Comics
[Comic Review] “Bloodshot Reborn” #3 Showcases Crazy Revenge
Reviewed by Brady Steele. Redemption in the form of hunting and killing nanite-infused murderers is the best way to describeBloodshot Reborn #3. The delusions continue to fester in our would-be hero’s mind as does the amount of people interested in stopping all the killing. Thankfully, that will not happen any time soon so readers get to enjoy the bedlam and lunacy. This trail of bodies has only just begun to grow…
WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ART BY: Mico Suayan
PUBLISHER: Valiant Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: 17 June 2015
There are plenty of mêlées to behold in this issue. The power struggle between who is in charge of what in the F.B.I. task force to take down the “Red Circle Murder Cult”. The growing voices in our former Bloodshot / now semi-human Ray Garrison struggle to assert themselves. Bloodshot himself is struggling and self-medicating spectacularly with whom he wants to be and who he has to be stop the killing. All of this plus the increasing number of Bloodshot wannabees / victims makes for a very compelling and busy story. Writer Jeff Lemire has really shifted gears and got this book moving succinctly towards who knows where.
Mico Suayan has been an excellent partner for Lemire’s ideas here. The grit and realism really come through when need be. The different looks of the ghosts / delusions that keep Bloodshot company also convey the tenuous grip he has on reality. Suayan’s page breakdowns really vary for all the right reasons and not just for show. I’ve really enjoyed seeing other become Bloodshot each issue too. After seeing him portrayed only one way for so long, it’s a nice contrast to see how others would wear the white skin and red circle. The coloring by David Baron also helps portray the moments so lusciously and graphically as need be.
This creative team is really working well together. This storyline is really coming along nicely and organically. It doesn’t feel rushed or scattered. Lemire and company clearly have things in order and we, dear readers get enjoy a refreshing take on a character that for so long seemed be one note. I read awhile back that Bloodshot was going to become a movie in the not-too-distant future. Now I can see why. There is plenty of potential with Bloodshot so come find out what crazy revenge and redemption looks like.
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Mr. Steele enjoys all things comics and imagination-based. Using his lifetime of comic-fu-dom for good, he imparts his knowledge for the universe to enjoy and for you, dear readers, to pass it on.
Twitter: @mrbradysteele
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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