4001 A.D.: Bloodshot #1
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The good
Touching tribute to Ray Garrison while expanding the futuristic world, which gives a potential context for a new Bloodshot
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The bad
No backstory about how Bloodshot's body was in Father's possession. No involvement in events of 4001 A.D.
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The ugly
- Total score
4001 A.D.: Bloodshot #1 is a one-shot issue detailing what becomes of the nanites that once were bonded with Ray Garrison to create Bloodshot. It opens up with the nanites become aware once again due to the New Japan Museum of Antiquated Technologies section being jettisoned by Father. It’s aware that it’s falling but more importantly it realizes that it’s no longer bound to Ray’s body because that body was dissected a long time ago. Attempts were made after that to infuse the nanites with another A.I. but that failed so it was kept frozen. But the nanites lost some of its abilities due to these experiments such as self-replication so it can’t form a new body and instead must find or create one. The nanites locate a 3-D Organic Matter Printer and start the process of manufacturing a host body. However, the process is interrupted when an explosion occurs due to a faction breaking into the facility. The new Bloodshot is able to make light work of them and its focus turns to completing its final mission. But what is this all-important final mission, and can the nanites survive without a complete body?
The world of 4001 A.D. has been so fascinating to me that I’ve been enjoying any issue that’s expanded on this world. 4001 A.D. Bloodshot #1 does so by giving a brief update on Bloodshot’s nanites in connection to Father and New Japan, and then giving the nanites a completely new area to explore on Earth. At first I was unsure how to feel about the nanites having such an incomplete form but as the story progressed I warmed up to the concept. That was due to the way its abilities were utilized and the writing, which made the character intriguing. And by the end of the issue it felt like a true Bloodshot story.
I really liked how Bloodshot was put right in the middle of current events at the start of this issue by being in one of the sectors jettisoned by Father. Despite no backstory about how Father came into possession of Ray’s body, the nanites’ backstory while in Father’s possession felt substantial enough. Seeing the process of the nanites becoming self-aware was fascinating and having the nanites narrate the entire issue was a great touch by Jeff Lemire. And it was interesting to see how it was supposed to be free of Ray but attempted to create a body with the same characteristics.
The focus on a final mission allowed the nanites to ultimately define itself by exploring all the memories associated with Ray. And the action throughout this issue allowed the nanites to display abilities similar to when Ray was the host body while showing the differences in its current state. This action was exciting, and without giving away any spoilers there was a touching tribute too. I don’t know what role, if any, Bloodshot will play in the remaining events of 4001 A.D. But I hope this isn’t the end of what could be an entertaining character set in the future.
SUMMARY
4001 A.D.: Bloodshot #1 does a solid job in expanding the world of 4001 A.D. while paying homage to a beloved character. Despite taking place outside of New Japan, the initial connection to the events in the 4001 A.D. series is enough to provide context to the events surrounding the new Bloodshot. And there’s plenty of action, as to be expected, but the real gem is the final mission, which is a culmination of the journey of discovery throughout the issue. So now I’m hoping there are more opportunities for Bloodshot to make an appearance in the world of 4001 A.D.
Release Date: 6/8/16
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Doug Braithwaite
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