1st Impressions: Bloodshot & the H.A.R.D. Corps #14

BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS # 14

Written by Christos Gage & Joshua Dysart

Art by Emanuela Lupacchino, Gabriel Ortego, Ian Hannin & Brian Reber

Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:
            We open the new title with our hero, Bloodshot, in the hands out Toyo Harada.  As Harada is having his people study Bloodshot after a very interesting discussion about their methods, we got over to Project: Rising Spirit.  At PRS, Kozol starts reforming the H.A.R.D. Corps. As he gets in new recruits, Kozol “convinces” Palmer to stay to leave.
            And what is the first mission of the new H.A.R.D. Corps? Why extract Bloodshot from Harada, of course?

ART:

            Lupacchino and Ortego really give a good amount of energy and polish this issue. The inks were nice and smoothing. The pencils were great and detailed. Various and detailed backgrounds looked great. We get a great amount of expression in the characters’ faces and Lupacchino really does a great job of drawing various people of different shades, sizes and colors.

            Reber and Hannin give sharp colors that help make the art stand out. Each page was rich and colorful.  A solid job by the art team.

WRITING:

            A new era begins as this is not a solo book any more. And I give it to Gage and Dysart, they made this issue a great jump on point for readers. Taking the events of Harbinger Wars, the writers bring a new H.A.R.D. Corps together and blends it seamlessly with what occurred before. 

            We are introduced to new characters while also building on everything that had happened before between Project: Rising Spirit and the Harada Foundation. Gage and Dysart give us a great first look into our new H.A.R.D. Corps members as well as H.A.R.D. Corps veteran commander, Major Palmer. The characterizations were wide and very authentic; the two writers making sure there are all kinds of people working for Project: Rising Spirit.  With great and varied characters, a simple plot and an excellent pacing, the writing proved to be superb.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            We got some great art. We got new characters. We got a great jump on point that works for new readers but still builds upon what came before in a very natural way.  The addition to H.A.R.D. Corps to the books does give Bloodshot some new energy and new people to interact with. I am looking forward to their interactions.

RATING:

            Great jump on point. I give Bloodshot & the H.A.R.D. Corps # 14 a 9 out of 10. Get it when it comes out Wednesday!