Valiant continues to expand their universe, now with the H.A.R.D. Corps, a team of humans who are superheroed-up! Bloodshot heads the team, but since this is a government operation how long can it last? More importantly, how’s the comic? Is it good?
Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #22 (Valiant Entertainment)
This is the beginning of a new arc with Bloodshot the semi-leader of the team. He’s the leader largely because his powers are just so incredible: he can take bullets, fall off a building and bounce right back. He just needs a little protein. He’s also a skilled soldier. This issue opens with Genius having a talk with Bloodshot on how his powers are gone. He’s no longer as smart as he used to be and in fact is actually pretty dumb now. He needs to leave the team. Just as Bloodshot tells him “I’m sorry it’s come to this,” his head explodes. He instantly goes on the run and the issue kicks off on a manhunt to take down Bloodshot.
Badass bottom panel.
The writing in this issue is good for what it’s worth. The honest truth is Duffy Bordreau & Christos Gage don’t have to do much to make the story work. The H.A.R.D. Corps are told Bloodshot killed Genius and now they must take him on. They are gung ho to do so and that’s that. It’s a bit disappointing that there’s no dissent or disbelief, but considering how inhuman he is it’s not much of a stretch. Since this is a fugitive type story it plays out as you’d expect, and the evil government aspect is something we’ve seen before as we;;. The drama of the government head telling the team one thing and finding out the truth later is interesting but doesn’t go too far in strengthening the story.
Bloodshot knows what’s up.
The art by Al Barrionuevo is very dark, which goes along with conspiracy story going on here, but it’s a bit too dark for its own good. Hell, even the desert in the middle of the day is cast in dark shadows. That said, the man can draw a pretty gruesome Bloodshot, entrails intact or not. The action sequences are quite dramatic and work well for the thriller storyline.
Kind eyes.
Is It Good?
Aside from the story being a bit by the numbers it works and should entertain most.
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