Bloodshot #5

Bloodshot is part of the Valiant Comics reboot, which so far has met mostly positive critical reception. The series are fresh takes on properties that haven’t been touched in two decades. Bloodshot follows a genetic experiment with a titular name, designed to be a one-man army, a living weapon and the ultimate soldier, now facing a revelation that his entire life is a lie orchestrated by the government facility Project Rising Sun.

If the story sounds a little “X-Treme”, blame the ‘90s. However, I’m very glad to report that this series makes all the right steps to make a compelling story with more substance than a lot of superhero comics these days. From the genuinely disturbing flashback to Pulse’s interactions with Gamma, to Bloodshot’s discussion with the Nanites in his body, the comic has plenty of development.

Despite the excellent writing, the book seems a tad heavy on exposition and light on action. The issue is undoubtedly functioning as filler. But that isn’t necessarily a black mark on the issue. Duane Swierczynski’s fluid dialogue and carefully placed exposition makes the book highly accessible, and sets up enough to make the reader desire closure on the remainder of the story arc begun in the issue.
 

Manuel Garcia’s artwork is to be praised as well, with especially noteworthy expressions. The look of innocence on Pulse’s face in the flashback create an even bigger clash when met with the sadistic, psuedo-nostalgic tone of Gamma’s actions. Bloodshot’s face consistently looks like how an archetypal soldier’s would: always alert, and bearing a grimace of strain.
 

Ultimately, Bloodshot #5 represents a rejuvenation that many fans were hoping with the Marvel and DC relaunches, with varying results. Bloodshot is a superhero story without the baggage of a complicated history, and without a forced genre overlay. It bears a simplicity that many books run away from, rather than embracing. Bloodshot and the rest of the Valiant reboot really should be a lesson to the Big Two of what truly works in a superhero comic.