Armor Hunters # 2 Review

ARMOR HUNTERS # 2
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Doug Braithwraite & Laura Martin
Lettering by Dave Sharpe
Valiant Comics

This is a Spoiler Free review!

                M.E.R.O., Aric and Livewire see the devastation of Mexico City from the Armor Hunters as Primary lays out his demands.  Bloodshot gets up to speed as The Armor Hunters break out the Hounds … attacking seven places at once.

ART:

                The art in this issue is some of Braithwraite’s best in his career. The smooth lines and the polished pencils and inks really stand out this issue. Every panel is full of great detail, expression and a vibrancy that goes beyond his normal work. Braithwraite goes through great perspectives with all the characters, give the panel just the right tone for every scene in the book. The battles are GLORIOUS. And there is one panel with Ninjak having a “holy Sh**” moment that was just captured so well.  Laura Martin’s colors really brings out the best of Braithwraite’s art, making it so dynamic that it will grab your face to the page from start to finish.  Gorgeous art indeed.

WRITING:

                Venditti makes this second issue build up the event to a great explosion. There are personal stakes for Aric and Livewire. Bloodshot gets inserted into the event well. We get some very personal moments with the Armor Hunters, particularly Primary that continue to let us know more of our “villains” of our event.  Venditti weaves the plots and characterizations so well that it only heightens the events in the issue. And man … the stakes are VERY high at this point. The danger is palapable. And we get some great revelations as Venditti sets up the next issue as well.

FINAL VERDICT:

                This issue was amazing from start to finish. The art was superb. The writing was exquisite. THIS is how event books should be written.  I am definitely all in on this event as it continues. I give Armor Hunters # 2 a solid 5 … out of 5!

 

Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps # 23 Review

BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS #23
Written by Duffy Boudreau & Christos Gage
Art by Al Barrionuevo, Brian Level, Allen Passalaqua & Matt Milla
Lettering by Dave Sharpe
Valiant Comics

This is a spoiler free review.

                It is the showdown between Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps. Everything changes after this.

THE GOOD:

                Bourdreau and Gage do an excellent job of deconstructing the status quo as we get to see the end of Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps. We get some closure with strong characterizations with Flatline, Major Palmer, Kozol and Bloodshot. The dialogue is extremely strong with great narrative and good set up for H.A.R.D. Corps in the future. Bloodshot gets some decent development as he makes his move but still knows a friend from an enemy. Flatline steals the show with an awe inspiring characterizations and a great ending for her character.

                Barrionuevo and crew do an outstanding job with the art chores this issues. The colors and shadows were just right. The panels were expressive. The tone of the story and scenes were captured perfectly. The action was dynamic and we got some really great detail from Barrionuevo. From the opening panel to the final one, each one is full of detail and depth. Kudos to this art team for an outstanding issue.

THE BAD:

                This issue was strong writing wise but a bit crammed. With a few more pages, it would have been perfect.

THE VERDICT:

                Overall, a wonderful issue … just need a bit more pages.  Great art. Good closure and enough danging plots for something in the future. A good way to end this storyline. I give Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps #23 a 4.5 … out of 5.