I’m not
especially fond of vampires. Not in the “Indiana Jones doesn’t like snakes”
sort of way, I’m rather indifferent. In the past 20+ years they’ve become
over-used, in my opinion. It seems as if they’re either unholy monstrosities
(like Dracula), or they’re tragic, tortured figures condemned to an un-living
hell, like Anne Rice’s vampire, LeStat.
So I’ve never
read Vertigo’s American Vampire
series, and one thing that becomes obvious in this anthology collection is
there are a number of recurring characters who are interwoven throughout the
various eras depicted. The anthology is series of stories set in different
times, different places: 18th century Japan, the Old West, the Great
Depression, etc. Several are set in assorted cities around the world during the
1960s. I find this Cold War setting significant, as there appears to be a cold
war brewing between humanity and the Undead.
A common
thread among the stories is surprise, as it seems great effort is taken to
conceal who the vampire might be, and if it’s obvious, then question arises as
to its motives.
One of the
weaker selections is “The Bleeding Nun,” by Clay McLeod Chapman and Richard
Isanove. In the story, a production of the play is about to ensue, when a
stagehand comes upon a feeding nosferatu. This leads to catastrophe for all
concerned. But much of the story isn’t so much as written as it is quoted from
the play. I found this to become tiresome rather quickly, but others might
disagree.
The book
presents a wide variety of artistic styles, from the moody to the cartoony. It
becomes a sampler any aspiring comic book artist might appreciate.
Perhaps were I
more familiar with the backstory of the characters involved, or have a greater
appreciation for vampires, I might have enjoyed this book more. It’s not the
worse bit of vampire fiction I’ve ever seen. At least they don’t sparkle.