REVIEW: ‘Werewolf By Night: Blood Hunt,’ Issue #1

Werewolf By Night: Blood Hunt #1 is a one-shot published by Marvel Comics, written by Jason Loo, art by Adam Gorham, colors by Alex Sinclair and letters by Joe Sabino. This is part of the Blood Hunt event. The new Werewolf By Night tries to slip away to somewhere quiet but finds unwanted company in the form of cultists, demons and vampires.

This is one of the scariest and most bloodthirsty issues so far in the series. The pacing begins slow, setting up a lot of the scenarios. What’s interesting about the plot Loo creates is that the story doesn’t necessarily need the vampires. Jake Gomez, the new Werewolf By Night, has his secret hideaway invaded by people seeking to host a seance that rapidly goes wrong.

On its own, this would be a compelling storyline filled with blood and magic. But then, the ongoing crossover is thrown in that derails and interferes with the conflict. Not only do the vampires get involved in the fight, but their magic has blocked out the moon that would transform Jake into her lupine form.

The violence in this issue is truly shocking, killing off characters in stunning fashion. There is a fearlessness in dealing with death and destruction. The tone turns pitch black from that first kill which is barbaric and jaw-dropping. The action is phenomenal, especially when the vampire vs. werewolf warfare begins. The ending is sudden, leaving a very bleak and shell-shocked feeling afterwards.

Werewolf By Night: Blood Hunt #1 features a character many readers will not be familiar with. Initially expecting the older and more experienced Jack Russell, it is through this younger incarnation that the better storyline is drawn from. Jake cannot fully control his werewolf form, which leads to unpredictability regarding what happens next. Much of the issue keeps him trapped as a human, which forces him to become a passenger at the beginning of the maelstrom. But by the end of the issue, he was one of the most significant contributors to that carnage. Once transformed, the wolf does not speak, which makes what happens next even more terrifying.

The art is magnificent and establishes the tone early on. The first death is grizzly and gruesome. The ruthlessness shatters any tension and opens up a period of complete panic. The werewolf is gorgeous, gigantic and dangerous for anyone near him. The transformation is terrific, entering a new phase of play. From that first slaying, the murders get more frequent and more savage. For the humans, there is no telling what will kill you, whether it be furry, fanged, or phantom. The werewolf doesn’t hold back, and neither does Gorham. No one is safe. The final kill is perhaps the most visceral, but there are a lot of worthy contenders.

The colors are prominent and atmospheric. Much of the issue is shrouded in darkness, amplified by the hidden moon. But the massacre occurs in an abandoned fairground fueled by magical energy. This is brought to life for a period but is not a sign of comfort or safety. When the moon does break through, that luminescent blue branches through the heavy shadows. The appearance of spirits and magic also fills the pages with bright and varied colors, including bright blue and pink. The lettering is effective and very easy to read.

Werewolf By Night: Blood Hunt #1 is entirely unexpected. It’s one of the most shocking additions to the event so far. None of the other tie-ins or the main book are this bleak and relentless. It’s a monster on monster on monster brawl with unsuspecting humans in the middle. It’s an intense read once the action begins, as it never stops or relents in its snarling savagery. Where Jack Russell may have brought experience, the lack of any backup guidance makes this issue so unpredictable. It’s a unique storyline amidst the vampire fighting, and I love that the vampires merely stumbled onto a situation instead of starting it.

Werewolf By Night: Blood Hunt #1 is available where comics are sold.