Graphic Novel Review: Bloody Sweet Vol 1

Publisher: Yen Press

Writer/Artist: NaRae Lee

Bloody Sweet Vol 1 introduces us to Naerim Shin, a moody protagonist with a strong online presence. She is an outcast among her friends and is coerced into exploring a supposedly haunted church with her classmates. Inside, they discover a corpse that turns out to be a vampire. Naerim finds herself bound to the vampire by a red string, creating a master-servant relationship.

The comic hints at a love triangle, with a childhood friend who contrasts Naerim’s personality. However, in this first volume, the relationships don’t progress beyond tension. The cast of characters is enjoyable, with the vampire serving as the lively comic relief. Supporting characters like the small exorcist and Naerim’s old friend Jina provide explanations and insights into the protagonist’s past.

Bloody Sweet Vol 1 delves into dark themes such as isolation and self-harm. The initial master-servant relationship between Naerim and the vampire feels overdone and uncomfortable. Additionally, there is a teacher who makes inappropriate comments about girls developing fast, which feels out of place. While Bloody Sweet has tons of great moments, it also has more icky ones than I’d like to see.

The vampire character blends traditional values with a silly and endearing personality, providing comedic relief through various gags. The comic’s vertical format works well, transitioning smoothly to print. The style, humor, and character designs are all well-suited to the vertical layout, with effective panel flow and simple yet impactful layouts.

The coloring in the comic adds depth to the pencils and inks, effectively using dark blues, reds, and purples to create tension and ominous atmospheres. While not a horror comic, artist Lee Narae skillfully incorporates elements of horror when needed.

The lettering in Bloody Sweet Vol 1 is unobtrusive but not particularly remarkable. The use of colored text with black borders to convey quick thoughts or character comments adds a visual element. Additionally, the protagonist’s thoughts are presented in a black box, giving a wistful tone to her monologues.