Comic Review: Guillermo Del Toro’s and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain: the Night Eternal issue #10

THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL #10
Writer: David Lapham

Artist: Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Dark Horse

Publication Date:June 17, 2015Format: FC, 32 pages

PREVIEW

Two years ago, the Master won.

He spread the vampire virus across New York and, by triggering a series of nuclear meltdowns, defeated the ancient vampires that opposed him.

Now, in a world where the sun is all but blocked out by nuclear winter, the Master’s influences reaches across the globe.

Hope is on life support, but a few remain who may revive it: an alcoholic, a doctor, an exterminator, a criminal, and a renegade vampire are humanity’s last chance…

This issue, those fighting the Master are looking for a detonator for the nuclear bomb they have to destroy the Master. Plus find the place where it must go off. There is a book, but Eph figures out how to read it. Made for humankind to fight vampires, it has a silver cover and its secrets were written so they could only be read in sunlight. They take off in a truck, heading for where the island they need to be on the right day is. Meanwhile the Master and Zack’s vampire mother visit Zack at the zoo, to tell him his father is still alive. That he did not come for Zack; as like the snow leopard in the zoo, he wants to be the last obstacle between the Master and his vamps and total domination.

Close to the end of the comic based on the third book in The Strain trilogy, the vampires seem less frightening and unsettling as in the first two novels and comics. I am not feeling this one particularly. Still, one still wants to follow this to the end, to see if the humans win against the Master. The artwork is still great and the dark colors perfect for this comic.

I give The Strain: the Night Eternal Issue #10

3 ½ sheep

Pamela K. Kinney

Comic Review: THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL #4

THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL #4Writer: David Lapham

Artist: Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Dark Horse Comics

Publication Date: November 19, 2014

Format: FC, 32 pages; Ongoing

Price: $3.99

UPC:7 61568 19195 0 00411

Preview

Read the comic! Watch the series!

The final chapter in the Strain Trilogy—by Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan—begins here!

It’s been two years since the Master’s plan succeeded and a near apocalypse coated the world in darkness. Now able to roam freely, the Master’s legion of vampires rule the world—a horrifying police state where humans are harvested for blood.
Known as the Born, he works with the rebellion, but he’s a vampire . . . Who, or what, is Mr. Quinlan? And what, exactly, is his connection to the Master? This issue sheds light on the past of the mysterious and badass bloodsucker slayer who is bent on destroying the Master’s strain and ending his reign.

The final chapter in the Strain Trilogy—by Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan—begins here!

This issue of the last book in The Strain trilogy is about Mr. Quinlan’s past and his connection to the Master. The Master tells the story of how he served the Roman Emperor Caligula. For his payment, he is given seven virgins. Not for sex, but for their blood. But the last victim is not a virgin, and is with child. He wanted to kill the unborn, but got called away to help the emperor at the time, he returns to find the soldiers took her, but she killed two of the guards and escaped. She finds a cave, where she gives birth and raises the child, ignoring the call of her master. When Quinlan is almost grown up, his mother is killed by the Master and he escapes. Through years of fighting as a gladiator, he is eventually bought by a Roman senator who realizes what he is and who he serves, battling in wars. His being able to walk in the sunlight helps him. His life ends up serving the other Ancients against the Master until he helps the humans fighting the vampires in New York City.

This issue is all about a true badass vampire. He may not be handsome as many paranormal romances write vampires as, but he truly has an interesting past. He may not be stone-faced ass kicker like Blade, but he holds his own as well as that daywalker.

5 sheep

 

Pamela Kinney

Comic Review: The Strain, The Night Eternal issue #1

THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL #1Writer: David Lapham

Artist:Mike Huddleston

Colorist:Dan Jackson

Cover Artist:E. M. Gist

Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror

Publication Date:August 20, 2014

Format:FC, 32 pages; Ongoing

Price:$3.99

UPC:7 61568 19195 0 00111


It’s been two years since the Master’s plan succeeded and a near apocalypse coated the world in darkness. Now able to roam freely, the Master’s legion of vampires rule the world—a horrifying police state where humans are harvested for blood. As humanity despairs, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and an unlikely team of heroes continue their fight against extinction and hope to unlock the secret to the Master’s demise.
* The final chapter in the Strain Trilogy, by Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan, begins here!

“A truly engrossing tale.”—Bloody Disgusting

“Great writing Lapham. I'm locked in.” —Comic Bastards

“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

There be spoilers ahead!

This comic begins with Eph discovering that Nora and Vasily Fet are attracted to each other, by emails. He has been late getting back to Nora who is waiting for him in the hospital, so when Fet tells her in the email, to keep moving, she takes her mother with her and grabs a subway train. Meanwhile, Eph finds two vampires waiting for him, which the Master uses to communicate. When he says no and demands his son, the Master releases them, and the vamps attack. He kills one, but the other escapes. Looking out a window to the ground below, he finds the building surrounded. As for Zack, he hasn’t been for while with his father and is under the Master’s care. The Master has left him not Turned, still human and growing up. When Zack comes back from thinking on something, he finds his mother in the room with him, still a vampire, but almost like she was before her change.

As for Fet, he runs into a vampire not like the others. He is attempting to find the Occido Luen that had been the Professor’s. All this appears to set up for some excitement to the adaptation of the third novel.

The colors are dark and convey a dark, bleak world, ruled by the Master and his vampires. Humans appear to be acting as normal, as you see the crowds, but vampires walk among them. The Night Eternal 2 lures us to need to know the next chapter.

I give Guillermo Del Toro’s and Chuck Hogan’s the Strain, the Night Eternal 4 bloody sheep.

Pamela Kinney

TV Review: The Strain

The Strain (2014– )
TV Series - 60 min - Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

FX Sundays 10:00pm

The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of "Dr. Ephraim Goodweather," the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan co-wrote the pilot script for The Strain, which was directed by del Toro. Emmy® Award winning Writer and Producer Carlton Cuse serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner and Writer. Gary Ungar also serves as Executive Producer. The series is produced by FX Productions.

Hell yeah! We have a winner. I haven't read the books, but have checked out the comics from Dark Horse and I was thrilled with those. I had pretty high expectations going into tonight's premier. 

I thought it was a very well made pilot with lots of suspense and just the right amount of gore. It is hard to truly creep me out, but they achieved it!

There is a lot more going on than mindless vampire like killing machines about to take over N.Y. This is going to be a must watch for me!

I got to mention my editor brain was having a hard time with some things and the scientist in me cringed a few times and it had nothing to do with the vampires. Seriously, would a CDC scientist reach out with bare hands to touch the unknown soil that might have killed 206 people? Also did anyone notice in the beginning when Dr. Ephraim Goodweather jumped in his vehicle to head to the airport, the steering wheel was on the right side? Odd for NY <G>

4.5 "I'm very cold" Sheep

Sharon

Comic Review: Guillermo Del Toro’s and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain, The Fall #8

The Strain: The Fall #8

Writer: David Lapham

Artist: Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Publication Date:February 19, 2014

Format:FC, 32 pages;

Dark Horse

Trapped in a tunnel below the Hudson River, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather’s son Zack and Dr. Nora Martinez fight for their lives against an onslaught of vampires commanded by Zack’s mother! Meanwhile, though the Master’s evil plan has almost sealed humanity’s fate, his oldest enemy, Abraham Setrakian, may have discovered the key to victory.
* Soon to be a TV show on FX!
“A fun action horror comic.”—Geeks of Doom

“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

In this issue, Professor Setrakian learns the truth behind the star maps and more in the book, there is a nuclear plant accident in China, and Eldritch Palmer learns you can not screw over the Master, demanding his being turned. Worse, for Zack and Nora, the train Eph put them on to get out of New York City has derailed and Eph’s ex-wife now a vampire and other vampires are pursuing them. Things appear dark for the heroes and humanity.

The artwork is superb and the colors of the comic reflect the growing darkness in this series of comics based on the second novel. The pacing is fast and terrifying. Who will live and who will die by the last comic of this second series? I can not wait.

5 sheep

Comic Review: The Strain: The Fall #6

THE STRAIN: THE FALL #6
Writer: David Lapham

Artist: Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Horror, Action/Adventure
Publication Date: December 18, 2013

Dark Horse Comics

Format: FC, 32 pages; Ongoing

Price: $3.99

UPC:7 61568 19185 1 00611

Preview

When Nora tries to shepherd Eph’s son to safety outside the city, her subterranean escape from Manhattan is intercepted by the boy’s mother—a freshly turned vampire! Meanwhile, Eph comes face to face with the man that helped engineer the vampiric coup!

* The vampire conspiracy . . . REVEALED!

* The next chapter in the Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan!

"A high octane adventure filled with action and suspense."
—Bloody Disgusting

“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

It appears we are nearing to the end of this second apocalyptic vampire series. In this comic, we have the professor and Vasiliy shown that the Master is not the only master vampire around, the professor bidding for the book he feels will stop the Master, The Occido Lumen, Nora is on the run with Zack Goodweather and her mother from vampires, and Goodweather is captured, but allowed a meal with the man he had hoped to kill. The pacing is fast and terrifying. Who will live and who will die by the last comic of this second series? I can not wait.

review: The Strain: The Fall #5
review: The Strain: The Fall #4
review: The Strain: The Fall #3
review: The Strain: The Fall #2
review: The Strain: The Fall #1

I give this 5 sheep

Pamela K. Kinney
Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
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Comic Review: The Strain, The Fall #5

The Strain, The Fall #5
Writer: David Lapham, Mike Huddleston
Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist:E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date:October 16, 2013

Format:FC, 32 pages; Ongoing

Price:$3.99

UPC:7 61568 19185 1 00411

Preview
Sure that an ancient tome, the Occido Lumen, holds the secret to defeating the Master, Fet and Setrakian head to the auction house for a different kind of battle. Meanwhile, Eph, sure of a conspiracy surrounding the vampire epidemic, mounts a secret mission to assassinate the wealthy and ailing Eldritch Palmer!
* The next chapter in The Strain Trilogy, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan!
* Soon to be a TV show on FX!

“I’ve got to say that they’ve created the vilest, most revolting looking vampires I’ve ever seen.”–Geeks of DoomNovember 2013. 
“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

This issue begins with Eph writing a letter to his son who is speeding away with Nora on a train to hopefully safety from the vampires in New York City. He wrote it as he is about to try and assassinate Mr. Palmer. From there the comic had sections of each thing happening to each of the characters—from Eph to Vasiliy and the Professor talking about vampires and book an what it might mean to destroying the Master, to Nora trying to escape with Zach as Zach’s vampire mother and others attack the train. All of it ends at the space station in orbit above the earth. 

The artwork is still super and the storyline growing more intense. If you love scary vampire stories and even te end of the word scenarios, then you need to read this series. 

review: The Strain: The Fall #4
review: The Strain: The Fall #3
review: The Strain: The Fall #2
review: The Strain: The Fall #1

I give this 5 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Pamela K. Kinney 
Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
Website Newsletter Facebook


 

Comic Review: The Strain: The Fall #4

The Strain, The Fall #4
Writer: David Lapham, Mike Huddleston
Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist:E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date:October 16, 2013

Format:FC, 32 pages; Ongoing

Price:$3.99

UPC:7 61568 19185 1 00411
Preview
As a full-fledged war breaks out in Harlem, Gus’s heavily armed gang and an old luchador let the Master know they won’t give up their city without one helluva fight! It’s an all-out vampire brawl! Elsewhere, Fet makes a groundbreaking discovery about the vampires as Eph makes a fateful decision about his role in the ongoing battle for survival.

* Coming to the FX Network in 2014!

“The subtle build of tension and terror still peppers every page.”—IGN
“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

Number 4 in The Fall series of The Strain has arrived for October. The first scene begins in Flatlands, Brooklyn, where the Professor is talking to Vasiliy about the pest exterminator turned vampire hunter returning to the tunnels where the strigoi are using to destroy them. The next one has vampires breaking into The Professor’s former digs. From there it hits fast and hard with explosions. Quick and short, readers won’t be disappointed. The only disappointment might come from how it ends and readers hooked into wanting the next installment. But they’ll have to wait until November for that.

The artwork is as good as always. The storyline is short, to the point, and with more excitement.

review: The Strain: The Fall #3
review: The Strain: The Fall #2
review: The Strain: The Fall #1

I give this 5 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Pamela K. Kinney 
Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
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Comic Review (ARC): The Strain: The Fall #3

The Strain: The Fall #3

Writer: Lapham, David
Artist: Huddleston, Mike
Cover Artist: E. M. Gist

Colorist: Jackson, Dan
Publisher: Dark Horse
On Sale: September 18, 2013
Price: $3.99
Product Id: JUL130044

Preview

The Silver Angel was famous. A legend in the world of lucha libre, he battled vampires during the Saturday matinee, and, in the ring, no man could withstand his mighty wrestling moves. That was then. Now a broken, poor old man wasting away in New Jersey, the Silver Angel must call upon the courage of his youth to defend his home against real-life monsters!

* Continuing the story of the critically acclaimed comic The Strain!

* The next chapter in The Strain Trilogy, by director Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan!

possible spoilers

“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

Ah, the third comic installment of The Strain, The Fall. We get to hear a tale from the Professor‘s WWII years and about a certain Nazi, Dreverhaven as he tells Vasility about needing to obtain the Occido Lumen as possibly the way to destroy the Master is in it. The story leaves WWII to 1972 Amsterdam, where the Nazi now is a wealthy and reclusive collector (seems the Master is attracted to wealthy and reclusive men in the books) named Mynheer Blaak. But using a fake version of the book with a cover made of silver, he learns that the former Nazi is a vampire, one he came to kill. In the end, after he tortured him, he dumped the vampire in the North Sea, between the land masses, where he still is. The only thing that bothered me is why this vampire does not have the Nosferatu look like those in present day NYC and even the Master himself. No explanation is ever said in this issue or in the original novel. Maybe in the TV series when it is released?

Besides the Professor’s story, a new character is introduced; whom we see from his past was a luchador--wrestler who wore a mask like the ones in Mexico. He is saved from vampires by Gus and his gang from New Jersey, who come to New York seeking his help.

Though I read this and it predecessor as books, plus the eBook of the third novel in the trilogy, I have enjoyed the comics. This issue is no different. The artwork is superb and disturbing.

review: The Strain: The Fall #1
review: The Strain: The Fall #2

I give this issue 5 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Pamela K. Kinney 
Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
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Comic Review: The Strain, The Fall #2

The Strain, The Fall #2
Story by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Writer: David Lapham, Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Publication Date: August 21, 2013

Price: $3.99

Published by Dark Horse Comics

The Master’s attack on New York City violated an ancient vampire treaty, and now his oldest enemies seek to punish him for this transgression. Dubbed the sun warrior, Augustin “Gus” Elizalde gears up to dispatch the strain now infesting Manhattan . . . but he won’t be entering the fray alone!

* From the minds of visionary director Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.

* Ongoing series continuing the story of the critically acclaimed comic The Strain.

“A week ago, they invaded Manhattan. Now they will destroy the world. A vast conspiracy prevents the vampire epidemic from coming to light. A small force is humanity’s only chance: an alcoholic, a doctor, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, and a criminal. Can they prevent the Master from covering the planet in darkness?”

This second comic in The Fall series begins in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. A Hispanic criminal named Augustin Elizalde has been brought to the lair of other “originals;” vampires that have been around for as long as the Master. They do not want his blood, but him to become their ‘sun warrior,’ to massacre the unclean. A Mr. Quinlan who works for them has told them about Gus. Gus agrees to their terms and Mr. Quinlan’s assistance. We also see Eph and Vasiliy, as they run into the former boss of Eph’s, Dr. Barnes of CDC, and have to flee from him and a police force. The vampire horde is growing and growing, as more of New York City inhabitants are changed. More is learned about the vampires, though not about much about the Master. As someone who has read all three books in the trilogy, I know the ending and yet, seeing the characters made flesh by the art, makes me more anxious for the next comic in the series. More so as some news about the coming TV series is released. You might be surprised who will play Abraham Setrakian, but maybe not fully surprised. I wasn’t. Not only because Del Toro has worked with him before, but his lists of credits in two past genre-related TV shows. I’m not telling, though. You need to get the comic for yourself.

The colors splashed across the pages are growing much darker; setting the mood for ‘the hero’s journey’ that leads to the end of this series and even on next series of the comics. If you like your vampires sparkly and children and pets left unharmed, be forewarned. Darkness is beginning. But if you stay to the end of this series and the last one, too, I suspect that Dark Horse will deliver us one roller coaster of an ‘E’ ticket ride.

Review: The Strain, The Fall #1

 5 sheep

Guest Reviewer: Pamela K. Kinney Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
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Comic Review: (ARC) The Strain, The Fall #1

The Strain: The Fall #1
Writer: David Lapham
Artist: Mike Huddleston
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Format: FC, 32 pages;
Dark Horse Comics
UPC:7 61568 19185 1 00111

Preview

Dr. Ephraim Goodweather’s failure to kill the Master—the ancient vampire behind the epidemic infesting New York City—has led the former alcoholic to relapse as the city burns around him. It’s the end of the world, but Eph, beaten but not dead, has still got to protect his son Zack from his mother, who’s now a bloodthirsty vampire that craves her child more than any artery.* From the mind of visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.* Ongoing series continuing the story of the critically acclaimed comic The Strain.
“Essential reading.”—Bleeding Cool
“The subtle build of tension and terror still peppers every page.”—IGN

The beginning of the comic version of the next book in the series has Dr. Ephraim Goodweather's failing to kill the Master, creator of the start of the vampire apocalypse in New York City that began the week before. The former alcoholic goes into relapse as the city burns around him. It's the end of the world, but Eph, still needs to protect his son Zack from his mother. No longer human, but a bloodthirsty vampire, she craves her ‘dear one,’ more than any artery.

With “The Walking Dead” on television viewed by millions, zombie movies watched by fans, vampires have been forced back into the darkness, unable to come out into the light. But this series (both the books and the comics) are bringing fresh blood to the vampire story. No longer a monster wearing a black cape stalking crumbling gothic castles, is the Master using New York City to bring forth drinkers of blood en masse. It is a week after the plane had landed at the airport with the infected people and the Master. Now vampires are stalking the night, finding victims and drinking their blood, infecting them. An alcoholic, a pawnbroker, an exterminator, a criminal, and a doctor are all that stand between the end of humanity on earth, and that is if they can get their hands on a certain book, based on ancient Mesopotamian tablets discovered in 1508. It may reveal all about the Master and how to end him.

The artwork drawn for this horror story evokes the creepiness and desperation in this comic. I can not wait for the next installment in this saga. I give this five sheep—BLOODY sheep.

5 "BLOODY" Sheep

Pamela K. Kinney Website Blog Facebook
aka Sapphire Phelan
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Comic Review: (ARC) The Strain #11 (of 11)

The Strain #11

Dark Horse 
Story by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Writer: David Lapham

Artist: Mike Huddleston

Colorist: Dan Jackson

Cover Artist: E.M. Gist
Genre: Action/Adventure, Horror
Publication Date: February 13, 2013

Format:FC, 32 Pages

UPC:7 61568 19174 5 01111 

The final chapter of The Strain!

Cornered and on the run in the dark home of a goth-rock superstar, the Master heads for the high ground as Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his companions discover the ultimate vampire nest. Can Goodweather and his compatriots defeat this monstrous bloodsucker?* Enter the Master’s lair!
* Soon to be a TV series!
* From director Guillermo del Toro

They have always been here. Vampires. 
In secret and in darkness. 
Waiting. 
Now their time is come 
In two weeks, Manhattan will be gone. 
In one month, the country. 
In two months—the world. 

“Your whole life has led to this, Abraham Setrakian. You will die knowing you failed a second time.” The Master. 

In Issue 11, while Nora stays with Ep‘s son, Zack, we find Ep, Abraham, and pest exterminator turned vampire hunter, Vasiliy, heading deep underground beneath where the World Trade Center had been. They are tracking the Master and even hopefully, Kelly, Ep’s ex-wife, that the Master has taken. Ep is not sure if Kelly is turned yet or not, and hoping if she is, that he can end her suffering as a vampire before she might come for her “Dear One,” Zack. Why beneath the World Trade Center? As Abraham says, “A mole hollows out a home in a felled tree. Gangrene forms in a wound. The Master roots in tragedy and pain.” And more and more the reader learns how much the Master loves misery and hell. They find not only a whole lot of vampires down there, but the Master himself. He bolts and they pursue. Will they stop him, or not? Worse, he’s not the only old vampire around, but there are others of The Born coming. Who will they align with?

Mainly in black, white, and gray, occasionally brightened with a splash of yellow, blue and other colors of light, tempered with red (color of blood), the artists continue to flesh out with these colors symbolically. These comics bring back the vampires that make us fear to tread into the shadows of the night, and yet, brought on their own interpretation of the monsters. Del Toro and Hogan have taken the old vampire myths of Eastern Europe and turned them on their head. And with each issue, the excitement to know more grabs you by the throat and sinks its teeth into you. It has definitely grabbed me, wanting to see more.

I give this issue 5 sheep.

Guest Reviewer: Author Pamela Kinney