Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps #22 Discussion

[Keith]

Wow, now that was just a fun, action packed issue. Pretty much stayed true to what we've come to expect from BS&HC, and that has been pretty enjoyable for the whole run.

I'm thinking I'm going to miss this title when it's gone. We know where BS is heading, but I'm hoping we will still see something of the HC from time to time... assuming we don't lose anymore team members.

[rpellech83]

Read the preview on CBR this morning and it blew my mind. (See what I did there) can't wait to see how the series ends. Like you I hope that there is still an HC when all is said and done.

[Phoenix8008]

Read the preview on CBR this morning and it blew my mind. (See what I did there) can't wait to see how the series ends. Like you I hope that there is still an HC when all is said and done.

They're like Doritos: "Crunch all you want. We'll make more!"



But I would like to see AT LEAST Palmer survive.

[bygranddesign]

Just finished reading this issue.

loved it. loved it. loved it.

This is the type of story and art i've wanted from the beginning with this renamed title. It was tough, it had action, it had drama, it had loss, it had pain, it had a sense of grounded gritty realism in story and art. I'm not familiar with Al Barrionuevo, certainly there are stronger artists at Valiant, but his style fits perfectly with this book. The opening scene with Genius was beautifully drawn with a nice touch of emotion and ultimately a painful shock.

The ending was nicely done from Flatline willing to sacrifice herself with the Omega sequence (very interesting term considering the upcoming Omega mini series) to Bloodshot revealing that Kozol was the one behind Genius's death.

With both Bloodshot and Flatline lying half dead - does anyone else get the feeling that Bloodshot will save Flatline by using his Nanite Blood?? Maybe sacrifice himself (his host body) to enter hers before she dies (capture her soul) to create another Bloodshot?

Cannot wait for the next issue - this is getting goooooood...

***EDIT*****
Wow ... just noticed that Dysart's name is not attached to this issue. Considering the sharp dialougue - I thought for certain he had a big hand in this issue. Duffy Boudreau (sounds suspiciously canadian) is credited as the writer along with Gage. Congrats to both of them on a great opening issue to this arc.

[Phoenix8008]

Just finished reading this issue.

loved it. loved it. loved it.

This is the type of story and art i've wanted from the beginning with this renamed title. It was tough, it had action, it had drama, it had loss, it had pain, it had a sense of grounded gritty realism in story and art. I'm not familiar with Al Barrionuevo, certainly there are stronger artists at Valiant, but his style fits perfectly with this book. The opening scene with Genius was beautifully drawn with a nice touch of emotion and ultimately a painful shock.

The ending was nicely done from Flatline willing to sacrifice herself with the Omega sequence (very interesting term considering the upcoming Omega mini series) to Bloodshot revealing that Kozol was the one behind Genius's death.

With both Bloodshot and Flatline lying half dead - does anyone else get the feeling that Bloodshot will save Flatline by using his Nanite Blood?? Maybe sacrifice himself (his host body) to enter hers before she dies (capture her soul) to create another Bloodshot?

Cannot wait for the next issue - this is getting goooooood...

***EDIT*****
Wow ... just noticed that Dysart's name is not attached to this issue. Considering the sharp dialougue - I thought for certain he had a big hand in this issue. Duffy Boudreau (sounds suspiciously canadian) is credited as the writer along with Gage. Congrats to both of them on a great opening issue to this arc.

Sounds like this issue is really good! Can't wait to read it once I get mine in a couple weeks.

[Keith]

I'm not familiar with Al Barrionuevo, certainly there are stronger artists at Valiant, but his style fits perfectly with this book. The opening scene with Genius was beautifully drawn with a nice touch of emotion and ultimately a painful shock.

Agreed, though small niutpick with him drawing pupils in Bloodshot's eyes. Hate it when artists do that!

Wow ... just noticed that Dysart's name is not attached to this issue. Considering the sharp dialougue - I thought for certain he had a big hand in this issue. Duffy Boudreau (sounds suspiciously canadian) is credited as the writer along with Gage. Congrats to both of them on a great opening issue to this arc.

In fact, I think I read that Gage really wasn't as involved in this issue, either. Like some Hollywood commitments came calling, so Valiant brought Boudreau in to do the lion's share of the writing.

[bygranddesign]

Agreed, though small niutpick with him drawing pupils in Bloodshot's eyes. Hate it when artists do that!

I liked the pupils. It gave bloodshot some added emotion for that scene. I guess different artists will provide different interpretations to bloodshots look - this more realistic interpretation was one of my favorite depictions of Bloodshot since the re-launch.

[BugsySig]

Very good issue. More akin to the pre-Harbinger Wars Bloodshot: very violent with a basic, driven plot.

Art was good, not great, but much better than the A&A crossover issues.

[hawkeyeps]

I really liked it story and art, I've never heard of Barrionuevo or Boudreau but this was a really good issue that I enjoyed a lot.

I would rather have a relative unknown like Barrionuevo giving his best effort as opposed to a name artist like Raney who just mailed in a half effort with the last arc IMO.

I think it makes all difference in the world if the creators are passionate about what they are doing and this issue just felt like these guys we're really digging the whole Bloodshot/HARD Corps concept and treating it well.

I too hope Hard Corps carries on in some form after all this done, it's way too good of a concept to throw away.

4.75/5 not perfect but maximum enjoyment was had and I can't wait for the next issue, it looks like Kozol has a whole new set of HARD Corps that Palmer doesn't know about

Kozol is a *SQUEE* he needs to die (I didn't forget about that Canada crack from Harbinger Wars)!

[400yrs]

Love that Rossmo cover. I'd pay $4 to check out the title again just because of that cover! Wait...... It's the 1:20 variant? Never mind <puts money back in wallet>

[jmatt]

loved it. loved it. loved it.

Same. Wow, what a great issue! Three cheers for the new creative team. Great art, dialogue and plot!

I got to the end as was like "Noooo! Don't stop now!"

The art was outstanding. Gritty and clean, if such a thing is possible. Great inking. So much emotion in the faces.

[pixierosa]

This was a really good read. They did a good job of driving the reader through the book, and if you got caught up in the action, you missed the subtle clues as to the ending. Such as the guard conveniently right outside the door when Bloodshot entered the bathroom with Genius. That, plus the oddly emotional yet seeming cold dialogue was a good tip, but I'll wager that the shock of what happened to Genius might have distracted some readers from thinking much on it.

As for HC, I wonder if anyone other than Palmer will make it. I can see them shelving these characters as a focus for a while during the big summer event (but Palmer or someone may pitch in to help fight against the Hunters). The time out of the spotlight will give Kozol or whomever is in charge the opportunity to rebuild a team. From the look of the last page, it may turn into a HC vs HC battle. I wonder if Granite will turn on Kozol, and see him for what he is? She has to know he's scum, but this betrayal of the team may break the spell. Would be cliche yet still satisfying to have her put the beat down on Kozol.

[mateo107]

books like this remind me why I love comics. all the character set-up from the previous arcs is looking to have a big pay off. and just when you thought you had the basic details of the story (Bloodshot kills HC member, HC hunts Bloodshot), it threw in another complication. the team seems to be splitting into predictable factions, but I'm hoping the resolution will be another surprise.

[apainter]

Duffy Boudreau wrote one of the stories in Shadowman 12, the tattoo artist one.

I got taken in by the story. I didn't like what it was doing to Bloodshot's character, and felt relieved when Kozol turned out to be the a-hole he always was. (Unless he isn't. See, now I'm half expecting more story twists ahead.) Great issue.

Art

[ilzuccone]

great issue. back to bloodshot being torn to pieces!

i wouldn't mind seeing hard corp past this arc if they have a major overhaul. the costumes, names, and shallow character depth just kill me.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Best issue of this title in a while, if not for the entire run so far. This was Bloodshot at it's best. Congrats to the new creative team who have done an amazing job. Valiant, keep these guys around as a team! If they do work half as good as this, you have just found some future superstars!
Bloodshot ate a *SQUEE* mountain lion! What?!?!? Awesome!
Great plot, and plot twist. Very much liked the art the whole way through, and I can be picky about that. Definitely enjoyed this issue very much from start to finish. Actually, it truly left me wanting more. So, well done there as well!

[Blood of Heroes]

I got to the end as was like "Noooo! Don't stop now!"

I expressed this exact sentiment very loudly when I finished the book.

[jmatt]

Congrats to the new creative team who have done an amazing job. Valiant, keep these guys around as a team! If they do work half as good as this, you have just found some future superstars!

+1 I am unfamiliar with the creative team but... wow. Just a great issue all-around.

[kjjohanson]

The art was a really good fit this month. Would like to see more on Bloodshot in the future, or maybe on Shadowman/Dr. Mirage

[jmatt]

The art was a really good fit this month. Would like to see more on Bloodshot in the future, or maybe on Shadowman/Dr. Mirage

I could see that working. This issue made me feel bad that HardCorps is heading backstage. Not sure they could carry their own book, but now that we've gotten to the climax, I appreciate the synergy with Bloodshot a bit more.

[Donovan]

I really loved the art in this issue, thought it set a perfect tone and told the story well. I'd love to see this guy be a regular on Bloodshot!

[Spylocke]

The art was a really good fit this month. Would like to see more on Bloodshot in the future, or maybe on Shadowman/Dr. Mirage

I could see that working. This issue made me feel bad that HardCorps is heading backstage. Not sure they could carry their own book, but now that we've gotten to the climax, I appreciate the synergy with Bloodshot a bit more.

I totally think H.A.R.D. Corps could carry their own book since their inclusion into Bloodshot. The title change seemed like a test for a future H.A.R.D. Corps series. I've never been much of a Bloodshot fan so H.A.R.D. Corps has been triumphantly carrying the book in my opinion. If done right I imagine something similar in tone to the manga Gantz where new characters are introduced and killed off quickly and there is a dread that no character is safe.

Some random things I liked about this issue: The shot of Flatline in bed when Genius is talking about her. What could have been a tawdry cheescake shot just reminded me how sick and close to death she was thanks to the depiction of her frail, half-naked body. It was unsexy and disturbing in a good way.
Another point in this issue's favor regarding the depiction of women in comics was how the two women were the most eager to get potentially life-threatening implant upgrades. Sure, it was due to the men in their lives but I think it was a nice change to see women that eager to put their lives on the line.

That brings me back to Flatline and her fate. While I saw it coming I didn't expect it to be such an emotional gut punch. We didn't even get a flashback for either of the deaths and they still had a great deal of impact.
I'm suddenly a lot more interested in the Lifeline techs now. We got a full name for one and we were shown what a rogue tech (assuming this wasn't part of Kozol's plan) can do. If there is a H.A.R.D. Corps left by the end I'd like to see more about the Lifeline crew and how they interact with the team. Anyone remember Maniac's Lifeline who thought of everything in gaming terms? It would be a shame to not see that guy again.

Here's the Readers Digest version: ...I really liked this issue.

[rpellech83]

I completely agree that I am more of a H.A.R.D. Corps fan then Bloodshot. Would love to see these characters elsewhere.

[lorddunlow]

The Bloodshot eye thing seemed intentional to me. I don't think it was accidental.

How weird is it that the issues with Dysart attached are my least favorite?

[grendeljd]

Just got to read this issue tonight - great stuff!!

Very entertaining read, & a solid plot filled with action and a good twist resolution at the end. I was fooled by the head-doof to Genius, it left me puzzled the entire issue as to why Bloodshot would go and kill one member of HC and then just burn out of there without a better plan to take them all out. I should have clued in that it wasn't his plan at all, after all he could have doofed everyone if he had wanted to at the time.

It was good to see Kozol show his true sleazoid nature once again. Unbelievable how immoral this guy is! This seems like the smartest play he can make with the tools currently at his disposal to try and take out Bloodshot.

Loved the artwork this issue too - reminds me of Mark Texiera. Give this guy some more work!