Valiant Entertainment 2017
Written by Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by Lewis LaRosa & Mico Suayan
Coloured by Brian Reber
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Bloodshot is the perfect living weapon, engineered by the now defunct paramilitary corporation Project Rising Spirit and manipulated into action by false memories. Injected with billions of microscopic nanites that give him full control of his physiology, Bloodshot has enhanced strength, speed, can repair any injury, and is able to control technology with a thought. Recently, Bloodshot—now living as Ray Garrison—fell in love with a woman named Magic and they had a baby. He is desperately trying to start a new life, away from the violence of Bloodshot….
Alright so here we go if you haven’t been keeping up on the latest with Bloodshot, and you really should have been it’s been one of the most interesting and intriguing books on the market period, well here’s a quick catch me up that goes hand in hand with moving the characters forward. Jeff shouldn’t surprise me anymore but somehow he always does and the way the past, present and future are all used to show us the complete picture. it’s extremely well done and it really does keep the reader guessing and wondering about a timeline of events. Incredibly effective yes and I have to say Jeff keeps this among the strongest titles on stands today.
The opening was more than enough to grab my attention, though the ambiguous “Soon” leaves a lot to be interpreted. Though we get a small clue it’s really small because who knows what the daughter of Bloodshot is going to be like, was she born with nanites, will she age normally, there are so many things to wonder about and Hell Yeah for what we do see because talk about some unexpected badassery!
So Lewis, Mico and Brian do some absolutely amazing work on the interiors. I’ve always been a fan of the level of work we see in these pages and the sheer amount of detail that is present is beyond expectation. The use of page layouts with their angles and perspective not to mention the utilisation of the backgrounds in use really make the story pop. Plus the way we see Ray with Jessie as an infant well that just brings all kinds of feels to the table. The emotions and feelings that we get from the three of them, Magic too, and the set up for what’s to come in the short term, considering the opening which is more long-term, really shine through with the work.
So there are a few angles here that seem to be working against them being the perfect little family. Magic’s past is coming back to haunt her, the future with Ray being Bloodshot heck the present with him being Bloodshot being a huge issue, let’s face it he’s been Bloodshot most of his remembered existence and it’s not like being that person is easy to shut off even if Magic wants him all to herself, there is plenty to see and hear. Also I like that Jeff will explore the idea of Ray trying to shut that part of himself off to take care of his family like any normal man would. That he’s not normal nor will he ever be no matter how much Magic wishes it otherwise well considering it’s her past that will cause him the most trouble she really shouldn’t talk.
With Project Rising Sun out of commission it’s time for a new head on the hydra to rise up and takes it’s place. Unfortunately that’s the way these things go after all Nature Abhors a Vacuum and there were plenty of those pushed aside from PRS who are itching to get back into the game. We saw how well it was run then run into the ground so perhaps the old timers will have much better luck the rashness and impulsiveness of youth.
There is some very powerful imagery both in words and visuals here to make this book what it needs to be. Yes there seems to be a lot of set-up going on but that’s more than okay it gives us a chance to wonder, think ahead and project what will happen and let’s face it part of the fun here is seeing if we can correctly guess what’s going to happen. It’s also what helps us to keep coming back time and time again.
Will his new family be his Salvation or his downfall? Only time will tell and so far it isn’t looking very good for anyone involved.