Bloodshot (2019) #1 Review

Bloodshot (2019) #1 Carbon Fiber Cover by Jonboy Meyers

 

After the opening page of Bloodshot #1, in which the heads of state gather at a G7 summit in France, the action moves to Yemen. It seems someone has paid mercenaries to hijack food shipments from international aid trucks. Bloodshot takes on the mercenaries who would deny the starving civilian population, courtesy of penciler Brett Booths bold scenes and richly layered page compositions.

 

Inker Adelso Corona's buildings and characters are well defined, and Andrew Dalhouse's sumptuous coloring brings us into Bloodshot's world in an instantly convincing way.

 

 

Writer Tim Seeley, perhaps one of the most politically astute comics scribes of today, enriches this involving rescue plot with a nuanced looks at international politics. Yet Bloodshot remains a character clearly drawn, and focused upon one task: helping others in need.

 

 

Of course, that doesn't mean that the mercenaries will make rescuing the food shipment--and feeding the locals--easy. Nor will the mercenaries prove Bloodshot's sole adversaries in this introductory story.

 

 

Along the way, Bloodshot will demonstrate what he's capable of, thanks not only to his battlefield training, but also due to the nanites that course through his bloodstream.

 

 

This issue--already spilling over with explosive action, political intrigue, and Bloodshot's ambition--also showcases writer Tim Seeley's trademark wit.

 

 

All-in-all, you couldn't ask for more bang for your buck than you'll get in Bloodshot #1. But then, when it comes to their fans, Valiant Entertainment has a history of being generous.

Dragon Dave

A Bloodshot Primer

 

Bloodshot (2019) #1 Pre-Order Cover by Tim Sale

For the uninitiated, writer Tim Seeley thoughtfully provides a primer on our man Bloodshot in Bloodshot #1. I've isolated and enlarged the cogent parts of this beautiful one-page presentation. If, like the British Prime Minister, you're in the dark about Bloodshot, perhaps you'll find letterer Dave Sharpe's narrative boxes helpful.

Enjoy!

 

Amid this ongoing pandemic, the last panel takes on greater meaning. Once loosed from his bloodstream, Bloodshot's seemingly beneficial self-repairing nanites could affect others adversely. For more on how they could influence individuals, or perhaps even infect the masses, check out Valiant's Bloodshot USA series, the first ten or so issues of Bloodshot Reborn, and issues #10-12 of Tim Seeley's Bloodshot series.

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot (2019) #1 Penciling & Inking

Bloodshot #1 Cover A by Declan Shalvey

 

Brett Booth is an old school comics artist, meaning that when he does his penciling, he leaves it to others to do his inking. In this case, that duty falls to Adelso Corona. I'm not schooled in the penciling and inking arts, but I think you'll agree they both did some standout work in Bloodshot #1.

Right away, this panel on page one caught my attention. There's so many facets of it I could comment on. So I will!

Notice the way the upper part of the far wall is inked in, and how Brett and Adelso have drawn in shadowing, versus asking the colorist to shade them. I like how the foremost character is inclined to the right, whereas the other two incline to the left to balance the subjects. I'm also most intrigued by how the other characters in the room are just empty shapes, presumably left for the colorist to fill in. Yet the artwork and frames on the far wall show incredible detail.

 

With this next picture, I think it's interesting how Brett and Adelso draw in the lines on the British Prime Minister's face. Notice how those lines provide depth and interest to his chin and forehead. The way the eyebrows arch out in balanced by the lines below the eyes. 

Again, the way they've drawn in the shadowing on the paper, versus leaving that for the colorist, intrigues me.

 

 

I really like the perspective in this next panel. Of course, the colorist utterly transforms the drawing, with the reflected light from the burning fires, as well as the clouds. I'm just captured by the motion of the water, the detail on the wharf and containers, and all the linework on the ruined buildings.

 

 

Again, there's so much going on in this scene, with the busy setting, the captain and the other soldier, and the wear-and-tear on the CivAid truck. Brett and Adelso devoted so much time to this soldier in the foreground--it really shows.

 

 

Finally, there's our man Bloodshot, kicking out from beneath the CivAid truck. Every muscle and sinew, every pouch, belt, buckle, and pants fold or wrinkle is detailed. As on the first page with the exhaust fumes pouring from the TV news vans, Brett and Adelso draw in the disturbed air of Bloodshot's rapid slide across the pitted and scarred concrete. 

And then there's those eyes. Even without the red coloring, they'd be scary!

 

 

In Bloodshot #1, Brett Booth and Adelso Corona enhance each panel with the symmetry of their subjects, the detail of their characters, and the way they make each setting come alive. If there was ever a tour de force art issue, this is it.

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot #12 Review: Penciling & Inking

 

Cover A by Adelso Corona

 

For those of you who may be wondering, I postponed my reviews of Bloodshot #12 to talk up Shadowman. Now that the F.O.C. (final orders due date) for Shadowman #1 has come and gone, I'm taking time to dig into the last issue of writer Tim Seeley's Bloodshot series. If you're a Bloodshot fan, take heart: Valiant Entertainment has announced that Bloodshot will return next February. If you're a Shadowman fan, I hope you pre-ordered your copy of Shadowman #1, if not the entire series.

Artist Pedro Andreo did the penciling and inking in Bloodshot #12. While he mostly respects panel boundaries, when he breaks them, it's for a reason. In this case, it's mighty X-O.

 

I love how he shows X-O Manowar larger than life here. Aric really leaps off the page. I almost feel as if I'm looking at a 3D comic. I also like how each panel on this page shows the action of this decisive battle from a slightly different viewpoint.

Also, I like the way Pedro shows him flying. Aric's gentle course corrections--anything but a straight line--add visual interest.

 

In the government briefing room, the way Pedro Andreo shows Mr. Tull brings to mind the way artists depicted him in Joshua Dysart's Harbinger series. Mr. Tull's expression and body language also underline that the others in the room don't respect him, as the way they cut him dead shows.

 

This panel reminds me of scenes from Valiant Entertainment's first Bloodshot series, started off by writer Duane Swierczynski. Project Rising Spirit officials often met with government officials to discuss why their missions had been less successful than expected. 

Even back then, Bloodshot had a way of messing with their carefully laid plans.

 

I'll say it again: I love how Valiant Entertainment has brought Wilfred Wigans from the Bloodshot movie into their Bloodshot series. Here, I really believe he's being controlled by Project Rising Spirit and Rampage (sorry: Harmony). I also like the way Pedro shows us the computer displays in such a heads-up, dynamic way.

 

This scene takes me back to the beginning of the series, particularly issue #2, when someone was interfering with Bloodshot's ability to control his nanites. That time it was Eidolon; this time it's Harmony. The way Pedro Andreo depicts Bloodshot make me feel for Ray just as much as the way penciler Brett Booth and inker Adelso Corona did in Bloodshot #2. After all the publishing disruptions caused by the pandemic, it's great to have that reminder. The two incidents bookend the series nicely.

Well done on Bloodshot #12, Pedro Andreo. Thanks for finishing this series in such a strong and meaningful way!

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot 10 Review: A Welcome Reunion

Cover A by Simon Bisley

 

Bloodshot #10 begins a new story arc for author Tim Seeley. Having faked his death with General Grayle and the Black Bar organization, and shut down the covert espionage and terror network The Burned, Bloodshot locked himself away in a pocket universe, and tore the device from his head which had allowed him to travel there. Never again, he vowed, would he allow others to use him for their own purposes. Then he received an unexpected call to action.

Here's the Preview pages:

 

Bloodshot's decision to no longer perpetuate violence on behalf of others reminds me of Marvel's Planet Hulk storyline, only this time it is Bloodshot who seeks peace and refuge. But the information Wilford Wigans sends him makes Bloodshot realize that, despite the pain it will cause him, the world needs his unique skills and abilities more than ever. So Bloodshot sacrifices himself for the good of others, and works on a means of returning to our world.

 

Cover B by David Nakayama

Continuity matters, and in Bloodshot #10, Valiant Comics delivers. While promising the return of Project Rising Spirit, the organization that created Bloodshot, we also meet up with a character from the first Bloodshot (and Harbinger) series, catch up with the results of the Bloodshot USA storyline, see one character introduced in Bloodshot Salvation, and reunite with another character I'll leave as a surprise. 

Preorder Cover by Shawn Crystal

The Bloodshot movie took a different approach to the character than that utilized by the comic book writers. The way characters like Wigans come into the comics may be different from their Big Screen counterparts. Still, it's nice to see the movies and comics connect. 

That's why, in so many ways, Bloodshot #10 comes as a welcome reunion.

Dragon Dave

Valiant Press Release: Bloodshot #10 Preview

Bloodshot #10 Cover A by Simon Bisley

 

If you're a big Bloodshot fan like me, you were no doubt disheartened when the pandemic prevented Valiant Comics from continuing Tim Seeley's story on a regular monthly schedule. So here's some welcome news for Bloodshot fans.

 

Bloodshot #10 Cover B by David Nakayama

 

VALIANT'S SUPERSOLDIER BLOODSHOT
HAS "ONE LAST SHOT" IN JANUARY

September 21st, 2020 – Get ready for rampage as the action-packed storyline "One Last Shot" begins this January in BLOODSHOT #10!

 

Pencils by Brett Booth

 

For the explosive final arc of TIM SEELEY'S critically-acclaimed run, the New York Times best-selling writer will be joined by industry icon BRETT BOOTH and the amazingly talented PEDRO ANDREO to unleash all kinds of mayhem as Bloodshot faces retribution. The upcoming storyline will also feature two characters from Bloodshot's blockbuster movie starring Vin Diesel: Wilfred Wigans and KT!

Pencils by Brett Booth

 

"Coming out of The Burn storyline, Bloodshot feels like he should finally leave himself in the darkness and not come back, but then Wigans calls him and says he needs him," teased Seeley. "Every time he turns his back on humanity, he has another reason to come back to humanity."

Pencils by Brett Booth

 

Seeley enjoyed building a past for Wigans, hinting that the upcoming tale introduces a familiar face for longtime Bloodshot fans. "Wigans is a story generator and we get to tie his story back to the past with our villain, who I won't spoil for everybody. It's a nod back to some classic BLOODSHOT continuity by bringing back a new version of one of the bad guys."

 

BLOODSHOT #10, Part 1 of "One Last Shot", goes on sale January 13th, 2021. Visit SYFY for more details.

 

Valiant FCBD 2020 Issue

 

Incidentally, this year's Valiant Free Comic Day issue, the Valiant 2020 Year of Heroes special, includes a short Bloodshot story that takes place between Bloodshot issues #9 and #10. (It also featured a much longer story by this blog's namesake, X-O Manowar). So if you've not yet read it, or still need to hunt down a copy, make sure you do so!

 

Dragon Dave 

 

P.S. Once again, thanks to DMG Entertainment, and Valiant Entertainment, for sharing this exciting press release with us!

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About DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a global media and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, CA. Founded in 1994 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 80 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.