Sometime around last October I came across a Comic Book Resources article previewing an upcoming book called American Vampire. I think Nuv had mentioned something about it too, but I probably filed it in the same bin with other Nuv-isms like “Does this look INFECTED?”
Anyway, I’ve never been the hugest fan of vamp-related funnybooks. I guess you could say I have a history with fang-related disappointment. I read 30 Days of Night and despite all the hype, found it to be super Snoresville. Even my beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer came back for a new season in comic book form and, let’s be honest here because we’re all good friends (except for me and Nuv, we’re BITTER ENEMIES), Buffy: Season Eight is a dud. Clocking in at thirty-five boring-ass issues, it’s official!
But hold on a sec. Just as I’m about to write off Nuv and vampire comics altogether, along come Scott Snyder, Stephen King and Rafael Albuquerque. Collaboratively, the three of them give the entire genre the shot of life that it so badly needed. Stephen King is set to remain on board for the first five issues, and he provides the back story of ruthless outlaw Skinner Sweet. Presumably the first of a new breed of American vampires whose powers are enhanced by the sun, Sweet is a rootin’-tootin’ badass cowboy and a character so fun that I was immediately reminded of why I loved Stephen King as a young reader. Hey, not everyone is like Nuv, all smitten with the Twilight franchise. Know what I mean? Well this story is for those of us who like their vampires cooler than cool and dangerous as hell.
Mad love for Stephen King aside, it’s Scott Snyder’s tale that really reels us in. His half of the book centers on Pearl, a 1920s flapper-turned-aspiring-actress attempting to make her name in Hollywood. Without giving away too much of the story, our girl Pearl has a nasty run-in with some old-school vampires and when left for dead, is ‘resuscitated’ by the one and only Skinner Sweet. What she does with her newfound undead status is so fun and so entertaining that I’m about ready to bust waiting for the third issue, which finally drops today (May 19th). Scott Snyder is a great storyteller and it makes perfect sense that Stephen King would find himself on the same project. Despite the literary affinity that the two men obviously have for one another, both have a similar knack for build-up and back-story, as well as a clever imagination.
But wait, there’s more! Did I mention the art? Because if you’ve never had an eyeful of Rafael Albuquerque’s work – like Nuv left alone in a room with a butter knife and an electrical socket – you’re only hurting yourself. Simply put, it’s fantastic, gorgeous, inventive and amazing. The 1880’s and 1920’s period costumes and settings are perfect, and wonderfully brought to life with big bold black lines. Even the angles the artist chose to draw sweep up from below and drop down from above, something that I personally appreciate because it makes the whole book not only beautiful, but fluid in movement. Combine great art with Dave McCaig’s amazing colour palette and you’ve got a real piece of eye-candy.
Simply put, from the cover art to the back page, absolutely nothing is static in this comic and it’s a real treat to read. Truth be told, I haven’t been so excited about a new series since Northlanders got off the ground in 2007. Vertigo Comics (an imprint of DC Comics) is hands-down my favourite publisher and with titles like DMZ, Northlanders, Scalped, and yes, of course, American Vampire, it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
And yes, Nuv, it DOES look infected.
Put one in the air…
– Ian
NEXT ISSUE: RATINGS SUCCEED WHERE SPOCK COULDN’T! HEROES WILL DIE…
TUNE IN: SAME IAN-TIME, SAME NUV-CHANNEL…
