Bloodshot goes on his scariest — and most personal — mission yet… at a horror movie convention?! A whole new era of Bloodshot is here in Bloodshot #5!

I’m not gonna lie to you. I don’t think I’ve had as much fun reading an action comic as I have Bloodshot in a long time. Yes, I’ve read some great books over the years, but there’s something fun about this book that you can’t ignore. Although the themes of freedom and enforced service are very present focal points in the comic, there’s a levity here. Bloodshot attending a horror convention and the scenes with him reacting to certain cosplayers and commenting on what he sees are a great balance to the darker sides of the comic.

What I found most impressive was how well Tim Seeley has geared the issue to new people. There’s enough exposition and background between the recap page and the dialogue to catch new readers up with what they have to know. It doesn’t give it all away should they decide to check out any of the collected editions of yore. Nor does it feel in any way forced or heavy-handed for long term readers.

Seeley is joined once again by artist Brett Booth, inker Adelso Corona, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer Dave Sharpe. All of whom combine for an aesthetic that appeals enormously to me. The style gives me a sense of nostalgia for the comic art I read growing up; it’s dynamic, clean and yet full of life and vibrancy.

Tim Seeley’s Bloodshot is a story about redemption for a man trying to atone for wrongs he had little choice in making. Watching the writer explore Bloodshot’s psyche and reintroduce him as a slightly more straightforward hero with a deeply troubled past is interesting because it feels like a natural evolution after what we’ve seen him go through over the previous series from Valiant – most recently Jeff Lemire’s acclaimed run.

I said last week that you really can’t go wrong with the series if you’re looking for a fun action-based comic – and I stand by that. This isn’t a revolutionary book, and there are arguably deeper comics out there – some even from the same publisher – but there are very few books on the racks that are as much fun as this one.

Bloodshot comes highly recommended from me.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Brett Booth
Ink: Adelso Corona Color: Andrew Dalhouse Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 9.2 Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review. I’ve also got a copy set aside to pick up tomorrow.

All aboard as Bloodshot faces off against ghoulish monsters on a bullet train to the heart of darkness in Bloodshot #4!

High-speed thrills and blood-curdling chills lurk behind every turn in 2019’s best new action series!

There are times that you want to read a comic that’ll make you examine your core values. Who you are as a person and what your place is in the world. Then there are the times that you want to read a comic that doesn’t make you think. That places its main character in a situation that requires the prodigious use of violence to escape from. A comic like Bloodshot #4. As an action comic, this comic is unparalleled. It’s balls to the wall action interspersed with just enough story information as to why Bloodshot is shooting his way through a train. You’re never left wondering what’s going on or why.

Before you think this is just a mindless comic, rest assured there’s a little more to it. If you choose to look for it.

Tim Seeley kicks off the next arc of his Bloodshot run with a comic that’s a great jumping-on point for new readers. That’s without missing a beat from the previous three-issue arc. Seeley is joined by artist Brett Booth, inker Adelso Corona, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and letterer Dave Sharpe. None of whom seem to know how to make a bad Bloodshot comic.

With the comic set primarily on a train, there’s a sense of claustrophobia as the action unfolds within a speeding metal hunk. There’s also a slight feeling of familiarity. Train sequences can be found in numerous movies, whether it’s Captain America: The First Avenger, any one of the James Bond movies or even Under Siege. Train scenes are always popular in certain movies because when they’re done well they’re really good. And this comic gets it very right. There’s a brilliant moment with an improvised piece of cover in a firefight. It’s a savage battle and an uncomfortable question as Bloodshot finds himself needing protean to replenish his nanites.

As previously alluded to, there is more to this comic than the action. Bloodshot is trying to find his place in the world. Whether that’s as a hero or an avatar of justice (or vengeance) or as something else entirely. This issue finds the super-soldier unleashed as he points himself at a target of his choosing. This is where the depth of the comic comes in to play, and while it is pretty spelled out for readers, the implications of the between-the-lines could bear some interesting fruit.

This comic is a brilliant start to the new arc. It’s a fantastic introduction for anybody intrigued by the movie trailers. So far, you really can’t go wrong with this series.

Story: Tim Seeley Art: Brett Booth
Ink: Adelso Corona Color: Andrew Dalhouse Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 9.2 Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review