Writer: Matthew Rosenberg
Art: Neil Googe, Antonio Fabela, Troy Petri, and Jonboy Meyers
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 24th, 2022
Welcome to this blood-stained one-shot tale of Vampire violence featuring none other than Damian Wayne. Who better to headhunt for the Vampire Nation than a trained assassin and killer who also just so happens to be the Son of BATMAN? I can’t think of a better Hunter, can you? But, which side is Damian really on? Let’s take a stab at this week’s Vampiric one-shot of DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 by Matthew Rosenberg and see if it’s worth your time.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the DC Vs. Vampires: Hunters #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Let me start by saying Damian Wayne fans need to pick this one up. However, more importantly, fans of DC VS. VAMPIRES should also run towards this issue with excitement…. at least at first. It’s an extremely quick, entertaining tale with a ton of spirit and surprising emotional undertones. The central heartbeat of DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 by Matthew Rosenberg is the Bat-Family and what Bruce meant to all the boys. More importantly, fans discover that even in the Elseworld tale, Alfred is still the true Father Figure for these boys. And Vampire or not, he means everything to all of them.
In terms of action, DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 is almost all warfare. However, I was expecting a bit more violence than what you’ll get this week. Sure, Damian puts a massive dent in some vampires. However, the illustrations aren’t as detailed or graphic as you’d expect. The issue is more about the back and forth between Dick and Damian than anything else. Readers will get some cool fight scenes but ultimately this one-shot amounts to an emotional rodeo with Alfred at its epicenter. Will anything evolve from this in the future? Maybe. But for now, it’s an unnecessary one-shot for the DC VS. VAMPIRES completionist.
ART
Neil Googe provides readers with a cartoonish, almost surrealistic look with overtones that simultaneously massacre the issue behind an attempt at a violent and bloody issue that just didn’t work for this reviewer. Black Mask, along with Martian Manhunter and Nightwing were drawn a bit too comical for my taste. However, on a more positive side, I loved the panel layout and progression of the fight through Wayne Tower as Damian attempts to work his way down in order to save what’s left of the Bat-Family. Readers can see the potential but my biggest concern is that the art doesn’t match the heavy nature of the title or series.
FINAL THOUGHTS
DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 storms shelves with high expectations considering the lull in DC VS. VAMPIRES issues as of late. Yet, it doesn’t quite have all the same pieces and excitement as the main title nor does it provide readers with too much extra background for the featured comic. Couple the above with the necessity of the book and comic fans will find DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 is suited solely for the diehard fans of the main series or simply those fans excited for some more Damian Wayne. Granted, I can’t help but appreciate the stellar Alfred characterization from Rosenberg as this reviewer realized how much he misses that relationship at DC COMICS right now. For now, I’d have to pass solely because DC VS. VAMPIRES: HUNTERS #1 really isn’t necessary and doesn’t do anything over the top to warrant spending the money this week. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!