Well, the coming evening of January 25 must indeed be a dark night because, as the title of this week’s column suggests, Batman does mix it up with vampire hordes within the pages of I, Vampire #5.
First, a little perspective: I, Vampire is one of DC Comics’ new 52 titles, premiering to much acclaim last September. Although not in my “Top 10” most anticipated new comics that month, it was still one of the titles I was keenly looking forward to because I’m such a fan of the lead protagonist, the tragically romantic vampire, Andrew Bennett.
The series has, thus far, completely exceeded expectations.
I remember talking to fellow comic book readers and comic book store owners about the series when it first came out and everyone seemed to have reservations after seeing the early covers, thinking that it seemed too “Twilight” for most tastes. Personally, I’m enjoying the Jenny Frison cover artwork. Yeah, they may have a bit of a teen beat feel to them, but Frison has a great sense of design, a sort of Klimt or Toulouse-Lautrec aesthetic. More importantly, the covers definitely stand out from others on the store shelves – and that’s important for an obscure, niche character series like I, Vampire.
I, Vampire #5
Written by: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Illustrated by: Andrea Sorrentino
Published by: DC Comics
That said, the interior artwork by Andrea Sorrentino, couldn’t be more different than the art nouveau covers. It’s dark and gothic, perfectly capturing the mood of writer Joshua Hale Fialkov’s current storyline. The vampires, under the leadership of Mary Seward, Queen of Blood (Bennett’s old flame, by the way) are tired of living in the shadows, vowing, once and for all, to rule over mankind. Only the benevolent Andrew Bennett stands in her way. There’s no “shimmering” here. Just wolves, fangs and red mist.
The vampire army comes to Gotham City in this issue, capturing the attention of the Dark Knight Detective. I can’t remember the last time the DC comic book universe intertwined the horror of their darker, vampire characters with its superhero roster so brazenly. It’s definitely something thrilling to witness. The last four issues have made for swift, enjoyable reading and I look forward, each month, to the latest I, Vampire release.
Make the run to your local comic book store today – and get there before sundown for fear of this issue selling out! If you haven’t already, take a bite out of I, Vampire. Once you do, I guarantee it’ll be a regular, monthly hunger!
Every Wednesday, JP makes the after-work run to his local downtown comic book shop. Comics arrive on Wednesdays you see and JP, fearful that the latest issue will sell out, rushes out to purchase his copy. This regular, weekly column will highlight a particularly interesting release, written in short order, of course, because JP has to get his – before someone else does!
It has been years since I’ve read the comic books, but after this review, I think it’s time to buy me some comics.
You won’t be let down, Marie. Fialkov is a great writer. Well worth checking out his stuff.
Hey Marie, thanks for reading!
If you’re into episodic storytelling, the monthly issues of I, Vampire have been great. A John Constantine guest appearance last issue, Batman this issue and next and then the entire Justice League Dark (a whole host of DC’s arcane characters) after that have rooted the series into the “superhero” world firmly. The cast of supporting characters is just beginning to be fleshed out too.
Reading the current storyline all in one go would be fantastic. Look for a trade paperback collection of the first six or so issues later this spring/summer!