American Vampire #1

Scott Snyder is an up and coming comic writer we all will know soon enough.  He wrote a little for Marvel comics before American Vampire was taking sales by storm.  Part of the reason American Vampire has been selling comics by the boat loads is because of Stephen King and his half of each of the first 5 comics of American Vampire.
 

Vertigo was trying out new ways to get exposure for each new series, they tried a $1 for the first issue or cheap first trades.  This series was lucky to get Stephen King on board.  The first 5 issues like I mentioned above have half the comic written by Snyder and the other half King, both illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque. 
 

The first story "Big Break" is about Pearl Jones and her big break into acting.  We are introduced to the important players in this series from the old Vampires to the new Vampire Skinner Sweet.  We are also introduced to a lot of Hattie Hargrove who is Pearl's best friend.
 
The story starts off with  dark tones and shades and by page 3 colors start to flood the page, giving vibrant life to Albuquerque's art. Even with color now popping on the pages, shadows still play in the background adding to the mystery of the series.

 

The battle between light and dark is wonderful in this story.  shadows and dark tones one minute, vibrant colors next, then back to dark tones. 
 
The second part of this comic is what all comic fans have been waiting for.  The Stephen King half "Bad Blood".  Not to take away from Scott Snyder's great story and wonder comic world in which he created.  Bad Blood is about how Skinner Sweet became the American Vampire.  A Day Walker unlike any Vampire who came before him.  The art style I think changes a little making this story look like a different story all together.  Albuquerque creates a very Vertigo western looks like Brian Azzaello's Loveless or even the Vertigo Jonah Hex minis.  I like that the stories broke away from each other this way only to have Stephen King's story lead into Pearl Jones' present day.  Skinner Sweet is a strong enough character to have his own solo series, it will be neat to see how he affects Pearl Jones.

 
American Vampire is a wondeful and welcomed new addition to the Vertigo Family.  This issue alone is one of the most talked about comics of the year and I would be surprised if you haven't read it yet.
 
Cheers!
- Silkcuts