Saturday, March 21, 2015

Blood Queen vs. Dracula #1


Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Troy Brownfield
Illustrations: Kewber Baal

This is a really good first issue that put everything into motion that we need to know for this series. It also answers a few questions I had from the previous Blood Queen run.

Dracula is fresh off defeating an Ottoman horde when he learns of rumors of a Queen Elizabeth who is said to bathe in the blood of Maidens. Intrigued, he investigates, wanting to know who this Elizabeth is.

He first comes across Leona, a practitioner of blood magic. His drinks of her blood and is shocked to discover such power in her.

We end this first issue with Dracula confronting the Blood Queen while she is bathing in blood. Rumors confirmed.

When I first heard about this title I thought, considering the first Blood Queen, that this should be a natural fit. So far, it looks to be good in that direction.

Everything in this issue work, the art, the script, the pacing, the characterization – all are on bloody point.

Unless I really missed something in the first Blood Queen, this title answers some questions.

When does Blood Queen takes place? 1500’s
Where does Blood Queen take place? Middle Europe.
Both makes sense. Here’s the biggie.

Who exactly is Elizabeth the Blood Queen? Dracula himself says she should be a “Countess at best.” 
Countess . . . Elizabeth? Elizabeth Bathoroy?

I need to re-read Blood Queen and see if I missed something.

The most interesting part of this for me was seeing Dracula portrayed in the Vlad Tepes historical role of fighting the Ottoman Empire. Setting up another question: Is this Dracula a good or bad guy?

FINAL THOUGHT: Really good first issue. Do not miss this one.

RATING: 7

No comments:

Post a Comment