American Vampire

[Libaax]

I tried this series because Snyder has impressed me in his Batman.

I bought and read volume 1 trade yesterday. I loved it. I liked it from the introduction where Stephen King said vampires should not be southern gentleman lover, skinny teenage girls, heroic. Skinner Sweet is stone cold evil bastard that was a perfect antidote for all the soft versions of vampires out there today. People has made them hero but this comic has made monsters again.

The art is the best i have ever seen of the artist. The coloring makes him look much better. The writing, two stories in one chapter was dense reads. I have not seen a volume that took me 2-3 hours to read before.

[shadowman79]

i read american vampire in trades should i read vol 3 or survival of fittest first

[Ilash]

i read american vampire in trades should i read vol 3 or survival of fittest first

The World War II arcs happen simultaneously so you can read them in any order.

[Ilash]

This is the best vertigo series coming out right now...

Well, it will be when Scalped finishes...

[Chuckles]

Survival of the Fittest takes place in 1941. Ghost War takes place in 1943.

You can read them in either order, and most probably read Ghost War first since AV was three issues into that arc before SotF even started. After the fact, I'd probably read SotF first simply because it comes first chronologically.

[Zak213]

i've read the first volume from the library and its awesome.
cant wait to get the second.

[Ilash]

Survival of the Fittest takes place in 1941. Ghost War takes place in 1943.

You can read them in either order, and most probably read Ghost War first since AV was three issues into that arc before SotF even started. After the fact, I'd probably read SotF first simply because it comes first chronologically.

Ah, OK, well spotted. But either way, they can definitely be read in any order.

[Shellhead]

I just read the second hardover yesterday. Good but not quite as good as the first. There were a few panels in the first issue or so that just blew me away, like when that actor reached his hand out to Pearl while greeting her on the set, or the look on Hattie's face as Pearl dragged her away from Skinner at the pool side. I initially passed on American Vampire because I'm burned out on Stephen King, but came back to give it a try because I've been hearing such good things about Scott Snyder.

The focus on the transition of the Old West into the Modern West is a great choice and opens up a lot of great story potential. But the early stories have hit the usual vampire beats: predators, prey, hunters, etc. The only odd note is the conflict with the Euro-vampires, and that feels like a dumbed-down version of the Camarilla-Sabbat conflict from the World of Darkness. But I really like Skinner and Pearl. The dialogue is good, and there is plenty of action, though the grotesque exaggeration of claws, blood and fangs in the fights just blurs in my mind, leaving none of the fights particularly memorable. It's possible that a different artist might do a better job with Snyder's stories, but those moments of brilliance from Rafael keep me hoping for more.

[Libaax]

I just read the second hardover yesterday. Good but not quite as good as the first. There were a few panels in the first issue or so that just blew me away, like when that actor reached his hand out to Pearl while greeting her on the set, or the look on Hattie's face as Pearl dragged her away from Skinner at the pool side. I initially passed on American Vampire because I'm burned out on Stephen King, but came back to give it a try because I've been hearing such good things about Scott Snyder.

The focus on the transition of the Old West into the Modern West is a great choice and opens up a lot of great story potential. But the early stories have hit the usual vampire beats: predators, prey, hunters, etc. The only odd note is the conflict with the Euro-vampires, and that feels like a dumbed-down version of the Camarilla-Sabbat conflict from the World of Darkness. But I really like Skinner and Pearl. The dialogue is good, and there is plenty of action, though the grotesque exaggeration of claws, blood and fangs in the fights just blurs in my mind, leaving none of the fights particularly memorable. It's possible that a different artist might do a better job with Snyder's stories, but those moments of brilliance from Rafael keep me hoping for more.

Same exact reason here Stephen King who i have liked books of i thought was just a gimmick to sell and the reason i didnt read this series when it was new. I just got volume 1 trade because Snyder is one of the best new superhero writers with his Batman run in Tec & Batman.

I ended up enjoying SK origin story for Skinner most in the first trade. Made me actually respect SK a bit more again.

[maxpower00044]

Ok, I've read volume one and two. I haven't read anything after that, but just picked of SoTF. Will I be lost without being up to date on the issues?

[Chuckles]

No, you won't be lost. It takes place years later, but SoTF spins right out of #6-9, which is the first arc in Vol. 2.

[maxpower00044]

Awesome! I'll be reading that soon, then. Thanks!

[Skib]

I must admit that I initial passed on this title when issue #1 came out, but I picked up the 1st HC to give it another try. Now, I can't get enough of it. Fantastic stuff.

[Lil Kis]

Well I read issues 1-18 and was disappointed in the comics. I think the series is average at best. I don't understand why reviewers keep prasing this series....The art ain't that good and the story is usual type of Vampire stories...

The characters don't even have that much personality. I don't care who dies or who lives...so far

I will continue getting this series but I don't think I will like it that very much. I have all the issues...1-20 and the mini series 1-5 but haven't read it all yet cuz it just doesn't seem that interesting...I don't see why this comic gets such rave reviews!? It's crazy!

Swamp Thing by the same writer is a much better comic and so is Animal Man by a different writer and they only have 4 issues...

[Ilash]

It's one of my favourite comics out right now but if it hasn't hooked you after 18 issues, maybe it just isn't for you?