Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #18 Discussion

[hunter_peterson]

Having said that, I don't know how successful the Hard Corps would be without Bloodshot to anchor the title.

Yeah, well, that's the $64,000 question, isn't it? I'm not sure if it's ready to stand on it's own two feet.

I dunno... they're currently the attacking arm of Project Rising Spirit, an organisation that has been built up since the launch of Harbinger and also in Bloodshot and A&A. They have a long history, interesting characters, a status quo and a mission statement. They're currently the main plot driver of the Bloodshot book and have villains of their own. I think they could, creatively at least, sustain a title perfectly well. And really, Bloodshot has little mainstream name recognition anyway, so his presence is less a boost in that way than it is in bringing continuing readers to the new property.

Plus all the Valiant books seem to do roughly the same, with the exception of Unity. I think it could do perfectly well as a separate book...

[Scarlet-Batman]

I suppose one of the issues may be what would Bloodshot do without the PRS? All of his comics have dealt with him either trying to break free from, fight or work for the PRS. Without them, the comic would definitely need an entirely new direction.

[jmatt]

I suppose one of the issues may be what would Bloodshot do without the PRS? All of his comics have dealt with him either trying to break free from, fight or work for the PRS. Without them, the comic would definitely need an entirely new direction.

Put me down for that. The books need to be a little less incestuous, they need new villains. The Specialists are a nice crop of new baddies but they work for the guy who used to run PRS. It's a step in the right direction but still has its apron strings tied to momma in a way.

[lorddunlow]

I suppose one of the issues may be what would Bloodshot do without the PRS? All of his comics have dealt with him either trying to break free from, fight or work for the PRS. Without them, the comic would definitely need an entirely new direction.

Put me down for that. The books need to be a little less incestuous, they need new villains. The Specialists are a nice crop of new baddies but they work for the guy who used to run PRS. It's a step in the right direction but still has its apron strings tied to momma in a way.

+1

[BugsySig]

I suppose one of the issues may be what would Bloodshot do without the PRS? All of his comics have dealt with him either trying to break free from, fight or work for the PRS. Without them, the comic would definitely need an entirely new direction.

IMO, Bloodshot's book could become about searching for his past again. He has some information now. Is it true? Is it more PRS lies? Could his search turn up more secrets/mysteries? That has plenty of potential for future stories. He could even delve into the origin of the Nanites, which has plenty of possibilities. All the time dealing with the issue of controlling the now sentient Goldies.

HARD Corps could then be the one true "government" organization book: Containing various strange threats, reigning in rogue Psiots, rooting out Vine Plantings (Ha!). Then they have to deal with the team dynamics and personal sacrifices inherent to their situations.

[DirtbagSailor]

Is it true? Is it more PRS lies?

[lorddunlow]

IMO, Bloodshot's book could become about searching for his past again. He has some information now. Is it true? Is it more PRS lies? Could his search turn up more secrets/mysteries? That has plenty of potential for future stories. He could even delve into the origin of the Nanites, which has plenty of possibilities. All the time dealing with the issue of controlling the now sentient Goldies.

This is definitely what I want from a Bloodshot solo book. #0 whet my appetite for this kind of story, but I've been left in a state of limbo with the current plot. I like this book, but Bloodshot is superfluous which sucks because he is my favorite character in VEI. (Archer is a very close second, so I'm extremely excited about the upcoming crossover.)

Is it true? Is it more PRS lies?

You, sir, are a blast.

[Captain Craig]

Finally got my copy after my LCS was shorted last week. It was on top of the pile as well and would've been last week. Reading this and Unity #3 back-to-back though was a treat!

The title WAS and STILL IS one of my favorite VEI books. That's not to say I don't at least understand why some are frustrated that Bloodshot seems to be taking a backseat in a book where his name is first. I did think that this arc would be more Bloodshot heavy with the closing of the first arc where HARD Corps joins the title duties though. Doesn't mean I found the story unfullfilling in the least. What seems apparent, now, is that VEI is going to give Bloodshot a pseudo moment of reflection on the file he has AND allow him a chance to get back to full power. Meanwhile, as he stated, at least now he's choosing what he wants to do with knowledge of the scum as opposed to being used and brainwashed as had been done to him.
Also, VEI is fleshing out with even more detail the background on PRS and HARD Corps so that at some point, issue #25 perhaps, Bloodshot will be solo with #26 and in '15 we get HARD Corps #1. A win/win as I see it.

Regarding the story and the reveal of The Specialists I found to be a nice dichotomy of where HC is now vs where they could've been led. Also, are Flatline and Genius dead? Those panels read as Big Boy had them in their grip, Palmer gives orders to retreat and they do. Some statement to the effect "if we stay then we all die, now go". Implying death had happened was seemingly imminent for Flatline and Genius.

A Bloodshot book where he's in search of his past is also what I think is coming. He's planning. When he was given that folder he was asked not to do anything brash. He hasn't. I think he's bidding his time with HC for now. It's mutually beneficial and an issue #26 might be a good place to strike out on his own.

[stitches]

Finally got my copy after my LCS was shorted last week. It was on top of the pile as well and would've been last week. Reading this and Unity #3 back-to-back though was a treat!

The title WAS and STILL IS one of my favorite VEI books. That's not to say I don't at least understand why some are frustrated that Bloodshot seems to be taking a backseat in a book where his name is first. I did think that this arc would be more Bloodshot heavy with the closing of the first arc where HARD Corps joins the title duties though. Doesn't mean I found the story unfullfilling in the least. What seems apparent, now, is that VEI is going to give Bloodshot a pseudo moment of reflection on the file he has AND allow him a chance to get back to full power. Meanwhile, as he stated, at least now he's choosing what he wants to do with knowledge of the scum as opposed to being used and brainwashed as had been done to him.
Also, VEI is fleshing out with even more detail the background on PRS and HARD Corps so that at some point, issue #25 perhaps, Bloodshot will be solo with #26 and in '15 we get HARD Corps #1. A win/win as I see it.

Regarding the story and the reveal of The Specialists I found to be a nice dichotomy of where HC is now vs where they could've been led. Also, are Flatline and Genius dead? Those panels read as Big Boy had them in their grip, Palmer gives orders to retreat and they do. Some statement to the effect "if we stay then we all die, now go". Implying death had happened was seemingly imminent for Flatline and Genius.

A Bloodshot book where he's in search of his past is also what I think is coming. He's planning. When he was given that folder he was asked not to do anything brash. He hasn't. I think he's bidding his time with HC for now. It's mutually beneficial and an issue #26 might be a good place to strike out on his own.

Genius and flatline are taken hostage together with Palmer. They are shown on the last page.

[AnthonyF]

HARD Corps could then be the one true "government" organization book: Containing various strange threats, reigning in rogue Psiots, rooting out Vine Plantings (Ha!).

What ever happened to that Ninjak subplot in X-O? I thought we'd see some focus on Ninjak doing some cleaning out of the Vine.

I really enjoyed this issue, the artwork and story. I hope we see more of the backstory, especially with the original Hardcorps.

[Dallow Spicer1]

The most interesting part of the story was the flashback. That is kinda sad. The story telling feels more like later Valiant than Pre-Unity Valiant. No character development, inadequate build-up. Oreck actually summed up my feeling about the title succinctly. It is simply a meat grinder.

Sadly the promise that Swierczynski started with in his first arc has all given way to rushed story arcs with very little substance.

Done with this title for now. With some hope, I'll be back if things improve.

+1

The Sears art was definitely an improvement, although I think he drew Bloodshoot too overly muscled and his t shirt looked 'sprayed on'. But the main issue is that for me HARD Corps are a B list concept/characters, a good support to appear in BS or Harbinger occasionally but not centre stage.

I'm not enjoying this title enough to stick with it at the moment but I'll probably pick it up if Comixology have a sale perhaps. I'm glad lots of others do seem to be enjoying this book as I want all of the Valiant titles to be successful but this one is no longer for me.

2.5/5

[cjv]

Unfortunately, I never liked Sears art.


Chris

[Scarlet-Batman]

I wonder which one of the H.A.R.D. Corps folks is going to die next...

[Bl00dsh0t]

I wonder which one of the H.A.R.D. Corps folks is going to die next...

I hope the current crop stick around for a little while now (at least through the GET SOME and MISSION IMPROBABLE arcs). Though if I had to say one - perhaps Genius... I think his death would set up an interesting dynamic within the team due to his relationship with Flatline.

[BugsySig]

I wonder which one of the H.A.R.D. Corps folks is going to die next...

I hope the current crop stick around for a little while now (at least through the GET SOME and MISSION IMPROBABLE arcs). Though if I had to say one - perhaps Genius... I think his death would set up an interesting dynamic within the team due to his relationship with Flatline.

I don't particularly like any of the new(est) group. I like Deciple and Granite, but really don't care for any of the others right now.

[Captain Craig]

Granite is head and shoulders my favorite of the crop.

The rest are varying degrees of 2nd and 3rd. Vagabond would be last place for sure though.

[hawkeyeps]

Granite is head and shoulders my favorite of the crop.

The rest are varying degrees of 2nd and 3rd. Vagabond would be last place for sure though.

All though he did smoke a doobie during the briefing

[Scarlet-Batman]

Vagabond would be last place for sure though.

He's the one I hope bites the dust next. He just seems like a bad joke.

[Shadowman99]

I don't particularly like any of the new(est) group. I like Deciple and Granite, but really don't care for any of the others right now.

+1

Vagabond is the weakest character so far. He hasn't actually done anything, and has barely said anything. What is he even doing there?

[lorddunlow]

I don't particularly like any of the new(est) group. I like Deciple and Granite, but really don't care for any of the others right now.

+1

Vagabond is the weakest character so far. He hasn't actually done anything, and has barely said anything. What is he even doing there?

If Dysart still has any input, I'm sure Vagabond will surprise a lot of people. He likes to screw with our heads like that.

[caxiotis]

I just read this issue and was completely disappointed. The story seemed shallow and the art was horrible. This is a downturn from the last arc that liked

[Shadowman99]

I don't particularly like any of the new(est) group. I like Deciple and Granite, but really don't care for any of the others right now.

+1

Vagabond is the weakest character so far. He hasn't actually done anything, and has barely said anything. What is he even doing there?

Him and Genius are just waiting to catch a bullet or psiot blast right to the face.

I'm hoping so!

[hawkeyeps]

I really liked it in that it revealed more PRS history, the Specialists were early versions of Generation Zero and gave us an insight as to why PRS was pursuing that course.

First came Bloodshot then HARD Corps then the Specialists which lead PRS to using Bloodshot as the Harbinger Hunter to gather Generation Zero. Generation Zero was going to be PRS's next Specialists but Harada's screwing with Bloodshot led PRS to reactivate HARD Corps as now their plans were screwed as Harada got the majority of Gen.0 at the end of Harb Wars. I still wonder what's up with Traveller, Hive and the little glow ball kid that Palmer killed.

I think very big things are in store for this title with the A&A cross over coming up, I think that will draw A&A, Bloodshot and Harbinger much closer together.

What would happen if Archer met the Bleeding Monk?

This is world building at it's best and why I love the concept of a shared universe with tight continuity.

[DirtbagSailor]

What would happen if Archer met the Bleeding Monk?

Wouldn't it be funny of Archer WAS the Bleeding Monk...?

[Tim]

As much as the "nostalgic Valiant fan from way back" inside me was excited to see Sears drawing for them again, he's got to go. Not terrible, but definitely not at the level that Valiant art has been so far. Bring back Ema!!