Bloodshot & HARD Corps #23 Discussion

[BugsySig]

I thought this was an excellent issue. This Boudreaux guy seems like a great addition. I actually really liked the art, too.

So we get Bloodshot back to his roots as a solo, single-minded killing machine. After a stint fighting the Armor Hunters and joining Unity, I expect a return to his own series where he seeks out his real "identity."

With the split between Bloodshot and PRS/HARD Corps, I like the new status quo Kozol has created for the team. They will be more established as villains to appear in other books, specifically in the next iteration of Harbinger as they hunt down Psiots (as their name implies). One has to wonder what will become of the remaining current members, particularly Palmer who has developed nicely into a core character for the VEI Universe.

[bygranddesign]

Really enjoyed this issue.

Its too bad, They finally found the perfect tone and artwork that fits this title .. and its come to an end.

The art did switch up in the middle it seemed (i'm guessing thats the parts with Brian Level) and I didn't think it was as good as the opening and ending pages. But still very nice overall.

With the split between Bloodshot and PRS/HARD Corps, I like the new status quo Kozol has created for the team. They will be more established as villains to appear in other books, specifically in the next iteration of Harbinger as they hunt down Psiots (as their name implies). One has to wonder what will become of the remaining current members, particularly Palmer who has developed nicely into a core character for the VEI Universe.

agreed.

A Gen Zero VS. Hard Corp mini-series would be sweet

Who do you root for? The wild, socially stunted PSIOT kids trained to be killers led by a troubling leader with little regard for human life ... or a Kozol led HARD Corps team with similar troubled backgrounds.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer and the others find a way to turn off their implants and go rogue. Except Granite who has the hots for Kozol.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I thought this was an excellent issue. This Boudreaux guy seems like a great addition. I actually really liked the art, too.

+1

[ilzuccone]

So glad to see bloodshot and hardcorps splitting up. Even more glad to see these hardcorps characters being replaced or at least more interesting ones mixed in.

[QUARTZ]

I'm still very interested to know what will happen to Palmer and the original team. It seems like the HARD Corps are going to become a hard boiled mercenary group; much more of a villain setup. I can't see Palmer sitting idly by when Kozol begins recruiting rapists and murderers on the team. Despite what Bloodshot was alluding to I think Palmer still has a good moral center; he's just in a very tough spot.

[Keith]

Fight or flight seems the only possible ways this can go down. Will we see Palmer and team go rogue? Not sure how that could work unless they devise a portable Lifeline that can scramble the brain doofing and keep the powers cycling.

[BugsySig]

Fight or flight seems the only possible ways this can go down. Will we see Palmer and team go rogue? Not sure how that could work unless they devise a portable Lifeline that can scramble the brain doofing and keep the powers cycling.

Could someone like Livewire deactivate/fix their implants so they can't be detonated/upload powers on their own?

[jmatt]

Nice wrap up issue. I really like this creative team. Great writing and the art is perfect for the title.

[nscc]

Fight or flight seems the only possible ways this can go down. Will we see Palmer and team go rogue? Not sure how that could work unless they devise a portable Lifeline that can scramble the brain doofing and keep the powers cycling.

Could someone like Livewire deactivate/fix their implants so they can't be detonated/upload powers on their own?

I didn't read this issue yet, but I am sure she could.

Hell, even Ax could I would think.

[hkupo]

Fight or flight seems the only possible ways this can go down. Will we see Palmer and team go rogue? Not sure how that could work unless they devise a portable Lifeline that can scramble the brain doofing and keep the powers cycling.

Could someone like Livewire deactivate/fix their implants so they can't be detonated/upload powers on their own?

If Livewire ever ran into HARD Corps she would be able to take them out before they knew what hit them. Seriously she was able to wrest control of the X-O armor and that was before she got the boost to her powers.

[Blood of Heroes]

Fight or flight seems the only possible ways this can go down. Will we see Palmer and team go rogue? Not sure how that could work unless they devise a portable Lifeline that can scramble the brain doofing and keep the powers cycling.

Could someone like Livewire deactivate/fix their implants so they can't be detonated/upload powers on their own?

They did something like that towards the end of the original VH1 HARD Corps run. It was a similar situation where Heydrich (their boss, or whatever) went mad with power and was out to get everybody. The group met up with some rogue computery guy who was switching their powers for them.

Of course this idea would be new to 100% of Valiant fans because no one read the end of HARD Corps.

[QUARTZ]

I'm just happy to hear the confirmation today that Bloodshot will continue in his own solo series in September.

We all figured that's what was happening, just good to get it confirmed.

NOT happy about Rai #5 being pushed back to December though.

[kjjohanson]

I'm just happy to hear the confirmation today that Bloodshot will continue in his own solo series in September.

We all figured that's what was happening, just good to get it confirmed.

NOT happy about Rai #5 being pushed back to December though.

Well, I imagine there will be another book being published in its place, so we'll still get the same amount of Valiant books. We know that we're not going to get a Crain book monthly, so I'm not upset with this.

[ilzuccone]

I'm just happy to hear the confirmation today that Bloodshot will continue in his own solo series in September.

We all figured that's what was happening, just good to get it confirmed.

NOT happy about Rai #5 being pushed back to December though.

Well, I imagine there will be another book being published in its place, so we'll still get the same amount of Valiant books. We know that we're not going to get a Crain book monthly, so I'm not upset with this.

wonder what #5 being pushed to December will do for sales.

[QUARTZ]

I'd rather they get another artist on the book than have to wait months for the next issue. I like Crain but he isn't that good; he isn't irreplacable.

It can't be good for sales. I can imagine some people will lose interest in the series knowing they have to wait months for the story to pick up, or just wait for the TPB.

[KXXX]

I'd rather they get another artist on the book than have to wait months for the next issue. I like Crain but he isn't that good; he isn't irreplacable.

It can't be good for sales. I can imagine some people will lose interest in the series knowing they have to wait months for the story to pick up, or just wait for the TPB.

I'm totally okay with it. I so very much enjoy consistency issue to issue. After these first issues, another artist would be like a slap in the face.

[ilzuccone]

I'd rather they get another artist on the book than have to wait months for the next issue. I like Crain but he isn't that good; he isn't irreplacable.

It can't be good for sales. I can imagine some people will lose interest in the series knowing they have to wait months for the story to pick up, or just wait for the TPB.

I think most fans of the book won't know they have to wait. I normally will drop a title after a couple months of waiting. I figure if they don't care neither do I. but then again I drop books often. i'm not a completest (valiant is the current exception to that rule

[QUARTZ]

I'd rather they get another artist on the book than have to wait months for the next issue. I like Crain but he isn't that good; he isn't irreplacable.

It can't be good for sales. I can imagine some people will lose interest in the series knowing they have to wait months for the story to pick up, or just wait for the TPB.

I'm totally okay with it. I so very much enjoy consistency issue to issue. After these first issues, another artist would be like a slap in the face.

I enjoy a consistent artist as well, but I don't really expect them on anything other than creator owned books. It'd be nice for Rai to keep Crain on, he would certainly be the number one choice, but between keeping Crain on and shipping on time with a rotating artist I chose the later. This isn't a comic like the first run of Ultimates where fans would eat it up regardless of when it rolled out or how long it slipped; Rai needs to build a bigger fan base first before making people wait to find out what comes next.

If issue #5 begins a new story arc it makes even less sense to wait for Crain to finish it. I'd rather he take a break and let another artist fill in, as long as the art was still good.

[kjjohanson]

I wonder what would happen if they tried to maintain a consistent, but not monthly, release. Say, every 6 weeks.

[ilzuccone]

I wonder what would happen if they tried to maintain a consistent, but not monthly, release. Say, every 6 weeks.

Still probably not enough time. Crain is drawing and painting the book correct? Bi monthly would probably be pushing it.

[lorddunlow]

I see Bloodshot is returning to the top of my VEI list with the last few issues. I'm very happy to see this as Bloodshot is my favorite of the headline characters. Looking forward to Unity and the Armor Hunters tie-in.

I'm really excited for the new direction VEI has taken. Dino and company are definitely delivering on the "series of right hooks" he alluded to months ago.

I don't get the problem with the planned hiatus for Rai to keep quality at its current level. Literally the only books I read that have consistently stayed near a monthly schedule (or even more frequent) are the Marvel titles I read (and I'm months behind on them...), and I know few people who are happy with Marvel.

[Captain Craig]

The real awesome news is that, as most of us expected, Bloodshot returns to solo status in October with Bloodshot #24!!
This issues + the UNITY teaming + the AH mini w/MERO should leave plenty of threads new & old to hit the ground running with!!


Also, odd place for this sidebar but...I'm ok with RAI on hiatus till December. I'm looking at the big picture and what could be a nice 12-13 issue OHC Deluxe of RAI down the road in 2015 sometime!! All with Clayton Crain art. We'll have Dr.Mirage coming out to allow us new VALIANT fare w/a character not yet really explored in VEI continuity to date. Win/Win

[grendeljd]

We'll have Dr.Mirage coming out

You mean... she's like a Lesbo?

[attempting to sound like Torque, in case the joke isn't obvious ]

[leonmallett]

A good issue for me, and one that has left Bloodshot, HARDCorps and PRS all repositioned in the context of the wider VEI.

I have to say, Palmer may be one of my favourite VEI characters; he is conflicted by trying to make the best of an effectively impossible situation. If the new recruits are there to effectively make HARDCorps a 'villain team', then I would love to see some Livewire shenanigans to free Palmer and induct him to Unity.

What I really want though, is a HARDCorps book, continuing the tone of the Bloodshot and HARDCorps era.

This has been good stuff.

[lorddunlow]

I would love to see some Livewire shenanigans to free Palmer and induct him to Unity.

What I really want though, is a HARDCorps book, continuing the tone of the Bloodshot and HARDCorps era.

This has been good stuff.

Big ol' +1 to the above statements!