Editor’s Note: Spoilers from Blood Hunt #1 will be discussed throughout this review.
Blood Hunt #2 finds Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and readers alike reeling from the absolute jaw-dropping conclusion of the first issue of this blood-soak Marvel event series.
It’s revealed that the vampire incursion being perpetrated on humankind has been orchestra by none other than Blade. Not only did the Daywalker betray his fellow Avengers — leaving them to likely be drip-dried and turned by The Bloodcoven — but he’s bitten and turned Stephen Strange into a vampire as well.
However, we’re not allowed much time to breathe as we see Black Panther turned into a vampire on Page 1. He is quickly dispatched back to Wakanda in order to obtain a “prize” for Blade (this story arc is carried over into the first of a three-issue Black Panther Blood Hunt run). Meanwhile, he sends Bloodcoven back to earth for his daughter, Bloodline, who has made her way from Atlanta to New York with the help of … Dracula (this is covered in the first part of a three-issue Dracula Blood Hunt run).
The Bloodline story collides headfirst with the Avengers (Sam Wilson, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Vision) who escaped The Bloodcoven’s clutches back on the Impossible City (where Thor and Scarlet Witch remain). These two storylines collide in a rumble with The Bloodcoven and an ultimate decision that they need the help of Stephen Strange to win the day. They’re not the only ones with this thought as Miles Morales and The Midnight Mission (Tigra and Hunter’s Moon) find themselves on Strange’s doorstep. This super team looks to be our main fighting force for the run — although we do know there are others fighting vampires such as “The Blood Hunters” (Hawkeye, Man-Wolf, Dagger), the students of the Strange Academy, Union Jack, Peter Parker, The Midnight Suns and other Avengers iterations.
The big question Blood Hunt #2 raises is two-fold, but they are intrinsically tied together — why is Dracula on the side of the angels, and why on earth is Blade leading this vampire revolution. Marvel’s “road to Blood Hunt” on Marvel Universe does suggest that Blade’s ingestion of Dracula’s blood at some point may be to blame.
In Midnight Suns, it’s surmised he’s being controlled by someone. It’s still very much in the air, and it’s a fairly compelling storyline. The Dracula face turn is also intriguing, but a little more believable. He has worked hard to gain recognition for vampires by the world as citizens of the planet, so it makes sense why he’d want to stop fanatics from destroying all that. But he’s still Dracula — can he actually be trusted.
Once again the storytelling from Jed MacKay combined with the dazzlingly visceral visuals from Pepe Larraz and Marte Garcia make these books such engrossing reads that make for easy return reads. Like last issue, you’re left stunned with the conclusion of Blood Hunt #2 and you’re counting down the days to pick up the new issue to find out what happens next.
Blood Hunt #2 is now available at comic book stores everywhere.
