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

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