Review: American Vampire 1976 #2
Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist:Â Rafael Albuquerque
Colorist: Dave McCaig
Letterer: Steve Wands
Reviewer: Tony Farina
Summary
Skinner, Pearl and a surprising new ally team up to pull off their game-changing heist of the Freedom Train, but time is running out for a nation in crisis. The Beast’s plan for mass terror and world domination is finally revealed in sick detail, and as humanity spirals toward extinction, there’s a devastating twist. When an unexpected force returns to pick off the VMS’s top officials, Travis and Cal discover that the ultimate evil has competition—and the final battle will be more merciless than anyone imagined.
Positives
American Vampire 1976 #2 is so beautifully done. A period piece is hard. A modern American period piece is harder. There are readers who were actually there. When you set a series in the 19th century, you know that you can cut some corners on the visuals. When you set a book in that 20th century, you simply can not. Luckily, Rafael Albuquerque and Dave McCaig don’t seem to know how to cut corners.
I was born in the early 70s and this world, minus the vampires and monsters, which are also spectacularly done, feels totally real. The clothes, the cars, the hairdos are all perfect. This is one of those series that requires readers to read it once for the excellent storytelling, and then go back over it to just soak in the images.
Snyder is really pulling out all the stops by telling a monster story inside a heist, inside a family drama. That sounds like it could never work, but in his hands, it works like a dream. I really am bugged that I have to wait a month for the next issue. Excellent storytelling.
Negatives
American Vampire 1976 #2 is that book in any series that reminds everyone of what happened before or telegraphs what is to come. It is required. Not everyone has read the original series. Not everyone knows who these characters are. Still, even if you have not read the book, you would be able to keep up without all the extra exposition.
Verdict
American Vampire 1976 #2 ends with a haunting, edge of the seat awesome, damn it why do I have to wait a whole month image. Albuquerque is simply slaying. Yes, that pun was totally intended. Snyder is a master storyteller. This is a great second step. I can’t wait to see what comes my way next month. Pick this up.
