Bloodshot #11 hits your local comic book shop on February 24 from Valiant Entertainment for a plot reintroducing past enemies. Writer Tim Seeley in this “One Last Shot” segment, uses several elements of Jeff Lemire’s run like Rampage. Artist Pedro Andreo showcases cinematic movement and anticipation worthy of action movies. Along with them are colorist Andrew Dalhouse, who makes characters stand out, and letterer Dave Sharpe keeps the action flow going.
Background
After defeating the Burned and evading Black Bar, Bloodshot was ready to hang up his guns. That is until his former handlers, Project Rising Spirit, return. Now, Bloodshot is with new allies to stop PRS before they cause more incidents.
Bloodshot #11 In Relevancy
Bloodshot #11 stands out from previous issues by going straight into social commentary. Seeley reintroduces the Bloodshot Salvation villain Rampage/Danny and the Bloodshot U.S.A. concept. It is nice to see Seeley find synergy with the redneck foil of Bloodshot and the modern political divide. He takes old concepts and makes them relevant by attacking people’s need for harmony. Any specific details will be a potential spoiler, but let’s just say that instead of turning the public into Bloodshot weapons like before, it’s more about control.
Action Movie Cuts
Andreo takes over as lead artist after a hiatus. Bloodshot #11 retains Andreo’s action movie aesthetic with how it emulates jump cuts and camera angles. One panel can feature a character on a surface until a cut features them in the water. It’s a good use of reader interpretation and implication without wasting time and space. In some sequences, a decent amount of anticipation comes from characters in the shadows. Danny, who has a decent buildup through imagery, stands out well.
And Some Attention Grabbers
Dalhouse highlights each character in Bloodshot #11 with outlines in cool colors. This presents their importance to the plot while giving them an aura that showcases their mood. Bloodshot gets a brighter and bolder one during a conflict that presents itself as a moral dilemma. It’s a feeling so powerful that this aura takes up an entire panel. Fortunately, Bloodshot’s co-stars with their more stable outlines are a display of keeping everything together.
Letterer, Sharpe showcases fonts to describe points of conflict. Zealot speaks in a robotic font that displays his new status. It’s what makes the one audio clip of his human screams so notable. With some juxtaposition, that robotic voice next to a newscast with electronic voices can look frightening. Especially considering the newscast displaying the original Bloodshot U.S.A. and a later newscast imply technology dominating minds.
Bloodshot #11: The Sequel
Bloodshot #11 has all of the hallmarks of an action sequel. It has a familiar plot, elements from past successes, and visual factors that showcase the characters’ specific traits. Andreo is the stand out of the issue elevating Seeley, with great visual storytelling.
