REVIEW: ‘Dracula: Blood Hunt’ Issue #2

Dracula: Blood Hunt #2 is published by Marvel Comics. It is written by Danny Lore, with art by Vincenzo Carratú, colors by David Curiel, and letters by Joe Sabino. This is part of the Blood Hunt event. As Brielle, daughter of Blade, ventures into Hell’s Kitchen alone, she draws the attention of both bloodsucking vampires and Daredevil.

The necessity to stay up to date with the major books and key elements of the whole event is reiterated in Dracula: Blood Hunt #2. The comic erupts from the midpoint of Blood Hunt #3, with Brielle bursting out of Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum without any protection or direction of travel. This disorients her and separates her from the rest of the group. The panic of discovering that her father is the Lord of the Vampires, and it falls on her to slay him, has put Brielle in a spiral.

The bulk of Dracula: Blood Hunt #2 allows Brielle to wrestle with the burden that’s just been placed on her. Every time a fight erupts in Dracula: Blood Hunt #2, something new has entered. Where Dracula has been a chaperone, Daredevil is more of a traditional hero, one who is very good at receiving confessions and giving advice. The pace fluctuates from contemplative to rapid, forcing the audience to pay attention. The ending is sudden and intensely escalates the drama of the series.

The dialogue from Lore is sensational. There are three key characters involved in Dracula: Blood Hunt #2, and the change in how they speak is noticeable and welcome, displaying the difference in their upbringing and personality. Brielle is very young and very new to being a superhero.

Still in high school, The young, pink-haired vampire slayer is overwhelmed by the pressure suddenly put on her. Lore captures youth brilliantly. The influx of responsibility placed on her is threatening to blow her mind. While the other two figures may be older than her, Brielle is not shy about biting back and telling them to back off.

Daredevil has an excellent part to play in Dracula: Blood Hunt #2. His role as a protective hero, one of the most experienced within the community, means even the Lord of Vampires gives him some respect. He is wise and caring, willing to listen to Brielle and allow her to vent. He does not try to tell her what to do; he advises her on being a hero. Then when she is danger, he will put his body on the line, the respect Daredevil is given in the narration cements his prominence and status within the Marvel Universe.

As for Dracula, his ancient attitude is starting to get worn down by Brielle’s defiance. His mission with a driver is not impeded by humanity or emotions, which causes friction between him and Brielle, who is fraught with nerves and anxiety. He is grumpy but always calm, never intimidated by a threat.

The art is fantastic. All three of the characters look terrific. Dracula and Brielle have intricate and detailed designs, both depicting different eras. Brielle hasn’t been able to change out of what she wore to school whilst Dracula is in his regal armor.

As for Daredevil, his costume is simple and highly effective. Carratú magnificently presents his movement. His entrance, a flurry of flips and blows as he protects Brielle from a small swarm of vampires, is executed superbly. His radar sense, Daredevil’s most iconic ability, is a brief but beautiful aside from the regular art style. The characters’ facial expressions are also magnificent, eloquently and effectively detailing the highly charged emotions of the tie-in.

The colors showcase the most prominent aspects of each character. Those brief flashes of brilliance draw attention within a city shrouded in darkness, whether it be the purple or alabaster hair colors of Brielle and Dracula, respectively, or the pure scarlet of Daredevil, which is perhaps more vibrant than anything else in the comic so far. The lettering is crisp and clear, with legibility never being a problem.

Dracula: Blood Hunt #2 excellently explores emotions. The decision to begin the comic immediately after Brielle received the gut-wrenching truth about her father owning the door for a raw and expansive character development story. Dracula takes a backseat in the issue for Brielled to step into the spotlight, aided in her thoughts by Daredevil.

Lore has never once appeared patronising towards Brielle as a character, always avoiding cliches. The conversation between Brielle and Daredevil is thoughtful and in-depth, whilst Dracula is a fantastic foik. All are framed through stunning artwork that delights in both dances and fighting.

Dracula: Blood Hunt #2 is available where comics are sold.