Advance Review: The Predator Becomes The Prey In ‘Blood Commandment’ #2

The tables have turned on Erza. As revealed at the end of the first issue of Blood Commandment, Ezra moved his young son and late wife into a dark forest valley because he is a vampire. Now though, this predator is being hunted.

Ezra, the “good” vampire, has kept his condition secret from his son Wil. He goes out at night to hunt animals for their blood. For some reason, though, he’s now being hunted by one of his own, in this miniseries written and illustrated by Szymon Kudranski.

Kudranski has a keen understanding of the power of his own illustrations. For example, the issue’s first several pages contain almost no text. The words aren’t necessary because of his visual storytelling prowess. We see the sheriff prepare for his workday. He comes across a wolf’s head, which was torn from its body, and immediately begins his police work. The detail that Kudranski packs into each panel – the lines on the sheriff’s face, the light streaming through the forest – is as expressive as it is impressive.

While the visuals are strong, Kudranski’s story and his other storytelling devices don’t quite measure up. He continues to rely on an omniscient narrator who tries to give clarity to the story, but feels more awkward that helpful.

The stalking vampire is also a bit problematic. Kudranski drops only a few hints about its motivations. Clearly it and Ezra have a past, but the details are practically nonexistent. We are now halfway through this limited series and don’t really understand why Wil is being hunted. Kudranski is going to need to give his readers some insight into their relationship if the story is to have more of an impact.

Still, the visuals are the story’s highlight – and there is plenty here to appreciate.

Blood Commandment #2 will be available for purchase on December 6, 2023.