As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast who has weathered numerous economic downturns and superhero apocalypses, I must say that the connection between recessions and vampire stories is not lost on me. The allure of the macabre during tough times seems to be a universal constant, and it’s fascinating to see how this plays out in the world of comics.
One intriguing pop culture theory I enjoy is the link between vampire tales and economic downturns. Though the chilling narrative style has persisted throughout history, it seems to flourish during tough economic periods. This trend has started to seep into comic books as well, with publishers integrating adult-themed vampire stories into their superhero narratives. In response to these times, DC Comics is revisiting its popular violent alternate universe of DC vs. Vampires. Now under the revamped Elseworlds label, the series makes a comeback with the sequel, DC vs. Vampires: World War V. This week’s release essentially maintains the same formula – a visually appealing yet inconsistent fight sequence.
1. In “DC vs. Vampires: World War V” #1, we revisit a DC universe overrun by a vampire outbreak, where Barbara Gordon / Batgirl commands a horde of vampires, while Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) heads the diminishing human resistance. However, when Damian Wayne (Robin) breaks ranks and disrupts the balance, both sides are pushed to their limits in unforeseen challenges.
In contrast to several Elseworlds series released during DC’s banner revamp, “World War V” might be confusing for readers not familiar with the franchise, offering occasional explanatory conversations as compensation. The majority of the dialogue focuses on discussing the power capabilities of the characters or the central conflict involving humans and vampires, yet it fails to fully engage the audience by explaining why this world is so engaging. However, there are some positive aspects in Matthew Rosenberg’s script, such as a heartfelt conversation between two characters. Unfortunately, the dialogue featuring vampires exhibits an arrogant nihilism that becomes increasingly irritating as the issue progresses.
For those readers not deeply invested in the DC vs. Vampires series, who may not be familiar with its past betrayals and tragic turns into darkness, the tension in this issue might seem unevenly distributed. Furthermore, many details from the original series remain unclear, and it’s uncertain if this sequel will improve upon the narrative. Given the contentious ending of the initial series, the storytelling in this issue raises doubts about whether DC vs. Vampires can establish itself as a self-contained storytelling universe like DCeased and Injustice have done for multiple years.
In terms of visual style, Otto Schmidt’s depictions in “World War V” align with his past notable series, carrying both its strengths and weaknesses. Certain panels, especially those displaying grisly action, exude dynamic energy that’s enjoyable to witness. However, the artwork has some drawbacks: his preference for minimal backgrounds can make readers feel detached from the war-ravaged setting, and may appear as shortcuts taken. Moreover, the frequent facial expressions of snarls and grimaces among characters become repetitive, and it can be challenging to identify certain characters without their vibrant suits. One specific scene even resorts to verbally identifying each character to aid readers in distinguishing them. Pierlugi Casolino’s coloring effectively employs blues, greens, and grays, but truly shines when the violence escalates. Tom Napoitano’s lettering, reminiscent of claustrophobia, complements Schmidt’s overall aesthetic and imparts a scrappy sentimentality to the narrative.
Similar to its main series, issue #1 of DC vs. Vampires: World War V isn’t inherently a poor comic, but it can certainly be frustrating. This follow-up plunges readers directly into the fray without much regard for their prior engagement, hoping to retain them with an explosive narrative that unfortunately doesn’t always deliver smoothly. While vampires might symbolize our contemporary culture, there exists a more captivating rendition of DC vs. Vampires, and it remains unclear if World War V will serve as the platform to bring it forth.
Published by DC
On August 14, 2024
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Art by Otto Schmidt
Colors by Pierlugi Casolino
Letters by Tom Napolitano
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2024-08-14 17:39