Bloodshot Reborn #1. Resurrection of an Anti-Hero

Bloodshot Reborn #1 review

Bloodshot is among Valiant Comic’s many anti-heroes, and arguable the most known and recognizable. It’s a wonder why Valiant decided to nearly remove all of his “power” in The Valiant, their latest mini-epic that I reviewed in high regard thanks to Paulo Rivera’s fantastic art and Jeff Lemire’s story telling, and a series I suggest you read prior to Bloodshot Reborn. If you’re not familiar with Bloodshot, I’ve conveniently included my review of the Bloodshot reboot from way back in 2012 to help ease you into it.

If you’re lazy and decide to not click and read those reviews, and if you really just don’t want to pick up previous Bloodshot books or The Valiant mini-epic, Bloodshot Reborn #1 catches you up in just a few pages. Bloodshot is no longer the “monster” he used to be, no longer the puppet he was created to be, but it seems those ghosts don’t just disappear, in fact, sometimes they come back to haunt you, like physically and stuff.

I actually don’t really get the new appeal of Bloodshot, now without any nanites to fuel his rage and heal his gaping wounds, he’s just a less cooler Punisher, for the time being at least. In Bloodshot Reborn #1, instead of nanites, he’s fueled by alcohol and snorted prescription drugs, scientifically proven to be just as good as nanites. We’ll just have to see where Lemire takes him, hopefully it’s not too close to the Punisher, because there’s only room for one Frank Castle and I accept no substitutes.

One thing immediately stands out when you pick up Bloodshot Reborn #1, its art. Mico Suayan has some incredible skills and I don’t think Bloodshot has ever looked any better. I’m still a little cautious about Bloodshot Reborn #1, but its strength and longevity stands solely on the backs of Lemire and Suayan, a cheerleading pyramid I’m not afraid to be on top of.