Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: The First Death

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: The First Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (2008)

Pages: 128

ISBN: 9780785129417

Description: For the first time ever and exclusive to comics, Hamilton pens a tale set before the first Anita Blake novel, Guilty Pleasures, to reveal how Anita's career began. In a story co-written by husband Johnathon Green, illustrated by Wellinton Alves, and with covers by fan favorite Brett Booth, fans can finally read about the first meeting between Anita and the sensuous vampire Jean-Claude, the serial-killer case that began her involvement with the police, and how she became allies with the sinister hitman of all things supernatural, Edward! Whether you are a longtime fan of Anita Blake, or have only just discovered her, join us for the prequel fans have been waiting for, as we pull back the veils on the mysteries of Anita's origins!

Review: We join Anita at the start of her involvement with the police as a consultant. The first case is not easy for her and emotions run high. There is a serial killer on the loose and all the evidence points to a vampire. The evidence leads the police and Anita to Guilty Pleasures, a vampire strip club. We witness the first meeting between Jean-Claude and Anita. Jean-Claude is intrigued by Anita, but she is less than thrilled. The investigation leads to more danger that marks Anita for life.

The story was good, but it felt sort of rushed. I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was more to the story. It was interesting to see the origins and first meetings of the main characters of this series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had already read the series by Hamilton. I did like the artwork. The characters are brought to vivid life on the pages. I especially like the cover art that includes the characters from the Marvel Zombies series. The second part of the book is a huge guide to Guilty Pleasures. I found the guide to be more interesting than the story itself. On the whole, this prequel is geared more for the fans of the series and not really a must read for the casual reader.

Score: 3.5 out of 5