Dynamite Entertainment 2015
Written by Troy Brownfield
Illustrated by Kewber Baal
Coloured by Kirsty Swan
So last issue we saw what Elizabeth had planned for Dracula, a betrayal right from the start and his reaction to it upon finding out. He’s a smart man and she still young and in many ways inexperienced by relying upon too many others to do her bidding so it really didn’t come as much of a surprise that he not only bested them but turned the two girls in agents of his own.
This issue opens as she waits for word of what has occurred seeming secure in her castle and under the delusion she cannot be touched. Troy is really digging deep into the characterization here with spectacular results. So much can be gleaned from the narration and the dialogue we get to see. Elizabeth may be powerful but she has drawn the wrath of a man who is more powerful, more ruthless and has much more experience than she and while thinking her power over blood and her looks will sway and distract she isn’t the battle type she’s overconfident in her skills.
There’s another reason she has that bath of blood at the ready because she manipulate blood like a water elemental would. So when she is swarmed by a large cadre of bats she instinctively uses that blood to destroy the “filthy bastards.” What happens next is so well portrayed by Troy, Kewber and Kirsty. I cannot tell you just how incredible the visuals here are they are just so detailed and expressive that you can’t turn away and become captivated by what you see.
I love the reaction Elizabeth has once she knows things are going south. There are moments that show her as scared girl and others as a confident ruler and the dichotomy happens so quickly. I love that she searches for her people like a girl in a horror movie it seems almost ludicrous that she wanders around alone, though she has no real choice. The taunting and needeling Dracula gives her is delightful and all together it really does create this whole creepy vibe that readers crave.
Never should we forget the Turks in all this because outside Elizabeth’s castle is Sihirbaz and he’s feeling the conflict and struggle happening inside. While his men may want to retreat from a conflict between these powers since it frightens them Sihirbaz decides to lay in wait until an opening provides the right opportunity for them to attack. Why not let your enemies weaken each other and then step in for the killing blow?
Alright next issue concludes the story between these two people known for their obsession with the blood. We’ll see who comes out victorious, if it will be a draw or if the surprising Turks are able to do what they set out to do. This has been one of those books that combine history with the fiction of legend to create something new and spectacular and why Dynamite remains at the front of our minds when it comes to good storytelling.