Review: DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War #1
DC vs. Vampires has been an epic maxi-series so far. The story has had a world where the superheroes and villains have slowly been turned by the vampire nation until it’s far too late. Now, the vampires have taken over with vampire metas ruling all. All that’s left is a small group of heroes and villains who are broken and desperate to stop what’s going on. The series has been generally contained with a few one-shots and now DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War #1.
Written by Alex Paknadel and Matthew Rosenberg, the issue follows a desperate Deathstroke as he leads a team in an attempt to resurrect Batman. Of course things go wrong leading to some surprise twists, turns, and losses. And, that’s one of the things that has been great about the series. With it being a story unto itself, heroes and villains can die and be turned into vampires. It leaves you guessing as to who you can trust and who is a threat. It’s fun to read a comic and not be sure who’s turning up and whose side they’re on.
DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War #1 does a great job of worldbuilding as well. We’re introduced to a new sanctuary for humans. The issue takes us through it all, how it works, what the leadership is like. We get a sense of what the world is like for them and the challenges they face. We also get to see a lot more heroes and villains who we might have wondered where they are. And finally, it creates further tension. The one thing that has hampered our heroes (and villains) is that they’ve been unsure as to what to do. That continues here with more fighting and a fractured front.
The art by Pasquale Qualano is very interesting. Done in black, white, grey, and red Nicola Righi handles the tones with Troy Peteri on lettering. I like the design of the characters, world, and the style fits well with the story and genre. But, at times I had some issues figuring out the details and what’s going on. Still, there’s something that’s really cool about the choice. There’s some great dynamic panels and pages in the issue that really show off the world.
Guillaume Singelin handles the story and art for a bonus story featuring Jim Gordon and what remains of the Gotham PD. It’s a great addition answering some questions. Like the above, you don’t know who you can trust. But, also like the above the art is a bit muddled at times to figure out what’s going on.
DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War #1 is a solid addition to the overall story. It tackles what else is going on with events that wouldn’t fit in the main series, not just in length but with the narrative itself. It shows a side mission that’s pretty vital to the overall event and answers some questions as well as opening up some intriguing possibilities.
Story: Alex Paknadel, Matthew Rosenberg, Guillaume Singelin Art: Pasquale Qualano, Guillaume Singelin
Tones: Nicola Righi Letterer: Troy Peteri
Story: 8.25 Art: 7.85 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – TFAW – comiXology/Kindle
Welcome to the Vortex Butterflies story line, featuring the Tenth Doctor and his comic-exclusive companions Gabby Gonzalez and Cindy Wu. #3.7 is the second issue in the Vortex Butterflies arc, so I recommend picking up 3.6 before diving in. However, the arc so far is a wonderful entry point into the Doctor Who comics. Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor #3.7 starts with the Doctor at a space junkyard, picking up a machine that will help him record temporal waves and register “vortex leaks”. He left his companions at a safe house in London, and their travel buddy Noob on the Xenopsychology planet of the Zokadyll. All three stories unfold simultaneously, and their narratives are well-balanced and easy to follow. There are answers to some questions (what do Gabby’s new powers actually DO? What is Noob up to on that giant library planet?) while others are left open-ended, meaning I’m now anxiously awaiting 3.8!
The book has appeal for both die-hard Whovians, and those new to the series. Most importantly, it adapts the show into the comics format seamlessly. There is plenty of timey-wimey talk, but the elements that matter get a closer examination, making the rest the familiar background noise of our favorite show-off timelord.
Rachael Smith’s bonus comic at the end of the book took me by surprise. It’s a breath of goofy fresh air at the end of a high stakes adventure-in-progress. I don’t think I stopped smiling from the first panel to the last. Bringing Rose back to Ten’s side in such a realistically teenage way while kicking the comedy up to eleven (no pun intended). I hope this is a tradition we will see continued in future issues.
