I want to begin this with that fact that Mark Millar (the writer of Kick-Ass among other things) has denied what’s said in the report we linked below. I want to talk about this – even if its admittedly only the possibility of – strictly because I dig Bloodshot (and VALIANT). I couldn’t possibly care less about any potential pissing match between any website and any comic book writer. Only thing I do know is that having listened to Millar on podcasts before I can only understand half of what he’s saying, just like I can only decipher half of what’s written in the article–look for commonalities people! Vaughn may indeed inform Millar of every decision he makes, and the article writer may actually not have an ax to grind–decide for yourself, or don’t. It’s time to talk VALIANT any chance we get (and as VALIANT fans know, we hardly ever get anything to talk about anymore).
A rumor, but still much better than the report of the possibility of Brett Ratner destroying Harbinger from a couple of years ago, Latino Review is reporting the possibility that Matthew Vaughn may next helm a film based on MY favorite character from my favorite comic book line ever! That’s right people, we are talking about Bloodshot from VALIANT comics. You know I have love for VALIANT, just check out Jan-Ken-Pon – Jim Shooter’s Gold Key (and ’90s Comic Book Validation), or any of my reviews, like of Harbinger: The Beginning, X-O Manowar #0-6, or the RAI TPB. The bummer is that I don’t even like hearing rumors about Volume 2 of VALIANT titles. The early VALIANT stuff (with respects to Quantum and Woody) are some of the best superhero comics ever written–go read Barry Windsor-Smith Archer and Armstrong as exhibit A. Show me a foundation better than pre-Unity Solar and Magnus. You can’t. That said, I have to grudgingly admit that a lot of the V2 titles probably lend themselves to adaptation more.
So when did Bloodshot get introduced to the world? Well, while not his first appearance, Bloodshot get its true debut to the world when the first issue was released at the same time as Superman#75, which was the subject of a media blitz like we haven’t seen since involving the print related end of the field. People were scooping up this issue (perhaps even drawn by the BWS Chromium cover) while flocking to the stores for the Death of Superman issue (lots of people hate this era, personally I call it good times–was nice when comic releases were actual events).
Obviously, Matthew Vaughn is a hot commodity now due to the anticipation around Kick-Ass, and though everything about that project looks beyond superlative, it still hasn’t come out yet (everywhere)–I’m excited for what he’s already done. Bloodshot started as a mob-related character–you don’t think the guy who produced Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch can do something with that? He directed Layer Cake and Stardust, both of which are quality films. I doubt it happens, but somebody can make something happen with this title, and if not this, how has X-O Manowar not been picked up? Visigoth Barbarian in Alien body armor?
Aric pisses on Tony Stark.
One thing for sure, this has been the most ‘news’ VALIANT has stirred up in a long while, as it’s being talked about at a lot of ‘prominent’ film sites. If nothing else, a ton of people who have never heard of Bloodshot until now may recall the name when if another film related news item about either the character or another VALIANT property pops up.
