Project Rising Spirit is the covert espionage organization that manufacturers elite soldiers for highly specified missions. Agent Bloodshot was their top operative until one botched operation where everything changed in the fallout. The mission that forever altered Project Rising Spirit has been declassified in the pages of Valiant Comics’ “Bloodshot #7” from writer Duane Swiercynski, artist Matthew Clark and inker Stefano Gaudino.
Through the narrative Dr. Kuretich, Bloodshot’s handler, explores what makes Bloodshot effective as a weapon. Swiercynski details the motivating factors used in programming Bloodshot and how effective a solider it makes him. The way the story unfolds gives a feeling of suspense as the mystery of the story is revealed to Dr. Kuretich we learn the truth as well. The action is well paced and we gain a better understanding of what Bloodshot was created to do.
The pencil artwork of Clark keeps the pace of the story fast. The artwork puts Bloodshot into action, you can see this unstoppable warrior take a pounding and push through to his goal. A bullet to his leg is nothing, smashing a truck through the wall of a fortress is a cakewalk. Clark gives you the feel that Bloodshot is the one-man weapon of mass destruction he is said to be.
Clark is able to bring life to the Dr. Kuretich’s realization in the story. From the camera angle in the shot where he understands the “strategic interest” in the mission you know that he has gained an innate awareness of what is really happening. It is one panel in the story that speaks volumes about the true intentions of Project Rising Spirit even if there were no words to describe it.
Gaudino’s inks embellish the artwork of Clark giving the line a definitive weight that adds significance to the page. The inker captures the mood in the story giving the artwork a gritty and unclean look. It highlights the dirty nature of the mission.
“Bloodshot #7” gives an understanding of how Bloodshot has been manipulated into the ultimate weapon. It also reveals how the man doing the manipulation was also a pawn in the overall scheme of Project Rising Spirit. Something about the children that Bloodshot was to rescue has shaken Dr. Kuretich so much that it will set him and Bloodshot on an entirely new path. It is an exciting standalone issue that gives you action and insight.
“Bloodshot #7” is available at comic shops everywhere and digitally through ComiXology.com.
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