Created by Hiroshi Koizumi, Written by Eliot Rahal, Art by Dike Ruan, Colored by Miquel Muerto, Lettered by AndWorld
Thanks to Vault Comics for the review copy!
BLEED THEM DRY is a high concept new series, billing itself as a “Ninja Vampire Tale.” But that’s not all, the series is set in the year 3333 and in the future vampires and humans live alongside each other in peace and harmony. Until someone starts killing vampires that is, which is where we meet human protagonist Harper Halloway.
That sounds like a complicated concept (because it is) but the story is pretty digestible. Harper and her partner are trying to solve a murder, notable because in this story killing vampires is bad. They have the requisite grumpy captain. Tidbits of vampire-human society are sprinkled in (Harper drinks coffee, her vampire partner drinks what looks like warm blood). The world of BLEED THEM DRY is shown to us in chunks, with a news broadcast here and a glimpse of futuristic buildings there. There is clearly a lot more we can learn in future issues.
About two thirds of the way in, the straightforward murder mystery swerves in a different direction and sets up the arc for future issues. The new direction pays off on the vampire theme and promises to deliver on the ninja part of the billing as well.
Art wise, I haven’t seen enough vampires to know if BLEED THEM DRY has a common characteristic aside from the pointy teeth. I’d be curious to find out if everyone knows who is a vampire, or if some vampires are able to pass for human.
In addition to the bloody murders, this book has a fair amount of curse words, so parental discretion is advised. Issue one does a commendable job of introducing us to a book with a complicated concept and making it accessible. It ends on a cliffhanger that ensures I’ll be looking out for Issue 2.
BLEED THEM DRY #1 is now available.
Check back soon for my thoughts on the 2nd issue (comes out July 29th) of this Ninja Vampire Tale!
Have you read the issue? What are your thoughts? Want to talk to me about this issue? Feel free to chat with me on Twitter or leave a comment below!
