REVIEW: ‘Blood Hunt’ Issue #5

Blood Hunt #5 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Jed MacKay, art by Pepe Larraz, letters by Marte Gracia and letters by Cory Petit. This is the final issue of the core series with the Blood Hunt event. The heroes make their final moves to try to uproot Varnae, the very first vampire, who has been possessing the body of Blade the Vampire Hunter.

This last issue does not suffer from the same complication that the previous chapters have because they all lead to this moment. The story has been split across the main series and the various tie-ins. Vengeance of Moon Knight, Doctor Strange, Dracula: Blood Hunt, and many other series have had a hand in directing the event’s entire story, leading to an awkward structure in the core series. However, Blood Hunt #5 has gathered all the heroes again and sent them against Varnae. In one section is an enclave of Avengers and other heroes in a mass brawl against the key villains.

However, in Latveria, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom are making deals that may protect the world in the short term but could have drastic consequences for the future of the Marvel Universe. The pacing is rapid, and the action is fantastic, with teamwork and a desire for vengeance from many heroes. MacKay’s writing finally comes alive, with many of his broader themes clear. There is a dedication to protecting life, even in high-pressure situations. The ending is conclusive but highlights how many pieces will be left to be picked up in the various titles spinning out of Blood Hunt.

The series’ key players are scattered but excel as a group. Many of the characters experience lasting changes, some quite literally torn apart. Miles Morales is a vampire. And above all, Doctor Doom has finally stepped into the spotlight. He has been protected from vampires during the whole event, just waiting for heroes to come and help. The dialogue between him and Strange is exceptional. They know each other well, but Doom has the confidence and the upper hand. MacKay relishes the villains in this issue, with Varnae also delightfully grandiose and arrogant.

The art is easily the most impressive part of the main book. Blood Hunt #5 is one long fight scene, interspersed with Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom taking control of the situation. Larraz makes the odds look stacked against them. Fallen bodies and blood are everywhere. All of the characters look phenomenal. Many of the enemies are bigger than the heroes, with the scale making the Avengers look dwarfed compared to their enemies.

The injuries are extreme and visceral, and the action is fast-paced. Varnae’s powers stretch across the screen, spreading like clouds of ink underwater. Doctor Doom stands above Strange, stoic and menacing. Even though the metal mask shrouds his face, Larraz and the writing make it so you can almost sense his smile.

The colors are terrific. The energy of the individual characters is gorgeous and mind-blowing, swirling around each other and glowing with intensity. The backgrounds look like paintbrush strokes, making them vibrant and dazzling and adding texture to the pages. Varnae has a particular score to settle with Thor, and so chooses him to fight for most of the issue. This creates a sensational spectacle, with the bright blue of Thor’s lightning trying to cut through the suffocating black and red of Varnae’s influence. The lettering is pristine and clear.

Blood Hunt #5 makes the whole event worthwhile. Blood Hunt has not been the most accessible event to keep track of, but this final issue captures the excitement and the magnitude that the crossover deserved. All the essential characters have a task that would have been impossible without them. MacKay has been telling a story through multiple titles, and the coordination should be commended. While that structure forced the other issues of the core book to suffer, it ultimately helped wrap the whole crossover up. Throughout the core series, the art has been sublime.

Blood Hunt #5 is available where comics are sold.