Review: Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps #0 By Christos Gage, Joshua Dysart, Valentine De Landro, Joseph Cooper, John Livesay, ChrisCross & Victor Olazaba

Reviews, Top Story

Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps: H.A.R.D. Corps #0

Written by: Christos Gage and Joshua Dysart

Art by: Valentine De Landro, Joseph Cooper, John Livesay, ChrisCross, and Victor Olazaba

Published by: Valiant Entertainment

Reviewed by: Ryan “Irish Rican” McLelland

 

Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #0 is the latest of the Valiant zero issues.  Zero issues are a huge part of Valiant’s history and this latest zero issue is a very welcome addition to that legacy.

 

Rather than focus on Bloodshot this issue delves into the rich history of the H.A.R.D. Corps.  It starts with the program’s inception in the seventies showing the hardships of trying to make “downloadable powers” a realistic combat weapon.

 

The first applicants in the program are mere guinea pigs as those who run the program try to figure out what works and what does not.  It means zero glory for those who participate and an even shorter lifespan.

 

By the time we reach the 1980’s we find the H.A.R.D. Corps powers that we all know working well.  Teammembers are able to recall powers at will but we see the hardships of those involved.  Is it easy to be a multimillion dollar weapon and also have a family?

 

When we reach the nineties the program has grown by leaps and bounds having developed the ultimate weapon: Bloodshot.  If something goes wrong Bloodshot is now the weapon you can turn to, a vicious killer that those at Project Rising Spirit can turn to for problem solving.  When something goes wrong, when one of H.A.R.D. Corps goes rogue, Bloodshot is the one they rely on the solve the situation.  Essentially he helps to make the H.A.R.D. Corps fairly obsolete.

 

The issue is a great, quick read which shows off three decades of Project Rising Spirit’s super soldiers.  It’s a welcome backstory that brings the reader up to speed on the characters currently running through the Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps series.  The zero issue simply nails its job: the untold origin story.  The story certainly doesn’t blow down any doors in telling its tale but the telling of H.A.R.D. Corps origins does make for one interesting read.

 

The lone complaint I may have is that it reads too well – the issue is over before you know it.  I guess that’s the makings of a good comic, one where you reach the end and simply want more.  Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #0 does a great job in making you care about the story.  It’s one hell of a fine read and left me instantly wanting the next issue.

 

RATING: 8/10

Ryan "Irish Rican" McLelland is a reviewer for Inside Pulse while also writing indie comic column 'Your Indie Weekly' for Sequart. His comic book credits include the superhero book 'Philly' and war comic 'Grunts: War Stories'.  Ryan's "acting" debut came in the cult classic film 'Thankskilling 3'.