Nanites are more powerful than the bedbugs, we know that. It is still technically summer for another week, so put on those white pants and continue celebrating the Summer of Valiant with three issues of Bloodshot. This ultra-violent reboot of the ’90s nigh-invulnerable super soldier delivers with schizophrenic action and military secrets. Crime novelist and comic writer Duane Swierczynski (Birds of Prey, Godzilla, Punisher) and artist Manuel Garcia (Black Panther, Iron Man Noir) regenerate Valiant’s hottest selling character.
Fans of the original Valiant series will be treated to a first time collection of artist Don Perlin and writer Kevin VanHook’s 1992 Bloodshot Vol. 1 – Blood of the Machine on October 24. The hardcover collection of Bloodshot #1-8 is previewed over at geekexchange. Hired killer Angelo Mortalli is revived by the government and reassembled with reconstructing nanites.
What Angelo can’t fill in are the details of his past or how he is able to sustain such gruesome injuries.
Project Rising Spirit has created Bloodshot out of Angelo and we watch the warrior search for the answers of his haunting past.
OG BS BY BWS (Bloodshot by Barry Windsor Smith)
Swierczynski’s Bloodshot is not sure who he is. He’s dropped into a landing zone to save his partner after promising his son he’ll return safely. He’s crispy and full of holes before he hits the ground. On a slab of cold concrete, his alabaster skin and the gigantic red spot on his chest are rebuilt by the billions of nanites coursing through Bloodshot’s body. The “goldies” — as he identifies the apparitions that manifest in his imagination — communicate with Bloodshot as tangible memories.
The hook: these memories aren’t his. They deceive Bloodshot by masking themselves as family members.
The truth is that no one is really sure if these people have existed at all. A few minutes ago he was saving his friend from being a prisoner of war. Now he is rebuilt and escaping from a terrorist cell, listening to voices in his head.
"What should I get you for Imaginary Father's Day?" - Bloodshot #2 (2012) art by Manuel Garcia & Arturo Lozzi
On the topic of heads, I’ve never seen the main character of a series be shot in the head so many times in just three issues. Those regenerative nanites keep busy.
The first arc of the series is nearly complete. Bloodshot is part Punisher and part T-9000 when the fiction reveals itself. The Rising Spirit program was designed by more than one engineer and luckily Bloodshot is not beholden only to his government directives. Someone from his past has the technology to assist and to aid the soldier with his quest, but will Bloodshot survive to peel back such heavy layers? It may be difficult with other Rising Spirit mercenaries bent on destroying him.
"Great, I finally got a shirt and you gotta ruin it." - Bloodshot #2 (2012) art by Manuel Garcia & Arturo Lozzi
The Valiant relaunch is diverse and serves to transform cult comic book super heroes with a fresh update. Each book has a different feel, but we can look forward to the universe coming together with crossovers and expansions.
X-O Manowar #5 hits shelves today as well, and introduces agent Ninjak. One of the strengths of previous incarnations of Valiant was the consistent shared back story of the world. In later arcs we are sure to see the titles bleed over and the effect Project Rising Spirit has on everyone. As we watch Bloodshot struggle for answers, we expect to eventually see Valiant’s spiritual guardian Rai, or gigantic events, including the shamanistic second-line musician Shadowman (#1 on sale November 7) or the undying Eternal Warrior.
Fans of Marvel’s MAX titles or the modern Ultimate Universe updates of classic heroes will find what they are looking for in Valiant’s relaunch.
They have hired the right talent and timed their comeback to the comic market perfectly, just months after mainstream media and public attention was directed to DC‘s reboot last year.
EARTH PRIME TIME: SUMMER OF VALIANT -- BLOODSHOT by clay-fernald
BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! CHECK OUT LEAGUEPODCAST.COM — BOSTON’S COMIC BOOK AND POP CULTURE PODCAST — “Thinking about Comics since 2009″!
League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast Episode #126 — The Bane Voice
Clay and Dursin rap about Spidey’s 50th anniversary, Justice League movie, and our costume party October 27th at McGreevys!
All in the Bane Voice!
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