Summary

• Blood Hunt #5 concludes with a shocking redefinition of Marvel's vampire lore, as the undead are now immune to sunlight, changing their role in the Marvel Universe moving forward.
• Dr. Doom becomes Sorcerer Supreme to bring back the sun and stop the endless night – but what should have been the end of the vampire threat becomes "a new dawn" for Dracula and his people.
• Miles Morales and Dracula defeated the first vampire, Varnae, and were prepared to sacrifice themselves to save the world – yet they have been spared by the intervention of some mystery force.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Blood Hunt #5!!

Marvel promised that its Blood Hunt crossover event would have repercussions for years to come, and now the conclusion has radically altered vampire lore in the Marvel Universe, revealing that they have lost their traditional weakness to sun exposure. After having spent years as a background menace, this ending makes it clear that they are here to stay as a sustained threat.

In Blood Hunt #5, Doctor Doom "borrows" the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme from Doctor Strange, as he alone knows the ritual to bring back the sun and stop the endless night. Moments after Miles Morales helps defeat the first vampire, Varnae, and free Blade from his influence, the clouds part and the sun shines on the Marvel Universe once more.

It should've meant the end for Spider-Man and Dracula, but both vampires stand unharmed in the sunlight. Dracula doesn't seem to know why, only that the world owes them a debt for helping save it.

As BLOOD HUNT Ends, Marvel Vampires Can Now Walk Freely In The Sun

Blood Hunt #5 – Written By Jed MacKay; Art By Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, Fernando Sifuentes, & Cory Petit

Right now, it's unclear whether every single vampire will enjoy the benefit of walking in the sunlight, but if that's the case, the threat is arguably worse than ever.

A primary feature of vampirism in Marvel, and general mythology, is their inability to withstand sunlight. At best, it causes them to seek darkness; at worst, it burns them to a crisp. When Doom completes his ritual and summons the sun, most vampires rush away from the incoming light. In the Fantastic Four #22 tie-in, the undead rapidly clears the area of New York City where Mister Fantastic stands. Neither Dracula or Spider-Man have the chance before the sun hits them, revealing the shocking truth. It's good news for the pair, but not necessarily for the rest of the world.

The only clue Dracula can provide about the major change is that it's potentially tied to their efforts to save the world. Spider-Man and Dracula were instrumental in banishing Varnae, whose blood runs through both of them, and played major roles in ending that part of the threat. That isn't true for other vampires, however, as many of them were greedily drinking their way through the planet. Right now, it's unclear whether every single vampire will enjoy the benefit of walking in the sunlight, but if that's the case, the threat is arguably worse than ever.

Right now, Dracula and Spider-Man's newfound abilities have given more questions than answers, and the Marvel Universe will be forever changed if it's a widespread phenomenon.

There Is No Escaping The Marvel Universe's Bloodthirsty New Threat, Not Even In Daylight

The "Daywalker" Is No Longer Alone

Until now, Blade was essentially the only vampire capable of living in the sun. As a Daywalker, he's never been quite so bound to the darkness. By applying that to all vampires, which Dracula assumes when he says "our people have a new dawn ahead of them," they move from stalkers in the night to a population of thousands (or millions) that must contend with ordinary society. Right now, Dracula and Spider-Man's newfound abilities have given more questions than answers, and the Marvel Universe will be forever changed if it's a widespread phenomenon.

Blood Hunt #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.