REVIEW: Lemire & Suayan’s ‘Bloodshot Reborn #14′ is Predator-like
To sum it all up..
Remember the sci-fi/action classic Predator (the first and THE BEST one)? If so, that is how it feels after reading Jeff Lemire‘s new Bloodshot: Reborn story arc in its fourteenth issue. Joining with the writer extraordinaire is our own visual extraordinaire Mico Suayan in this exciting new chapter entitled Bloodshot Island. Needless to say, the […]
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Posted
June 29, 2016 by Paul Ramos
FULL REVIEW
Remember the sci-fi/action classic Predator (the first and THE BEST one)? If so, that is how it feels after reading Jeff Lemire‘s new Bloodshot: Reborn story arc in its fourteenth issue.
Joining with the writer extraordinaire is our own visual extraordinaire Mico Suayan in this exciting new chapter entitled Bloodshot Island. Needless to say, the setting is very similar to the jungle-atmospheric mood and the claustrophobic intensity in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led starring flick. Also, the creative team introduces invested and new readers the Bloodshot Squad, comprising of five Bloodshot individuals from different time periods (i.e. one came from way back the Korean Wars of the 1950s and another was from the Iraq Wars in 1992). Worse of all, the four older Bloodshot subjects often challenge their “Predator”, named Deathmate. If that name rings among older 90s comic book readers, that’s the same name of the inter-company mega-crossover comics event between Image and Valiant. But in this issue, that one is definitely the toughest opponent all five Bloodshot members have to defeat, or die trying multiple times!
Lemire’s dialogues are intense from the beginning, particularly the exchanges between the members. The only humorous ones are from the exchanges between the present Bloodshot and his so-called imaginary and wacky friends. The flow of the story is actually well-paced in building up the tensions in the squad and its confrontation with the powerful target. Indeed, this is just the beginning whether or so this squad can conquer their worst nightmares ever or keep on repeating over and over their follies.
Of course, who can deny the magnificent interiors of Mico Suayan? Intricate, highly detailed, even the vegetation is lusciously drawn to almost perfection, Mico really nails the Predator-feel and the pulsating breakdowns of Lemire’s equally detailed script. Suayan’s visual sequential paneling is getting more improving to the point of being surprised on the overall outcome of this dangerous game of the hunter and the hunted. Well, we can still savor three more issues from our own very pride from Philippines!
David Baron‘s colors further enhance Mico’s already excellent illustrations to nigh perfection. David actually synchronizes with Mico’s pencils and Jeff’s vision of an intense narrative, in addition of setting the general mood of the first chapter.
Yes, this initial part has plenty of violence, as expected of a great Bloodshot story arc. That’s already given, and why nitpicking when Jeff’s dandy delivery is spot-on, Mico’s art is above awesome, and David’s colors finish off an already great creative effort. Bloodshot: Reborn #14 literally explodes in narrative and visual executions. And this is only the first part, what are three more, I ask….
