American Vampire 1976 #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Rafael Albuquerque & Dave McCaig
Letterer: Steve Wands
American Vampire debuted in 2010. Since then, Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque have been providing wonderful characters and exciting moments. The final issue of American Vampire: Second Cycle was published in 2016. We haven’t had another chapter of the series since then. Now, Snyder and the creative team are coming together one more time to wrap up their series with nine more issues. American Vampire 1976 #1 takes readers to America’s 200th birthday.
American Vampire 1976 brings Skinner Sweet back into the spotlight as he copes with his new reality. Sweet is a bit of a daredevil now, living life dangerously. Snyder has always done a fantastic job of giving his characters fantastic moments, and that continues in this issue. Sweet is dealing with his new mortality poorly. The new perspective on the familiar character is refreshing. Sweet acts completely in character but still feels new here. A few other familiar characters also make an appearance in this issue. While they are the same people, the all feel molded by all the years that have passed since Second Cycle.
This first issue sets the stage for a big train robbery. Synder doesn’t need much slow exposition to build excitement for the next big thing. The direction that the series is going is exciting, with the heist almost calling back to the beginning of the series. Longtime readers will feel comfortable with this issue. Even better there is the promise of a big payoff on the horizon.
This issue isn’t accessible to new readers, though. The characters all get minor introductions. Their big moments will have little to no impact on someone that doesn’t already know and love Skinner and Pearl. It’s highly recommended that new readers go back and read the rest of the series (It’s worth it).
There isn’t American Vampire without Rafael Albuquerque. The artist is just as much a part of the series as Scott Snyder is. The series looks as great as ever. The characters are full of emotion. Their thoughts and stories can be read just by looking at Albuquerque’s facial expressions. The art moves the action from panel to panel smoothly. The space between panels has enough action to allow readers to use their imaginations without slowing the pacing down.
Dave McCaig adds depth to Albuquerque’s art. It also sets the tone from the scene to scene. The palette is full of muddy browns and reds that add a wild west kind of feel to the book. Steve Wands’ letters switch up fonts to make scenes more exciting or chilling. The letters add tons of voice to the comic, giving everyone a clear voice.
American Vampire 1976 #1 is another fantastic entry to the rich epic that Snyder and Albuquerque have been creating. It’s not accessible to new readers but it doesn’t need to be. Those who are invested in Pearl and Skinner’s story owe it to themselves to see what the two are up to.
American Vampire 1976 #1
American Vampire 1976 #1 is another fantastic entry to the rich epic that Snyder and Albuquerque have been creating. It's not accessible to new readers but it doesn't need to be. Those who are invested in Pearl and Skinner's story owe it to themselves to see what the two are up to.
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Art