The Lost Boys: I, Vampire #1 Review

Written by: Joshua Hale Fialkhov

Art by: Andrea Sorrentino

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: September 28, 2011

It Doesn't Suck

I have to admit, when DC rebooted into the New 52, the only thing I knew about I, Vampire was it had Vampires in it.  I never claimed to be brilliant.  I didn't know Andrew Bennett from Alex Winter and Joshua Hale Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino had yet to enter my radar.  As the months went by, I kept hearing about how good this book was in reviews and podcasts, but never met anyone who was actually reading it. Sales reflected that and eventually it was cancelled.  Since then, I've become a big fan of Fialkov's "The Bunker" and I adore Sorrentino's art in "Green Arrow" so it was easy to pick I, Vampire as the next Lost Boys book.  So here it goes...I, Vampire #1.

If DC wanted this book to be Twilight, they picked the wrong creative team. Thank God.  From the first panel, this book is dark, moody and twisted.  It is a love story, but a love story between a vampire turned vampire hunter, Andrew Bennett and the Vamp Queen, Mary.  To say they don't see eye-to-eye about what it is to be a vampire is an understatement.  

Joshua Hale Fialkov presents the story and characters with a subtle touch.  Dialogue is used to give hints of what these characters are capable of and Sorrentino's art emphasizes it.  The two work so well together and make it a joy to read.  That's good, because this is not a book to fly through.  It demands to be soaked in slowly and even reread a couple of times.  It's dense, sometimes confusing and really good.

I am already interested in the characters and while their world isn't one I'd even want to visit, I want to know more about it.  I want to see how Andrew and Mary's differences challenge their relationship as well as play out in the world at large.  However, it seemed weird when the leads talk about the DCU.  The book doesn't feel like it lives in the DCU proper and the thought of Superman showing up seems awful.  Still, the book ends with a cliffhanger that would have anyone on Team Edward piss their pants.

Bits and Pieces:

It's a shame that I didn't read this book when it first came out.  It is so different than the norm that the New 52 dished out when it arrived and I think I would have been hooked right away.  If you are a fan of moody stories with great characters and excellent art I suggest you at least pick up this first issue and give it a shot.  I think I will pick up the rest of the series to see how it all plays out.  

8.8/10