REVIEW: Bloodshot Salvation #10

From the beginning of this series, Jeff Lemire has crafted the narratives of Bloodshot Salvation across varying time lines. Sometimes the distinctions are as simple as “now”“ vs. “soon.”“ Sometimes the timeline flashes back to the origins of his canine sidekick or it flashes forward to a key point in the central story. The story shifts through space as well, spending time in reality and in the netherworld of the Valiant universe. Throughout the first story arcs and the first nine issues of this series, Bloodshot has barely been able to keep his powers and stay alive, much less keep pace with the story itself.

But in Bloodshot #10, Lemire“s narrative settles on its current moment, the story“s “now,”“ and the distant future of 4002 AD, not too long after the catastrophic events of the Valiant universe“s 4001 AD crossover event. A lot has happened in the first nine issues of Bloodshot Salvation, but most importantly he has saved his daughter, and it is her salvation that requires Bloodshot“s foray into the unknown future.

Bloodshot Salvation #10 is the beginning of a new story arc and it is a fairly solid on boarding point for new readers. Lemire“s take on Bloodshot is producing the best incarnation of this flagship title in its history in the Valiant universe. He accomplishes this, in much the same way that he has established himself as the most prolific writer in comics today; he focuses on grappling with the jagged grain of human relationships. Sometimes this is about the relationship between Ray and Magic or between Magic and her cult-leader father, or between Ray and his dog or Ray, Magic and their nanite-infused child.

It“s early yet, but Bloodshot Salvation feels like it could go on forever. It has already established its past, present and very distant future and the series“ protagonist has ways to operate and exist in and across all of these timelines. The chronology of the series probably sounds more complicated in this telling than it actually is in the comic book itself. Bloodshot Salvation“s time shifts are necessary elements of the story and are deftly executed in the capable hands of Jeff Lemire.

Bloodshot Salvation #10 is a necessary transition into the aftermath of the story“s first, contingent salvation. In this issue, readers are introduced to the desolate future of 4002 AD. And Bloodshot will face new enemies and a new nemesis, as the enemies from his present continue to dog his family. 4/5.

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BLOODSHOT SALVATION #10Â
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE