Comic Vine Review

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Unity #8 - Snapped!

4

Does Unity stand a chance against the powerful Armor Hunters?

The Good

With the latest chapter of UNITY, writer Matt Kindt adds Bloodshot, the super-soldier with an accelerated healing factor, to the title and he does so magnificently. He doesn't introduce the character with a grand action scene or anything like that. Instead, we're given eyewitness reports of what Bloodshot has been up to since the last story arc in his title. I know it's usually preferred to show and not tell, but this was a great way to let new readers know just how vicious this guy is and why he warrants a spot on the roster. It was way more effective than something like him shooting a few goons and then chatting with Livewire. Kindt also does a fine job making sure both new and old readers of the series don't feel totally left in the dark with the Armor Hunters plot. We don't get the most insightful look around at who they are or why they're here and honestly, that makes sense since that's something the team shouldn't know right now. We know what they've done -- something that packs one hell of a punch on the opening page -- and we know what they're after. Everything else isn't forced in via exposition or an info dump since, well, it's not really necessary information at this point. The writer keeps the story concise and makes sure the pacing never takes a hit. Hopefully good tie-ins like this one motivate people to check out the other titles.

Artist Stephen Segovia and colorist Brian Reber grab your attention with the very first page. The focus on darker shades and something as simple as a hand sticking out of rubble paints a very haunting picture. They make sure you're up to speed with just how dire the situation has become in the Valiant universe. The character work is occasionally a little stiff (most notably in mid-shots), but overall, it's a consistently solid looking issue and the occasional emphasis on heavier shading works very well for characters like Bloodshot and Ninjak. Plus, you can't help but love how vibrant the Armor Hunters are. It doesn't drown out the other tones -- it's just enough to help you appreciate how unique they look. The two also do a great job pulling us into the more cinematic and action-packed moments (e.g. the bit with the plane).

The Bad

While Ninjak's brief display is obviously cool, the fight with the Armor Hunters feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. It would have been great to see a little more of it. That definitely would have made the ending more impactful.

Eternal Warrior still isn't getting much love. It feels like he's just there to talk about his experience over the years, so I'm sure many of you also agreed with Ninjak when he exclaimed, "Please. Not another history lesson." Also, it's a little odd to give Bloodshot such a fantastic introduction and then have him literally stand around and do nothing for the rest of the issue. He made quite an entrance and then seen standing by Livewire's side a few times. Hopefully he'll get more involved in the upcoming issues.

Minor gripe: I know alien invasions aren't exactly the norm in this universe, but after bonding with an alien armor, it's a little odd for Livewire to appear slightly surprised by the situation.

The Verdict

This is a big issue of UNITY for two simple reasons: Bloodshot and the Armor Hunters! Bloodshot is given a thoroughly awesome introduction and we're also treated to a serviceable tie-in for Valiant's latest big event. For the most part, Kindt makes sure this can serve as a satisfactory jumping on spot for new readers and packs it with more than enough excitement to keep us around for the next issue. It's a little bit of a bummer we didn't get to see more of the Armor Hunters in action, but something tells me Kindt is saving all of the truly epic action for the upcoming rematch! Plus, how can you not want to see what'll happen next now that Bloodshot's on the team? I'm very curious to see how he'll interact with the others.

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micah007123

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Valiant continues to deliver.

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bladewolf

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I agree with this review. Definitely a strong issue, though with a few minor weak points. I'm really loving Armor Hunters so far, and this issue has convinced me to add the Bloodshot mini-series to my pull list.

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CaptainHoopla

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Solid tie-in issue. I'm excited Bloodshot is in the Unity mix now. I'm still waiting to see Gilad unload on something in this series though. They'll have to rename him to the Eternally Passive Warrior before too long.

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AllStarSuperman

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Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

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Fallschirmjager

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Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

How did I know you were going to say this? -.-

Gilad basically was right the whole time and Kindt made Ninjak look like an idiot at the end when the Robot kicked both their asses.

I don't think he was miused just because he didn't solo the enemy in the first issue -.-

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator

@fallschirmjager said:

@allstarsuperman said:

Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

How did I know you were going to say this? -.-

Gilad basically was right the whole time and Kindt made Ninjak look like an idiot at the end when the Robot kicked both their asses.

I don't think he was miused just because he didn't solo the enemy in the first issue -.-

To be fair, everyone except Ninjak was right -- we don't need a history lesson to know the plan wasn't good. But it's showing Ninjak's arrogance, I suppose. At any rate, I don't think Gilad needs an awesome feat or anything, but I'd like to see his role consist of more than giving history lessons, you know?

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Fallschirmjager

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@k4tzm4n: that's why he double shot gunned the dude in the face :p

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@k4tzm4n said:

@fallschirmjager said:

@allstarsuperman said:

Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

How did I know you were going to say this? -.-

Gilad basically was right the whole time and Kindt made Ninjak look like an idiot at the end when the Robot kicked both their asses.

I don't think he was miused just because he didn't solo the enemy in the first issue -.-

To be fair, everyone except Ninjak was right -- we don't need a history lesson to know the plan wasn't good. But it's showing Ninjak's arrogance, I suppose. At any rate, I don't think Gilad needs an awesome feat or anything, but I'd like to see his role consist of more than giving history lessons, you know?

Also his durability/healing/strength needs to be more consistent with his appearances in other books like Archer & Armstrong and his ongoing. In other books Gil has tanked building leveling explosions that propelled him through a bus with not even a scratch, he's punched through concrete walls, been shot in the head, walked along the ocean bed to another continent and survived a nuke at ground zero. And yet in Unity he got his ass kicked by some random lady.

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k4tzm4n

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k4tzm4n  Moderator

@k4tzm4n said:

@fallschirmjager said:

@allstarsuperman said:

Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

How did I know you were going to say this? -.-

Gilad basically was right the whole time and Kindt made Ninjak look like an idiot at the end when the Robot kicked both their asses.

I don't think he was miused just because he didn't solo the enemy in the first issue -.-

To be fair, everyone except Ninjak was right -- we don't need a history lesson to know the plan wasn't good. But it's showing Ninjak's arrogance, I suppose. At any rate, I don't think Gilad needs an awesome feat or anything, but I'd like to see his role consist of more than giving history lessons, you know?

Also his durability/healing/strength needs to be more consistent with his appearances in other books like Archer & Armstrong and his ongoing. In other books Gil has tanked building leveling explosions that propelled him through a bus with not even a scratch, he's punched through concrete walls, been shot in the head, walked along the ocean bed to another continent and survived a nuke at ground zero. And yet in Unity he got his ass kicked by some random lady.

She took him totally by surprise, so it's fair to assume he totally underestimated her. Or at least that's how I remember it.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

@k4tzm4n: Even still, that aside he hasn't be very impressive at all in this series.

Also I did enjoy this issue and it is a very cool idea but I kind of have a problem with Bloodshot so easily joining up with MI-6/Unity after all he's been through with Rising Spirit/H.A.R.D Corps.

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AllStarSuperman

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Edited By AllStarSuperman

@allstarsuperman said:

Ah. So I see this is another issue with a misused Eternal Warrior.

How did I know you were going to say this? -.-

Gilad basically was right the whole time and Kindt made Ninjak look like an idiot at the end when the Robot kicked both their asses.

I don't think he was miused just because he didn't solo the enemy in the first issue -.-

Cause I am a whiner.

Gilad has pretty much always been right, he just doesn't do anything about it.

He was misused yet again. Sure he fought the alien crystal guy, but it was off panel, cause for some reason watching Ninjak blow up the ceiling is way more interesting than watching Gil fight a badass alien.