SPOILER WARNING for American Vampire 1976 #1
The eerie American Vampire 1976, awakens a fan-favorite character once believed to be amongst the dead. James Book has once again ed the living, and he has unfinished business.
James (Jim) Book is best known for his rivalry with outlaw Skinner Sweet. The notorious sociopath contradicts everything that the law enforcement officer stands for. The two have a typical hero/villain relationship. Where one goes, the other follows in retribution. After first apprehending Sweet, a shootout ensued between the two, resulting in Book being injured and Sweet supposedly dying. However, he rose from the grave twenty years later as a vampire. Now, it seems Book has followed his example by rising from the dead himself.
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Previously, the reappearance of this renowned detective was teased in an earlier issue. The confirmation of his newfound vampiric status comes at the end of this issue. Skinner Sweet has a new mission ahead of him, placed upon his shoulders by Pearl Jones. The one issue? His lack of a reliable gang by his side. It's at this moment that the fallen detective makes his appearance. Alive and well, he receives a shocking reaction from Skinner Sweet (understandably so).
The revamped relationship comes as a surprise to fans as well. The two are not known for their ability to work together. Book is the Batman to Sweet's Joker; only the direst or unnatural circumstances would bring the two together. In this case, that circumstance is Pearl Jones. The issue also brings up a multitude of plot points that will certainly be important in issues to come. It will be interesting to see if the two will stay a united front, or if old habits will get the best of them once again.
American Vampire 1976 has fans flocking once again to the series they know and love. The apocalyptic, dark horror style of the comic sets the scene for a country on the brink of total collapse. The fog of paranoia and hopelessness surely holds familiarity for many readers right now. It's a topical feeling for the current world's uncertainty. After a break from the world of American Vampire, the creative team of Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Dave McCaig clearly have big plans for the unexpected partnership. The rest of the series will hopefully utilize the unexpected twist to bring in a new era for the American Vampire universe.
