Bloodshot (comics)
Encyclopedia
Bloodshot is the title character of the American comic book
series published by Valiant Comics
.
Angelo Mortalli has become the ultimate killing machine. His memories were erased and his blood was infused with microscopic computers called nanites
. These nanites allow him to heal wounds quickly, dominate electronic devices, and fully control every aspect of his body to maximize his physical capabilities. A modern-day Frankenstein, he wages a one man war — taking out the mob, the police and his covert government creators — in his struggle to find out who he was and what he has become.
Mortalli is a ruthless killer climbing the mob ranks when his crime family betrayed him and had him framed for murder. He goes into federal witness protection but is betrayed by one of the FBI members guarding him. He is then kidnapped and taken to be part of an experimental procedure known as "Project Rising Spirit". His body is injected with microscopic computers called nanites. The nanites quickly go to work, rebuilding his brain and then the rest of his body, unexpectedly reviving Angelo but erasing his memory in the process. The nanites now fully control Angelo’s body (manipulating blood flow, adrenaline levels etc.) giving him augmented reflexes and strength, enhanced hearing; the ability to heal rapidly, and control of electronic devices. Angry, violent and unsure of what he has become, he escapes. Taking the name Bloodshot, he begins the process of piecing together who he was.
Don Gino Canelli
Angelo Mortalli’s mafia boss and his girlfriend’s father. Gino, a ruthless man who will do anything to protect his family, treated Angelo like a son. When he learns that Angelo has been cheating on his daughter he orders Angelo set up for the murder of a rival without a second thought.
Hideyoshi Iwatsu
An old and dangerous Japanese scientist who created the Bloodshot procedure. He is extremely immoral, using unwilling “volunteers” for his experiments, most of whom die as a result.
Tanaka
Hideyoshi Iwatsu’s aide and right hand man. More trusted than Hideyoshi’s own son, Tanaka is a brilliant manipulator. His arrogance blinds him, however, and leads to stupid mistakes on his part.
His makers meant to use him as a weapon—an unstoppable assassin. But they made him too well. Too powerful to be contained, he breaks free and escapes.
In this rendition, the writer Len Kaminski elaborates on BloodShot's nano technology. They turn out to be like sentient beings that see him as their God and provoke him to self induce a trance like state using a mixture of substances in order to communicate with him directly.
Deadly operatives of the super-secret government agency that sponsored his creation hunt him down. He will serve their ends, or die again. Following a broken trail of fragmentary recollections Bloodshot fights a running battle against them, the mob and the police…
…in his epic struggle to find out who he was and what he has become.
The first and only success of Project Lazarus, Bloodshot is a miracle of technology, far exceeding his creators’ expectations. Microscopic machines called nanites injected into his blood maximize his physicality, heal his wounds, extend his senses and imbue him with the ability to interface with any electronic device. In his former life as Angelo Mortalli, he learns, he was a rising star in a New York crime family…but the trail doesn’t end there. He was someone else before he was Mortalli. Who was Raymond Garrison?
Simon Oreck
The Director in Chief of the Domestic Operations Authority (DOA), a covert operations arm of the United States government. An information trader, his business is knowledge and he has his eyes and ears in every branch of government – all of which is fed to him constantly by the wall of computers and monitors that fill his office. Despite usually preferring his department to remain behind the scenes, Oreck offers to commit DOA resources to helping the FBI extract information on the Cianelli crime family from the brain of recently deceased mobster Angelo Mortalli. But as always, Oreck is hiding his true motives.
Doctor Frederick J. Stroheim
Son of Nazi scientist Klaus Stroheim, the “Mengele of Dachau,” Frederick inherited his father’s genius and his utter inhumanity. Project Lazarus is his brainchild.
Gina DeCarlo
In the process of eliminating all evidence that Angelo Mortalli ever existed, D.O.A. operatives expunged all documentation, razed his home, and even had phone books reprinted without his name. He also discovers that they coldly murdered Gina, the love of his life, to silence her. As if he didn’t hate them enough already….
The Chainsaw
Known as the Special Circumstances Division, codename: The Chainsaw are a highly-trained team of mercenaries that work for the Domestic Operations Authority (DOA). Utilizing a state-of-the-art group combat technology called Chainlink, the members of The Chainsaw are provided with instant data and communication tools that allow for perfect combat tactics and strategy. Each member is specialized in one area of covert warfare and utilizes the latest in DOA technology.
Michael Pileggi
A made man in the Cianelli crime family, Michael Pileggi is one of the few who know the truth behind Angelo Mortalli’s death. Don Cianelli had ordered Pileggi to fake a funeral for Mortalli in order to prevent the Don’s daughter and Mortalli’s girlfriend Gina from becoming suspicious. When he hears that someone has been asking questions about Mortalli and killing his men for answers, he becomes paranoid and holes up in his heavily guarded mansion.
For example, there is a very definite connection between Rai and Bloodshot. Bloodshot's silicon based, nanite powered blood flows through Takao Konishi's veins (the last Rai
). It grants him some of Bloodshot's memories and all of Bloodshot's powers. The entire line of warriors who were known as Rai were created by Grandmother in the image of Bloodshot to honor his heroism.
and Eternal Warrior
. Based on these appearances there was a groundswell of demand for the character to return and high anticipation for the premier issue. Bloodshot #1 (March 1994) was a much anticipated comic that became a best selling issue and has gone on to sell approximately one million copies. The original series was written by Kevin VanHook
and drawn by Don Perlin
. The premiere issue featured the first "Chromium" comic book cover.
Bloodshot #1 was awarded "Best Comic" by Diamond Distributors (the American comics industry's leading distributor) and "Best Innovation" for its chromium cover, beating out books such as Spider-Man, Batman and Superman.
.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics
Valiant Comics is a comic book imprint published by various publishers since its inception with Voyager Communications, Inc. in 1989, later Acclaim Comics, Inc. Its assets were purchased from the bankruptcy of the Acclaim Entertaintment by Valiant Entertainment, Inc. in 2007.-Voyager...
.
Publication history
Bloodshot was launched in the mid 1990s on the back of a wave of popularity for the Valiant Universe. Bloodshot became an immediate hit with readers, as the first issue has sold close to 1 million copies. Bloodshot has become one of the most popular Valiant characters continuing a long run and selling millions more copies until Acclaim Entertainment purchased the Valiant Universe for $65 million. Bloodshot comics have been translated into a number of languages including German, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Filipino and Chinese among others. Bloodshot was re-booted (with the majority of the other Valiant Universe characters) under the banner of Acclaim Comics in 1996. Acclaim re-launched the title in a new direction that was more easily adaptable to video games which was their core business. Valiant Entertainment is the current owner of the Valiant catalog, including Bloodshot.Plot synopsis
Volume one and volume two of Bloodshot keep the same core story elements with different settings and plots.Volume One
Nanorobotics
Nanorobotics is the emerging technology field of creating machines or robots whose components are at or close to the scale of a nanometer . More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with devices ranging in size from...
. These nanites allow him to heal wounds quickly, dominate electronic devices, and fully control every aspect of his body to maximize his physical capabilities. A modern-day Frankenstein, he wages a one man war — taking out the mob, the police and his covert government creators — in his struggle to find out who he was and what he has become.
Characters
Angelo Mortalli, a.k.a. BloodshotMortalli is a ruthless killer climbing the mob ranks when his crime family betrayed him and had him framed for murder. He goes into federal witness protection but is betrayed by one of the FBI members guarding him. He is then kidnapped and taken to be part of an experimental procedure known as "Project Rising Spirit". His body is injected with microscopic computers called nanites. The nanites quickly go to work, rebuilding his brain and then the rest of his body, unexpectedly reviving Angelo but erasing his memory in the process. The nanites now fully control Angelo’s body (manipulating blood flow, adrenaline levels etc.) giving him augmented reflexes and strength, enhanced hearing; the ability to heal rapidly, and control of electronic devices. Angry, violent and unsure of what he has become, he escapes. Taking the name Bloodshot, he begins the process of piecing together who he was.
Don Gino Canelli
Angelo Mortalli’s mafia boss and his girlfriend’s father. Gino, a ruthless man who will do anything to protect his family, treated Angelo like a son. When he learns that Angelo has been cheating on his daughter he orders Angelo set up for the murder of a rival without a second thought.
Hideyoshi Iwatsu
An old and dangerous Japanese scientist who created the Bloodshot procedure. He is extremely immoral, using unwilling “volunteers” for his experiments, most of whom die as a result.
Tanaka
Hideyoshi Iwatsu’s aide and right hand man. More trusted than Hideyoshi’s own son, Tanaka is a brilliant manipulator. His arrogance blinds him, however, and leads to stupid mistakes on his part.
Volume Two
Angelo Mortalli has been been subjected against his will to a scientific experiment that has remade him into the ultimate killing machine—an engine of destruction code named: Bloodshot. But, in the process, his memories were lost…and maybe his soul.His makers meant to use him as a weapon—an unstoppable assassin. But they made him too well. Too powerful to be contained, he breaks free and escapes.
In this rendition, the writer Len Kaminski elaborates on BloodShot's nano technology. They turn out to be like sentient beings that see him as their God and provoke him to self induce a trance like state using a mixture of substances in order to communicate with him directly.
Deadly operatives of the super-secret government agency that sponsored his creation hunt him down. He will serve their ends, or die again. Following a broken trail of fragmentary recollections Bloodshot fights a running battle against them, the mob and the police…
…in his epic struggle to find out who he was and what he has become.
Characters
BloodshotThe first and only success of Project Lazarus, Bloodshot is a miracle of technology, far exceeding his creators’ expectations. Microscopic machines called nanites injected into his blood maximize his physicality, heal his wounds, extend his senses and imbue him with the ability to interface with any electronic device. In his former life as Angelo Mortalli, he learns, he was a rising star in a New York crime family…but the trail doesn’t end there. He was someone else before he was Mortalli. Who was Raymond Garrison?
Simon Oreck
The Director in Chief of the Domestic Operations Authority (DOA), a covert operations arm of the United States government. An information trader, his business is knowledge and he has his eyes and ears in every branch of government – all of which is fed to him constantly by the wall of computers and monitors that fill his office. Despite usually preferring his department to remain behind the scenes, Oreck offers to commit DOA resources to helping the FBI extract information on the Cianelli crime family from the brain of recently deceased mobster Angelo Mortalli. But as always, Oreck is hiding his true motives.
Doctor Frederick J. Stroheim
Son of Nazi scientist Klaus Stroheim, the “Mengele of Dachau,” Frederick inherited his father’s genius and his utter inhumanity. Project Lazarus is his brainchild.
Gina DeCarlo
In the process of eliminating all evidence that Angelo Mortalli ever existed, D.O.A. operatives expunged all documentation, razed his home, and even had phone books reprinted without his name. He also discovers that they coldly murdered Gina, the love of his life, to silence her. As if he didn’t hate them enough already….
The Chainsaw
Known as the Special Circumstances Division, codename: The Chainsaw are a highly-trained team of mercenaries that work for the Domestic Operations Authority (DOA). Utilizing a state-of-the-art group combat technology called Chainlink, the members of The Chainsaw are provided with instant data and communication tools that allow for perfect combat tactics and strategy. Each member is specialized in one area of covert warfare and utilizes the latest in DOA technology.
Michael Pileggi
A made man in the Cianelli crime family, Michael Pileggi is one of the few who know the truth behind Angelo Mortalli’s death. Don Cianelli had ordered Pileggi to fake a funeral for Mortalli in order to prevent the Don’s daughter and Mortalli’s girlfriend Gina from becoming suspicious. When he hears that someone has been asking questions about Mortalli and killing his men for answers, he becomes paranoid and holes up in his heavily guarded mansion.
Connections between Bloodshot and other Valiant characters
Generally speaking, the Valiant Universe is very coherent, and the characters from one book will often appear in another book, or references to other characters will be made. This is a regular occurrence even outside of crossover events.For example, there is a very definite connection between Rai and Bloodshot. Bloodshot's silicon based, nanite powered blood flows through Takao Konishi's veins (the last Rai
Rai (comics)
Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter issues #5-8. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series...
). It grants him some of Bloodshot's memories and all of Bloodshot's powers. The entire line of warriors who were known as Rai were created by Grandmother in the image of Bloodshot to honor his heroism.
Reception
Bloodshot is one of the best selling Valiant characters with total sales in all languages approaching seven million comics. Shortly before the debut of the Bloodshot series the title character made two introductory appearances in popular titles RaiRai (comics)
Rai is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter issues #5-8. The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series...
and Eternal Warrior
Eternal Warrior
Gilad Anni-Padda aka the Eternal Warrior is the title character of a 50-issue comic book series by Valiant Comics that ran from 1992 to 1996. Eternal Warrior was relaunched with the other Valiant characters under the banner of Acclaim Comics in 1996 . Valiant Entertainment, Inc...
. Based on these appearances there was a groundswell of demand for the character to return and high anticipation for the premier issue. Bloodshot #1 (March 1994) was a much anticipated comic that became a best selling issue and has gone on to sell approximately one million copies. The original series was written by Kevin VanHook
Kevin VanHook
Kevin VanHook is an American filmmaker who began his career in storytelling as a comic book artist and writer. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.-Biography:...
and drawn by Don Perlin
Don Perlin
Don Perlin is an American comic book artist and occasional writer best known for Marvel Comics' Werewolf by Night, The Defenders, and Ghost Rider...
. The premiere issue featured the first "Chromium" comic book cover.
Bloodshot #1 was awarded "Best Comic" by Diamond Distributors (the American comics industry's leading distributor) and "Best Innovation" for its chromium cover, beating out books such as Spider-Man, Batman and Superman.
Film
A Bloodshot film is one of the future projects being considered by director Matthew VaughnMatthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn is an English film producer and director known for producing such films as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch and directing the films Layer Cake , Stardust and Kick-Ass...
.
Bloodshot #0 Platinum Edition
The rarest and most sought after comic book published by Valiant comics is the platinum edition of Bloodshot #0. It is rumored that fewer than 25 copies exist.External links
- Bloodshot at the Valiant Comics wiki
- Bloodshot Fan Site
- "Valiant Days, Valiant Nights - A Look Back at the Rise and Fall of Valiant, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...