Bloodshot #12: Lettering

Cover B: Jimbo Salgado with Andrew Dalhouse

 

Letterer Dave Sharpe has a long history in comics. I've recently seen a corporate floor chart on Facebook, from back in the glorious 1990s (when Valiant Comics started), showing where everyone in the Marvel Bullpen sat and worked. Valiant Comics Senior Editor Lysa Hawkins was on that chart, as was Letterer Dave Sharpe. Now the duo are together again, combining all their experience on Valiant's premier title Bloodshot. 

 

I love when characters from separate series team up or clash with each other. It helps us feel like we're seeing more of the world all our heroes inhabit. Here letterer Dave Sharpe makes a subtle link with writer Dennis Hallum's X-O Manowar series by placing Shanhara's part of the conversation inside a red dialogue balloon. This hooks Bloodshot #12 in with recent changes to Shanhara reflected in Valiant's other flagship title. Nice touch, that.

 

Writer Tim Seeley always keeps the action and drama going in Bloodshot. One page takes place in the past, another in the present, then he'll switch to different setting. Dave Sharpe keeps us abreast of all these changes with his blocky white blood-splatter lettering. It's become a hallmark of this series I really appreciate, especially when Tim Seeley's rapidfire changes in time and place leave me feeling as if I've just stepped off a rollercoaster.

Hey, I like rollercoasters! (Sometimes my head doesn't anymore though. Ugh.)

 

 

Through the use of bold type, Dave Sharpe reminds us of issues central to the "One Last Shot" plot arc. It also helps us sense the pride Mr. Tull clearly feels in his grandiose pronouncement. Mr. Tull believes he has Bloodshot, and freedom in the good 'old USA, beat.

We'll see, Mr. Tull. We'll see.

 

Here's another interesting touch: a red monologue box to share Bloodshot's thoughts with us. Not only does this link Bloodshot with X-O Manowar, but it relates to the power that fuels Bloodshot. As mentioned in the Bloodshot movie, the nanites aren't just in his blood, they are his blood. With Shanhara adopting a red color scheme and red dialogue balloons, this nicely pairs the two heroes together with their separate sources of power.

I also love the way the sound effect slides right down this panel, following the visual effect of KT's blow. It makes me wonder if Dave Sharpe drew in the yellow arc of the KT's blow. The lettering certainly looks like it belongs. The nature of the sound effect, as well as that visual tracing of movement, is one factor that makes comics a distinct form of art and storytelling. That's something you'll never see in a movie, or on TV, for example. 

Well, unless it's a comic book-style movie or TV show. I guess we have a few of those nowadays.

In Bloodshot #12, Senior Editor Lysa Hawkins and Letterer Dave Sharpe combine their extensive comics history to bring us one last entry in writer Tim Seeley's Bloodshot series. Their experience shows.

Dragon Dave