Download American Vampire Vol. 1 ePub

American Vampire, Volume 1, comprises the first five issues of the ongoing graphic-novel series. This book features two interconnected stories—one by Scott Snyder, the other by legendary horror writer Stephen King—that provide a fresh take on the vampire mythos. King's story is set in 1880 and tells the grisly origins of notorious candy-loving outlaw, Skinner Sweet, who awakens from death after being infected by blood of the undead. Sweet is a new breed of vampire, stronger and faster than all the heretofore vamps. He's an American vampire, after all. Snyder's story, which takes place in 1920s Los Angeles, follows Pearl Jones, a struggling actress hoping to make it big in Hollywood. The naive Pearl is brutally attacked by a coven of European vampires and left for dead, that is, until Skinner Sweet revives her. Skinner then offers Pearl a chance to exact vengeance on those that killed her.

Artist Rafael Albuquerque deftly captures both the 1880s Old West and 1920s Los Angeles. When it came to translating Stephen King's story, the artist gave the panels a grungier look that blends perfectly with the untamed Western motif—a roaring contrast to the effete Art Deco style of mid-1920s Hollywood that occupies the other half of the book. He relies heavily on shadows and black profiles, but also suffuses the daytime portions with strong desert sunlight. Albuquerque delivers a brilliant vision of deadly vampires that's similar to Ben Templesmith's red-smeared approach in 30 Days of Night. Horror readers will lap up the moody, macabre artwork of American Vampire.

As for the narrative, you really can't say enough about the expert storytelling that we've come to expect from Stephen King and Scott Snyder. King's opening introduction gets to the bloody heart of why American Vampire rises above the undead deluge that's reduced the classic vampire monster to "anorexic teenage girls [and] boy-toys with big dewy eyes." Both writers have a strong knack for creating real and likable characters. Pearl Jones is an especially appealing protagonist, a strong young woman with dreams of fame yet she's afflicted by doubts and homesickness. Less endearing, though, is the wonderfully psychotic and impulsive Skinner Sweet with his flaxen hair and insatiable sweet tooth; the dude makes for a memorable anti-hero. Still, what I liked most about American Vampire is its innovative and refreshing spin on the vampire mythos, with the elder vampires seeking to control the younger breed (which they see as an 'abomination'). Yet, in fine American tradition, this new species of vampires refuses to become the inferiors of the European bloodline and savagely battles for control of the West.

American Vampire, Volume 1, is a promising start to a series that seeks to change the contemporary perception of vampires as teenage heartthrobs. Unfortunately, because Stephen King was only contracted to the first five issues, I haven't bothered to read the subsequent volumes. Nevertheless, Volume 1 is vibrant, creepy, and wonderfully gruesome, and best of all, its rich and expansive plot works well as a stand-alone story. Because it's ultra-violent and incredibly dark, I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers. Twilight twinks would do well enough to avoid this book, for they'd be unable to fathom the idea of vampires as remorseless killing machines. Modern-day horror literature is congested with romanticized and hypersexualized representations of vampires, but it's laudable yarns like American Vampire that strive to recapture the vampire genre—it's a refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable romp. This is what a vampire story should be!

It is difficult to begin to rate this innovative and refreshing take on the vampire mythos because there are so many reasons to appreciate it. Scott Snyder,Raphael Albuquerque, and the iconic Stephen King have successfully created a modern Vampire tale that reimagines these immortal creatures as the terrifying monsters they were intended to be. Let me begin my review by attempting to distinguish Snyder's American Vampire series from contemporary vampire fiction. In this day and age, there are certainly enough choices available for vampire enthusiasts and readers of supernatural fiction--but this wasn't always the case. A generation or two ago, vampire tales in books and movies were less prevalent and created with the sole purpose of terrifying and frightening their respective readers and audiences. Beginning in the late 1970s, something changed. Having grown up in this era, I recall that it seemed Americans overnight lost their revulsion for -and became enamoured with- the undead. Vampires went from scary to seductive overnight, as movies, books, and television began to focus more on the notion of immortality being a gift or a blessing rather than a burden; the recipients of a vampiric kiss being 'chosen' rather than 'cursed' with an affliction. In the 21st century a plethora of new and very popular vampire stories have been neatly packaged,mass marketed, and sold for consumption in a variety of formats to a younger generation of teen horror enthusiasts. Sigh. MY generation wanted to stake them and this generation wants to date them. But I digress, so let me begin by offering my take on the first installment of this remarkably brilliant and original series--The American Vampire. The first story is written by the talented Scott Snyder and begins in the decadent Art Deco atmosphere of 1920s Hollywood. We meet Pearl Jones, a young, struggling actress from Kansas who is desperate for her big break in the nascent motion picture industry. Pearl is a central figure in the American Vampire mythos, a heroic young woman destined for so much more than part-time waitressing and her fledgling acting career. Unbeknownst to Pearl, lawyers weren't the only bloodsuckers in 1925 Hollywood! The second story in Volume 1 is told by none other than the incomparable American icon Stephen King. In King's story, we are taken back to the American wild west of the 1880s. The reader is introduced to the main character of the series, the psychotic, impulsive, and reckless outlaw Skinner Sweet. It doesn't take Skinner Sweet long to draw the negative attention of a powerful group of vampires who resolve to eliminate him for interfering once too often in their own criminal activities. The fearless gunslinger was attacked and left for dead by a particularly nasty 'Carpathian' vampire--but of course Skinner Sweet wasn't dead in the literal sense of the term. Certain fluids were transferred in the scuffle, and a careless vampire unknowingly sired the most unique vampire in the history of vampire lore. Stephen King really made this story a compelling and interesting read. I would be remiss if I didn't praise the incredible artistry of Rafael Albuquerque. His depictions of the gritty reality of the Wild West and his illustration of early 20th century Hollywood are nothing less than artistic genius in my opinion. I really enjoyed his interpretation of Skinner Sweet--the flaxen haired, grinning, candy chomping cowboy in an overcoat covered in dust. It would be difficult for me to accept or imagine the American Vampire series with any other artist than Rafael Albuquerque; the story arcs would lack poignancy and the vampires couldn't possibly be as terrifying without him. In a world congested with romanticized and hypersexualized representations of vampires, I find THIS series to be a unique, refreshing, and thoroughly entertaining romp. If you love a captivating and scary vampire tale and are tired of "sweetie- pie" vampires, then this series is worth your investment. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

I am not a huge horror fan, but this excellent graphic novel kicks off one of the best series of recent years.

The entire series moves across American history -- mostly California history -- from the days of the Wild West until, as of the latest volume, the middle of the 20th century. Volume One focuses on Pearl Jones, a smart but somewhat starry-eyed Hollywood ingenue who finds that becoming a vampire has its advantages both for her confidence and for her career. It also features the back story of the main "American Vampire", the violent, amoral Old West villain Skinner Sweet. Like Jones, who becomes his protege, Sweet sees that his new monstrous identity is a path to greater power.

The artwork in the book is exceptional, and fits the dark mood of the story perfectly.