Is the third time the charm with this instalment, or does this sweet tale fall victim to the fangs of its predecessors?
War may be hell, but these soldiers have already been from hell and back again
World War II rages in the Pacific. Lines are drawn and sides are taken. However, there is one war in which is not so easy to define- the war in which rages amongst the vampire races. In American Vampire Volume III writer Scott Snyder, along with fellow artists Rafael Albuquerque, Sean Murphy and Danijel Zezelj beautifully create two tales submeged in war and violence, and how each character must come to face these struggles, as well as the horror in which lies within themselves.
The all American vampire returns in this blood-soaked instalment, but is it just as sweet as its predecessor?
The city that never sleeps is going to need some rest after he's through with it
American Vampire Volume I was the perfect resurrection of the vampire genre. It mixed equal parts lore with intrigue and a great historical backdrop. After devouring the first instalment I wondered how Scott Snyder would develop this series moving forward. With Stephen King helping for only the first five issues, Snyder would be working solo — a daunting task especially after such a strong beginning. However, I should not have worried for Volume II is just as action packed and bloody as the first one.
American Vampire Volume II picks up approximately eleven years after the events in part one. Moving from sunny Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Nevada, readers are introduced to Cash McCogan, a tough as nails cop sent to clean up the city that never sleeps. When individuals behind the construction of the Hoover Dam start dying, it is up to Cash to discover who, or what is responsible. This leads him into a world of corruption, violence, and a centuries old feud between an ancient race of vampire and the vampire with a sweet tooth- the American vampire.
Does this series bring fresh blood to vampire lore, or is it the final nail in the coffin?
The Face of a New Generation of Vampire
I’m going to be honest here. The only reason I ever discovered the Vertigo franchise American Vampire was because of Stephen King. In 2010, when the first volume came out, I was on a Stephen King binge, and thought it would be worth my while. I knew little about creator and co-writer Scott Snyder and that the only reason Stephen King was attached to it was becuase Snyder had asked him. Little did I know that I was about to discover some of the best writers and artists in the industry today, along with one of the most enthralling vampire tales out there.
American Vampire Volume One tells two tales simultaneously. The first is that of Pearl Jones. Set in the mid 1920’s, Pearl is a sweet and innocent actress who comes to discover the seedy underbelly of the film industry, and how it is being run by ancient European vampires. Attacked and left to die, Pearl is awoken by a shadowy figure, an individual who opens her up to a brand new world – where blood is a source of life and to kill means to survive.
BATMAN! The one book above all others in the New 52 that is consistently top-notch material. Batman has been beaten and broken, barely escaping with his life. He is now a frightened bat on the run from the owls. The Court of Owls will stop at nothing to kill Batman. Scott Snyder must really hate the guy.
This continues to be one of my favorite books in the DC New 52. Jason Todd, a former Robin, former dead man, now known as the Red Hood, is fighting a seemingly endless war against the Untitled. Issue #7 attempts to answer some questions about Essence and ask some new ones as well!
Issue #7 takes us into the present day and we see what the Justice League looks like after five years. The trouble is, you’d think they would grow up a little bit. The back-up story features the first New 52 appearance of Shazam.
Brian Azzarello is writing one of the most intriguing books in the New 52 with Wonder Woman. However, since the first mini-arc I haven’t been as interested in this book. Issue #7 attempts to rekindle the fire.
ENDS OF THE EARTH starts now! Yes, the brand new Spider-Man event storyline has begun! What does the dying Doctor Otto Octavius have planned? Will Spider-Man be able to stop him AND the rest of the Sinister Six? I don’t know, but I’m sure excited to find out after reading this issue!
Hoax Hunters is a reality TV show similar to Mythbusters or Ghost Hunters. The team gets tips of weird occurrences, then go out to investigate whether or not they are real, or hoaxes. It’s funny, mysterious, and full of action.
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