First new VH1 appearance since 2012*, Bloodshot B&W #2

[Ryan]

Even though I'm not a fan of Alien comics, I had to pick up Black and White Bloodshot #2 after flipping through and seeing the Kevin Vanhook story with VH1 Bloodshot.

It was fun to see the Michael Lazarus Bloodshot in 1993 with the same narration boxes like in the VH1 series. I prefer this version of the character with his ability to communicate with machines and that he's not invulnerable like the VEI version. It felt a lot like a VH1 comic

Screenshot 2024-11-08 131126.png

The story involves a 'temporal rift' (sounds like something out of Star Trek) and 1993 BS is transported into 2018 to meet the VEI BS. Anybody know what's significant about 2018? I guess that's when DMG took over and there've been many different versions of Bloodshot since then? I can't keep track.

Screenshot 2024-11-08 131301.png

"An earlier experiment introduced a lot of weird crap-- So, we're going to fix it." That sounds like a line straight out of Unity or Unity 2K . Is there any specific event from VEI that he's referring to? I think I read most of the VEI BS, but I don't remember much.

Screenshot 2024-11-08 134029.png

Valiant multiverse confirmed, in canon, VH1 and VEI are different timelines.


Overall, it was fun. I could do without the forced meeting with VEI Bloodshot, but I guess that was the point of the story. I would have preferred a VH1 BS adventure that took place entirely in VH1. A gap filler story from 93/94 or something that takes place after Bloodshot #51. Bloodshot '97 by Vanhook would be a cool series.

I'm torn on the artwork. On one hand, I can appreciate that we get to see the pure vison of Vanhook as it's all done by his hand. On the other hand, I think the story would have been helped if he had an inker/embellisher that could flesh out his environments more and fix up some of his wonky anatomy and perspective. Like what Dick Giordano did for his pencils in VH1 BS #0. Vanhook's art looks more like storyboards than finished comic pages. Still enjoyed it though, 2 thumbs up


*edited the title to correct the date, I forgot about the short stories in the back of the VEI hardcovers from 2008-12

[ManofTheAtom]

Interesting.

[Ryan]

Interesting.

Most definitely.

I can't say $5 for 9 pages of story will be worth it for everybody. But for the hardcore VH1 fans it's been a long drought. Unity 2K was almost 25 years ago and that was more of a VH2 story with some VH1 characters, and only 3 of the 6 issues even came out. Before that the last VH1 stories were in 1996, X-O 68 or X-O/Iron Man. Armorines Volume 2 from 1999 is quasi-VH1 with its inclusion of the VH1 Spider Aliens. So yeah a long drought for the VH1 fans

[ManofTheAtom]

Interesting.

Most definitely.

I can't say $5 for 9 pages of story will be worth it for everybody. But for the hardcore VH1 fans it's been a long drought. Unity 2K was almost 25 years ago and that was more of a VH2 story with some VH1 characters, and only 3 of the 6 issues even came out. Before that the last VH1 stories were in 1996, X-O 68 or X-O/Iron Man. Armorines Volume 2 from 1999 is quasi-VH1 with its inclusion of the VH1 Spider Aliens. So yeah a long drought for the VH1 fans

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

[ManofTheAtom]

I just read the issue, and other than the reference to a different timeline it would have been perfect.

It has echoes of when VH 2 Solar went back in time and encountered VH 1 Solar in the Hell on Earth mini-series.

VH 1 existed from the proverbial "beginning of time" until Aric changed history in 1996 when he went back in t ime to 408 AD and gave himself the X-O Manowar armor in X-O Manowar/Iron Man.

A similar event could have taken place subsequent to that (possibly Unity 2000, or after) that turned VH 2 into VEI.

This story would fit right there with it but for the reference to another timeline.

Yes, the published comics say VH 2 Solar traveled to VH 1's "universe", but I just don't buy it. It's not supported by Revelations.

[Ryan]

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

Oh right, I totally forgot. I only ever got the Harbinger HC. Not a fan of the garish re-coloring and the high price tag for only 10 or so pages of new story. Too bad all those stories never got collected into a single book. They were forgotten once VEI switched their plans to a full reboot.

[Ryan]

I just read the issue, and other than the reference to a different timeline it would have been perfect.

It has echoes of when VH 2 Solar went back in time and encountered VH 1 Solar in the Hell on Earth mini-series.

VH 1 existed from the proverbial "beginning of time" until Aric changed history in 1996 when he went back in t ime to 408 AD and gave himself the X-O Manowar armor in X-O Manowar/Iron Man.

A similar event could have taken place subsequent to that (possibly Unity 2000, or after) that turned VH 2 into VEI.

This story would fit right there with it but for the reference to another timeline.

Yes, the published comics say VH 2 Solar traveled to VH 1's "universe", but I just don't buy it. It's not supported by Revelations.

Right on, it is what it is at this point. Late era Vh1 comics are very obscure at this point, but late era Vh2 comics like Vh2 Solar and Revelations are even more obscure.

[ManofTheAtom]

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

Oh right, I totally forgot. I only ever got the Harbinger HC. Not a fan of the garish re-coloring and the high price tag for only 10 or so pages of new story. Too bad all those stories never got collected into a single book. They were forgotten once VEI switched their plans to a full reboot.

Maybe someday they will be. Let Alien know you want them.

[ManofTheAtom]

I just read the issue, and other than the reference to a different timeline it would have been perfect.

It has echoes of when VH 2 Solar went back in time and encountered VH 1 Solar in the Hell on Earth mini-series.

VH 1 existed from the proverbial "beginning of time" until Aric changed history in 1996 when he went back in time to 408 AD and gave himself the X-O Manowar armor in X-O Manowar/Iron Man.

A similar event could have taken place subsequent to that (possibly Unity 2000, or after) that turned VH 2 into VEI.

This story would fit right there with it but for the reference to another timeline.

Yes, the published comics say VH 2 Solar traveled to VH 1's "universe", but I just don't buy it. It's not supported by Revelations.

Right on, it is what it is at this point. Late era Vh1 comics are very obscure at this point, but late era Vh2 comics like Vh2 Solar and Revelations are even more obscure.

Indeed, heh.

[Ryan]

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

Oh right, I totally forgot. I only ever got the Harbinger HC. Not a fan of the garish re-coloring and the high price tag for only 10 or so pages of new story. Too bad all those stories never got collected into a single book. They were forgotten once VEI switched their plans to a full reboot.

Maybe someday they will be. Let Alien know you want them.

Eh, I've been banging the drum for bringing back VH1 on here since 2018, it hasn't done anything. I'm fine with leaving Valiant for the VEI and Alien fans and leave VH1 for the old fans.

[Chiclo]

Interesting.

Most definitely.

I can't say $5 for 9 pages of story will be worth it for everybody. But for the hardcore VH1 fans it's been a long drought. Unity 2K was almost 25 years ago and that was more of a VH2 story with some VH1 characters, and only 3 of the 6 issues even came out. Before that the last VH1 stories were in 1996, X-O 68 or X-O/Iron Man. Armorines Volume 2 from 1999 is quasi-VH1 with its inclusion of the VH1 Spider Aliens. So yeah a long drought for the VH1 fans

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

I am pretty sure there were only 3. Harbinger, X-O and A&A. No Bloodshot.

[ManofTheAtom]

Interesting.

Most definitely.

I can't say $5 for 9 pages of story will be worth it for everybody. But for the hardcore VH1 fans it's been a long drought. Unity 2K was almost 25 years ago and that was more of a VH2 story with some VH1 characters, and only 3 of the 6 issues even came out. Before that the last VH1 stories were in 1996, X-O 68 or X-O/Iron Man. Armorines Volume 2 from 1999 is quasi-VH1 with its inclusion of the VH1 Spider Aliens. So yeah a long drought for the VH1 fans

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

I am pretty sure there were only 3. Harbinger, X-O and A&A. No Bloodshot.

You can find the rest if you know where to look.

[ManofTheAtom]

You're forgetting the ones in the Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot hardcovers (am I forgetting any other HCs?).

The latter had a story with Bloodshot and Gilad by Vanhook and, I think, Perlin.

Oh right, I totally forgot. I only ever got the Harbinger HC. Not a fan of the garish re-coloring and the high price tag for only 10 or so pages of new story. Too bad all those stories never got collected into a single book. They were forgotten once VEI switched their plans to a full reboot.

Maybe someday they will be. Let Alien know you want them.

Eh, I've been banging the drum for bringing back VH1 on here since 2018, it hasn't done anything. I'm fine with leaving Valiant for the VEI and Alien fans and leave VH1 for the old fans.

Ok.

[Chiclo]

Was that Bloodshot story ever published?

I do appreciate old Winchesters.

[ManofTheAtom]

Was that Bloodshot story ever published?

I do appreciate old Winchesters.

Valiant Masters Bloodshot: Blood of the Machine

Once, he was the hired killer known as Angelo Mortalli. Now, there is only Bloodshot. Brought back from the grave by the government scientists of Project Rising Spirit, Bloodshot is powered by microscopic nano-machines that can repair all injuries and maximize his physical potential. But the nanites can't replace his lost memories - or help him shake the feeling that he was once anything but a hero. Atoning for his sins in a world he no longer knows, can the man now called Bloodshot recover the secrets of his past? And survive his deadly first encounters with the likes of the Eternal Warrior, Ninjak and Rai along the way?

Collecting Bloodshot's best-selling debut with the original series coloring, the inaugural Valiant Masters volume re-presents Bloodshot (1992) #1-8 by fan favorite writer Kevin VanHook and comics legend Don Perlin for the first time anywhere! Plus no fan will want to miss "The Tablet" - a brand new tale of the VH1 Valiant Universe starring Bloodshot and the Eternal Warrior by the classic creative team of VanHook, Perlin, and Bob Wiacek!


https://valiant.fandom.com/wiki/Valiant ... chine_(HC)
https://valiant.fandom.com/wiki/Bloodshot:_The_Tablet

[Ryan]

You can find the rest if you know where to look.

Thanks Man, good find, I totally forgot this one ever came out. Fun little story. Kind of wish it had more relevance to the VH1 universe or a deeper connection somehow. Very cool to see Perlin taking one last ride with Bloodshot.

I am pretty sure there were only 3. Harbinger, X-O and A&A. No Bloodshot.

I thought that too. Maybe this one slipped through the cracks since it came out in 2012 as part of the 'Valiant Masters' series of hardcovers. None of the other Valiant Masters HCs had new short stories. The hardcovers that had the new short stories (Harb, X-O, A&A) all came out in 2008. By 2012 the focus was obviously much more on the launch of the new reboot.

One has to wonder if this story was also commissioned in the 2008 era along with the others, but the original Bloodshot HC was shelved when they shifted gears away from the old universe to the reboot.

[magnusr]

I enjoyed Kevin's story and I enjoyed this thread.

/Magnus

[ManofTheAtom]

You can find the rest if you know where to look.

Thanks Man, good find, I totally forgot this one ever came out. Fun little story. Kind of wish it had more relevance to the VH1 universe or a deeper connection somehow. Very cool to see Perlin taking one last ride with Bloodshot.

I am pretty sure there were only 3. Harbinger, X-O and A&A. No Bloodshot.

I thought that too. Maybe this one slipped through the cracks since it came out in 2012 as part of the 'Valiant Masters' series of hardcovers. None of the other Valiant Masters HCs had new short stories. The hardcovers that had the new short stories (Harb, X-O, A&A) all came out in 2008. By 2012 the focus was obviously much more on the launch of the new reboot.

One has to wonder if this story was also commissioned in the 2008 era along with the others, but the original Bloodshot HC was shelved when they shifted gears away from the old universe to the reboot.

No problem. You could always ask Vanhook on Facebook.

[ManofTheAtom]

I enjoyed Kevin's story and I enjoyed this thread.

/Magnus

[Ryan]

Spoiler discussion for "The Tablet"-

The in-story date is just "Present Day." A nod to the time stamping of VH1 without actually putting a specific date on the story. Given that both BS and EW don't age much, the story could literally fit anywhere between 1996 and 2024. The clunky Bluetooth earpiece BS is wearing suggests the late-00s.

It's interesting how they introduce Malek Fullan. Even though his group only function as typical action movie thugs, I like that they gave them a name "The Brotherhood Alliance" that hints at a larger backstory.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 084218.png

"I want to know that you haven't swapped out our guns for some Chinese crap. Unintended irony. I don't think you could get away with that joke in the DMG-era.

The ending with the tablet being an ancient Egyptian parable of peace is OK, but I think it's a missed opportunity to do something much more interesting and intriguing. The ancient tablet could have been anything, why not have it be something that hinted at the mystery behind Gil's immortality, the origin of the Harbingers, or anything having to do with any of the mysteries of VH1. That would have gotten me much more excited about further adventures in VH1 than a history/moral lesson about burning libraries and the cyclical nature of history.

I don't rate Vanhook's Bloodshot on the same level as pre-Unity VH1, but I still find his work on the character very enjoyable. It's like an 80s/90s action movie but with more depth and continuity. Totally unpretentious and not trying to be more than what it is.

[ManofTheAtom]

Spoiler discussion for "The Tablet"-

The in-story date is just "Present Day." A nod to the time stamping of VH1 without actually putting a specific date on the story. Given that both BS and EW don't age much, the story could literally fit anywhere between 1996 and 2024. The clunky Bluetooth earpiece BS is wearing suggests the late-00s.

It's interesting how they introduce Malek Fullan. Even though his group only function as typical action movie thugs, I like that they gave them a name "The Brotherhood Alliance" that hints at a larger backstory.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 084218.png

"I want to know that you haven't swapped out our guns for some Chinese crap. Unintended irony. I don't think you could get away with that joke in the DMG-era.

The ending with the tablet being an ancient Egyptian parable of peace is OK, but I think it's a missed opportunity to do something much more interesting and intriguing. The ancient tablet could have been anything, why not have it be something that hinted at the mystery behind Gil's immortality, the origin of the Harbingers, or anything having to do with any of the mysteries of VH1. That would have gotten me much more excited about further adventures in VH1 than a history/moral lesson about burning libraries and the cyclical nature of history.

I don't rate Vanhook's Bloodshot on the same level as pre-Unity VH1, but I still find his work on the character very enjoyable. It's like an 80s/90s action movie but with more depth and continuity. Totally unpretentious and not trying to be more than what it is.

I'd have liked it if it had been an iPad-like tablet that was also ancient, found buried in a pyramid or something.

There's a German novel (that was adapted into a movie) called Das Jesus Video that revolves around the search for a hidden video camera that is believed to hold digital footage of Jesus made by a time traveller.

I love that kind of stuff.

[Ryan]

Spoiler discussion for "The Tablet"-

The in-story date is just "Present Day." A nod to the time stamping of VH1 without actually putting a specific date on the story. Given that both BS and EW don't age much, the story could literally fit anywhere between 1996 and 2024. The clunky Bluetooth earpiece BS is wearing suggests the late-00s.

It's interesting how they introduce Malek Fullan. Even though his group only function as typical action movie thugs, I like that they gave them a name "The Brotherhood Alliance" that hints at a larger backstory.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 084218.png

"I want to know that you haven't swapped out our guns for some Chinese crap. Unintended irony. I don't think you could get away with that joke in the DMG-era.

The ending with the tablet being an ancient Egyptian parable of peace is OK, but I think it's a missed opportunity to do something much more interesting and intriguing. The ancient tablet could have been anything, why not have it be something that hinted at the mystery behind Gil's immortality, the origin of the Harbingers, or anything having to do with any of the mysteries of VH1. That would have gotten me much more excited about further adventures in VH1 than a history/moral lesson about burning libraries and the cyclical nature of history.

I don't rate Vanhook's Bloodshot on the same level as pre-Unity VH1, but I still find his work on the character very enjoyable. It's like an 80s/90s action movie but with more depth and continuity. Totally unpretentious and not trying to be more than what it is.

I'd have liked it if it had been an iPad-like tablet that was also ancient, found buried in a pyramid or something.

There's a German novel (that was adapted into a movie) called Das Jesus Video that revolves around the search for a hidden video camera that is believed to hold digital footage of Jesus made by a time traveller.

I love that kind of stuff.

No doubt. With only 8 pages it would've been cool to see the tablet be something more interesting and tied to the larger Valiant universe.

[ManofTheAtom]

Spoiler discussion for "The Tablet"-

The in-story date is just "Present Day." A nod to the time stamping of VH1 without actually putting a specific date on the story. Given that both BS and EW don't age much, the story could literally fit anywhere between 1996 and 2024. The clunky Bluetooth earpiece BS is wearing suggests the late-00s.

It's interesting how they introduce Malek Fullan. Even though his group only function as typical action movie thugs, I like that they gave them a name "The Brotherhood Alliance" that hints at a larger backstory.

Screenshot 2024-11-09 084218.png

"I want to know that you haven't swapped out our guns for some Chinese crap. Unintended irony. I don't think you could get away with that joke in the DMG-era.

The ending with the tablet being an ancient Egyptian parable of peace is OK, but I think it's a missed opportunity to do something much more interesting and intriguing. The ancient tablet could have been anything, why not have it be something that hinted at the mystery behind Gil's immortality, the origin of the Harbingers, or anything having to do with any of the mysteries of VH1. That would have gotten me much more excited about further adventures in VH1 than a history/moral lesson about burning libraries and the cyclical nature of history.

I don't rate Vanhook's Bloodshot on the same level as pre-Unity VH1, but I still find his work on the character very enjoyable. It's like an 80s/90s action movie but with more depth and continuity. Totally unpretentious and not trying to be more than what it is.

I'd have liked it if it had been an iPad-like tablet that was also ancient, found buried in a pyramid or something.

There's a German novel (that was adapted into a movie) called Das Jesus Video that revolves around the search for a hidden video camera that is believed to hold digital footage of Jesus made by a time traveller.

I love that kind of stuff.

No doubt. With only 8 pages it would've been cool to see the tablet be something more interesting and tied to the larger Valiant universe.

For sure. Maybe someday we'll see the untold story of how VH 1, VH 2, and VEI are tied together.

[Ryan]

For sure. Maybe someday we'll see the untold story of how VH 1, VH 2, and VEI are tied together.

I think it would up for someone to create that story at this point.


On another note, does anyone have scans or summaries of the short stories that were in Harbinger The Beginning, X-O Birth, and Archer & Armstrong First Impressions? I don't have the books anymore, and they don't seem to exist in the digital world. I remember being underwhelmed by the Harb and A&A stories, and I never read the X-O "Rise of Lydia" story. But it would be cool to revisit them.

[ManofTheAtom]

For sure. Maybe someday we'll see the untold story of how VH 1, VH 2, and VEI are tied together.

I think it would up for someone to create that story at this point.


On another note, does anyone have scans or summaries of the short stories that were in Harbinger The Beginning, X-O Birth, and Archer & Armstrong First Impressions? I don't have the books anymore, and they don't seem to exist in the digital world. I remember being underwhelmed by the Harb and A&A stories, and I never read the X-O "Rise of Lydia" story. But it would be cool to revisit them.

I wrote some for the VALIANT Wiki. I don't know why they're not on the site anymore. I'd have to find my copies and I could post them.