This time around, thanks to Free Comic Book Day, you get to enjoy not one but two snippets that at various times have come to bookend the character. First you get a Bloodshot story, by ongoing series writer, Tim Seely and secondly, you get a Rai (former of Rai and the Future Force) the far future descendant of Bloodshot. What more could you want?
This issue kind of sets up a little of what to expect going forward. There seems to be two fractions, humans and the humans who want to be upgraded with machines. A doctor who can complete this sort of work is kidnapped. Up steps Blooshot, who is as thorough at killing people and destroying stuff as his name sounds. Despite his own nanite infused body being the possible future, he is keen to not let that happen. Throw in a clandestine shadowy group out to stop him and you have part of the protagonist/antagonist triangle. All you need is a true strength of purpose.
Tim Seely is a familiar name to anyone who has spent time in Gotham, mainly with Nightwing. For those expecting the same are in for a bit of a shock. Bloodshot is not the same as Dick Grayson in many ways, though I could do without the almost quips. The point of Free Comic Book day is to get people to try different books. In this regard, Seely has written a book which despite possibly lacking nuance delivers on the action element. I am not sure if this means that Bloodshot is going to become Valiant’s version of the Punisher, driven by violence with his own crusade. As the series progresses, re-reading this books will help clear up some of the world setting that goes on, making dialogue more relevant.
The art on the Bloodshot story is by Tomás Giorello who does a great job setting up the action pieces, using big panels with a mix of overlays to help drive the paces of the story. Giorello style seems familiar from number of Valiant books, notably Divinity. Does this mean that Valiant are looking to create a house style for their mature books? Also, bear in mind that it was announced on Twitter that Brett Booth is going to be working on the character; it will be interesting to see how Booth dynamism contrast the more structured approach to figure work seen here. Diego Rodriguez provides a painted color scheme that gives the book a more adult feel. Letterer Dave Sharpe does well, big speeches do not impede the action in any way at all.
The second part of the book is written by Dan Abnett, a consummate comic book writer who delivers for the most part; his Titans run prior to Nightwing leaving is fun and he did wonders on Aquaman.  Rai, though has always, I feel, been a tough sell for many readers. Could it be that people just don’t care about a feudal Japan in 4001 A.D.? Abnett is in world building mode to some extent, leading into the Fallen World series.
Juan José Ryp handles the art duties, which is quite different from Giorllo. I don’;t mind that so much as there are, after all, two very different environs. Despite the heavily detailed worked, normal for the majority of future-scapes, there is an air of simplicity to the art. This may be emphasised as the story does feel a lot lighter in tone than the first half. Colorist Andrew Dalhouse and letterer Jeff Powell round of the creative team.
Fans of either Bloodshot or Rai should get enough out of this book to whet their appetite for the main series. For others, the need for yet another new Bloodshot book may confuse the impartial reader.
Bloodshot 2019 (Prelude)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fallen World (Prelude)
Writing – 4 Stars                                       Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars                                            Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars                                         Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Tim Seely & Dan Abnett
Art by; Tomás Giorello & Juan José Ryp
Colors by; Diego Rodriguez & Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by; Dave Sharpe & Jeff Powell
Published by; Valiant Entertainment
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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