Comics
Review: “Bad Blood” #5
By Bree Ogden
I’m sad. I’m really sad that “Bad Blood” has come to an end. But what an end. This is going to be a difficult review to write because I want you to experience this final issue the way that I did. So stay with me as I give you vague words of appreciation and love. I’ll start here: Maberry crafts a story like a fine watchmaker. He is a master craftsmen, taking the intricacies of storytelling, carefully placing them in their proper places, tucking them in nooks and packing them in crannies. Ultimately designing a story that will blow your mind and yes, maybe bring you to tears.
WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Maberry
ART BY: Tyler Crook
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: May 7, 2014
First off, we’ve been treated to some unique vampire mythology in this series thus far, but in this final issue, the vampire mythos that Maberry creates is stunning. It’s sophisticated and it’s…it’s perfect. He uses real life figures and events to explain vampires in a way that feels real. He creates a vampire world we’ve never seen before but feel like we’ve lived in forever.
Vale, who we last saw betraying Trick and Lolly by turning them over to Lord Sturge, and we now see is actually a vampire himself, explains to the kids that in ancient times, when humans used natural cures, vampires were healthy because it was safe to drink human blood, the blood was untainted. Then humanity evolved and synthetic drugs, pollution, etc., came into play and these factors were the vampires’ apocalypse. One word: Brilliant. What a unique concept. What an exquisite backstory for vampires: humans unknowingly killing vampires they don’t even know exist!
Because Lord Sturge is sick from that first issue of “Bad Blood” when he drank from Trick, he is polluting his entire house of vampires. So naturally, they blame Trick for their impending deaths. Heavy. It’s a lot for a college kid to take on.
Though Vale is of a different vampire house than that of Lord Sturge, he wants to make amends. Vale is offering up Trick and Lolly as gifts to make peace between the Vampire Houses. He made them strong for Sturge. Trick is in remission, no more chemo, and Lolly is off drugs, therefore Sturge can feast… making his entire house healthy again.
And that’s where I leave you. That’s all the plot detail I’m giving you. Because what happens next is straight dazzling and I refuse to give anything away. I need to know that when you read this comic book, you will experience the shock, awe, humor, irritation, love, and sadness that I experienced.
This has been such an amazing comic book to follow. From the first issue, I could have never imagined we’d end up here. I should have known though, because Maberry is a genius storyteller. Enjoy, kids. It’s damn good. This… this is us winning.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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