Ray Garrison is not the only Bloodshot. Through the decades, through science, the military had been trying to get an edge in winning whatever war they were involved in. In Ray’s case he was the product of a secret agency’s desire to have the perfect assassin. During a previous storyline arc the audience was introduced to a set of Bloodshots who were gathered to be a test for a new weapon of Project Rising Spirit. PRS failed and the reader found out that there were Bloodshots from World War II to the Vietnam War. There was also the smartest, most capable Bloodshot who happens to be a German Shephard.
The year is 1916 and the Allied forces are looking for a way to turn the tide of WWI. Along comes Doctor Fullbright and his band of dogs. All from the same litter each silver sable with that iconic red mark around one eye has been flooded with nanites. They’re fully trained and are the perfect soldiers except when they aren’t. It’s a disaster from the beginning and most dogs and human soldiers don’t survive the day. The casualties are astronomical within a small amount of time. And unlike in the movies, no one in a red, white and blue bathing suit with golden bracelets and a magic lasso is going to save the day.
This is the origin story of Ray’s now companion Bloodhound, who’s fiercely loyal to his new family. What’s more he’s the longest surviving Bloodshot. Being around for over a 100 years should give Ray a sense of hope in finding a long term cure for his daughter. Since this is an interlude to his adventure with Ray in 4001 as a reader we feel invested in this pooch. Knowing his tragic past will make you understand just why this dog is well loved and trusted by a man and woman who have a right not to have faith in anyone.
What’s more the artwork is stellar in helping tell this story. The characters are vividly real as is the carnage of the war to end all wars. The barbed wire gleams while simultaneously looking as if it could give you tetanus. Even the gas has movement. Writers, Ray Fawkes, Jeff Lemire and the artistic team can make a dog lover out of anyone. And they captured a period in time that isn’t often discussed and tends to be used as a plot device.
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