Marvel Preview - later, Bizarre Adventures - was one of several black and white magazine-sized publications that Marvel produced in the `70s, usually featuring a different star or theme each issue. Vampire hunter, Blade, was proving popular in the excellent Tomb Of Dracula, and a couple of appearances in Vampire Tales were followed by this extravaganza in `75... Blade was the sole feature in this Marvel Preview, the seventy-odd pages of the vampire slayer`s fight against The Legion Of The Damned in England, makes this something of a graphic novel... Blade, once again comes up against the vampiric organization, led by twisted aristocrat Lady Marguerite D`Alescio and Lord Vierken. This time, Blade`s framed for murder - the murder of human child, Josie Harper. And, to really piss him off, the vampires kidnap his sweetheart, Safron Caulder, as well. Now, our hero must prove his innocence and rescue his woman, with his trusty wooden knives and some hip-jive mean talkin` - y`dig? The story comes in four chapters, the cliffhanger endings and occasional flashbacks gives me the impression that this tale was likely originally intended for serialization, as was Blade`s first clash with The Legion in Vampire Tales. It`s good, and starts off really well, but suddenly around half-way through, the pace changes and it`s as if writer, Claremont, has tried to pack too much in and then, just as quickly finish everything off. The plot with Blade framed for murder and Safron`s abduction is sufficient, the addition of The Legion`s `sunlight serum` is unneccessary and could have made a later, third story. And, the final page, as Inspector Fraser ties up all the loose ends is about as plausible as an episode of Scooby Doo... Tony DeZuniga does a beautiful job on the penciling, he takes on after Gene Colan very well. Rico Rival does the art on the last two chapters, a heavier, but similar style. Despite some daft holes in the plot - great art, some classic scenes, including the origin of Blade retold - makes this one to grab hold of...
Other reviews for Marvel Preview #3 - The Night Josie Harper Died!
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