I, Vampire volume 3 : Wave of Mutilation, by Joshua
Hale Fialkov, with art by Andrea Sorrentino, Fernando Blanco, and others. Graphic
novel, collecting issues 0 & 13-19.
This title may be an example of a comic book that is best served
by the mini-series format. I enjoyed the first arc (reviewed here) very much,
and the series would have been best served if it has been able to take a break
after that. The second volume (reviewed here) was also strong, but even a
crossover with Justice League Dark was unable to stem the steady decline
in readership.
The prior issues led to a battle of Cain versus Andrew
Bennett versus Mary Queen of Blood versus Lilith. Over the course of the series
up to this point, Andrew’s character arc went from him being the only good
vampire in the world to the only bad one. But in this volume he may have to
turn good again to finally achieve his final victory. In each of these cases, Bennett
led a ragtag small group of followers against a much larger and more powerful
force.
As is the case with just about every DC horror title, John
Constantine, the “Hellblazer ex Machina” of the New 52 showed up to aid
Bennett. But even the powerful guest star couldn’t save the title. This is the
end of the line for this run of I, Vampire. It is always good when a
creator knows when their work will end, and in this case, Fialkov was given the
opportunity to bring this series to a conclusion, to a definite end. And that
makes a big difference.
I do hope that Andrew Bennett will return one day, written
again by Fialkov. Maybe as a 6-issue mini-series. I’d like that.
Source: public library
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