American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest by Vertigo/DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Sean Murphy. $2.99. Five Issue Limited Series.

Once again Scott Snyder brings a new twist to his new world that is inhabited by his brand of vampire. Still set in the 1940's, this story focuses on Cash McCogan, the former sheriff of Las Vegas and Felicia Book, the daughter of the Jim Book the sheriff that brought Skinner Sweet down when he was alive.

You find out that Felicia was effected by Jim Books blood and isn't a vampire but has some of the abilities that they do. She has been trying to cure herself of the blood that courses through her.

The Vassals of the Morning Star find a botanist that may have found a cure for Vampirism and want them to go get the guy.

Again Scott Snyder brings a very detailed and interesting storyline that delves deeper into the world he is creating with the influence of vampires.

New to the book is Sean Murphy as the artist. Just off a limited series involving John Constantine, he is definitatly an addition to the art team of the book, even to the point that if he tookl over the book as the artist not many would complain. This limited series is a definite read if you want to get even deeper into the world of Scott Snyder or just simply like a really good vampire comic.

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originally posted by contributor AnOriginalDick

Review - American Vampire #15

American Vampire by Vertigo/DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque. $2.99.

Part three in the Ghost War storyline, we find Pearl, masquerading as a nurse on her way to the island, as the Vassal of the Morning Star's group, along with Henry, try to escape the horde of new feral vampire's they just walked into. Locals, or whats left of the locals, help them out but only after Skinner some how gets hurt by the new vampire sect.

The new breed of vampire found on this island are interesting to say the least. They turn anyone bitten into one of them in just a few minutes, and they are fast and feral like a loin.

The story just keeps getting better and better with the appearance of Nazi's at the end and the mystery of the island still not revealed. What secrets the Nazi's are doing there and how the new breed of vampire's fit in, draws you in yet again, making a month too long to wait to see the next part.

Review - American Vampire #14

American Vampire by Vertigo/DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque. $2.99

Part two in the Ghost War series, has Skinner Sweet make a deal with Henry, while back on the coast Pearl confronts the Vassals and tells them to get her on the island to save their men.

At one point in the comic you see Skinner, fresh on the beach in the middle of a war zone, just go bloody. It is only one panel but just the shear evil that Rafael shows in him, reveals just how evil the bastard can be.

Also the islands vampire sect is revealed to the horror of the group going to destroy them.

Snyder has made a winner in this series and I see it having such a cult following as Vertigo's Preacher did in its time.

Review - American Vampire #13

American Vampire By Vertigo/DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque. $2.99.

Ah the storyline I was hoping Scott Snyder would get too, World War 2. In the first part of the Ghost War, this issue starts a new storyline during 1943, when Pearl's husband Henry Preston is offered to join a group from the Vassals of the Morning Star to rid a Japanese island of a vampire sect.

We see Henry as a older man to the eternally younger Pearl, not taking his age well. Still not having been bitten, he joins the forces in Hawaii but never sees action. Which, being a man of action once, just makes him mad at the world.

Scott Snyder once again delivers a solid story that makes you not want to wait to read the next issue. And with the return of Rafael Albuquerque, the dark moody panels come to life in a way only he can do.

Review - American Vampire #12

American Vampire By Vertigo/DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Danijel Zezelj. $2.99

Issue Twelve focus's on Skinner Sweet before he went to California and make Pearl a vampire like he is.

He stumbles across a wild western show, telling the world how the the west "was" only to find a old flame in the show. After giving balls back to the real Cowboys and Indians in the show, he confronts his old flame. Only to then take his first flight in the new aeroplanes.

I liked this story because it showed a different side to Skinner. Not a sappy, I'm really a good guy underneath, but a man almost trapped in time until he finally decides to move on and make the world in his image.

originally posted by contributor AnOriginalDick

American Vampire TPB Vol.2

American Vampire By Vertigo Comics. Written by Scott Snyder. Drawn by Rafael Albuquerque and Mateus Santolouco. Single Issues $2.99, HC $24.99.

Once again Scott Snyder brings life to the old days of America to life in his horror epic. Comprised of two story lines, 6-9--Devil in the Sand, 10-11 The Way Out, the unique vampire world of Snyder continues.

In the Devil in the Sand, we are given a glimpse at a old breed of vampire that is killing people in the city of Las Vegas, during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Also we see the return of Sheriff Book's Goddaughter and the Child they produced, along with The Vassals of the Morning Star the vampire killing organization that they belong too. Skinner Sweet takes on the name Mr. Smoke and has helped shape what would now be the city of Sin. earl is back as well and her Husband strikes a deal with the Vassals that no harm comes to Pearl if he tells them how to kill Skinner/Pearl's type of vampire. With a twist ending that I honestly didn't see coming, these four issues bring alot to the title.

The second deals with the return of Hattie along with Pearl and her Husband. This is a development story that brings Hattie back as a villain and revels some of Pearl's current life. Well written, it helps define the love and romance of the two and why she hasn't just bit him yet.

Yet again Scott Snyder and crew bring a well thought out story and exceptional art that brings the time and characters to rich life that makes you want to continue reading, curious on what is going to happen next.

American Vampire TPB Vol.1

First let me say, it's about damn time! I am so sick of the glowy, crying pussy vampires that have been the staple in current movies and media. I don't know when everybody decided that a race of humans that suck blood to survive should be teen models and be so indecisive on how much their soul will suffer by taking the blood of some whiny-assed woman. Now that I have dug my hole to all the fans of those bloody pussies, we can get on with a real set of vampires.
Scott Snyder's creator owned title starring a new kind of vampire called Skinner Sweet, is one of a kind. First off, he got Stephen king to do the back story in these first five issues, detailing Skinner Sweet's origin. Second he got the amazing artist Rafael Albuquerque to bring all the characters to life in a vivid style that makes this title in a league of its own.
Starting out in the 1880's and continuing to 1926, the story is based around the well known killer vampires of old, that are rich aristocrats, that mistakenly make Skinner Sweet a vampire when they attempted to kill him. Here is the unique part, Skinner awakes as a different kind of vampire, one that gets weak and vulnerable when the new moon is up, but can walk in total sunlight. The story continues as Pearl Jones is made a vampire like Skinner, and takes revenge on those that originally killed her.The cast of characters are unique and original for an ages old tale about vampires.
Scott Snyder nails it on the head with gruesome and blood thirsty vampires set in a time frame when America was coming into the modern age. Rafael adds several background images that chill you bones on top of his haunting visuals, and unique character designs. Plus, come on, Stephen King is your writer to flesh out your main characters origin? How could you go wrong.
In my opinion, I give the first five issues of American Vampire by Vertigo, Five out of Five for it's uniqueness and innovative story-telling. This is one you really should be adding to your read list.