AMERICAN VAMPIRE (AMERICAN VAMPIRES Book 1)

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With Skinner's creation, a new kind of vampire is brought into being: It turns out that, with each new vampiric creation, a new and unpredictable strain of vampirism comes into being. Therefore, the European vampires jealously guard their "gift" lest they create a breed that can eventually overthrow them.

This plot twist promises for rich and varied narratives as we follow these vampires into future storylines; Skinner creates Polly, a vampire whose powers mimic Skinner's but may ultimately eclipse his. However, it was a close call as Snyder's tale is equally intriguing and Polly is definitely one badass mamma-jamma. While not quite as violent as I expected, Snyder and King have definitely given a tired genre a new life with plenty of subtext about American innovation versus European traditionalism. So keep the anemic Edwards of young adult narratives.

From now on, I'll take my vampires like I take my tea--Sweet, please. Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder I probably like vampire-centric stories as much as the next person who had seen enough of it in movies and shows. In fact, two my current favorite 22 shows that I watch dutifully each season launch are about vampires The Vampire Diaries and its superior spin-off The Originals. I haven't read any Anne Rice books but was familiar with her mythology because of a friend who obsessed about her work; I continue to regret to this day the the fact that I had read Stephenie Meyer's shit of a series, an I probably like vampire-centric stories as much as the next person who had seen enough of it in movies and shows.

I haven't read any Anne Rice books but was familiar with her mythology because of a friend who obsessed about her work; I continue to regret to this day the the fact that I had read Stephenie Meyer's shit of a series, and I enjoyed True Blood , but only finished the first 2 seasons because I didn't like Sookie Stackhouse as the anchoring heroine of the show. So, you know, I like vampire-centric stories, but not to the point where I actively seek out the genre. If the formula works for a vampire story, it works. Hell, I like the romantic melodrama of the Vampire Knight manga as well.

The first volume featured Stephen King because, apparently, he wanted to be featured because he had a compelling origin story to tell about the vampire asshole character. I think Snyder had loved having him around, and that is why the first volume worked in a dual manner where Snyder handled telling the 'present' story in Hollywood America about a pair of aspiring actresses and friends Pearl and Hattie; while King paralleled it with a sweeping cowboy tale that gives the readers information about the vampire asshole named Skinner Sweet.

Artist Albuquerque's visual style is commendable with a technique that offered enough variation in his depictions of both stories told in different periods, complementing both Snyder's and King's narrative voices. American Vampire is no exception. I wouldn't do it an injustice by calling it a rehash of the same things I saw already because anything could be called that; what should be notable is the execution and the believability and appeal of it.

In that sense, American Vampire does its job being gritty, enjoyable and self-aware enough to be considered clever. But I wouldn't call it a masterpiece--at least not with two volumes read. There is potential in this series that I can't wait to get into! In Snyder's vignettes of Pearl and Hattie's story, he brandishes the same kind of hopeful voice in his characters amidst the backdrop of despair that they have to put up with as they go about their daily grind. Synder after all is the current Batman writer who gave us a Gotham City that is alive and thriving with either chaotic or neutral evil machinations, while his Bruce Wayne is actually more dreamy and introspective than any other version of Batman I have ever read.

He employs that same thing when he wrote Dick Grayson as Batman in The Black Mirror , and he does it again with Pearl in her story of transformation from ordinary struggling nobody-actress to a vampiric hybrid, sired by the enigmatic Skinner Sweet due to nothing more but lucky chance. It actually reminded me of that scene in Hellsing manga where Alucard rescues a British policewoman by turning her. It's reminiscent of that. As two standalone arcs, they complemented each other fairly well.

The dusty landscape and gun-totting characters for King's Sweet origin story was action-packed and disconcerting, told in the perspective of a writer haunted by the upsetting evils he had seen when he personally witnessed Skinner Sweet's rampage as a newborn vampire of a different breed. Meanwhile, Snyder's quieter yet suspenseful tale focusing on Pearl Jones and her integration into the vampire lifestyle was a little heartbreaking and personable, where a good woman was given not only the unwanted curse of immortality because of Sweet's rare yet twisted moment of generosity, but also the package of ancient enemy vampires who want Sweet extinguished because they see him as a threat as the next step of evolution for vampires.

This volume was not perfect or an easily rewarding experience aside from the pivotal revelations and crackling action sequences that kept the story afloat for the most part, but Snyder certainly has a vision, and it's one that shows a lot of promise and creative endeavor along the way. I'm invested enough on Pearl as the heroine to root for, and I'm glad that Skinner Sweet is mostly in the shadows, still barely knowable, and that adds to his charisma, making him more of an intimidating figure in spite of the way he can be an utter goofball at times.

I like this volume. It's inventive enough to be fresh and thrilling. Nov 10, Ronyell rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Fans of Vampire Comics! What is the story? In this volume, we are introduced to two separate stories that feature a ruthless outlaw, Skinner Sweet and a young and beautiful actress, [image error] 6 stars!!!

In this volume, we are introduced to two separate stories that feature a ruthless outlaw, Skinner Sweet and a young and beautiful actress, Pearl Jones.

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What I loved about this comic: I never thought I would see the day where Scott Snyder and Stephen King was writing the same book together! This story was so interesting and creative to me because it is rare that I would read a vampire book where the vampire originates in America instead of Europe since most vampire stories originated from Europe. I really loved the way that Scott Snyder portrayed Pearl Jones as being a strong and independent character that went through a traumatic experience and vows for revenge against her tormentors.

I also loved the way that Stephen King portrayed Skinner Sweet as being a truly ruthless yet mysterious character that was known for killing innocent people with no mercy while going through a frightening transformation that really made him into a deadly foe. I loved the images of the vampires themselves as they have large mouths with pointed teeth that really make them look as frightening as they attack their victims. What made me feel uncomfortable about this book: For anyone who does not like strong bloody violence, this volume has plenty scenes of characters being ripped apart and blood gushing everywhere.

Fans of vampire stories will definitely enjoy this volume as it cleverly weaves ancient vampire folklore with current situations and now after reading this volume, I am off to read the next volume! Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog May 17, Chelsea rated it liked it. I really wanted to like this more.

This book was half good. I loved the bits with Pearl and old Hollywood. I can totally see how that would work as a TV show. I like the character and what happens to her is just tragic enough to set up a good motivation for her journey. She's and interesting character and I hated having her portions inter-spliced with Skinner Sweets.

I just didn't care about him. The o I really wanted to like this more. The outlaw has been done before.

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This one doesn't even do that particularly well. I have no incentive to follow a guy who keeps throwing out offensive terms for the only Mexican character. His character doesn't bring anything new to the table. He's not even charming. This were my least favorite parts. The team of Felix and Book was fine, I guess.

I didn't particularly want to follow their story either. The ending sets up an interesting premise for the next volume if it pans out into something more.

I just felt like Pearl was the stronger character and story and I wish the whole book had been about her. Dec 14, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: Review from Badelynge Remember when vampires were still scary? Stephen King is one half of the writing talent on duty for this tale of mostly very bad vampires in the wild west of the late s and the movie making era of the s. King's introduction to the book has a lot more to say about the current state of vamp Review from Badelynge Remember when vampires were still scary?

King's introduction to the book has a lot more to say about the current state of vampire fiction and he doesn't mince words. This is also the first time King has written for comics. I know many of his stories have have been adapted for the genre but always by usually established comic book writers. This time he does it himself, which means basically writing the dialogue no problem there and, in place of the narrative, describing the contents and layout of the panels so the artist knows what to draw.

He does a pretty good job barring a little muddiness in the way the supporting cast find their places in the opening part of the story. This book holds the origin story of our hero Skinner Sweet as told by King. Maybe I shouldn't have used the word hero as this guy was a very bad man even before he became the first American vampire. Sweet is a good creation, a vampire who revels in his new powers, whose love interest doesn't get beyond a craving for blood and candy.

He's brash, violent, cunning and relentless. Alongside King's story in each issue is a later story set in Los Angeles about an aspiring young actress doing extras work for silent movies, who runs afoul of a nest of old European vampires who have an unstable truce with the powerful new vamp on the block, Skinner Sweet. This story is ably written by series creator Scott Snyder. Rafael Albuquerque does the artistic honours brilliantly in both arcs which helps the stories stand together. Under both stories is a suggestion of a subtext about America and its emerging place amongst the old world order.

The book features the first 5 issues and also includes an afterword by Scott Snyder, variant covers by various artists, samples of script instructions by King and Snyder and early concept art. Altogether a nice piece of work. Book two is out soon. Aug 11, Jackie "the Librarian" rated it liked it Shelves: I guess I'm not that into westerns, even westerns with vampires. Stephen King wrote the origin story here of Skinner Sweet, outlaw-turned-vampire.

This was violent and gory and so-so, as Sweet just wasn't that interesting to me. He didn't sparkle, which I appreciated, but all we know about him is that he likes candy and violence. To care about a character, I need to know more details than that - does he like cats, for example? What's his favorite book? Hobbies, other than hold-ups?

American Vampire Vol. 1

He was basica I guess I'm not that into westerns, even westerns with vampires. He was basically just a monster, and I found the lawmen hunting him way more interesting. And since we cut back and forth to the second story, Sweet's tale suffers from lost tension and momentum. Fortunately, the second story is stronger and had more appeal to me, possibly because the protagonist is a woman. She survives and gets a chance at revenge thanks to Sweet. I liked Pearl's story better than Sweet's - she was a more likeable and well-rounded character, with a more developed storyline than just sweet-tooth bank robber.

Lots of gore-soaked images, plus the use of a lot of browns and reds give the book the look of bloody sepia, which was kind of cool. The story was slight and was all action, unless I missed something. I find comics a bit hard to follow, I want things more spelled out, and sometimes I think the pictures use a short-hand I'm not familiar with. Or, there's not as much there as I want there to be. I understand the story gets better in book two, which I'm off to the shelves in the graphic novel section of the library to find Jan 20, Sud rated it really liked it Shelves: I have always been a fan of Vampires.

American Vampire, Vol. 1

So when I saw this comic book I hopped on-board. The first vol collects issues of the American Vampire series. Each issue is told in two parts- the first part written by Scott Snyder takes place ca. Pearl is then resurrected by former wild west outlaw extraordinaire Skinner Sweet, who just happens to also be a vampi I have always been a fan of Vampires. Pearl is then resurrected by former wild west outlaw extraordinaire Skinner Sweet, who just happens to also be a vampire.

This is where we learn that the ones that killed Pearl are the European breed, while Skinner is an American Vampire. Now, one small quibble in that I find it fairly incredulous that Skinner Sweet a rough and tumble, tougher-than-Hell and mean as a rattlesnake outlaw somehow is familiar with the concept of evolution- but apparently he's taken the time to read his Darwin. That being said Sweet informs Pearl due to evolution the American "breed" of vampire has different abilities than the original European stock.

Some of the changes are immunity to sunlight and no weakness to wood. Though on a moonless night it seems the American version becomes far weaker and somnolent. The rest of the Volume is Pearl's tale of revenge on the Euro-vamps who killed her well the 1st part of each issue of the volume. The 2nd part of each issue Written by Stephen King in this volume is the tale of Skinner Sweet and how he became a vampire.

His starts in the l's and then jump's to his rising from the grave 3 decades later. Sweet also has a history with the Euro-vamps. As the Sweet story shows him getting his revenge on the lawmen who originally hunted him, as well as his war with the European vamps. More than that I shall not say for spoilers. I thought the King story to be better than Snyder's tale-but that's because I really liked the story of Skinner Sweet, as well as the character.

Sweet is one mean son-of-a-bitch. Though, the Pearl story is not bad. I enjoy Vampire tales, but I do not like the cutsey vampire that is often prevalent in our teeny-hipster era Twilight, Buffy, etc - either not very scary or they are vaguely emo metrosexual glitteratti a' la the Twilight vamps. This is not the case here. These Vampires are closer to the 30 Days of Night Vampires. All in all-quite a good vampire tale both of them So why 4 stars? Sorry, I just don't care for it. It's not awful or even bad. It just never rises to more than "ok" for my taste.

I think an artist like Jim Lee who did one of the alternate covers for issue 2 would have made a great artist for the series. I like more detail in my comic art rather than the vaguely impressionist work that Mr. The vampires, drawn with detail, would have looked truly horrifying. But, that being said- this is a good series for Vampire fans, especially if you also have a soft spot for either the Gilded Age or Penny Westerns. View all 15 comments. Nov 01, Kuroi rated it it was ok Shelves: This is one of those books everyone but me liked.

I am not really sure why, but I wasn't impressed. Ok, maybe I am sure. I think the cliched storyline simply didn't do it for me. I found everything seriously predictable. I expected more from you Mr. Don't think I didn't see you over there Despite all attempts, otherwise, I find it seriously lacking in atmosphere. The art would have worked fo This is one of those books everyone but me liked. The art would have worked for me if the plot was interesting, but it wasn't, so I was just sorta indifferent to it.

I do think they capture nuanced expressions very well, though. For the undead, time is a joke to be laughed at! A new step on evolution when it comes to vampire kind.

May 20, Roy rated it liked it. Cool story where Vampires have progressively changed through American history. The writing is great, the artwork graphic and gory but I found the plotting a little slow without a massive hook. It was interesting with the various timelines and vastly different characters all involivng the coolest villain who actually was my favourite character.

Not sure I'll continue with this one though. Oct 11, L. McCoy rated it it was amazing Shelves: This series is one I would say literally changed my life I have an original printing of the first issue! I love this series so much! Why it gets 5 stars: The main story is fantastic and blew me away!

American Vampire - Wikipedia

The art is absolutely amazing and makes the story much more visually appealing than if it was any other format. The art is perfect for the story and so is the format. The characters are very interesting. The horror is very well done! This is not a predictable story. Lots of unexpected twists and turns! Highly recommend this series!

Oct 05, Brandon rated it really liked it Shelves: I'll start this off by saying that I fully expected to hate this.. Because I'm starting to hate vampires. No, this isn't an anti-twilight rant nor does it have anything to do with disli I'll start this off by saying that I fully expected to hate this.. No, this isn't an anti-twilight rant nor does it have anything to do with disliking something because it's popular. It mostly has to do with just a never ending stream of what feels like average content.

Take Justin Cronin's The Passage series. While I felt the first book was OK at best, the second book was unbearable, so much so that I put it down - I just couldn't soldier on through something I feel so negatively about. The good news is, with lowered expectations, it only really leaves room for someone to move up. That or dive down into the sub basement of boredom.

Snyder and King craft a story bringing together two distinct periods in time involving two pretty different characters. While at their core, they're a lot a like, it's there origins that bring about conflicting emotions in the reader. One, an outlaw of the old wild west and the other, a struggling young actress in s Hollywood. Both were excellent and certainly leave a lot in the open for future volumes. I already enjoy Snyder's writing but Rafael Albuquerque's art is exceptional to say the least.

His visuals sync up perfectly with the style of the story that's being told and offer up some pretty gruesome shots. This is the kind of vampire storytelling I can get behind. You've got compelling characters with an interesting plot for them to play around in. It doesn't feel manufactured and the inclusion of vampires never really feels like a gimmick used to cash in on the genre's massive popularity.

I've got volume one and two sitting on my coffee table all set to go - I think I'll be breezing through these in pretty rapid succession. Apr 02, Trudi rated it really liked it Shelves: This was great, and the only thing holding me back from gushing is that I still haven't been completely won over to the graphic novel format. Steven Niles rocked my world with 30 Days of Night - those vampires kick ass. I was actually really pleased with the movie too. I love how Niles re-imagines the vampire, stealing it back from the trashy, paranormal bodice rippers!

For far too long vampires have been distinguished aristocrats, Byronic heroes, or sexy-emo-pouting "bad boys". The vampires that descend on Barrow are ruthless, and everything vampires should be if you want to scare the heck out of someone -- merciless, bloodthirsty villains with no conscience. Niles should be given a medal for his contribution to both the literary and vampire film canon.

For far too long the debonair, smooth-talking vampire has ruled. Stephen King thinks so too, which is why Scott Snyder did not have to twist his arm too hard to get him on board with this project. Snyder went fishing for an intro, what he got was a full-on, hard core collaboration. King is all over American Vampire , and the "wild west" themes found in his parts of the story have a lot of Dark Tower energy running through them. I really half-expected Roland to walk right into the story at some point.

He may yet, who knows? And can I just give a shout out to the toe-tag? I've been drawn into the world, and the notion of a "new" kind of vampire that can walk in daylight at war with the ancient Euro-vampires is intriguing. I will definitely come back for more of this series. Oct 18, David - proud Gleeman in Branwen's adventuring party rated it it was amazing Shelves: Even though I had heard great things about Scott Snyder's "American Vampire" series, I've been hesitant in checking it out. Like many people, I'm just too "vampired-out" these days!

After finally reading the 1st collection, I realize my fears were completely unfounded. Meanwhile, James Book, Felix Camino, and Will Bunting ride towards Felix's father, as the elder Camino is responsible for Skinner's apprehension and they believe his gang will seek revenge.

After visiting his Wife Ella's Grave Book and his crew head to stop Skinner's gang, while Skinner now a vampire dines on rats in his grave. At this point the town where Skinner is buried is flooded, while Book hunts down Skinner's gang, shooting arresting or hanging each and every one of them until he can stomach it no longer. The years pass and by Felix is married, has a pregnant wife, and has given up his violent ways In Will Bunting finishes his book "Bad Blood" and gives it to James Book to read, and in Felix's wife gives birth to Abilena, but dies during the process.

Meanwhile, at Skinner's watery grave a couple of ambitious treasure hunters venture down into the deep to find artifacts connected to the famous killer. Set in Los Angeles, providing a brief account of the meeting between Hattie and Pearl, and then Hattie's later betrayal of Pearl in the service of the vampiric Old World movie moguls.

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Hattie appears down on her luck as she rewards Pearl's kindness to her she ignored a filched donut with cinema tickets. This BFF motif makes the rest of the action in this section particularly poignant as Pearl is lured out on a moonless night to "rescue" Hattie. In reality, Hattie literally stabs her in the back as part of a deal to make Hattie a starlet. Bloch's intention is to imprison Pearl to discover the vulnerabilities of the American strain. She escapes with the help of her paramour, Henry, who lets her feed on him.

As the issue closes, Henry expresses a wish to join Pearl in her battle he is ex USMC , and stay with her through thick and thin. The second story arc issues 6—9 follows the chief of police of Las Vegas in Taking the name Joe Smoke, Skinner Sweet has set himself up as one of the infant city of Las Vegas' up and coming mobsters.

The third story arc takes place in the s, during World War II. There is also a mini-series featuring Felicia Book that takes place during this era. Under the orders of The Vassals of the Morning Star, Henry joins a mission to investigate a vampire threat in the Pacific, with an appearance from Skinner. Skinner Sweet and Jim Book are revealed to be adolescent friends living on the Book family farm.

Skinner's family has recently been murdered and their livelihood a mint farm has been burned to the ground. The boys develop a friendship and Book recognizes that there's no one Book feels safer with than Skinner.

There's an allusion to the Yankee forces having burned down Skinner's ancestral farm, While the two boys are playing the find a rattle snake burrow and Skinner pulls the snake out bare handed. Later, Young James book returns to the snake's burrow and sets it ablaze. The Apaches have come to this particular place because their leader is searching for Mimiteh, goddess of death. The leader is the scar-faced Apache, Hole in the Sky, who believes that Mimiteh is the key to annihilating the white man and returning the plains to the Apache's hands.

Corporal Skinner Sweet believes that the Apache are preparing an ambush, when he and Corporal Book capture a young Apache and Skinner slices off his ears for information, his worries are ambiguously confirmed. Back at the cave Hole in the sky finds Mimiteh. When Hole in the Sky begs Mimiteh to attack the white man she is revealed to be the original American Vampire. Mimteh tries to reason with Hole in the Sky by telling him how she became a vampire. She tells him about how her French husband Ettienne sold her to two European travelers, whom she leads through the Northern wilderness like Sacajawea.

She finds them slaughtering a bear, revealing themselves as vampires. They chase her down and maul her badly. However the Lewis and Clark vampires were unaware that two hunters were tracking them, and right after Mimiteh was bled dry the hunters slaughtered the vampires. Mimiteh survives because of her immunity to wood and her ability to feed on sunlight as an American bred Nosferatu, and she rises and travels home, but Ettienne is long gone so she returns to her tribe. Mimiteh is overcome by vampiric hunger upon arrival, and slaughters every man, woman, and child in the tribe.

Feeling remorse she seals herself into the mountain cave. Unfortunately Hole in the sky ignores Mimiteh's story and attacks her with a hatchet and consumes her blood. Back at the camp Skinner recognizes the danger and attempts to track down the Apache on his own, planning to catch them off-guard.

He ignites the brush around the camp in the hopes of burning them to death. The next morning Lieutenant Hawley finds Skinner missing and takes Book into custody. He charges Book with desertion and demands to know Skinner's' whereabouts. Eventually Book finds himself facing a firing squad, while Hole in the Sky has returned to face his troops and show them his transformation into a powerful, horrific beast.

He rallies the troops and they prepare to attack but right before they do Mimiteh returns and attacks. Right before Hawley can carry out Book's execution Skinner arrives, guns drawn. Skinner walks over confidently and reminds Hawley's men of the danger of the Apache on the mountain. The men hesitate and when they do Hawley draws on Skinner but Skinner is a faster shot. When asked why he's murdered the Lieutenant, Skinner replies that he's promoted himself while sucking on a peppermint stick.

Skinner leaves book tied to a tree after informing Book of his plan turn the natives, men, women, and children, alive. Mimiteh blames the Apache for interrupting her solitude and attacks them. When Skinner arrives the Apache have been slaughtered. Book finally breaks free and catches up with Skinner, expecting to find his friend killing Apaches, but finds Skinner by bodies that have been butchered and not burned. When Book admits that Skinner was right about the number of Apaches waiting ambush Skinner implies he had been guessing all along.

A short arc set in the s that focuses on a young vampire hunter named Travis Kidd. Travis has been tracking a group of vampires, including Skinner, to the suburbs where he believes they have been holing up. This series publication began on March 17, This is the first comic which features original Stephen King scripting who was contracted to the initial five issues. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. July Learn how and when to remove this template message.

Archived from the original on 14 November Retrieved December 18, The first five double-sized issues consisted of two stories, illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque. Scott Snyder wrote each issue's lead feature, and Stephen King wrote the back-up tales. I Don't Fucking Sparkle: Archived from the original on Archived from the original on 3 December Archived from the original on 6 January DC Vertigo ongoing series.

Deadenders Swamp Thing Vol. The Age of Magic Fables Y: Fairest Saucer Country Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child Astro City Vol. Second Cycle The Unwritten: From the Pages of Fables Lucifer Vol. Bibliography Short fiction Unpublished and uncollected Awards and nominations. Heroes for Hope American Vampire Retrieved from " https: Views Read Edit View history. This page was last edited on 12 December , at By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Cover of American Vampire 1. Pearl Jones Skinner Sweet. Scott Snyder 1—present Stephen King 1—5.

Rafael Albuquerque Mateus Santolouco.

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