Bloodshot FCBD 2019 Special: Story

Bloodshot FCBD 2019 Special: Cover by Dan Brereton

 

It always matters how you introduce a story. Begin it right, and you'll hook the reader's interest. In the Bloodshot Free Comic Book Day 2019 Special, writer Tim Seeley immediately dives into the heart of what Bloodshot is all about, and the themes that will drive his series.

 

 

 

On this snowy day in New York City, these three talk of their leader Wotan Dawn, and suggest that he is leading them toward an acceleration of the natural course of Human evolution. While "Wotan" is the name of an essay by the noted psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung, his title refers to one of the most ancient Germanic names for the god we have come to know as Odin.

In taking on the name Wotan Dawn, their leader evidently sees himself as the would-be king of a pantheon, and intends to usher in a new era for Humanity.

As an experienced storyteller, Tim Seeley knows the value of lightening such heavy moments and themes with humor. Thus, just as the villains agree that their moment of victory has come, Seeley delivers one of the first types of jokes every child learns.

"Knock knock?"

"Who's there?"

"Bloodshot!"

Yes, yes, I know. Now you're asking, "Bloodshot who", right? For the answer to that...

While Bloodshot is listening into various radio transmissions via his nanites, Tim Seeley shares two transmissions with us. The first concerns health and healing. The second introduces the holiday of Christmas, which celebrates the birth of the savior of Humanity. 

In this subtle way, we know that Bloodshot will defend our current world order--and its belief systems--against those who would steer it back toward paganism.

 

While Wotan Dawn would usher in a pagan religion, he nonetheless uses Christian concepts like sin and penance while ordering Dr. Alison Apte to upgrade their weak flesh with technology. In other words, to give them the abilities that Bloodshot possesses.

In case you're wondering, the good doctor's name derives from apt, which means quick to learn. Dr. Apte has used her intelligence to benefit those less fortunate than herself. Conversely, Wotan Dawn, in classic villain style, wants her to use her gifts and abilities solely to benefit him and his followers.

 

So here he is: Bloodshot. The man who The Sons of the Last Flesh would emulate. The godlike being whose abilities they crave. The term Ubermench was first coined by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, and refers to the ultimate man, or a superhuman. Thus, Bloodshot is the ultimate superman, the perfect fusion of man and machine.

The thing Wotan Dawn doesn't understand--that doesn't somehow factor into his worldview--is that machines can be controlled. They can be used not only by their owners, but also by others. It goes without saying that in the wrong hands, machines can be used to hurt people.

Get the feeling that Wotan Dawn and Bloodshot are about to have a philosophical discussion? Well, they are. Of a sort. But as to that, and whether they discuss the merits of celebrating Christmas or Ragnarok, I'll let you discover when you read the Bloodshot FCBD 2019 Special.

Well done, Tim Seeley. Thanks for such a thought-provoking and insightful story.

Dragon Dave

The Bloodshot FCBD 2019 Special is available in Bloodshot Book One