As the Darkforce Dimension continues to engulf the world, Blade leads the Bloodcoven and the vampires to take over the world. After suffering significant losses, the Avengers abandoned the Impossible City to regroup and create a new attack plan. Forced to team up with Bloodline, Dracula, and the Midnight Mission, the rag-tag group heads to the Sanctum Sanctorum to get assistance from Doctor Strange. As the night and their odds get even darker, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must find a way to defeat the vampires and make the sun rise again. Jed MacKay and Pepe Larraz continue the endless night of the Marvel Universe in Blood Hunt #2 as bloodlust and vampires flood the world.
Since the first issue, I have enjoyed the focus on the unconventional lineup of characters protecting the Earth. Seeing Captain Marvel, Vision, and Captain America needing to team up with Doctor Strange, Clea, Spider-Man, Hunter’s Moon, Tigra, Dracula, and Bloodline makes it an exciting team due to their various realms of the Marvel universe and various team histories. MacKay understands how to write compelling team narratives while ensuring each member holds a specific point of view and reason for the team up. And with the Bloodcoven being outside the usual wheelhouse of Avengers threats, it makes sense for them to join forces with the world’s more mystical and horror sections. More importantly, the team reflects the bombastic horror tone of the event, where it is not only Earth’s Mightiest Heroes but also the more street-level and non-heroic characters. Indeed, the world needs avenging, but every character must fight back the darkness.
Blade’s role as the overall mastermind of the attacks makes him a unique villain due to his ties to the Avengers and the supernatural aspects of the Marvel Universe. Considering his complicated past relationship with his vampiric lineage, I am interested in learning more about why he decided to become leader of the Structure and kick off the uprising. Even outside of his vampiric abilities, Blade still poses a significant threat due to his tactical training and skilled mind. His past work with the Avengers, the mystical arts, and the supernatural makes him a challenging threat that the Avengers cannot face alone. And with the Bloodcoven, he continues to become an even worse threat. MacKay showcases Blade as a truly formidable foe for the Blood Hunt event.
Larraz continues to showcase his artistic superstar status in Blood Hunt #2. Juggling many different tones seamlessly, every page and panel is an engaging and gorgeous piece of art and talent. Especially with the red band version of the issue where he is allowed to let loose and be as bloody and graphic as he wants to make that version worth it. Every bit of this issue demonstrates why Larraz is one of the best artists currently at Marvel. Larraz works above and beyond to make Blood Hunt the premiere summer event, along with Marte Gracia’s colors and VC’s Cory Petit’s coloring.
Blood Hunt #2 showcases MacKay’s and Larraz’s talented partnership with another incredible issue. The pair demonstrate how fantastic of an event Blood Hunt is with solid character writing, artistic direction, and tonal balance. I am excited to see where the event goes next and the upcoming issues. MacKay and Larraz have given me a lot to sink my teeth into.
Story: Jed Mackay Art: Pepe Larraz
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Story: 9.3 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
