President of Consumer Products, Promotions and Ad Sales at Valiant Entertainment.

“This project kicks off with Valiant Adventures Hero’s Handbook and the Worlds of Valiant campaign setting,” said the game’s developer Alexander Thomas. “Our mission is to bring the pages of Valiant comics to life in a roleplaying game. The Mutants & Masterminds rules engine, renowned for its adaptability, ensures a game world infused with Valiant’s signature gritty realism. The adaptations we made to our M&M Quickstart Character Generator cover Valiant staples like Deadsiders, psiots, or nanite-infused heroes. The Worlds of Valiant campaign setting features game stats for over 80 heroes and villains, and iconic locations like Britannia, The Deadside, Earth, The Faraway, New Japan, Space, The Stalinverse, and The Unknown.”

 

 

Valiant Adventures is a stand-alone RPG so anyone can jump right in. It is also fully compatible with Mutants & Masterminds so rules material can be shared freely between the two games. More information and previews of the Valiant Adventures RPG will appear on https://greenronin.com/ in the coming months.

 

About Green Ronin Publishing

Green Ronin Publishing is a Seattle based company dedicated to the art of great games. Since the year 2000, Green Ronin has been a force in tabletop roleplaying games, publishing such RPGs as Blue Rose, The Expanse, Dragon Age, and Mutants & Masterminds, and winning over 40 awards for excellence. Green Ronin has also worked as a design house for hobby giants Games Workshop and Wizards of the Coast on such titles as Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition and the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition supplements Out of the Abyss and the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. Green Ronin is publishing three new RPGs in 2023: Fantasy AGE 2nd Edition, Cthulhu Awakens, and the Fifth Season RPG based on N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth Trilogy. For press and media inquiries, please submit an email to letsplay@greenronin.com.

About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded by Dan Mintz, the company portfolio has grown to include diverse holdings across film, television, comic book publishing, gaming, and location-based entertainment. Operating as both a production and distribution entity, DMG Entertainment is best known for films such as Looper and Iron Man 3 and the #1 box-office release of Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel.

About Valiant Entertainment

Valiant Entertainment, a subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz, is a leading character-based entertainment company that owns and controls the third most extensive library of superheroes behind Marvel and DC. With more than 90 million issues sold and a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and many more, Valiant is one of the most successful publishers in the history of the comic book medium. For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and https://ValiantEntertainment.com/. For Valiant merchandise and more, visit https://ValiantStore.com/.

Green Ronin, Mutants & Masterminds, and their associated logos are trademarks of Green Ronin Publishing. All rights reserved.

Valiant and all its associated characters and logos are registered trademarks of Valiant Entertainment LLC.

 

X-O Manowar Unconquered #2 Review

 

Pre-Order Cover by Michael Leeke & Andrew Dalhouse

Writer: Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad

Artist & Colorist: Liam Sharp

Letterer: Troy Peteri

Cover Artists: Liam Sharp, Valentin Secher, Michael Leeke & Andrew Dalhouse

Publisher: Valiant

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 19, 2023

 

Aric of Dacia remains in self-imposed exile on the icy moon Scythia. Once again, he has tired of the needless suffering on Earth. Still, battle finds him: this time disguised as an invitation from messengers of the Novus Romanus. What happens when he declines their invitation? Let’s blast into X-O Manowar Unconquered #1 and find out!

 

Story

Aric and Shanhara survived their impact with Scythia, but neither has fully recovered. Aboard the Theodosius I command ship, General Cadmus and Commander Aurum watch as Aric fights their legionaries. Like the Vine before them, they view the armor as the ultimate weapon. Like technology leader and billionaire Troy Whitaker, they intend to use the living armor to level up their military. Even weakened, Aric and Shanhara defeat their warriors. So Cadmus and Aurum send their Senior Centurion, Thyria Antius, into the fray. Liam Sharp's Cover A of X-O Manowar Unconquered #2 captures the result.

 

 

 

Taken aboard their spaceship, General Cadmus invites Aric to dinner. Traditionally, eating with one's enemies is heavily symbolic. Thus, he does so warily. An act of cruelty reminds him that—despite their claims—his captors are little different from the Romans he fought on 5^th Century Earth.

 

Art

Like Cloonan and Conrad’s story, Liam Sharp steeps art in symbolism. His multi-layered approach challenges readers to interpret what they see. He weaves characters into scenes like a collage. Has he drawn them from several viewpoints and pasted them in as needed? Like filmmaker Ridley Scott, he melds character design, backgrounds, and atmosphere to create the mood.

 

Sometimes, Sharp's art in X-O Manowar Unconquered #2 suggests a lenticular cover caught in transition. The eyes weary while waiting for the image to form. Some panels--such as one that paints Aric with Elfin ears--remain unclear. Yet striking imagery abounds. With Shanhara wounded, Aric's helmet takes on the appearance of the beast he fought in issue #1. 

 

 

One wonders how Robocop's helmet might look if designed by Swiss artist H. R. Giger. Much of the backgrounds—especially Theodosius I interiors, remind me of Alien. A lavish banquet scene brought to mind Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee's '90s Inhumans series. An overhead glimpse from above, seemingly distorted by a mirror, seems more at home in a Cathedral than a comic.

 

As in issue #1, Troy Peteri deploys a war chest of lettering in X-O Manowar Unconquered #2. Dialogue from speakers emerges as uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons. Blobby black fields with white lettering capture the narrator’s ruminations. Shanhara’s thoughts float in puffy bronze clouds. Nimane’s insights waft through blue clouds that suggest an X, as in an X-Men comic. Stressed words grow bold. Sound effects enhance already fraught scenes.

 

Final Thoughts

Steeped in the history and culture of ancient Rome, X-O Manowar Unconquered #2 returns Aric of Dacia to his 5^th Century roots. Like Soothsayer Nimane’s visions, one glimpses his adventures through a glass darkly. While characters and situations coalesce, other mysteries—such as the identity of Emperor Ursus Nox—remain. As with Ridley Scott’s movie Alien, the story and art leave us much to ponder.

 

Rating 8.2/10

A slightly amended version of this review appears at Comic Book Dispatch.