Written by: Joe Harris
Art by: Trevor Hairsine
Publisher: Valiant
As Valiant’s Armor Hunters event soldiers on, nearing its conclusion, so too does its tie in series. Rather than interrupting any of their other books with tie in issues, Valiant launched new mini series for characters that would specifically tie them in to the event. So while Bloodshot is still doing his thing in the main book, we also get to see his adventures during Armor Hunters. The events of this particular issue were ceded during Armor Hunters #3, and this connects directly to that issue, explaining behind the scenes elements of the plot. In Armor Hunters #3, we see the beginning of a face off between Bloodshot and Lilt, one of the Armor Hunters, as MERO’s base is being evacuated. This issue deals with the battle between the two characters that happened off panel in Armor Hunters.
Honestly, while Armor Hunters has been rich with plot development, this issue really is not. It’s a very straight forward issue, and consists mostly of one action sequence, divided into two different set pieces. The first is right where we last saw Bloodshot; outside of Malgam’s cell. It isn’t a particularly dynamic location for a battle of this caliber, but it serves its purposes, providing a small arena in which the two can throw down. Generally, Bloodshot is able to easily defeat any foe, and none of his enemies have really felt like they stand a chance against him. Even in the main book, his biggest threat isn’t a single individual, but rather entire organizations. However, there are exceptions to this, and the alien Lilt is one of them. Sure, she’s no Toyo Harada (who Bloodshot did manage to hold his own against in last summer’s Harbinger Wars), but she is a very competent fighter, making the scene actually feel like a high stakes battle for both characters.
Afterwards, it transitions to an elevator shaft, as Lilt attempts to kill Malgam and sabotage the Loveboat (which is the airship MERO HQ from Armor Hunters #3). She is pursued by Bloodshot, and the two face off again in this location, though there is less actual fighting between the two. Unfortunately, readers will already know how this scene has to end, because of events in the previous issue of Armor Hunters. We see the Loveboat escape from MERO, and as a result, the stakes simply do not feel all that high for what is supposed to be the climax to this issue.
All in all, Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #2 is a cool tie in issue to the main event. It illustrates events that happen off panel in the main book, which is great, and the extended fight sequence is awesome to watch unfold. That said, there’s not much substance to this issue. The major conflict may provide high stakes for Bloodshot at first, but as the issue moves into its final act, the ending becomes painfully obvious to anyone who is reading Armor Hunters. Considering that this isn’t the main book, I understand why they made the decision to establish that the Loveboat escaped in the main event, however, it is damaging to this issue. It doesn’t completely ruin this issue, but it makes it feel less like an integral part of the event, and more like a somewhat unnecessary side story.
