Introduction for Bloodshot Reborn Vol. 1! New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (THE VALIANT, Descender) and red-hot rising star Mico Suayan (HARBINGER, Moon Knight) deliver an all-new ongoing series for Valiant’s most unrelenting hero! Bloodshot’s nanites made him a nearly unstoppable killing machine. His enhanced strength, speed, endurance, and healing made him the perfect weapon, and he served his masters at Project Rising Spirit – a private contractor trafficking in violence – very well. Now, Bloodshot is a shadow of his former self. He lives in self-imposed exile, reeling from the consequences of his past life and the recent events that nearly drove him mad. But when a rash of shootings by gunmen who appear to look just like Bloodshot begin, his guilt will send him on a mission to stop the killers, even if it means diving head-long into the violence that nearly destroyed him. Start reading here as visionary creators Jeff Lemire and Mico Suayan kick-off a brand-new beginning for the cutting-edge commando called Bloodshot…and plunge him to his darkest, bloodiest, most mind-bending depths yet! Collecting BLOODSHOT REBORN #1-5.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview presents itself as a fresh chapter in the Bloodshot saga, but unfortunately, it delivers a lackluster experience.

The premise of this preview is intriguing: Bloodshot, a super-soldier with nanites in his bloodstream, is grappling with his identity and purpose. Set in Colorado, this preview explores his attempt to live a normal life while haunted by his violent past. Despite this promising setup, the execution falls short in several areas.

One of the primary issues I had with this preview is its pacing. The narrative takes too long to gain momentum, with the first half bogged down by excessive exposition and minimal action. While character introspection is important, the balance here leans too heavily towards introspection at the expense of plot development.

The character development is another area where this preview struggles. Bloodshot’s internal conflict is central to the story, yet it feels repetitive and lacks depth. His struggles are depicted in a way that feels surface-level, and the supporting characters, who could add richness to the narrative, are underutilized. They serve more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals, which diminishes their impact on the story.

The artwork is a mixed bag in this preview. Because some panels capture the gritty, noir-like atmosphere intended for the series, enhancing the narrative’s somber tone. However, inconsistency in the art style detracts from the overall experience. Certain scenes are beautifully rendered, while others appear rushed and lack detail. This inconsistency can pull myself and other picky readers as myself out of the story, breaking immersion at crucial moments.

The dialogues in this preview often feels stilted and unnatural. Conversations between characters lack the dynamic and engaging quality that could have brought more life to the interactions. Instead, they often feel like vehicles for exposition rather than genuine exchanges, which hampers the emotional connection readers might form with the characters.

Despite these flaws, there are glimpses of potential throughout this preview. Certain plot points hint at intriguing developments, and the exploration of themes like identity and redemption could have added depth if handled with more nuance. Additionally, the setting of Colorado provides a unique backdrop, offering opportunities for atmospheric storytelling that are unfortunately underexplored.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 2 / 5