American Vampire

[ajinkris]

Wowee. #22 was amazing. In fact, it was so amazing that I had a couple (that doesn't really read comics that much) over for company last night and I told them to give this issue a shot. Yep, they left borrowing the first two trades.

@FHIZ
I also hope Travis is Gus!

[FoxMulder2012]

Hey does anyone know if this is an open ended ongoing or does it have a set ending? Not sure if this was answered anywhere else.

[Goose of Zur-En-Arrh]

I want to preface my post by saying that it's related to American Vampire (obviously) and that I'd just like to share how I came across the series.

Just recently I read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith and absolutely loved it. The idea of vampires running wild and rampant before and during the Civil War is awesome and something I really got behind. Grahame-Smith's blending of history and fiction was great. After I read the book, I reread it again and afterwards was still longing for some more vampire action that twilight could not and would never provide.

Queue up Scott Snyder. I didn't know much about Snyder and his work, but last year his year long Detective Comics story was all that was being mentioned by friends and classmates alike, as well as on the interwebs and rightfully so.

Tec' was the best comic on the stands last year and by a long shot. Anyway after mentioning to a friend that what I really wanted was some good vampire stories he mentioned American Vampire by Scott Snyder and let me borrow the first issue of the series. Now granted I had been aware of American Vampire but never interested.

Boy was I missing out, after reading the first issue I was completely in love with Skinner Sweet, especially Stephen King's take on his origin. I quickly ordered American Vampire Vol 1 & 2 off amazon and I was in for a treat. Skinner andPearl are just such believable characters, even Hattie who comes off as so superficial is amazingly materialized. Cash, and Henry also are great supporting characters which Snyder handles so well. (I hope Henry doesn't become a vampire, I love the relationship between him and Pearl because it's so different and fresh)

I don't know which came first but since I read Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter first, American Vampire feels like a spiritual successor to the book and exceeds it in so many ways. I love this new universe that Snyder has created, the possibilities for stories are endless with all these times periods, and different species of vampires=Amazing. Also it's important to note that enough great things cannot be said about Rafael Alburquerque, this man was born to draw this book. I can't wait for Vol.3 which according to the DC/Vertigo page it's going to include the Survival of the Fittest mini.

Finally I want to cap it off by saying thank you to mr. Scott Snyder for this incredible, believable and immersable world that you've created.

[FHIZ]

(I hope Henry doesn't become a vampire, I love the relationship between him and Pearl because it's so different and fresh)

You'll enjoy the third volume when it comes out next month, I think.

[Shellhead]

I want to preface my post by saying that it's related to American Vampire (obviously) and that I'd just like to share how I came across the series.

Just recently I read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith and absolutely loved it. The idea of vampires running wild and rampant before and during the Civil War is awesome and something I really got behind. Grahame-Smith's blending of history and fiction was great. After I read the book, I reread it again and afterwards was still longing for some more vampire action that twilight could not and would never provide.

Queue up Scott Snyder. I didn't know much about Snyder and his work, but last year his year long Detective Comics story was all that was being mentioned by friends and classmates alike, as well as on the interwebs and rightfully so.

Tec' was the best comic on the stands last year and by a long shot. Anyway after mentioning to a friend that what I really wanted was some good vampire stories he mentioned American Vampire by Scott Snyder and let me borrow the first issue of the series. Now granted I had been aware of American Vampire but never interested.

Boy was I missing out, after reading the first issue I was completely in love with Skinner Sweet, especially Stephen King's take on his origin. I quickly ordered American Vampire Vol 1 & 2 off amazon and I was in for a treat. Skinner andPearl are just such believable characters, even Hattie who comes off as so superficial is amazingly materialized. Cash, and Henry also are great supporting characters which Snyder handles so well. (I hope Henry doesn't become a vampire, I love the relationship between him and Pearl because it's so different and fresh)

I don't know which came first but since I read Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter first, American Vampire feels like a spiritual successor to the book and exceeds it in so many ways. I love this new universe that Snyder has created, the possibilities for stories are endless with all these times periods, and different species of vampires=Amazing. Also it's important to note that enough great things cannot be said about Rafael Alburquerque, this man was born to draw this book. I can't wait for Vol.3 which according to the DC/Vertigo page it's going to include the Survival of the Fittest mini.

Finally I want to cap it off by saying thank you to mr. Scott Snyder for this incredible, believable and immersable world that you've created.

I too read that Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter book. It was fun, but I felt that the idea wore thin before the end of the book. I'm not heavily into Civil War history, but the brutal reality of it seems more interesting than most vampire fiction.

[Kiraly#1]

I think I will give this a try. Should I start with #1 or is it cool to start at the next issue without being to confused?

[MartinNL]

I think I will give this a try. Should I start with #1 or is it cool to start at the next issue without being to confused?

For now it seems to be ok to start with the current issue, being #22, since it's the start of a new arc. New characters are introduced and in this issue there has been no mention of any of the other characters that came before. However, I'm sure Skinner and Pearl will be back soon. So jump in with 22 and catch up by reading the hardcovers. The third hc should be released next month.

This way you'll only miss issues 19-21 which you'll have to look up somewhere, although it's best to read these issues after you're caught up with the hardcovers, or at least the first two.

[agentsands]

I agree that it's okay to start with the new issue since a new arc, but if you have the opportunity, try to start with #1. It'll bring you up with the whole AV mythos and get to know the "original" characters. I'm pretty sure Scott Snyder will throw amazing plot twists and reveals some point in this arc and it would be better if you know the previous characters so it would have more impact on you. ;)

--
Ever since reading issue #22, there's a thought that came to mind. As we all know, vampire blood in the AV lore is very "contagious." In this series, vampires don't need any special rituals or methods to turn someone into a vampire. All it takes is a drop of vampire blood in the eye or in any open wound and you're as good as a vampire.

Now, I'm wondering about Travis Kidd. Anyone who have read issue 22 already knows about Travis' special method in killing vampires. He likes to "bite them back" with his wooden fangs. Given that, wouldn't he be "infected" by now? By biting those vampires, I think that even a small amount of vampire blood would have gotten inside his mouth ever since he started doing it. Is getting vampire blood on the mouth not enough to turn someone into a vampire? Or is just that Travis is immune? It's tempting me to ask Scott about it on Twitter! LOL

Thanks for reading. I know the blood thing is just shallow. Just wanted to create a small discussion to keep the thread movin'! I love this series! ;)

[Michael Painter]

agentsands, I can already combat your questions about blood with Travis. If Travis really is Gus, then the cure probably makes him immune to all types of contact with vampires. Thus, his revenge for what happened to him is to "bite them back."
As for Felicia, I wouldn't be surprised if she's still alive, and she still looks rather the same because of her vampire heritage. Plus, difference in opinion with Travis can easily separate the two.

I enjoyed the style-change up too with Alberquerque. Again, its much different from any of the arcs he's worked on, but its softer and more fluid than the first arc. I can definitely tell this a labor of love for him.

[agentsands]

@Michael
Yeah, but we're still not sure if Travis is really Gus so I'm throwing it out there. It would all make sense if Travis does end up being revealed as a grown up Gus... being immune to vampirism because of the serum/him being (former?) part-vampire.

BTW, I remember reading an article about the next AV spin-off, "Lord of Nightmares." IIRC, Snyder said that it will feature the Vassals, specifically Felicia and Hobbes--and Gus. If Travis really do turn up as Gus, maybe the spin-off will feature how his loved ones perished, whoever they are supposed to be. I just hope it's not Felicia. Also, Hobbes knows about Travis' vendetta against the vampire from #22 since he used the file as leverage to lure Travis to join the Vassals. If Hobbes knows this much, I find it hard to believe that he doesn't know that Travis=Gus. IMO, he's like the Nick Fury of this series.. he has his means of knowing about things. And if he really knows that Travis is Gus, then why not refer to him as "Gus?"

Can't wait.. really love this book! :)

[FHIZ]

Alright, the last page of #23 definitely strengthens the Travis = Gus McCogan theory.

[ajinkris]

I wait...so long.....and amazing cliffhanger.....now back to waiting....... HNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGG!!!

[Kaim]

Just finished off the third hardcover. Holy crap. Everyone needs to read this comic right now.

[maxpower00044]

I just picked up the Vol 3. Hardcover. Already read SoTF in issues, but it's nice to see it collected in trade.

[Skib]

I just picked up the Vol 3. Hardcover. Already read SoTF in issues, but it's nice to see it collected in trade.

^ Makes me wish I just waited for the hardcover, but whatever. That's a very nice collection.