DC vs. Vampires: Killers
(W) Matthew Rosenberg (A) Mike Bowden
In Shops: Jun 28, 2022
SRP: $3.99
In the shadow of the new Vampire World Order, Harley Quinn rules the human underworld in this age of darkness. She has survived by only looking out for herself…but she might have just found the key to saving the world.
While we wait for the main series to return, DC vs. Vampires has been getting a series of one-shots to fill in the time, and expand the story. When I think of one-shots to a mini-series or event, I tend to have a negative opinion. The often feel like filler looking to cash in on a character or group. DC vs. Vampires‘ two releases break that mold. They are vital to the main story expanding on the world and setting up what’s to come. DC vs. Vampires: Killers is the second release delivering a glimmer of hope for the darkened world.
Written by Matthew Rosenberg, the one-shots have done a great job of expanding the miniseries event. They focus in on a specific aspect or character shifting the story from what was being told. If they were included in the main series, they’d feel like too much of a break and the flow of the series would suffer. As one-shots, that’s avoided though they fill in the gap as we wait for the series to return.
Harley Quinn has a crew of her own, now the crime boss of the vampire controlled Gotham. She’s presented an opportunity to smuggle out a glimmer of hope for humanity and must make a decision as to what to do.
Rosenberg, like the previous one-shot focused on Damian, creates another amazing chapter of the series. Like that other comic, this one is also pretty vital if you’ve been reading the main series. It gives us what’s likely to be part of the end game for the series and is our first bit of hope that the vampires might be able to be defeated. Like the main series, it keeps readers on their toes, guessing what will happen next and who has been turned into a vampire. But, even with that rather gloomy setting, Rosenberg find the humor in Harley as she does what she usually does.
The art by Mike Bowden and Eduardo Mello is great. It captures the kinetic energy that is Harley Quinn while keeping a look that fits nicely with the main series. They’re joined by Le Beau Underood and Livesay, with Bowden and Mello, on inks, Antonio Fabela on color, and Troy Peteri handles lettering. The comic’s visuals are top notch matching the quality of the series as a whole. There’s some great physical and visual humor to go along with Rosenberg’s, at times, snappy dialogue. To see the fate of Clayface and where that goes and not laugh is difficult. Without the visuals, it just wouldn’t play well at all.
DC vs. Vampires: Killers is a solid addition to the event. It’s another key comic and part of the story that just wouldn’t fit well in the main series. It’s a must for those already reading the series and might get those not interested in checking it out.
Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Mike Bowden, Eduardo Mello
Ink: Le Beau Underwood, Livesay, Mike Bowden, Eduardo Mello
Color: Antonio Fabela Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
BRZRKR #9 (BOOM! Studios) – While we were skeptical about the series when it was first announced, it’s pleasantly surprised us with every issue delivering emotion and heart as much as action.
DC vs. Vampires: Killers (DC Comics) – The series has been great so far as vampires have infiltrated the heroes and villains and taken over the world!
Fist of the North Star Vol. 5 (VIZ Media) – The series has been amazing and if you’ve missed out on ever reading Fist of the North Star, these hardcover versions are a must.
Gender Queer (Oni Press) – The award winning autobiographical comic gets a new edition with a new cover, exclusive art and sketches, and new forward and afterword.
Hellboy & the BPRD: Old Man Whittier (Dark Horse) – Hellboy is always a blast and one-shot comics tend to be a lot of fun to just pick up and enjoy even if you’re not a regular reader.
Honcho #1 (CEX Publishing) – Fifteen years after World War II, a man returns to America ona mission to reunite a fractured nation… and play baseball?
Iron Cat #1 (Marvel) – We haven’t kept up with this storyline but a new character is always worth checking out.
Land of the Living Gods #5 (AfterShock) – The series has been an amazing example of world building and it taking place outside of the US and the use of local language has created a post apocalytpic tale whose details make it shine.
Life Zero #5 (Ablaze) – The series has been summer popcorn action and we have no idea where it’s all going at this point.
Mech Strike: Monster Hunters #1 (Marvel) – Superheroes with giant mechs, what more do you need?
Mindset #1 (Vault Comics) – An app helps users break free of their tech addition but is it helping people or controlling them?
The Naughty List #3 (AfterShock) – The series has been a fun twist ont he pissed off Santa genre. It has a lot of holy shit moments but also a lot of heart and emotion too.
Power Rangers Unlimited: Countdown to Ruin #1 (BOOM! Studios) – While we’re not regular Power Rangers fans, it’s hinted this issue will be important for whatever comes next.
Public Domain #1 (Image Comics) – A meta series that looks at protecting intellectual property and family fights.
Sins of the Black Flamingo #1 (Image Comics) – An occultist, queer, heist book. Yeah, we’re intrigued to check out the first issue.
Task Force Z #9 (DC Comics) – The concept of a zombie Suicide Squad might seem silly but this series works so well with great action, humor, and twists.
Transformers: Fate of Cybertron (IDW Publishing) – The current run of Transformers wraps up here!
The Variants #1 (Marvel) – What’s better than one Jessica Jones? How about a multiverse worth of them?
DC vs. Vampires: Killers
(W) Matthew Rosenberg (A) Mike Bowden
In Shops: Jun 28, 2022
SRP: $3.99
In the shadow of the new Vampire World Order, Harley Quinn rules the human underworld in this age of darkness. She has survived by only looking out for herself…but she might have just found the key to saving the world.
