Comic Info
Comic Name: Bloodshot (Volume 3)
Publisher: Valiant Comics
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Manuel Garcia/Arturo Lozzi
# of Issues: 4
Release Date: 2013
Bloodshot (3) #4
Reprints Bloodshot (3) #1-4 (July 2012-October 2012). Ray believes he is leading a double-life. The world of a happy homemaker and a highly trained government assassin. When his latest mission goes awry, Bloodshot learns that his past is all memory implants, and that an organization called Project Rising Spirit has been using the implants to manipulate him as their assassin. With injury curing super-nanites keeping him alive, Bloodshot sets out to find the truth about his past with the help of a hostage nurse, and it might mean going to war with Project Rising Spirit itself.
Written by Duane Swierczynski, Bloodshot Volume 1: Setting the World on Fire reprints the first four issues of the new Valiant Comics relaunch. The series is illustrated by Manuel Garcia and Arturo Lozzi and was released to positive reviews.
I really enjoy Bloodshot. I wasn’t much of a Valiant reader in the ’90s (I was a Marvel zombie), but recall seeing Bloodshot around…and felt he was just another Punisher rip-off. This wasn’t entirely an untrue statement, but the character who first appeared in Eternal Warrior (1) #4 (November 1992) in a small cameo before making his official first appearance in Rai #0 (November 1992), did have more going on with him than simply being a guy with a gun.
Bloodshot (3) #4 Variant
Swierczynski capitalizes on this idea that Bloodshot is more than a guy with a gun. The first issue is a great introduction to the character and almost has a Memento feel in that the character’s life drops out from under him. The idea that Bloodshot must keep consuming to just keep up with his body’s repairs is also interesting and hopefully explored more as the series continues along with the growing list of the nanites’ abilities.
The book is also aided by some great illustrations and a classy presentation. Valiant is doing it right with their relaunch and going top class with their series looks and quality. Manuel Garcia is listed as the primary illustrator in the series but teamed with Lozzi, so it isn’t entirely clear who does what but the end result is some great stylish art that rivals (and surpasses) many of the big DC and Marvel books.
Bloodshot is just another reason why readers should check out this relaunch of Valiant. The comics are a bit on the higher end of the price scale, but if you don’t want the individual issues the collections are rather affordable and worth checking out if you’ve skipped it until now. Bloodshot 1: Setting the World on Fire is followed by Bloodshot 2: The Rise and the Fall.
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