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Bloodshot Reborn #14
Kareem Ali 4.5

Bloodshot Reborn #14

 

  • The good

    Compelling start to story arc with a fascinating premise for Bloodshot Island. Great action and the interactions with the various Bloodshots were entertaining

  • The bad

    Bloodsquirt makes an appearance

  • The ugly

    • Bloodshot Reborn #14 is the start of the Bloodshot Island story arc and has Ray striving to survive on an unknown island while being hunted. It opens up with Ray searching the island with the imaginary Bloodsquirt for Magic, who he hasn’t seen since they were captured. He reaches a force field and attempts to use his nanites to find a way through but before he can start the process he’s interrupted by an explosion nearby. He makes a run for it as the explosions get closer until he stumbles on a weapons cache. He’s startled when a dog bearing the trademark white and red Bloodshot appearance approaches him, and even more confused when another Bloodshot arrives. Initially Ray doesn’t trust him because of recent experience with the nanites infecting others who went insane but soon discovers there are even more Bloodshots on the island, and they all come from different time periods. They inform Ray that they’re being hunted by someone known as the Angel of Death. Who is the Angel of Death and why is Ray being hunted along with previous Bloodshots?

    Bloodshot Reborn #14

    I have to admit I wasn’t enthusiastic when I saw Bloodsquirt at the end of last issue because he hasn’t been a favorite character of mine. Not even close. So I was thankful when he only lasted a couple of pages this issue before he would make his exit. But he became a distant memory because the story that unfolded this issue was riveting and engrossing. And now I’m feeling that Bloodshot Island might just be the story arc needed to give this series a jolt at this point with the addition of past Bloodshots.

     

    It was pretty cool when Bloodhound emerged in front of a surprised Ray. Even the dog was cooler than Bloodsquirt but I don’t want to digress. What impressed me was the dialogue between Ray and Viet Man. It explained the situation in a succinct and entertaining way so I felt engrossed in the situation since it was easy to understand Ray’s plight in piecing together all this information in the midst of being hunted by some new being. And despite zero backstory being given for the additional Bloodshots, it worked because their names and their appearances made their purpose clear in the history of Project Rising Spirit. So it was enough to empathize with them almost as much as Ray while they were being hunted.

    Bloodshot Reborn #14
    And the hunt was indeed something that took this issue to the next level. Yeah, the Angel of Death looked the part, and was scary enough to make even an army of Bloodshots tremble, but it was also the events unfolded in terms of the truth the other Bloodshots would tell Ray about their overall predicament. It raised the potential of this story arc from one of just intense action to one that could have an engaging story deepening the Bloodshot mythology…while being filled with intense action. And Mico Suayan’s artwork was stunning during this sequence capturing the Angel of Death’s deadly capabilities while conveying the Bloodshots’ range of emotions. And I know this is only part one but after this issue I have a really good feeling about Bloodshot Island.

     

    SUMMARY

     

    Bloodshot Reborn #14 is an excellent start to the Bloodshot Island story arc placing the various Bloodshots in a shocking and engrossing predicament.  From the way the initial situation is explained to the way the truth about it unfolds is captivating throughout. There isn’t any character development for the individual Bloodshots but it’s not necessary in this issue since their names and use as hunting fodder has a tremendous impact in the story. I truly hope Bloodsquirt doesn’t play an important role in this story arc, and if he doesn’t, the conclusion of this story arc might just be as compelling as it’s beginning.

     

    Release Date:6/29/16

    Writer: Jeff Lemire

    Artist: Mico Suayan

     

  • Rating ( 8.8 )
  • Total score 8.8

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