he story follows Ray Garrison, a man known as Bloodshot, who, much like Jason Bourne, suffers from memory loss and is unaware of his past or the source of his extraordinary abilities. His powers come from nanites—tiny computers in his bloodstream that give him superhuman regeneration, shape-shifting, technopathy, and enhanced strength, among other abilities.

Initially created as the perfect weapon by Project Rising Spirit, Ray breaks free after gaining a sense of individuality. No longer willing to obey his creators, he joins forces with psiots—the very people he was once programmed to eliminate—and fights for their freedom. His battle pits him against his former handlers and Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation.

As the story unfolds, Ray's journey evolves from that of a programmed killer to a character questioning his humanity, evoking themes reminiscent of Pinocchio or Blade Runner. This exploration of identity and self-worth adds emotional depth to the otherwise action-filled plot.

Van Lente also sprinkles in several Easter eggs for long-time Valiant fans, such as naming villains after Bloodshot’s original creators and referencing Jeff Lemire's work on the series. While these nods are enjoyable for those familiar with Valiant's history, they don't distract from the narrative for newcomers.

I Was a Teenage Bloodshot

Thanks to the superhero movie phenomenon of the new millennium, characters from Marvel and DC Comics have become household names. However, during the comic book investment boom of the 1990s, new publishers like Valiant Comics emerged with their own unique universes.

Outside of the Big Two (Marvel and DC), no one else has created such a fully realized, cohesive shared universe as Valiant did in the 1990s. Their world was populated by teenaged mutants (known as psiots in Valiant speak), super-soldiers, and vigilantes.

I’ll never forget picking up my copy of Bloodshot #1, sporting its quintessentially '90s chromium cover, and diving into the story of Angelo Mortalli—a former mafia hitman turned gun- and sword-toting antihero.

Since then, a lot has changed in the Valiant universe. The books and characters I loved have been rebooted so many times that, while they remain familiar, they’re quite different from what I remember. Fred Van Lente’s YA prose novel, *Bloodshot*, introduces yet another iteration of the character—Ray Garrison—and offers a fresh take on this iconic antihero.

The premise of Van Lente’s novel can best be described as Jason Bourne meets X-Men. If that sounds intriguing to you, you’re in for an enjoyable ride.

Like Jason Bourne, Ray Garrison—the titular Bloodshot—has no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he can do what he does. The explanation lies in nanites: millions of tiny computers coursing through his blood that grant him incredible regenerative abilities, limited shape-shifting (he can alter his appearance), technopathy (the ability to communicate with and control machines), enhanced speed, strength, and more.

Programmed by Project Rising Spirit to be the perfect killing machine, Ray rebels against his creators after awakening to a new sense of self. No longer willing to follow orders, he bands together with young psiots—the very people he was once tasked with hunting—to fight for their freedom. Together, they face off against both Bloodshot’s former handlers and Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation.

As the novel progresses, Ray’s journey shifts from being a programmed weapon to something deeper. He becomes less Jason Bourne and more like Pinocchio or a character from Blade Runner, questioning his humanity and longing to be a “real boy.” This thematic depth adds emotional resonance to the action-packed narrative.

Van Lente includes several clever nods to Valiant’s history that longtime fans will appreciate:
- Several villains are named after Bloodshot’s original creative team—Don Perlin, Kevin VanHook, and Bob Layton.
- There’s a reference to Jeff Lemire (likely acknowledging his contributions to Bloodshot’s modern stories).
- A subtle nod to the *Armorines* series is also tucked into the narrative.

These Easter eggs are a nice touch for those familiar with Valiant lore but don’t detract from the story for newcomers.

Van Lente delivers on his promise of blending frenetic superhero action with teenage angst. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Ray’s internal struggle adds emotional weight to the high-octane battles, making this more than just another action-packed YA novel.

This was my first time listening to narrator Jeff Fouhey, and I found his performance solid. He captures both the intensity of the action scenes and the vulnerability in Ray’s quieter moments effectively.

Overall, Bloodshot is an entertaining read that reimagines one of Valiant’s most iconic characters for a younger audience while still honoring the franchise’s roots. It’s not quite the Bloodshot I grew up with—and that’s okay! Van Lente has crafted something fresh yet familiar that fans of YA fiction will enjoy.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️s

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion.