Bloodshot 9 Review: When Monsters Attack

Cover A by Tyler Kirkham

 As we open Bloodshot #9, we read these mission notes from General Grayle

 It's obvious he had little time to write them. The despair he feels is equally palpable.

 

Monsters the size of Godzilla or King Kong are attacking Russia. These weapons were created to protect the former U.S.S.R. Now the renegade spies known as The Burned have released these immense beasts upon their former masters.

General Grayle believes nanites give man the power of the gods. He fears such power could destroy mankind. In controlling Bloodshot, he had hoped his internationally funded defense agency--known as Black Bar--could protect the world against the weapons mankind seems so adept at creating. But Bloodshot is tired of being wielded as someone else's weapon. 

 

That doesn't mean that Bloodshot won't do his best to protect humanity from the dangers these monsters present. But if Grayle thinks he is controlling Bloodshot, he's wrong.

 

 

Mina, also known as Eidolon, has proven a real friend to Bloodshot. Together, they have devised a plan the General knows nothing about. If successful, it will defeat both the monsters ravaging Russia as well as the anarchist organization known as The Burned.

 

 

While General Grayle may be obsessed with controlling or destroying all other nanite-driven beings, Bloodshot sees these monsters in Russia as a mere distraction. In their desire to unleash all the secrets held by the major defense agencies of the world, The Burned pose the greatest possible danger to the world.
 

Bloodshot knows where these renegades are. He knows their intentions. But can he stop them in time?

 

With issue #9, the seeds writer Tim Seeley has planted in earlier issues have grown to maturity. Aided by the art of Marc Laming, Jason Masters, and colorist Andrew Dalhouse, the story unfolds like a big budget movie. Dave Sharpe's fonts, dialogue balloons, and sound effects enhance the sense of urgency,  danger, and determination the characters feel.

Cover B by Kael Ngu

Bloodshot #9, with its choice of covers, brings the story arc begun in issue #7 to conclusion. Can Bloodshot, Mina, and Black Bar contain the monsters in Russia? Can Bloodshot neutralize The Burned? And how does the end of Bloodshot #9 tie in with the appearance of Wilfred Wigans in the Valiant 2020 Free Comic Book Day special?

 

Pre-Order Cover by Jason Metcalf & Stephane Paitreau

What? You honestly think I'm going to tell you?

Dragon Dave