You can never count a vampire down … especially a Vapor Lord.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Lou Iovino
Artwork: Sergio Ariño and David Lorenzo Riveiro
Colors: Grostieta and Federico Blee
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
It was two months ago when Robyn and Angelica last fought the monster who called himself the Vapor Lord: a terror from an ancient sect of vampires, superior to their sanguine brethren. But while it seemed that battle was over, it was not the last of the creature, for something familiar has been seen making the rounds. Unfortunately due to the attraction of her previous caper, Commissioner Gengrich has been under pressure for working with Highborns, so she had to call in someone else. This specialist has tracked down the predator, but she still needs help from the archer, so the Brit makes a call on her friend. Liesel drops by her apartment and explains due to his conflict with the Hellchild, its powers have grown, making much more than she can handle. No matter what kind of grudge she may hold, the city still needs her assistance.
After its last encounter, it had to transfer to a new vessel since they destroyed his body, so now it needs to regrain its strength. Vasco has been leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, draining them of all he needs to renew his power. Midtown is the best hunting grounds since this time of year brings all the food via tourists to the city. The subway has been serving as a new lair, protection from the cursed sun and also allows him to feed in peace. But, while the women think they have the drop on the vampire, his old abilities plus some new ones give him the upper hand, even as they force his retreat. However the night is still young and Van Helsing has an idea of how to capture this abomination … if only Robyn can get his attention. Shouldn’t be that hard, after all, he is still hungry, but is she willing to become his latest meal?
In Summary:
After a calmer than normal issue, we are thrust back into the fray with Robyn and Liesel … and how we have missed it! Even with this break in the direct action, Lou Iovino shows us that he remembers how to give our heroic archer and friend as good as they themselves receive. But at the same time, I love how the side story touches on Locksley’s delicate issue of being shunned for what she is – a Highborn. While most people would not know this about our heroine, there are those who do spread the hatred well enough to pollute the media and thus, spread the prejudice. We can understand why Julia would want to shield her from that discrimination, though at the same time, we have to take into account her tolerance of wanting to still help people, even if they do hate her. Sacrificing her own self worth to prevent harm from something which would not care for the victim’s agenda – just wanting a meal. How can you not admire that in someone, rising higher above the enmity and going out to do what is right?
Now this is one story which pits beauties against the beast and artists Sergio Ariño and David Lorenzo Riveiro pull out all the stops with this issue. When I first saw that title splash page, I quite honestly thought that I was watching a scene from Predator, but someone taught him Sub-Zero’s Fatality from Mortal Kombat! But even within all of the gore, I appreciate the light hearted moment when Liesel enters and tries to brighten up her friend’s day. However you cannot forget the fight about to come and the morbid selection of colors by Grostieta and Federico Blee, which only help to intensify the gruesomeness with the amazing selection for the palette. From the start this team establishes the mood with the wisps of smoke which look alive, all thanks to the density of tones – blackness surrounded by a neon blue. This marvel continues as we delve deeper, monstrosities balanced by the allure of the girls fighting in their tight fitting costumes. One can almost forget this is a duel to the death until you see a gout of crimson spray across the panel, and yet in the end, it is still a wonder that this danse macabre did not have more fatalities.
We know that the crisis is just going to get worse with those lurking in the shadows, biding their time until they strike Robyn directly. And yet Iovino and his artistic team are able to establish a story which makes us wonder when but at the same time keeps us so pre-occupied as not to care as long as the narrative continues. Let us just hope that their deals will not lash out at Locksley until she is prepared for some serious payback!
Grade: A
Rating: T (for Teens)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: December 28, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
