Bloodshot: Reborn #15 Review

Written by: Jeff Lemire

Art by: Mico Suayan & David Baron

Publisher: Valiant Comics

Live. Die. Rejuvenate. Bloodshot: Reborn #14 was the start of a new chapter in Bloodshot’s life, ‘Bloodshot Island’, that will have a bigger impact on him and his place in the Valiant Universe if and when he ever manages to break free of Project Rising Spirit’s grasp again. This is a vital period for the big guy because his story is far from over and yet this feels like the end of the line for him.

This issue throws us right back into the action as the Bloodshots face their next day of survival. A great time to explore their mentality and how dying day in and day out affects their personalities which are very different from one another. Some positive, some optimistic, some realistic, others just seems to be ready to get it over with. It surprises you that none have cracked and just decided to kill each other out of fear. Not a bad thing of course for the fact that there is only so much time to tell stories like this and you don’t want small things that could cause it to drag. This could be speaking too soon, though for now you are just letting it sink in that you can have six different Bloodshots from different periods in time working together to tackle an unstoppable force.

It was pleasant that we actually manage to pull Agent Festival back into this story. Like Bloodshot, her story is far from over as well. Not when she lost a friend and ally to this craziness. So you would expect that she would be out trying to get her own answers. The time alone with her is also what we needed to get a little more insight on this power of hers. With her involvement you can kind of start putting together your own theories about how this all ends. Though until something actually happens it is just theories on the possibilities of what she can bring to the table.

What also grabs your attention about this situation the Bloodshot’s find themselves in is the mystery surrounding Deathmate. Since the minute you set eyes on her, you knew somehow that she might be someone familiar. But without any distinct color or hair, you are left grabbing straws as the most viable candidate seems to be Magic. Who we find out Deathmate is comes as a shock. Not only for who she is, but for the number of questions that arise from this new development. How in the realm of possibilities could this very person become Deathmate? Could it actually be that person or a mere image? If this is said person, how are the capabilities so vastly different? Just a few questions among many more that other readers may even have when reaching this point. Great overall because you want that sense of anticipation to carry you through to the next issue.

Mico Suayan and David Baron continue to knock it out of the park in this blockbuster adventure. I never got to it from the issue before, but I do like the way Bloodsquirt is drawn in this story arc. Still simplistic from before, but there is a little more to him that captures the fact that he is just as corruptible as the rest. From there is was cool seeing the way these Bloodshots react when they wake up the day after. Being positive, optimistic, realistic and pessimistic are just words if you don’t actually see that from the characters. And we did which sells you on the idea that not every Bloodshot created is a mindless drone. Their personality is what keeps this interesting. Especially in the heat of the moment when the strength of Mico Suayan’s ability to capture expressions stands out. The wall to wall expressions in particular are strong. When it comes to Deathmate, I do enjoy how the colors could easily conceal and reveal who this juggernaut really is.

Bloodshot: Reborn #15 is a fast read, but straight to the punch and point that again there is much more to this than simply living, dying, and coming back the next day. Not to mention what a cliffhanger to leave us on with so many questions unanswered.