Review - Bloodshot Salvation #1

Bloodshot Salvation #1 - 

Valiant Comics

 

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Lewis LaRosa & Mico Suayan

Colors by Brian Reber

Letters by Simon Bowland

 

There are certain characters in the comic book world that I feel do not get enough credit.  Bloodshot is near, or at the top, of that list for me.  Especially given the evolution of the character by Jeff Lemire, over the years we have seen so many sides to him.  This may be the most different side yet, and possibly the most difficult.  Here are my early thoughts on Bloodshot Salvation.

 

Since this book isn't out for another month or so, there is plenty that I don't want to spoil for you.  If you've read past issues, what I can tell you is that this book very much deals with Bloodshot and his family dynamic.  There are certain choices he has to make, and what those are will very much shape the fabric of the story going forward.  We also have two interconnecting stories going on here, past and some time in the future.  It's not quite clear if that future is the present, but I'm sure we will soon find out.  This is just as much of a Magic story as it is a Bloodshot story in that regard, and that is about as much as I can tell you.  If you're a Bloodshot fan, you know how much he has been trying to escape his past lately, and that is very much a main focal point of this story.  There is a sad and somewhat shocking reveal in this book dealing with Bloodshot's family, that I am very interested to see go forward and I hope becomes a main theme of the story in later issues.

 

Lemire has always brought a lot of raw emotion with his Bloodshot books, but this one will hit you on another level.  The increased focus on family, and wanting that happy ending for the characters, really brings you into the story as the events unfold.  At the same time, while the evil element is evil, there is also a sense of what could be avoided for Bloodshot as well.  Throwing that into the mix adds something new to the story, and gives it a fresh angle.  Speaking of fresh, the look that LaRosa and Suayan bring is a flowing, almost brushstroke-like feel that really works in the context of the story that Lemire is telling.  The colors by Reber also help bring the raw emotional moments to life.  Perfect combinations like this are what keeps me coming back to Bloodshot books, and with a feature film also on the horizon, I hope many more people will see this character as one of the best that comics has to offer right now.

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY  

Review - Mage: The Hero Denied #0

Mage: The Hero Denied #0 - 

Image Comics

 

Written by Matt Wagner

Art by Matt Wagner

Colors by Brennan Wagner

Letters by Dave Lanphear

 

Being a legend is a funny thing.  Sure people know who you are, and there is a certain amount of prestige that comes with it, but here's where it can get annoying.  There will always be some young, hot shot who thinks they can take your place and be better than you ever were.  Fans have waited a long time for this legendary character from Matt Wagner to return, and his final chapter has begun.  Mage is back, and this time, it's The Hero Denied.

 

For those who don't know, Mage follow Kevin Matchstick who was just a regular guy, until he realized he was something much more and had the ability to wield incredible power.  Of course, with that, it also comes with a destiny to fulfill and some pretty nasty creatures to deal with in the process.  In this introductory half issue, Kevin meets up with another "soldier" in the fight, and that moment happens that every aging man dreads at some point.  Not sure that it requires a SPOILER ALERT if you've been there, but if you haven't yet, you probably will.  Let's just say it's not exactly something that gives a reluctant hero the drive to push forward.  Things do get a bit out of hand when some company arrives, and leads to something that definitely gave me a bit of a laugh.  Since this is a half issue, the end reveal comes quick, but is definitely a nice "WOW" moment heading into Issue 1 when it drops in August.

 

Ever since reading Matt Wagner's work with The Shadow, it has made me want to reach back into more of his work.  I'll admit I am not a long time reader of Mage, but the story always interested me, and it's something I would definitely like to read more.  This zero issue is a nice jumping on point if you feel the same way, and you really won't be too lost.  Keep in mind this is a zero issue, and a half issue, so the character development is at a minimum.  Still both prominent character in this issue balance each other quite well, and will likely give you two opposite reactions.  Wagner's art is always very appealing, and another nice job by Brennan Wagner as well.  Bring on the final chapter!

 

RATING:  PULL / BUY 

Review - Deathstroke #21

Deathstroke #21 - 

DC Comics

Written by Priest

Pencils by Diogenes Neves

Inks by Jason Paz

Color by Jeromy Cox

Letters by Willie Schubert

Cover by Ryan Sook

It's not uncommon for characters to have transformations over the course of their various runs in comics.  Villains become heroes, heroes become villains, not to mention anti-heroes and so on.  Then you look at someone like Deathstroke, and you have to wonder if what you're seeing is true.  So after the events of The Lazarus Contract, I had to see for myself what kind of Slade would come out of that.  Time to enter the pages of the Eisner Award nominated, Deathstroke series from DC Comics.

(WARNING!  Contains spoiler for the previous The Lazarus Contract storyline that spanned Titans, Teen Titans and Deathstroke.)

Slade Wilson has not only decided to stop being Deathstroke, but he is turning over a new leaf with a new team.  He's reformed, and looking for a chance at redemption.  This book immediately tests your belief in if this is actually possible or not.  It seems like such a natural feeling to not just simply accept this turn of events to me, so this book did not disappoint.  Other than Slade, we get to see a bit of the dynamics of the new Defiance team.  If you have been reading this book, Titans, Teen Titans and/or The Flash you are probably already familiar with the principle players here.  It's also no secret how they feel about this new Slade.  Not to mention the family dynamic of a "loyal" daughter, a son on a mission and an ex-wife who is trying to assert herself.  I won't spoil any of the details, but I will tell you this...there is a BIG payoff at the end of this book.  You may not be completely surprised, but if you're a loyal Teen Titans comic book fan, you will love the reveal in the final page of this book.

I will freely admit that I wasn't a huge fan of this series during the first Rebirth arc.  I jumped back in after several issue, and I am glad that I did.  What Priest is giving us here feel fresh, compelling and gives us several different angles to consider.  Not only is the seed of doubt planted about Slade, but you have that anticipation of the fallout of the big reveal at the end.  I was immersed in this story from the start, and the amazing art had me closely studying each panel.  It doesn't hurt that on of my favorite artist, Ryan Sook, did the cover this this either.  This is the Deathstroke story I never knew I wanted, but now am very happy that we all have.

RATING:  PULL / BUY