As you know, I keep up with all Caliber
titles and over the weekend, I had a chance to digest Helsing #1. The
Bram Stroker legacy lives on. If Bram Stroker was alive right now, he would probably be in
complete awe, seeing what his novel Dracula has inspired. For that matter, Vlad Tepes aka
the Dracul, would be amazed on how his legend feeds on itself and continues.
The legacy continues in Helsing and right from the beginning I was
transfixed to the story, as Samantha goes through her dream of being in a wedding and her
groom is that of a vampire. I see how a reader gets drawn into the story as Nadia tells
Samantha about her mother and the characters become more rounded out. This is a good
character development. The ploy works, because I was drawn in immediately. Samantha must
get the impurities out of her body and soul and this is the reason why she bathes in the
sun. The sun is light, the sun is good. I picked up on that one quick, as Samantha
referred to the Tophet as an organization. If she knew nothing of the Tophet, then why did
she say what she said?
I love Samantha’s unique abilities to be able to walk into that
bar and spot out the creatures of the night. This reminded me of that movie by John
Carpenter called "Them", in which the hero was able to walk into a store and
spots out the aliens through his special sunglasses. I admire Samantha for her strength
and fearless determination to confront these night creatures. I was stunned at her quick
reflexes in taking out the vampire from the bar. She makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer look
like little league.
Gary Reed did a superior job with the writing of this story and I will
be looking forward to more. The artwork throughout this comic book was beautifully done
with different contrasts that fits well with the story. Is this comic book a winner? You
know it is!!
Paul Haywood
Comic Forum Reviews
Not much in at the comic shop today so I
thought I’d try Helsing.. To be honest, I didn’t have
high hopes for it. From the ads I’d assumed that it was a Buffy knock-off and while I
quite like that show once every couple of weeks on TV is enough. Besides, how many good
comics based on TV shows have there ever been? Yeah, a few- but not many.
Luckily this book wasn’t what I’d expected. It was better.
Having missed #1 (because of the above) I was pleased to see the summary on the first
page- it brought me nicely up to speed. Don’t know what I missed but this issue made
sense, and, yes, it piqued my interest.
Hmm, a husband who’s a corpse belonging to the Helsing clan whose
mission is to exterminate monsters- but she’s suffered a memory loss. Nice set up and
nice use of "text" pages- don’t be afraid to do that in the future- some of
us like to read our books as well as look at the pretty pictures. The letters at the
beginning and end were a nice touch too.
Great cover too. Attractive cover design too. All in all another
interesting package from Caliber.
Definitely going to try the Disciples and will pick up Fatalis
if I see it. Bet you haven’t had too many comics returned under the satisfaction
pledge yet, huh?
Michael Vance
Suspended Animation
Save the blood and guts for hockey; horror
is about anticipated and realized fear. The new comic book, Helsing, is
about a mysterious and deep ties to a relative of Abraham Van Helsing, the man who killed
Dracula.
Helsing is also about her search for a mysterious and sinister
organization called "The Tophet."
But this new horror comic is ultimately about fear, anticipated and
realized. As should be, there are more intriguing questions than answers in the premier
issue. Subplots and characterization are introduced that hint at subtle relationships both
on this earth and in other realms. Dialog and pacing are crisp, although captions seem
underwritten and occasionally even clumsy: "Relics of yesteryears continued forth
with their true beginnings obscured."
The art is full of somber grays and threatening blacks, although it
does not reach the classic macabre visual atmosphere of a Graham Ingels, Berni Wrightson
or Frank Frazetta. The visual pacing is excellent and storytelling clear, and the
artist’s characters are each physically distinctive people.
It is a hair’s-breath away from excellence and only needs an
ominous and additional layer of shadow.
The first issue of Helsing is like a first date, more titillation than
promise, offering no guarantees. But, as first dates go, this new series holds real
promise. It could be a marriage made in Hell, which is the proper setting for horror.
Particularly noteworthy is the restrained use of profanity, sex, nudity
and excessive violence that have befouled the genre of horror in the last three decades.
Recommended.
Paul Dale Roberts
Compuserve Reviews
Very intriguing story, as Samantha
doesn’t know her past and there is so much to explore. Samantha is able to see
vampires for what they are and with this unique power, it will enable her to become a
superb vampire hunter. As I see the night beckoning Samantha, this tells me that she has
vampire DNA coursing through her blood, which gives her those unique powers that I
mentioned above. Those red eyes of her father, tell me he was a vampire. Could it be
Dracula? Gary Reed moved this story with hard-edged drama. Helsing #2
was powerful and emotional. Highly enjoyed reading the history of vampirism. What a nice
refresher course and seeing vampirism defined the Caliber way. The Van Helsing family tree
is an interesting one. Rich with history, a legacy of vampire hunters. The mystery of the
Tophet is just that, a mystery. Everyone loves mysteries and now bits and pieces of the
mystery is unfolding as Nadia the housekeeper reveals that Samantha’s father was the
Tophet. Loved the Van Helsing Chronicles as the story takes us to Siberia! It’s great
the way Gregori Rasputin, the hypnotic monk has been incorporated into this story. The
legends of Rasputin live on and now he has a direct link to the Van Helsings, Dracula and
the whole vampire myth. A real historical character that has been placed in the Van
Helsing Chronicles. I couldn’t have asked for more! It will be fun to watch the
character development of Isaac Van Helsing. Even though there were many artist involved
with the comic book, the artwork blended in perfectly. Very well done. A team of top notch
artists, that did their homework! Loved the cover too! This cover was a real eyecatcher.
Congratulations on this masterpiece, you guys! I will definitely be back for more!
