janedoelish's review against another edition
3.0
The story is worth a solid 4 1/2 stars, but the drawings commit one of the unforgivable sins: they fail to convey a sense of spatial continuity. I'd ask anyone to try to track the characters' location and movement from one panel to the next, and show me how they connect organically: it cannot be done.
thomp's review against another edition
4.0
Cool mix of vampire/monster style story in the early 1900 Western era, with an interesting mix of two story arcs with two separate timelines (written by two different authors) that intertwine in a compelling way. I was a little skeptical at first but was sold by the end of issue 5 in this volume. I'm curious to see how the series carries on and how it will be without Stephen King authoring one of the story arcs.
redspoiler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
trudilibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Stephen King (win) +
Scary-ass, blood-thirsty vampires (win) +
Bone-chilling, full-color graphic illustrations (win) =
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
This was great, and the only thing holding me back from gushing is that I still haven't been completely won over to the graphic novel format. Steven Niles rocked my world with 30 Days of Night - those vampires kick ass. I was actually really pleased with the movie too. I love how Niles re-imagines the vampire, stealing it back from the trashy, paranormal bodice rippers! For far too long vampires have been distinguished aristocrats, Byronic heroes, or sexy-emo-pouting "bad boys". The vampires that descend on Barrow are ruthless, and everything vampires should be if you want to scare the heck out of someone -- merciless, bloodthirsty villains with no conscience. Niles should be given a medal for his contribution to both the literary and vampire film canon. For far too long the debonair, smooth-talking vampire has ruled.
Stephen King thinks so too, which is why Scott Snyder did not have to twist his arm too hard to get him on board with this project. Snyder went fishing for an intro, what he got was a full-on, hard core collaboration. King is all over American Vampire, and the "wild west" themes found in his parts of the story have a lot of Dark Tower energy running through them. I really half-expected Roland to walk right into the story at some point. He may yet, who knows? And can I just give a shout out to the toe-tag? ::grin::
I've been drawn into the world, and the notion of a "new" kind of vampire that can walk in daylight at war with the ancient Euro-vampires is intriguing. I will definitely come back for more of this series.
Scary-ass, blood-thirsty vampires (win) +
Bone-chilling, full-color graphic illustrations (win) =
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
This was great, and the only thing holding me back from gushing is that I still haven't been completely won over to the graphic novel format. Steven Niles rocked my world with 30 Days of Night - those vampires kick ass. I was actually really pleased with the movie too. I love how Niles re-imagines the vampire, stealing it back from the trashy, paranormal bodice rippers! For far too long vampires have been distinguished aristocrats, Byronic heroes, or sexy-emo-pouting "bad boys". The vampires that descend on Barrow are ruthless, and everything vampires should be if you want to scare the heck out of someone -- merciless, bloodthirsty villains with no conscience. Niles should be given a medal for his contribution to both the literary and vampire film canon. For far too long the debonair, smooth-talking vampire has ruled.
Stephen King thinks so too, which is why Scott Snyder did not have to twist his arm too hard to get him on board with this project. Snyder went fishing for an intro, what he got was a full-on, hard core collaboration. King is all over American Vampire, and the "wild west" themes found in his parts of the story have a lot of Dark Tower energy running through them. I really half-expected Roland to walk right into the story at some point. He may yet, who knows? And can I just give a shout out to the toe-tag? ::grin::
I've been drawn into the world, and the notion of a "new" kind of vampire that can walk in daylight at war with the ancient Euro-vampires is intriguing. I will definitely come back for more of this series.
phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I kept going back and forth on what to rate this book, 3 or 4 stars.
On the one hand, there are instances of period-standard racism; parts of it are set in the Old West and parts in 1920s Los Angeles. There's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it dubious consent moment, where a young girl manipulates an older man into sleeping with her and it's just an odd addition that didn't seem necessary.
On the other hand, it's a great story that takes the reality of old hollywood (the struggle of young women like Elizabath Short "the Black Dahlia") and turns it into a female empowerment/revenge story with a happy ending. It effortlessly melds supernatural horror and westerns.
I eventually decided that I'd give it a 4 star.
On the one hand, there are instances of period-standard racism; parts of it are set in the Old West and parts in 1920s Los Angeles. There's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it dubious consent moment, where a young girl manipulates an older man into sleeping with her and it's just an odd addition that didn't seem necessary.
On the other hand, it's a great story that takes the reality of old hollywood (the struggle of young women like Elizabath Short "the Black Dahlia") and turns it into a female empowerment/revenge story with a happy ending. It effortlessly melds supernatural horror and westerns.
I eventually decided that I'd give it a 4 star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, Gore, and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Cursing, Eating disorder, Classism, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Gun violence, Grief, and Animal death
dancingyoshi's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
criticalreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I've read the first three volumes in this series and this first one is definitely the strongest in my opinion. I would not say it is revolutionary in terms of the types of vampires involved, just that the depiction is fun in a dual timeline split between the American western era and the 1920s in America. I think it is absolutely hilarious Snyder contacted King for an introduction and King invited himself onto the project and co-wrote this first volume.
I've read the first three volumes in this series and this first one is definitely the strongest in my opinion. I would not say it is revolutionary in terms of the types of vampires involved, just that the depiction is fun in a dual timeline split between the American western era and the 1920s in America. I think it is absolutely hilarious Snyder contacted King for an introduction and King invited himself onto the project and co-wrote this first volume.
deepfreezebatman's review against another edition
4.0
wow.. this is the best new comics series I've read in a long time. I loved the 1920s story with Pearl Jones, but I just couldn't get into the old western outlaw story. I think at times the writer/artist team were atempting some interesting cinematic devices that didn't always transfer to the comics medium. I wouldn't call myself a western fan, but I like the western + vampire idea.
Overall, volume one is pretty solid and I will give volume two a chance to win me over.
Overall, volume one is pretty solid and I will give volume two a chance to win me over.