Not So Friendly Neighborhoods: Reviewing ‘Blood Hunters’ #2

Vampires, more vampires, and even more vampires. Marvel Comics has more bloodsuckers than anyone can shake a sharp sword at. Just ask the overwhelmed (and infighting) team of hunters Dagger has gathered.

Things don’t get any less complicated or hazy with Blood Hunters #2 from Erica Schultz, Robert Gill, Rain Beredo, and Joe Caramagna.

What is even the point?

I’m not asking this to be sarcastic or glib or pull a gotcha on this book. That’s a genuine question. What is the point of this series?

We’re two issues into a four-issue mini and the overall goal of this group seems to be to fight each other and aimlessly wander, hoping to maybe heal some vampires. The Blood Coven, the latest ‘uber’ villains debuting in an event that quickly become run of the mill, shows up just because, really. Good thing they’ve been severely nerfed now that the Blood Hunt series finished.

I have read things from Schultz before that I’m very intrigued by or have enjoyed. This falls into a space where I’m not sure what to even feel. The emotions are not rising up. Finishing an issue just leaves me in a cold, “Okay, I guess?” sort of spot. All these characters acting pretty cardboard at times, fighting for no real reason, with no actual reason to be. Spider-Man starring both because he’s a vampire but also his presence is sure to be a sales bump.

Since, you know, the cast is made up of the new mostly unknown Hallows Eve, the revamped White Widow, and perennial B or C listers (depending on who you ask) Dagger and Elsa Bloodstone. Not exactly a murderer’s row of characters on a good day.

While the horror aspect of the story is very light in execution, the visual vibes are still there. Gill captures the overall tone with the placement and shadows of the artwork; giving some solid weight and depth to everything and letting the action pieces have some tangible movement as they flow through the page.

Similarly, the color palette of Beredo matches the feeling. Keeping things on a heavier and darker side of the scale for most of the pages. Slipping in lighter and brighter bits where relevant to make sure the fantastical and hero elements keep their feeling.

As much as the character voices and interactions feel somewhat off, the presentation of the voices works. Caramagna takes what is presented and gives it a bit of a spark on the pages; letting the voices resonate and flow. Throwing in some modifiers here or there to give them even more of a powerful punch at times.

Blood Hunters #2 is now available from Marvel Comics.