Nothing is ever complete where the Children of the Night are involved. Creative Staff:
Writer Pat Shand
Artwork Michele Bandini
What They Say:
Last year, Liesel Van Helsing was attacked by an evil from her father’s past … but she survived, and moved on with her life. Besides becoming the name that vampires fear, she’s also found love … in the strangest place. However, when old friends come calling on her for help, Van Helsing finds herself pulled into a final conflict with the deadliest vampire of all time!
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Liesel Van Helsing could never have a normal life, not that she would ever want one since she has too much fun at night! Sometimes she wishes she could forget the past, but just when thinks it has been put to rest, trouble calls her back into its passionate embrace. Her old friend Jonathan Harker is the one who regretfully needs her help, the assistance of a vampire hunter to bring the bane of their misdeeds to light; his fiancée Mina is plagued by the judgement of an old foe, an insanity which infests both her mind and body. Liesel is the only one Jonathan could call upon, however, will even her aid be able to cure his beloved?
As Liesel may toil to determine the origin of the sickness, but her boyfriend Hades has another solution in mind. He knows that Mina’s ranting is the key to this mystery, but none will listen for that course is madness in itself. Van Helsing will find the master behind these delusions, however that may be in vain if Hades has his way. The girl can lead them to the source … but will this darkness be something that can be so easily slain? Will he make a bargain that will satisfy both sides, until one deems that the other is not to be trusted? Who will betray whom?
In Summary:
I have always loved Liesel since her first appearance in the Zenescope universe, and now she gets a new mini series? Will wonders never cease? A beautiful vampire hunter and her demonic god boyfriend … what can go wrong? And of course, all of the main characters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula are once again incorporated into the story. What could be more fun than this? By adding Shand’s quirky sense of humour, we are enraptured by the story with Liesel’s colourful narration and witty one liners. There even seems to be a slight homage to the classic novel as Mina brings Hades to her Master’s home.
But the finishing touch to this issue is the artwork of Michele Bandini. The gripping way he begins the story with the nuances of a slight look from Mina that draws into her change into something inhuman draws the reader into her quickly devolving character. It is extraordinary how he depicts Liesel’s normal life of darkness and then quickly flips into a seemingly nonchalant exchange of looks between the lovers; the duality of this story is what makes it work: innocence and sudden morbid darkness. But the most chilling page was of Mina strapped to the bed, flies buzzing around her, and her begging to be let go. Classic horror story and yet it was refined to a point where you could feel her pain without the overuse of gore which seems to be the trend of current movies. This is true terror is about!
It is unfortunate that this is only supposed to be a five part series. But, with the talents of Shand and Bandini, hopefully we will be in for a treat to tantalise our minds and eyes by enveloping us in the world of Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Van Helsing vs. Dracula. I cannot wait for next month!
Grade: A+
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: August 19, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
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