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.

Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps # 25 Review

BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS # 22

Written by Duffy Boudreau & Christos Gage
Art by Al Barrionuevo & Matt Milla
Valiant Comics

This will be a Spoiler Free review.

                We open with a conversation between Bloodshot and Genius that ends abruptly.  It ends so abruptly that Bloodshot now must face his former team … and there will be blood.

THE GOOD:

                This issue kind of throws you for a loop. The status quo that has been established shatters to a million pages within the first few pages. Barrionuevo and Milla bring their A-game as their art really shines. The coloring is dark yet fitting for the story. Barrionuevo brings enough detail and power to each panel, showing great emotion and action. The panel angles were great as well.

                Writing wise, Boudreau and Gage leave one hell of an impact in their first collaboration. The body count helps as well as we lose a little more of the team.  The dialogue is pretty top notch and feels very much in character for everyone. The pacing was good and was pretty good over all.

THE BAD:

                The shift , while building for a little while, I believe came a bit too soon. But again, that is my opinion. This plot development feels slightly forced compared to the tone of the series. Otherwise, it’s a solid issue.

FINAL VERDICT:

                This is a good start to the what seems to be a new status quo. As to what it is? Not sure yet but  an interesting ride. Yet, I still wish this had waited a bit longer before developing. Still, a good issue.  I give Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps # 22 a 7.5 … out of 10.

1st Impressions: BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS # 21

BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS # 21
Written by Christos Gage and Joshua Dysart
Art by Tom Raney, Joseph Cooper, Mark Pennington, Al Barrionuevo, Gina Going & Matt Milla
Valiant Comics

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                It’s the finale of Mission: Improbable as Bloodshot and Armstrong try to kill each other … then don’t. Archer comes up with more surprises. And the H.A.R.D. Corps are stuck in the middle. Cheers guys.

ART:

                Raney  and Cooper do a good job with pencils. Detailed and full of life, their work jumps off the page. Panel work is simple enough but the detail really helps make them come to life. The backgrounds are varied, as well as the characters. There are some good angles done by Raney and Cooper.

                Pennington and Barrionuevo do solid job on inks, bring out the best of each artist. The detail is fully realized here. And Going and Milla’s colors make all the work vibrant and interesting. The action was well drawn. Overall, a solid job artwise on the book.

WRITING:

                Gage and Dysart end the crossover well, tying up the plot of the crossover while setting up more for our characters. There was some great, strong characterization this issue for Bloodshot, Major Palmer, Granite, Kozol, Archer and Armstrong; adding power to the crossover that allows to have lasting effects on the book.

                Bloodshot particular is cunning this issue; plotting and planning not only his freedom, but the kids of Generation Zero that PRS still has. Gage and Dysart write great interactions between Bloodshot and Armstrong, as well as all the characters together. While we normally do not get comedy from these writers, they pull it off well with the dialogue and situations. The pacing was great this issue and it brought a satisfying close to the crossover while setting up the next storyline. Also, Granite stands out this issue with major character development for her. A great ending to a solid crossover.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This was a great finish to a good crossover. The art was good. The writing was great. There was true character development and plot advancement and Gage and Dysart made it seamless.

RATING:

                I give Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps # 21 a 9 … out of 10. 

Preview: BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS # 21

BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #21 ("MISSION: IMPROBABLE" – FINALE)
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE & JOSHUA DYSART
Art by TOM RANEY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Interlocking Pullbox Variant by JORGE MOLINA
Variant Cover by TOM FOWLER

MISSION: IMPROBABLE – FINALE! Bloodshot! Archer! H.A.R.D. Corps! Armstrong! It all comes down to this!!

“Mission: Improbable” rockets into its explosive climax as four world-shattering forces collide! Will Bloodshot re-capture Archer for Project Rising Spirit…or is a double-cross in the works?! Will H.A.R.D. Corps figure out how you kill an immortal like Armstrong…or are they going home in body bags? Only one thing’s for certain…it doesn’t matter who loses – you win!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 4/9/14

Straight Forward Reviews : Archer and Armstrong # 19

The eponymous duo are back again for more action against Bloodshot and the H.A.R.D Corps.

Writer - Fred Van Lente

Artist - Pere Pérez

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de León

Story

This issue is mostly action but the story is told through the action, which is nice. It gives important information without feeling like it's dragging on since there is some bullets flying or punches being thrown.

I usually try not to spoil much in these reviews, and this time will be no exception. What I will say about the plot is that it seems to borrow heavily from big budget action movies, but with some more comedy. That is not a bad thing at all because it's still pretty original and it's extremely intriguing. Note that I said this issue borrowed and not copied or stole from action movies. Fred Van Lente knows how to take what's worked before and put his own spin on things to make it uniquely his. Also, if you wanted to see just how far Archer's abilities that were explained in issue 0 and in recent previous issues go this issue shows just that.

Of course Armstrong isn't too far behind in the fray and Bloodshot does show up, but if you want to see them in a more prominent role it seems you'll have a tiny bit of waiting to do. They are important to the storyline of course but this issue is mostly focused on Archer and his fight.

Art

The art in this issue is quite well detailed. On the panels that don't have any action going on it looks like plenty of work went in to give them a specific kind of tone. On the panels with action in it, the art looks like it was made to look like as good as any high quality action animation. Which I'm fairly impressed with.

Verdict

This was a hard book to put down. After reading it once I wanted to go back and look at the action scenes and just take some extra moments to appreciate the art in them. The book still has it's trademark humor too which makes it even more enjoyable. Add all that up and you have a fantastic issue here. I give Archer and Armstrong issue 19 a 9.5 out of 10.

Straight Forward Reviews: Archer and Armstong # 18

Archer crosses paths with Bloodshot and bullets fly, amongst other things.

Writer - Fred Van Lente

Artist - Peré Perez

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de León

Story

Without spoilers here's a synopsis. After the events of the Sect Civil War plans are being made with the help of Bloodshot and H.A.R.D Corps to go after Archer. The first part of the book is slow with some tension and some nice bits of comedy too. The last half of the book ramps everything up with action and some drama too.

The dialog has Fred Van Lente's sharp, humorous wit spread throughout the issue and on top of that dramatic and quite believably human dialog from all the characters. Well, all the characters named Bloodshot, Archer, or Armstrong anyway. The big bad military people that sent the H.A.R.D Corps after Archer and Armstrong seemed quite stereotypically like "mean military people". Still, the writing is very strong and those people don't have much time in the issue so it's a minor thing.

Art

Dear reader, do you love action? Well this issue has it in spades and it's quite wonderfully drawn. The nice gun fu poses and Archer's trademark martial arts look spectacular. As someone very famous would say from time to time "'nuff said". That should be enough to at least be interested in the book. It's darn awesome.

Verdict

Archer and Armstrong is back in awesome form and has reminded me why it became close to my heart in terms of recent comic runs. The action was fantastic and the story was funny and had a nice human element to it. I give Archer and Armstrong # 18 a 9 out of 10.

1st Impressions: Bloodshot & H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps # 0

BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS: H.A.R.D. CORPS #0

Written by Christos Gage and Joshua Dysart
Art by Valentine De Landro, Joseph Cooper, ChrisCross, John Livesay, Victor Olazaba & Ian Hannin
Valiant Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We get a look at the rise of the H.A.R.D. Corps and then see its fall in the early 90s.

ART:

                We got 3 distinctive stories from three different decades. So, we are gonna do down each of them.

                The 1970s story was well done with De Landro giving us a dark and gritty look that not only reflects the story itself but the decade that its been held in. With the Cold War going on and Communism being a big concern for the United States, De Landro integrates the dark feel for the time alongside the dark overtones of the story. Some decent panel work that gives some strong visuals as we see H.A.R.D. Corps being formed and going into action. The effects of the decade and story get some grim visuals. We got some good panel composition and Hannin complements the style well with just enough color for when it needs it and just enough shadow and shade when he doesn’t. A good kick off story.
                The 1980s story definitely had the feel of the 80s artistically. The panel work was solid with some very eye-popping visuals by Cooper and Livesay. Cooper and Livesay also have a great sense of proportions on a human body as we saw soldiers of different shapes and sizes and they all seemed to fit their body type. The action looked great and very late 80s/early 90s style and Cooper and Livesay bring everything to life so well. Hannin again holds it down with great colors that actually are different from the first story but giving the tones a slightly lighter feel when needed. And the exploding head was just gruesome, disgusting and wonderfully colored.
                The 1990s story was handed with a good amount of style and expression from ChrisCross and Victor Olazaba. They did a good job of focusing on giving off human emotions and movements that really helped give this last story some weight.  There was tension going into the story that ChrisCross and Olazaba illustrated well throughout the story. The action was kinetic as always with ChrisCross.  Panel work was solid and a lot of the story was easily told through the panels themselves. A good use of perspective as well as angles alongside Hannin’s stellar colors made this a treat to read.

WRITING:

                Gage and Dysart continue to build upon what was already there and add their own spin on things.  From the  1970’s letter narrated by the main connecting component in each story to the couples argument in the 1980s to the last two pages of the 1990s story, the humanity from each of the characters spring forth; bringing us a very satisfying and emotionally charged issue. Gage and Dysart do a great job giving us the mood for the 1970s with the use of Communisim. They narration of that story gave the events throughout its panels a good amount of weight while showing us the rise of the H.A.R.D. Corps.

                The 1980s story definitely felt like it was at the top of H.A.R.D. Corps original golden age while also adding in some good human elements and characterization. The pacing of the story was great as well as us getting a glimpse of some of H.A.R.D. Corps that wanted out during that time.

                The final story capped things off well while connecting to other issues and flashbacks we have seen throughout the series. Palmer makes an appearance and leaves a strong yet bittersweet ending for this Zero issue.
                Overall, there are some strong characterization, dialogue and pacing for each story. Each tale was told in a different style while also trying to reflect the year it was from. While, I do not feel that the year of the story mattered too much for the last two, the first story dealing with 1970s really did an amazing job reflecting that year.
                I also give props to the writers for using Arthur as our anchor to go from year to year. It was definitely a good idea and a smooth transition from one thing to another. Very well done.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                This was definitely a strong origin issue for the H.A.R.D. Corps with its ups and downs. The art was from very good to great and the writing was superb overall.

RATING:

                I give Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps #0 an 8.5 out of 10.
 

VALIANT Comics May 2014 Solicitations

      

RAI #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN
Covers by CLAYTON CRAIN, BRYAN HITCH, STEPHEN SEGOVIA, and RAUL ALLEN
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by DAVID AJA & RAUL ALLEN
Blank Cover also available

VALIANT FIRST begins in force this May with an  all-new vision of the future in RAI #1 – a new monthly series from comics superstars Matt Kindt and  Clayton Crain!

The year is 4001 A.D. – led by the artificial intelligence called “Father,” the island nation of Japan has expanded out of the Pacific and into geosynchronous orbit with the ravaged Earth below. With billions to feed and protect, it has fallen to one solitary guardian to enforce the law of Father’s empire – the mysterious folk hero known as Rai. They say he can appear out of nowhere. They say he is a spirit…the ghost of Japan. But when the first murder in a thousand years threatens to topple Father’s benevolent reign, Rai will be forced to confront the true face of a nation transformed…and his own long-lost humanity…

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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RAI #1 PULLBOX PLUS EDITION
Written by MATT KINDT
Art & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

For the very first time – pre-order to get 15+ extra pages of 4001 A.D. action!

For Valiant’s dedicated pullbox customers, celebrate the launch of VALIANT FIRST with a special expanded edition of RAI #1, featuring more than 15 pages of in-story bonus features and dedicated looks inside the world of 4001 A.D. that won’t be collected for the trade paperback!

Retailers please note: this item will come polybagged and will be limited to initial orders only.

$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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X-O MANOWAR #25
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with PETER MILLIGAN and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by DIEGO BERNARD with J.G. JONES, BRYAN HITCH, and RAFER ROBERTS
Covers by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC and BRYAN HITCH
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON

VALIANT FIRST delivers another must-read milestone this May with a blockbuster, 48-page celebration of X-O Manowar’s 25th issue…and an essential introduction to the comic book event of 2014 – ARMOR HUNTERS!

Find out why the galaxy’s most feared team of hunter-killers have journeyed across the stars to destroy the X-O Manowar armor and the Earth along with it in ARMOR HUNTERS: PART ZERO by Robert Venditti and Diego Bernard. Then, revisit the roots of Aric of Dacia’s transformation from Visigoth conqueror into the 21st century’s alien-armored guardian, as told by Robert Venditti and J.G. Jones! Plus, all-new tales of X-O Manowar from Peter Milligan & Bryan Hitch, Justin Jordan & Rafer Roberts, and much, much more!

$4.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 21st!

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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #20 (NEW ARC!)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Covers by SHAWN CRYSTAL and MICHAEL WALSH
Variant Cover by MICO SUAYAN

ALL-NEW ARC! START READING HERE!  “AMERICAN WASTELAND” begins here!   

His whole life, Obadiah Archer has been lied to about his true heritage – but when he and his pal Armstrong arrive in L.A. to meet his real parents, they find them in the clutches of the CHURCH OF RETROLOGY! What insidious plans does THE LIZARD KING, the head of the favored religion of the Left Coast’s rich and famous, have for the Valiant Universe’s premier conspiracy busters? And what lurks in the Hollywood Hotel? (Hint: You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave!)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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SHADOWMAN: END TIMES #2 (of 3)
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
Variant Cover by TREVOR McCARTHY

The return of Master Darque!  

Only one man can help Shadowman now…his worst enemy! Forced to confront the greatest shock of his lifetime, Jack Boniface speeds down a self-destructive spiral he may never recover from. Exterminating the wild and evil loa spirits that haunt New Orleans at any cost, Jack has left himself with nothing to lose…in this world. By crossing the veil into the dark world beyond – the Deadside – will Jack save his own soul…or destroy himself?

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 28th!

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UNITY #7
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by CAFU
Covers by TREVOR HAIRSINE and RAUL ALLEN
Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK

The final deathtrap of Dr. Silk!

Ninjak’s ultimate enemy has drawn his web tight around X-O Manowar and the rest of Valiant’s unbreakable all-star superteam…and now they’re about to find out how the globe’s most brilliantly depraved mind doles out revenge. “Trapped by Webnet” cuts to an action-packed conclusion…and no one will escape Dr. Silk’s grasp unscathed!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 21st!

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HARBINGER #23
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Final Interlocking Variant by ZACHARY MONTOYA
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

Dead. Means. Dead.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 28th!

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BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #22 (NEW ARC!)
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE & JOSHUA DYSART
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Covers by LEWIS LAROSA and ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Variant Cover by RILEY ROSSMO

ALL-NEW ARC! START READING HERE!  Bloodshot VS. H.A.R.D. Corps! 

The one-man army known only as Bloodshot is forced to turn his guns on his own people!  Project Rising Spirit, the private military organization that created Bloodshot, enlisted him to fight on their side – and Bloodshot, seeking his own secret justice, agreed. Now his agenda comes to light, and Bloodshot turns around to destroy Rising Spirit once and for all…but he has to go through Major Palmer and his own ragtag team of men and women to do it! Our hero versus our heroes in a bloody battle with life-or-death stakes to save or destroy an evil corporation…and whoever wins…everyone loses!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 14th!

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QUANTUM AND WOODY #10
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art by KANO
Covers by KANO and RUSSELL DAUTERMAN

Quantum and Woody – against the world…or against each other?! 

Woody always had a weakness for the ladies…and when an old flame lures the goofus into a gang of mad-science super-crooks, Woody flips back to his old lawless ways! Where does this leave Woody’s sweet clone girlfriend? And now it’s up to his own brother Eric, who isn’t that sure he even wants to be a superhero, to bring Woody in! Don’t miss this bro-down for the ages!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 14th!

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SHADOWMAN VOL. 4: FEAR, BLOOD, AND SHADOWS TPB
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE & AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

Master storytellers Peter Milligan and Roberto de la Torre present an all-new new beginning for New Orleans’ mysterious defender.  

When a troubled young man with a history of violence and a penchant for blackouts meets an overwhelming source of power with a mystical scythe, the results are doomed to be destructive. A voodoo loa has possessed Jack Boniface – or so he believes. But after Jack awakens in an alleyway covered in blood, he embarks on a journey across lands of shadows and death to discover if he can expel the dark force that’s seized control of his life…and which may be responsible for a violent rampage throughout New Orleans…

Collecting SHADOWMAN #13-16 by comics icon Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, X-Statix) and visionary artist Roberto De La Torre (Daredevil), start reading here as Shadowman begins a brand new era…and Jack Boniface gets dragged to his blackest depths yet!

$14.99/T+/32 pgs.
TRADE PAPERBACK
ISBN: 978-1-939346-27-8
ON SALE MAY 7th!

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HARBINGER WARS DELUXE EDITON HC
Written by JOSHUA DYSART and DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, PERE PEREZ, BARRY KITSON, TREVOR HAIRSINE, KHARI EVANS, CLAYTON CRAIN, and MICO SUAYAN
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Re-presenting Valiant’s best-selling crossover event in complete chronological order, the acclaimed Harbinger Wars saga gets the deluxe oversized hardcover treatment – with more than 20+ pages of bonus content and rarely-seen special features! 

When an untrained and undisciplined team of super-powered test subjects escape from Project Rising Spirit and onto the Vegas Strip, Bloodshot and the Harbinger Renegades will find themselves locked in battle against a deadly succession of opponents – and each other. As the combined forces of the H.A.R.D. Corps, Generation Zero, and omega-level telekinetic Toyo Harada all descend on Las Vegas to vie for the control of Rising Spirit’s deadliest assets, the world is about to discover the shocking price of an all-out superhuman conflict…and no one will escape unscathed. Who will survive the Harbinger Wars?

Collecting HARBINGER WARS #1-4, HARBINGER #11-14, BLOODSHOT #10-13 and material from the HARBINGER WARS SKETCHBOOK, the Harbinger Wars Deluxe Edition HC is the only place to find the complete story of the groundbreaking crossover that IGN calls “one hell of a ride.”

$39.99/T+/368 pgs.
OVERSIZED HARDCOVER
ISBN: 978-1-939346-32-2
ON SALE MAY 28th!