The vampire genre is one whose storied canon has been a mixed bag. Thankfully, most of the new content coming out is far better than much of what has previously been put out. The new iteration of Interview with a Vampire has given fans hope for more to come. It features a story that is faithful to its source material yet groundbreaking.

The series has shown a world that is true and not romanticized at all. Not afraid of diving into weighty topics, the series shows Louis, and even though he’s a vampires he still has suffered the indignities of racism because he was a Black man. Portrayals of people of color in the genre has long been fetishized but we’re hopefully moving past that. In Blade: Vampire Nation, what happens when vampires are ruled by the one person they feared the most?

We’re taken to Stravmor a city in Vampyrsk ( The Vampire Kingdom), where a hit team just assassinated a prominent member of the Vampire Council, s this gives their ruler, to acquire Blade’s services to find to who is behind the killings. As he digs deeper , he finds that there are ploitcial implications at play where  a revolution is burgeoning as humans do not want to be lorded over by vampires any longer.  He runs into the only survivor of the company who was hire dfor the hit, as he finds out the threat is from within. By the issue’s end, Blade finds the traitor and finds out who really holds power within Vampyrsk.

Overall, Blade: Vampire Nation is a different take on the vampire genre, as it feels like Robert Harris Fatherland, but with bloodsuckers. The story by Russell is pure crime noir. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that readers will enjoy for its many nods to some cultural touchpoints.

Story: Mark Russell Art: Dave Wachter
Color: Dee Cunniffe Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Wow. You know a comic is good when you get to the end and realize it’s a one-shot and you want more. Blade: Vampire Nation #1 is a hell of a comic that plants a flag that Marvel is asleep in what could be it’s breakout series of the year. That vampire nation is young and someone has assassinated one of its rules. Blade, as Sheriff of this new nation, is tasked by Dracula to find out who and why.

Written by Mark Russell, Blade: Vampire Nation #1 shows all his political acumen but missing his usual satire. There’s moving parts and machinations where you can see it coming but it’s delivered with a punch you don’t mind. Russell not only packs in the investigation, mystery, and conclusion, but also fits in so much detail that Vampyrsk feels like a fleshed out idea and concept and not just a backdrop. Russell packs in more detail and information in this one issue than some creators do over arcs. In the end, though the comic features Blade and Dracula, it’s this fledgling nation that is the character that’s in danger.

And the results are so good. Though humans are clearly second class in Vampyrsk, this is a world I want to see more of. The structure, the power plays, and what’s revealed, it can’t be left hanging! We need more! This has grand political epic with lots of action written all over it with such potential that has yet to be tapped. And, Russell sets up the philosophy of its ruler to make that potential beyond intriguing and easily would suck in readers.

Dave Wachter’s art helps. With color by Dee Cunniffe and lettering by Cory Petit the new nation feels like it’s industrial in its growth, a rough and dirty beginning being built upon a destroyed land (Chernobyl). The buildings have a brutality about them enhanced by the color choice, a drab look that adds to the sadness of a country struggling.

Blade: Vampire Nation #1 is good. Really good. It screams that the concept, and this creative team, deserve to return for more. A series of miniseries, an ongoing, I don’t care, this one-shot is fantastic and is so different than the rest of Marvel’s line. It shows so much of what can be done with this corner of the Marvel Universe, it’s like a nation just waiting for the right leadership council to see its potential and have it thrive.

Story: Mark Russell Art: Dave Wachter
Color: Dee Cunniffe Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle