Apocalypse vs. Dracula #2 (spoilers)

[Indigo Al]

I'm actually enjoying this weird little mash-up. The Victorian-Sherlock-"List of 7" vibe and the set-up with Clan Pocky Lips are working for me. Did anyone else pick up issue 2?

I wonder how much of this was meant to impact X-Canon. It's a pretty major reveal that Chamber is descended from Apocalypse (has that been established elsewhere?)

[Nobbel]

It's a pretty major reveal that Chamber is descended from Apocalypse (has that been established elsewhere?)


Say what????

[milhouse123321]

That hasn't been specifically confirmed just yet, has it??

[milhouse123321]

That hasn't been specifically confirmed just yet, has it??

[Tien Long]

Browsed through the comic a bit, but seriously thinking about picking it up. Apocalyspe actually, y'know, DID some fighting here and proved he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. No, I don't think there has been any connection between Chamber and Apocalypse officially confirmed, but well, in this issue the character named Starsmore shot fire out of his mouth which was highly reminiscent of his modern day counterpart, indicating that there might be some type of link.

[Brian888]

I like this comic; Apocalypse should have kept that kick-ass Egyptian-esque outfit. He looks so much more intimidating in it.

I can't help but wonder how this comic would have looked if drawn by Mike Mignola, though.

[Indigo Al]

I can't help but wonder how this comic would have looked if drawn by Mike Mignola, though.

Yeah, I think this might have benefited from someone like Mignola - or the art team on the Cyclops & Phoenix sequel, the one w. the origin of Mr Sinister? I forget who that was.

I didn't love the Anne Rice-isms regarding vampires this issue. MU vamps have a rich history and unique origin (The Darkhold), and are quite formidable. Let's hope the writer and editor will use that.

I also like the idea of Apocalypse's relationship to the supernatural - that he would hate it as a hardcore Darwinist....

[Greg Blackman]

Yeah, I think this might have benefited from someone like Mignola - or the art team on the Cyclops & Phoenix sequel, the one w. the origin of Mr Sinister? I forget who that was.
...
His name is Jean Paul Leon, and I agree he would have been a stonking choice. His egyptian looking apocalypse was awesome :)

[RandomRapidResponse]

I'd rate it fair to midland...I bought 1 & 2 and enjoyed them, but I can also see a few "rice-isms."

[Lord S]

I thought it was an ok issue...I just wish Apocalypse would lose the baggage around him. They're starting to get annoying...with the exception of Ozymandias...that guy is cool.

Hopefully we see some action in the next issue.

[RandomRapidResponse]

I thought it was an ok issue...I just wish Apocalypse would lose the baggage around him. They're starting to get annoying...with the exception of Ozymandias...that guy is cool.

Hopefully we see some action in the next issue.

100% wholeheartidly agree.

[Indigo Al]

No offense to the Ozymandias fans....but.....


HE'S LAME AND ANNOYING!!!!!!

(my opinon of course, nothing more)

[jawbreaker]

Chamber related to Apoc is cool & all, but I wish Tieri understood that Chamber's power isnt firebreathing/firecasting...

as for it having any connection to current events, well there's still the rest of the BOA storyline & I think 2 more Milligan wrap up issues left before Carey takes over, & Bachalo confirmed in his chat that we wont see Chamber in Carey's run. So if it doesnt show up there then its probably just another Tieri thing the editors will ignore...

[fishtaco]

Can we have a summary?No offense to the Ozymandias fans....but.....


HE'S LAME AND ANNOYING!!!!!!

(my opinon of course, nothing more)Have you read anything with him in it before Blood of Apocalypse?

[Indigo Al]

Can we have a summary?Have you read anything with him in it before Blood of Apocalypse?

Nothing at all....i know not of what I speak, i only barely remember him from the Madueira years.

I have no right to speak about "lame characters" - I am the #1 Maggot fan!

[Brian888]

Can we have a summary?


Sure.


The issue starts out with Starsmore chasing the dragon in an opium den; a mysterious figure with a knife interrupts his reveries and demands to be taken to Alexandria House.

Switch to Alexandria House. The Akkaba Clan members are sitting around a table. Apocalypse randomly kills one of them; turns out this is the ritual if they need his help. He demands to know what's going on, but the Akkabites are too pissy about their little power structure to even be able to determine who ranks the highest and has the honor of speaking.

Just then, Starsmore shows up, in the company of...Abraham Van Helsing, the guy with the knife. Turns out Apocalypse and Van Helsing know each other; VH apparently tried to kill him once, convinced he was a vampire. Starsmore fills Apocalypse in on the deaths, and VH reveals it's the work of Dracula, the vampire king. Ozymandias reminds Apocalypse that he fought Dracula during the Crusades (i.e. last issue). Apocalypse scoffs at the notion of vampires, but Ozymandias reveals to us that in his deepest of hearts, Apocalypse believes it (something about vampires originating in ancient Egypt).

Apocalypse, Ozymandias, Starsmore and VH go to the city morgue, so VH can show them proof. The dead bodies are missing (read: vampires who are crawling on the ceiling). Apocalypse snaps their necks, but of course that's not how you kill vampires. One of them impales him with a shape-shifted arm; VH is surprised to see them displaying unusual powers, but they've simply kept whatever powers they had before becoming vampires. Starsmore reveals his gift; he breathes fire on them, but it's not enough. VH throws holy water at them, and then Apocalypse (what, you didn't think being impaled was enough to stop him, did you?) stabs them all through the heart. They decide to head back to Alexandria House.

Where, at that moment, Hamilton (the missing head honcho) has shown up, now obviously either a vampire or else extremely hypnotized. He introduces his mother to their new lord and master, Dracula (looking all suave and dapper).

[Gaveedra 6]

I'm enjoying this alot more than I thought I would. My only beef is that the coloring is too bright and cute. If it had a propper dark eerie color cast, it would feel like a real classic noir type monster thriller. The art is solid, but it doesn't come across as dark and scary as I think it's supposed to.

And how much more awesome is Apocalypse in this than in X-Men?? Actually getting his hands dirty and being all badass.. I love it.

[bobkatt013]

I am thinking that since there is a connection between Chamber and Apocalypse maybe Chamber will be a horseman. I mean he is also in basicly the same condition that one of his first horsemen was in, the iron lung.

[Gaveedra 6]

I am thinking that since there is a connection between Chamber and Apocalypse maybe Chamber will be a horseman. I mean he is also in basicly the same condition that one of his first horsemen was in, the iron lung.
That would be much cooler than what I believe is about to happen in Blood of Apoc, unfortunately. Chamber would be a fantastic WAR.

[Brian888]

I'm enjoying this alot more than I thought I would. My only beef is that the coloring is too bright and cute. If it had a propper dark eerie color cast, it would feel like a real classic noir type monster thriller. The art is solid, but it doesn't come across as dark and scary as I think it's supposed to.

And how much more awesome is Apocalypse in this than in X-Men?? Actually getting his hands dirty and being all badass.. I love it.



I agree. The art is too bright and poppy. There need to be a lot more shadows and a lot less color.

[Neolucifer]

Well i'm finding the art quite suited in the end .
Anyway i'm still enjoying the story , but most of all really hopes that we get to see more the the Starsmoore-Apocalypse relationship , and more of the Akkaba clan , in modern-era x stories

I also dont mind the Anne rice bits ... its not as if Tieri even implied Vampires all came from Egypt , only that Apoclypse knew those egyptian tales . If anything It makes for another neat and plausible spawning point , and origin for vampires , besides the Dark Hold stuff .

[fishtaco]

Sure.


The issue starts out with Starsmore chasing the dragon in an opium den; a mysterious figure with a knife interrupts his reveries and demands to be taken to Alexandria House.

Switch to Alexandria House. The Akkaba Clan members are sitting around a table. Apocalypse randomly kills one of them; turns out this is the ritual if they need his help. He demands to know what's going on, but the Akkabites are too pissy about their little power structure to even be able to determine who ranks the highest and has the honor of speaking.

Just then, Starsmore shows up, in the company of...Abraham Van Helsing, the guy with the knife. Turns out Apocalypse and Van Helsing know each other; VH apparently tried to kill him once, convinced he was a vampire. Starsmore fills Apocalypse in on the deaths, and VH reveals it's the work of Dracula, the vampire king. Ozymandias reminds Apocalypse that he fought Dracula during the Crusades (i.e. last issue). Apocalypse scoffs at the notion of vampires, but Ozymandias reveals to us that in his deepest of hearts, Apocalypse believes it (something about vampires originating in ancient Egypt).

Apocalypse, Ozymandias, Starsmore and VH go to the city morgue, so VH can show them proof. The dead bodies are missing (read: vampires who are crawling on the ceiling). Apocalypse snaps their necks, but of course that's not how you kill vampires. One of them impales him with a shape-shifted arm; VH is surprised to see them displaying unusual powers, but they've simply kept whatever powers they had before becoming vampires. Starsmore reveals his gift; he breathes fire on them, but it's not enough. VH throws holy water at them, and then Apocalypse (what, you didn't think being impaled was enough to stop him, did you?) stabs them all through the heart. They decide to head back to Alexandria House.

Where, at that moment, Hamilton (the missing head honcho) has shown up, now obviously either a vampire or else extremely hypnotized. He introduces his mother to their new lord and master, Dracula (looking all suave and dapper).Thanks. It sounds good.

[twilight]

The last two issues better be balls to the wall Apoc VS Drac action or I'll be mad.

[steve2275]

I like this comic; Apocalypse should have kept that kick-ass Egyptian-esque outfit. He looks so much more intimidating in it.

I can't help but wonder how this comic would have looked if drawn by Mike Mignola, though.
yes
i wouldnt like it as much

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Here's another book I have to pick up during my weekend comic intake. Sounds like proper progressment in this one though and no lagging moments of any concern.

[Lord S]

Nothing at all....i know not of what I speak, i only barely remember him from the Madueira years. He (Ozy) has always been around...he played a prominent role in 'Rise of Apocalypse' and has made appearances in almost every Apocalypse story. 'X-ecutioner's Song', 'Onslaught', 'Search for Cyclops', etc. He's just one of those characters that always hangs around in the back, acting as a lackey, but you never really know what his real motivations/ambitions are. He takes verbal abuse, but lets it roll off his back. That's the intrigue...at least for me. I like it when he narrates.

I remember he was listed as one of the top ten best villains in Wizard's 1998 'Dark Book', (Dr. Doom was #1...*looks at Erik*).

[twilight]

I don't know if anyone else has thought of this yet but does anyone think this miniseries might be a warm up for Dracula throwing down with the X-Men again?

He's wanted Storm as his bride before and with her impending marriage he can't be happy.Storm and Black Panther VS Dracula?

[Beast]

I don't know if anyone else has thought of this yet but does anyone think this miniseries might be a warm up for Dracula throwing down with the X-Men again?

He's wanted Storm as his bride before and with her impending marriage he can't be happy.Storm and Black Panther VS Dracula?
I would buy that for a dollar. I'd rather see Storm with Dracula under a decent writer, than with Black Panther under Hudlin. At least there's also been some build-up with Storm/Dracula. All we have to base Storm and BP on is one Team-Up flashback issue when they were kids, and a couple of issues of Priest's Black Panther. :p

[Neolucifer]

I also think it gave Dracula a new opportunity to appear sometimes in the future in Xmen , outside of the Storm thing .
I sure would welcome a story with the Xmen caught in the middle of the Century long Apocalypse/Dracula bloodfeud :D

[jawbreaker]

interestingly, he also went after Chamber in that Gen X annual...hmmm. I think Tieri really liked that Gen X annual...

[Cowlander]

I would buy that for a dollar. I'd rather see Storm with Dracula under a decent writer, than with Black Panther under Hudlin. At least there's also been some build-up with Storm/Dracula. All we have to base Storm and BP on is one Team-Up flashback issue when they were kids, and a couple of issues of Priest's Black Panther. :p
what buildup to storm/drac outside of the original story?

[Will.S]

I got a copy of #2 today and I must say the book is just getting better and better. The whole Clan Akkaba heirarchy and how Apocalypse just kills one off because of the clan's "weakness" for not being able to solve the problem is totally in league with the way he usually works.

I loved Apocalypse and Van Helsing's banter too, like for some reason Apoc just puts up with the old man and they seem to share a good deal of history with what their conversations imply. As far as the whole Chamber thing goes, it could go either way really but I'm sorta hoping that the name is just similar because there's nothing really going on with the character anyway now that he's de-powered.

Artwise it's still looking very solid and impressive. I agree that the colors should be much darker and moody to fit the victorian type of atmosphere but I'm not really bothered by it either since the art is clean and smooth but convey's what it needs to. Great job on the Apocalypse egyptian design too, almost wished he looked like that now.

This, Blood of Apocalypse and the Cable and Deadpool tie in stuff seem to be weaving a nice little tapestry of the history of the villain and making him a bit deeper as far as motives and working methods go so kudos to Frank Tieri, can't wait to see the showdown between Drac and Apocalypse.

[steve2275]

apoc is actually being shown as a fighter :eek: :cool: