Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast! For this entry, we’re taking a look at the brand new MATURE READERS series from Valiant Entertainment! BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1 by DENIZ CAMP, JON DAVIS-HUNT, JORDIE BELLAIRE and HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU brings Valiant’s most dangerous anti-hero to readers in a way that hasn’t been seen before. If you’re not a regular Valiant reader, Bloodshot will sound familiar to you as he was the tile character of the 2020 movie starring Vin Diesel. This book first made some buzz at this year’s FREE Comic Book Day and WOW, does it ever deliver! Note: The imagery in this book is very intense and can be disturbing to some. The book is NOT meant for younger readers, so bear that in mind before reading further in this blog. That said, if you’re good with that, let’s check out this explosive first issue, shall we?

**BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1** - On Sale September 21st
Creative DENIZ CAMP, JON DAVIS-HUNT, JORDIE BELLAIRE and HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
**Cover C by** PETE WOODS
Credit: Valiant Entertainment

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The issue opens up with a Valiant staple: An introduction page for new readers or may need a refresher in the character’s story. The introduction here is very brief but hits all the major points: A super-soldier created with nanotechnology by Project: Rising Spirit, Bloodshot has broken free from their control and forges his own path thru the Valiant Universe.

Our story begins with a flashback of Bloodshot sitting and walking the readers thru memories of his previous life. This vision forges into a nightmare as time with his family turns into time in battle. How Bloodshot copes with this unfolds into a disturbing and intense scene: Shooting himself in the head. From there, Bloodshot walks readers thru how he heals from the self inflicted fatal blow in demonstration of his powers. Once again, this is a MATURE READERS series so nothing is held back. However a mysterious stranger crashes into Bloodshot’s life changing the course of direction into the next stage.

At this stage, the book speeds into the present as Bloodshot walking thru the aftermath of a brutal war-zone in the heartland of America. The mission is to find and handle an escapee from a government holding zone for extreme walking weapons….much like our protagonist himself. With a literal army of dangerous former super soldiers deemed too lethal to be back in society after service now roaming free to wreck havoc and destruction, there’s only one force of nature who can stop them: Bloodshot. Readers get taken on a ride to a human demolition derby with nothing but chaos and carnage. If the first encounter with one of the escapees is any indication, get ready for your new favorite action comic!

**BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1** - On Sale September 21st
Creative DENIZ CAMP, JON DAVIS-HUNT, JORDIE BELLAIRE and HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
Credit: Valiant Entertainment

You want to talk about setting the pace early for a new series? Camp welcomes Bloodshot and Valiant into the land of Mature Readers comics with an issue that hits readers without pulling any punches. The issue is brutal, unflinching and violently incredible all at once. Seeing how Bloodshot deals with his current state is not for the faint. With that said, the pacing of the issue really spreads out what is going on here. Without spoiling anything here, it’s perfectly set to go back to the assignment’s origin to not be overwhelmed with all the action going on when Bloodshot confronts his target. This is a whole new side of Bloodshot we haven’t seen before and everyone’s on for something special here.

Davis-Hunt delivers on some of the biggest action sequences you’ll ever see on a comic page. With the title being “Unleashed”, that is EXACTLY what is happening here. The fight in the latter half of the book has that “Big Fight Feel” to it that one would expect from a “Terminator 2” -esque movie. The moments feel HUGE! With the Mature Readers Banner on this book, Davis-Hunt is really opening up on the imagery for this story. It is almost a perfect bookend with the intensity of the “couch” scene that opens the book to the final moments of this issue. Excellent job unleashing Valiant’s super soldier onto the comic shops!

Overall, Bloodshot Unleashed #1 presents the world of Bloodshot in an unapologetic and unforgiving vision that is a welcome addition to the Valiant Universe. Camp, Davis-Hunt and the team present the title character with a captivating story surrounded by incredible artwork. Don’t miss this issue when it drops on NCBD at your LCS!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of Bloodshot Unleashed #1. Thanks for reading!

BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #1 (VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT)

Ken M