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

Anita Blacke, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 1 by Laurell K. Hamilton (2007)

Description: Fusing mythology, werewolves and vampires with a story loaded with mystery, action and romance, the Anita Blake novels take place in a world were vampires, werewolves and other creatures of nightmare have been declared legal citizens of the United States. Anita Blake is an "animator" - a profession that involves raising the dead for a living. But Anita is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she moonlights by investigating cases that are far too much for conventional police. And as Anita gains that attention of the vampire masters in her hometown of St. Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself - the source of her unusual strength and power.

Review: I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and it was well worth the wait. I thought the story was fantastic. I have not read the actual book series, but now I really want to. This was really a great story. The artwork was just fabulous. I have been pleased with the literary fusing with Marvel as of late. Everything they have been producing has been outstanding. This story was really interesting and I can't wait to read more!

Score: 4 out of 5

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (2007) by Peter David, Stephen King, Robin Furth, and Jae Lee

Description: Bringing the history of the Gunslinger into chronological order for the first time, the tale begins with a reckless act of courage that gains Roland his first set of guns and earns him and his friends, Cuthbert and Alain, a mission to Hambry on behalf of "the Good Man," a monster named John Farson. Meant to be a safe expedition, the mission becomes instead Roland's first experience of the evil forces he will encounter again and again, in a myriad of guises. When he meets the beautiful Susan Delgado, he discovers the power and pain of love. More than anything, he learns that things worth killing for...

Review: I was absolutely blown away with this book. I couldn't put it down. The story was outstanding and I was totally sucked into the world of the Gunslinger from the start. The artwork is just absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. The story of the Gunslinger has come to life. I had not read Stephen King's Dark Tower series, but now I feel that I have to. I am so into this story that I would love to see what happens. Although, I am more than willing to wait for further installments of this series. The combination of Marvel and King is fantastic. I most definitely recommend this book.

Score: 5 out of 5

Hellsing, Volume 4

Hellsing Volume 4 by Kohta Hirano (2004)

Description: What do you get when the Nazis, sequestered in South America for generations, have engineered an army of vampires, and are preparing for an all-out campaign of deathly dominance? Well, for one, you get a little unity. It seems the Protestant Hellsing Organization and the Catholic Iscariot agency might just have to think about teaming up. It's looking like the world's biggest battle of blood and fangs is soon to erupt. Read about the next, big arms build-up as the first World War of the undead is mounting. It's just heating up in Hellsing.


Review: We meet up with Alucard and Co. in South America in a battle. The battle really is starting with the bodies piling up. We learn a little more about the Nazis and their grand plan. This developing story is getting better and better. I can't wait to continue reading the rest of this series (I hope I can get them from the library). As stated before, it is not really for the weak of stomach, but the artwork continues to amaze. I find Hirano's style to be so interesting.

Hellsing, Volume 3

Hellsing, Volume 3 by Kohta Hirano (2004)

Description: Vampires! Nazis! Bloodshed! Action! Add to that a healthy helping of sleek style and an exotic locale, and you have Hellsing volume 3. Our scant troop of vampire-killing vampires and mercenaries are planning a little trip overseas..to beautiful South America, in search of th elusive Millennium Project, and old Nazi organization with very secretive origins. it's the start of a war, and only time will show how nasty this war will become. But one thing's for sure, the vampire Alucard will make sure it gets off to a fitting start.

Review: The series continues as we follow Alucard and Co. to South America where things really get bloody. This series is definitely going in a direction that I would not have thought of going myself. I find it very interesting and really can't wait to see where Hirano is taking us. These books are not for the squeamish, but I really do like Hirano's style. I continue to enjoy the story and am interested to see where it is heading. A must read for vampire and manga lovers.

Score: 4 out of 5

Hellsing, Volume 2

Hellsing Volume 2 by Kohta Hirano (2004)

Description: A world of murder and mayhem, political intrigue and religious conflict, monsters and undead heroes boils beneath the radar of regular existence. And it's bomb-grade business! There's the cute little police girl, Victoria, a recently turned vampire, who refuses to drink blood and become the real thing (but she's still a darn good fighter); this super swank super-vampire Alucard, who hasn't completely shown his abilities; and the old butler Walter, who's got some tricks under his toruses as well. This is but a taste of the characters killing and being killed in Hellsing, and the action is just beginning.

Review: In this second installment, we follow Alucard and Police Girl on their further adventures and battles against the evil Vatican. The story and artwork continue to dazzle me. I really am enjoying this series. My only gripe is that the character of Police Girl is somewhat dim. I think she could be improved upon, but we shall see as I get further on in the series. I especially love the weaponry displayed in this series. They are very creative and I can't wait to see what Hirano comes up with next.

Score: 4 out of 5

Movie Connection: As stated before, there is an anime series (by the same name) that you need to check out if you are at all enjoying this manga series.

Herushingu (2001)

Hellsing, Volume 1

Hellsing Volume 1 by Kohta Hirano (2003)

Description: There's a secret organization somewhere in England created to defend the Queen and country from monsters of all sorts. Enter Hellsing, an agency, long in tooth, with the experience, know-how, and...er...equipment to handle the problems that arise when vampires, ghouls, and the like clamber from the darkness. "What equipment?" you may say. How about another vampire, souped up by generations of study and refinement, armed with a big pistol loaded with special silver bullets? That oughta do the trick. But what really knocks 'em dead is the sharp wit, awesome artwork, and crazy, bloody action that make up the manga. Hellsing, the long-awaited gothic graphic that spawned the popular anime is finally in America, thanks to Dark Horse comics and the folks at Digital Manga, and you're gonna love it. The night is dark, but at least those creepy anti-heroes from Hellsing can make light of it.

Review: In Hellsing, we follow the story of the Hellsing organization and their battle with the Vatican. I found the concepts to be really interesting with this manga. I had fun reading it and couldn't wait for more. I enjoyed the author comments at the end of the story as well. The artwork was stylistically cool. This was a unique story and the pages just flew by. I can't wait to read the entire series.

Score: 4 out of 5

Movie Connection: Kohta Hirano's popular manga series was brought to the "little" screen in 2001. I don't believe that I have seen this anime, but will definitely put it on my list of things to watch. I really enjoyed the story, so I can't wait to see what Hirano did for the series.

Herushingu (2001)

The Ruins

The Ruins by Scott Smith (2006)

Description: Eric, Stacey, Jeff, and Amy - four American friends on vacation in Cancun - meet Mathias, a German tourist, who convinces them to join him in searching for his younger brother Henrich. The last Mathias saw of his brother he as headed into the jungle with his new girlfriend and a team of archaeologists. But what the tourists discover, in every gruesome detail, is something far more shocking.

Review: As we followed the group throughout the story, I stared to care less and less for them. The book seemed to drag on and on. I was excited at first and really got into the story. The middle lost me somewhere. At the end I was listening to hear what happened, only to be disappointed in the end. The book had such possibility, but just fell short. All in all, an okay book, but I wouldn't bother reading it unless you have some time to kill.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III (1991)

Description: (Back of Book) Enter a dark and enchanting world of dreams and nightmares and meet the Sandman, Master of Dreams, and his kin - the Endless. This first collection of Neil Gaiman's unique and multi award-winning Sandman saga introduces key themes and characters, combining myth, magic and black humor.

Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. The story was just outstanding . Its a great mix of art and horror. I don't think I'd want to be home alone and reading this in the dark. I was totally engrossed in the story from beginning to end. I really could not put it down. It was great to see the fall and rise of the Sandman. I now want to read each and every one of the books in the series to see where the Master of Dreams go. I think I especially like the fact that Death is a woman. A very unique vision and very well done. I highly recommend this book.

Score: 5 out of 5

Blood and Chocolate

Blood and Chocolate

Description: (From back of book) Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a werewolf?

Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. Aiden is kind an gentle, a welcome relief from the squabbling pack. He's fascinated by magic, and Vivian longs to reveal herself to him. Surely he would understand her and delight in the wonder of her dual nature, not fear her as an ordinary human would.

Vivian's divided loyalties are strained further when a brutal murder threatens to expose the pack. Moving between two worlds, she does not seem to belong in either. What is she really - human or beast? Which tastes sweeter -- blood or chocolate?

Review: This was a really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In fact, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Granted, it is written for the teen/tweens, but it was still a fairly good portrayal of a "real" teen. At first, I was sort of put off by all the sex talk, but then when I thought about it, that's what we all think about at that age. I thought the story was really interesting and it was really believable. Some people may not like the ending, but I really did. For the first time in a while, I have found a book that I have enjoyed from start to finish and even liked the end. This book is a must read for those who enjoy young adult books or those who like a good werewolf story.

Score: 5 out of 5

Movie Connection: Recently, a movie version of the book was released. I actually saw the movie first and then decided I wanted to pick up the book to see the actual story. Now, I did enjoy the movie on its own. As an adaptation of this book, it was bad. The only thing that was the same were the character names. Even the ending was changed to give us the good old "love conquers all" craptastic theme. Blah. I definitely like the book story over the movie and I think the adaptation was poor at best.