Bloodshot #12 Review: Story

 

Cover B by Jimbo Salgado

If you only check in with this blog occasionally, you're probably wondering why I'm getting to Bloodshot #12 so late. If so, I'll let you page back to yesterday's post for the explanation. Right now, I'm ready to dig into Tim Seeley's story in this spectacular final issue.

 

Valiant readers may remember that X-O Manowar stepped into this series in Bloodshot #8. He warned Bloodshot at the time that he would not tolerate a nanite-infestation to endanger the world. Now that's happened in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. After defeating the Knights of the Black Grove, Aric heads off to check out the situation.

As we all know, superheroes don't always get along. I love how X-O Manowar has left this threat hanging. Bloodshot knows that if Aric feels he has to put him down to ensure his nanites don't endanger others, the determined 5th Century Visigoth will not hesitate to do so. (Or at least try).

 

 

Somehow, Tim Seeley finds the humor in even the most extreme situation. While it didn't surprise me to see Wilfred Wigans cracking jokes, I love how Mr. Tull is trying to show off a sense of machismo here. It's as if he's determined never to be branded with the nickname "Dull Tull" anymore.

I wonder if Mr. Tull, Peter Stanchek's old nemesis, will turn up in the new Harbinger series coming this summer.

 

 

While Tim Seeley started this series reluctant to reveal Bloodshot's thoughts, I'm glad he's revealing them here. Even when he's being attacked by KT, Bloodshot is assessing Harmony, who is spurring KT into action. While forced to defend himself against an attack by his friend, it's clear to Bloodshot that he needs to go after the puppet master.

 

Oops! Did I call her Bloodshot's friend? After the way he's been used by his friends in the past, Bloodshot's not fond of that label. Even when he needs their help to take on Harmony, everyone's still only a coworker or colleague right now. 

This most definitely includes X-O Manowar, and suggests that Bloodshot probably won't participate with the Unity superteam anytime soon.

Of course, if Doctor Tomorrow faces another universe-ending crisis, that's another matter.

 

I apologize if you're tired of me reusing the same panels for my reviews, but these early introductory scenes really plant the clues for the action that will occur in the rest of the issue. Here these shadowy government types reveal how little Harmony (aka Rampage) means to them. This will blossom later into how Rampage remade himself, and prove instrumental in Bloodshot taking him down.

It also ties in with the underlying themes of the much maligned Bloodshot Rising Spirit series. If you loved that series, you're not alone. (Just severely outnumbered by fans who couldn't perceive its greatness!)

 

 

This issue seems so prescient. Bloodshot #12 addresses how the rich and powerful regard, treat, and drive the masses toward the actions that make them more rich and powerful while making the masses only think they are better off. Bloodshot, existing outside the system, serves as our mentor and guide here. As for Rampage/Harmony, he's only deluded himself into thinking he matters.

If only more people would read Tim Seeley's Bloodshot, and take the ideas behind the series to heart, we would live in a better world.

Tim Seeley has planted so many seeds in this series. I hope he returns to nurture and harvest them. He's enriched the Valiant universe with characters like General Grayle and Eidolon, as well as organizations like Black Bar and The Burned. He's made us aware of other dangers, such as the Knights of the Black Grove. I want to know more about them, as well as all the other organizations that X-O Manowar seems to be fighting when he's not busy with billionaire media moguls and power-crazed Ukrainian warlords.

 

In some ways, it's the everyday people that I'll miss the most from Tim Seeley's series. Most recent of those was Zealot, an ordinary Black Bar soldier who gets little more than a reference and a panel in Bloodshot #2. Bloodshot dramatically affected his life without meaning or intending to.

While we got to see some of that transformation in Bloodshot #11, it is Zealot who sees a different side of Bloodshot in this final issue. It was a wonderful human moment, one of many in an all-too-human superhero series.

Thanks for writing such a great Bloodshot series, Tim Seeley. Please come back and write more!

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 #12 Preview Pages

 

Here it is, Valiant fans. The final issue of writer Tim Seeley's monumental Bloodshot run. This time, the penciling is all Pedro Andreo, as Bloodshot, KT, and Wigans continue the fight against Rampage (or Harmony as he now calls himself) and Mr. Tull of Project Rising Spirit, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. This issue also marks the return of the mighty X-O Manowar to Bloodshot's pages. Oh, and one last tease: if you thought Zealot was no more, think again! 

With no more ado, here's the preview pages.

 

 

As a special bonus, there's also a short wrap-up story by Benny Potter, along with pencils and inks from celebrated Rai artist Juan Jose Ryp. If you came to Bloodshot with this series, it'll set Tim Seeley's series in context with all the series and miniseries that came before. And if, like me, you're mourning the end of this current run, know that Bloodshot will return in February next year. 

What's that you say? Bloodshot returns in February 2022? Thank you, thank you, thank you Valiant Comics! I can't wait!

Dragon Dave

Bloodshot #11 Review: The Writing Of Tim Seeley

 

 

If you've read my previous posts on Bloodshot #11, you've probably gotten tired of reading about how Bloodshot, KT, and Wigans infiltrate the undersea Project Rising Spirit (PRS) facility. You may want to know how their confrontation with Zealot turns out, but I'm not going to tell you. So instead I thought I'd cover the appearance of another character that Bloodshot fans have been looking forward to seeing return.

His name is Rampage, and we last saw him in Bloodshot Salvation #12. 

 

When Project Omen folded, Rampage lost his nanite-fueled superpowers. But he found a way to get them back. He's also found a new mission, and a powerful benefactor. He's part of the reason that Project Rising Spirit is back. So inevitably, Bloodshot, KT, and Wigans will have to defeat him too if they wish to foil the insidious plans of PRS. But that doesn't mean Bloodshot #11 is all about battles and confrontations.

One thing I've really appreciated about Tim Seeley's writing on this series is the way he deftly blends drama and action. In Bloodshot #11, he finds time for a very human moment between the three friends. He also lightens what could be a very intense discussion with a little gentle humor.

Full disclosure here: Wilfred Wigans is a humor-machine. He's one of those people you want on any team. No matter the circumstances, he always lightens the mood with humor and optimism. I wish I could be more like Tim Seeley's Wigans.

 

While readying themselves for their mission, Bloodshot reminds them of what their fight is all about. The stakes are high. Project Rising Spirit represents nothing less than a threat to the human rights all people cherish. If you want to read more about this event Bloodshot is referring to, check out the miniseries Bloodshot U.S.A. 

And yes, thank you Tim Seeley, for helping me maintain a swearing-free blog!

 

One thing I love about this story arc is how Tim Seeley is bringing back some old foes for Bloodshot and company. Both Zealot and Rampage sport dramatically new looks, and there's a compelling story behind how each came about. But to find out how those confrontations end, you'll have to read Bloodshot #11.

I just wish he would have brought Bloodhound back in more than just a flashback. From the teaser images in the back of Bloodshot #11, I gather a most Valiant hero, especially loved by this reviewer, will return in issue #12. How about it, Tim Seeley? Will Bloodhound also feature in the series finale?

I guess we'll find out in two weeks, when Bloodshot #12 hits stores on March 10, 2021.

Dragon Dave