Bloodshot Volume 4: H.A.R.D. Corps (BLOODSHOT TP (VU))

Where we left off: Toyo Harada has won the Harbinger Wars, and taken the escaped psiots of Generation Zero into his custody. Bloodshot, already severely injured from his conflict with the Renegades, then has to deal with an extremely angry Toyo Harada, who is itching for a Round 2 after their initial confrontation. It does not go well for our nanite-enhanced super-soldier.This fourth trade paperback continues Bloodshot’s ongoing narrative, but it is not hyperbole to say “everything changes here.” Bloodshot has been captured by Toyo Harada and the Harbinger Foundation, who are intent on unlocking the secrets of his nanites. Project Rising Spirit - emerging from the Harbinger Wars surprisingly well off - will not stand for their prized piece of technology to fall into enemy hands, and send in a mostly rookie team of H.A.R.D. Corps operatives to recover Bloodshot. Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds, and Bloodshot finds he must now work with PRS once more… the very organization he despises so much.There is a lot to love in this story. Joshua Dysart lends a hand to Christos Gage in keeping this story firmly thematic after the events of the Harbinger Wars. Reading this, as well as vol. 4 of Dysart’s Harbinger series, you walk away realizing that the fighting may have stopped in Las Vegas, but the War is not over by a long shot. In this day and age where comic book “events” result in zero lasting impact out of fear of disrupting “franchise” characters, it is refreshing that Valiant came out of Harbinger Wars with sweeping changes to one of their major players. Not only that, but the addition of new faces to the H.A.R.D. Corps results in some truly unexpected character moments, which was surprising given the short term nature of a Corps members lifespan.The cherry on top of all this is the art by Emanuela Lupacchino. Last seen drawing the Wrath of the Eternal Warrior arc in Archer & Armstrong, she really breaks out here with intense action scenes. I personally lover her style, even though some of the male characters can look a little too similar at times. Hoping Valiant keeps sending her work for a long time to come!

Bloodshot Volume 4 consists of issues zero and 14 through 17 from the main series. First appearances again! We see the H.A.R.D. Corps enter into the series and appear for the first time in the new Valiant universe. The gang is getting back together, but they are old, creaky and full of headaches. They are so far from being on top of their game. Who will win in that battle?Emanuela Lupacchino is the main event in this volume. She’s the new artist on the series and does an amazing job. I’m a huge fan. Gage and Dysart weave the story back in and there is a huge jump in storytelling after the Harbinger Wars storyline.The story take Bloodshot back to PRS and Toyo Harada. We see him strapped up and going through the terrible process of having his nanites stolen. The tempo picks up and H.A.R.D. Corps come into the picture.It’s a great volume and I look forward to the next trade paperback.

So this, this book right here? This is the Bloodshot I've been waiting to read. And most surprisingly to me as a long time reader is this is the HARD Corps I didn't even realize I'd been waiting for. Just an all around excellent book.Josh Dysart is a personal favorite writer, so I knew this had to be good, but I didn't expect it to be this good. The characterization in these issues is so well done that I found myself liking the individual members of the HARD Corps team more than the title character of the book!The set-up is simply well-planned and well-executed. And as a plus, it's a great jumping on point if you've never read Blooshot before.Throw in Emanuela Lupacchino, who could make a banana look like a work of art, and you have a recipe for awesome entertainment. Two thumbs up!

Bringing together two of Valiant's most explosive properties, this trade sees Bloodshot leading the team who represented Rising Spirit during the Harbinger War.After the fallout of the Harbinger War, Hard Corps is sent to rescue Bloodshot from Toyo Harada, ultra powerful-psiot and head of the biggest conglomerates in the world. Gifted with a multitude of one-at-a-time powers, the new Hard Corps squad must battle through private paramilitary units as well as a slew of Harada's militarized psiot warriors with unique powers of their own. After Bloodshot is rescued, the team must go back into the lion's den to recover what Harada so desperately wanted... Bloodshot's nanites! With over the top action and tight art, this arc is sure to please.Also re-printed is the Bloodshot #0 issue. While not as entertaining as the main story, this issue delves deep into the history of the weapon known as Bloodshot and sheds fascinating light on the character. A hefty volume that weighs in with five complete issues, this book certainly provides a good amount of entertainment value for fans of Valiant, the Hard Corps and Bloodshot, and is one that should not be missed.