In the wake of the digital and DVD release of the film Bloodshot, Bliss Editions publishes three comics about this albino hero. To guide you, Justfocus offers you this short reading guide. Indeed, whether you liked the film or not, this simultaneous release is a perfect opportunity to discover the depth of this character – and the superheroic Valiant universe.
A short presentation
Bloodshot is a mercenary in the service of the United States and the Rising Spirit Project. He intervenes for the most dangerous secret missions. Indeed, nanites, microscopic computer instruments in his blood, repair his body in real time while giving him this white skin with a red circle on his torso.
For those who liked the movie: Bloodshot
Until the end, you enjoyed the relentless action, the shootouts and the regenerative power of the film's hero. How about extending the fun with a comic? Written by Tim Seeley, the first volume of the new series explicitly aims to immerse you in a lively and fun action series. The fighting never stops as Bloodshot tries to give meaning to his life after escaping from the Rising Spirit, the military-industrial complex that created and then manipulated him. Cartoonist Brett Booth, with his vivid line, fits perfectly with this muscular narrative. We discover Yemen at war, secret organizations and an association of former secret agents who want revenge. Completely independent of the previous stories and the publisher's other series, you can enjoy reading this story without committing to the entire universe. For those who wish to discover the episodes that served as the basis for the scenario, the complete first series is available and our review is here.
For those who want to discover this universe: The Valiant
You were intrigued by this mysterious Rising Spirit Tech that controls Bloodshot. What do you think about discovering a much larger universe of superheroes, secret services and magic? The Valiant, complete story in one volume, is for you. In each generation, natural forces are embodied in a human being. The Geomancer is now Kay, an independent woman. An evil force seeks to kill her, the mortal enemy. It will be defended by a team of heroes around Bloodshot. This tale of action and horror propels the reader into a breathless chase with a surprising ending. We're not at Disney. Bloodshot, a big brute that nothing stops, will crack his armor and reveal his intimate cracks. This four-part mini-series is a very good gateway to the universe. The Valiant launched the revival of this publishing house in 2014. This book allows you to meet all the heroes and heroines of this shared universe. The screenplay is by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt, two screenwriters who will then intervene in many stories. As for Paolo Rivera's drawing, it will not confuse fans of Franco-Belgian comics. This first title of Bliss is in its third edition. We can salute the work of the editor from the precise summary on all the artists and the presentation of the main heroes. As always, the bonuses are plethoric with many pages commented by the cartoonist, the two writers and the letterer. If you want to discover more about all these heroes, feel free to read our Valiant guide.
For those who hated the series: Complete Bloodshot Reborn
After a few minutes, you yawned in front of the action scenes and you found that Vin Diesel was singularly lacking in interest? Know that Bloodshot Reborn can reconcile you with this character. In 2016, the screenwriter Jeff Lemire, several times rewarded for his independent titles, takes the series and will take it in a radical direction. This jack-of-all-trades screenwriter ensures both in intimate books (Royal City) and in major publishing houses (Thanos for Marvel). Having lost his nanites, Bloodshot now works as a motel guard under the identity of Ray Garrisson. However, he cannot escape the traumas of his previous violent life. He drinks every night to the point of ending up in an ethyl coma. Already, quite disturbed in the original series, Bloodshot will here gradually build a new identity. We are very far from the film. This second series takes Bloodshot very far or rather very low. Focusing on the hero's trauma, Lemire addresses grief, root-seeking and loneliness. The hero will gradually rebuild himself by discovering the past of the Bloodshot program. The various cartoonists make it possible to propel the images to the level of Lemire's story. If you have been conquered, the next two volumes, Bloodshot Salvation, are also available.
