DC COMICS/VERTIGO
WRITERS: Scott Snyder and Stephen King
ARTIST: Rafael Albuquerque
COLORS: Dave McCaig
LETTERS: Steve Wands
COVERS: Rafael Albuquerque and Jim Lee (variant)
40pp, Color, $3.99
American Vampire is an ongoing comic book series that debuted this past Spring from the DC Comics’ imprint, Vertigo. The series is created and written by Scott Snyder with famed horror novelist Stephen King contributing stories for the series’ first five issues. According to Snyder, American Vampire’s central question is basically what if vampires secretly evolved over time like all other creatures (as stated in the “On the Ledge” column Snyder wrote that appeared in May 2010 Vertigo comic books).
American Vampire #1 has two stories. The first, entitled “Big Break” is written by Snyder and focuses on Pearl Jones, a smalltime actress struggling in the silent film industry of 1920s Hollywood. The second story is “Bad Blood,” and is written by Stephen King. It focuses on the series other lead, Skinner Sweet, a 1880s outlaw, sociopath, and all-around hellraiser. Both have a date with the vampire that will change their lives, as well as giving birth to the first truly American vampire.
Even with the pedigree of King, I didn’t expect much of the first issue. Why? Vampire overload, I guess. However, I was delightfully surprised? How much was I surprised? I am surprised enough to want to become a regular reader of this series. Actually, King’s story is OK, but Snyder’s part is very good.
Snyder’s breezy dialogue quickly comes together to make every character either likeable or engaging. Artist Rafael Albuquerque has an evocative drawing style that looks like a blending of Mike Mignola and Kevin Nowlan. Everything Albuquerque draws establishes the setting in a way that creates a time and a place without being overdone or over-art directed.
At this point, I’d prefer to see an entire issue devoted to Snyder and Albuquerque’s part of the story rather than King and Albuquerque’s, but, in a way, American Vampire is giving us two good things for the price of one. American Vampire isn’t groundbreaking, but it is well-executed enough to appear fresh. Considering how bland and unimaginative mainstream comic books are right now, appearing fresh is a feat.
B+
[This comic book also includes a four-page preview of the “Vertigo Crime” graphic novel, Area 10, by Christos N. Gage and Chris Samnee.]
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