Title: Vampyrates # 2
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Written by: Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by: Luca Pizzari
Colored by: Adam Guzowski
Lettered by: Jodie Troutman
Cover by: Luca Pizzari with Colors by Adam Guzowski
Variant Covers by: Rebecca Puebla, Luca Pizzari, David Aja, Malachi Ward
Price: $ 4.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Comments: Empress Lady Nira Lydian De Winter is a redheaded fury. She now finds herself in a situation where she is fighting for her unlife. The new Empress wants Nira’s blood at any cost.
Nira finds herself aboard Captain Akeyo’s pirate ship, where the two have a surprisingly nice chat. Neither one particularly fears the other, and their interaction is one of the more interesting parts of the story.
Then Captain Akeyo finds a ship to plunder, and it is time for action. The fighting is fast and furious, and the characters look amazing dressed for the era and perfectly suited to the parts they play. The vampire angle is handled well and is never overdone. The various elements that are shown and mentioned fit nicely into the world that has been created.
Where the story needs some work is in its focus. More needs to be revealed about the characters themselves. Nira is established as a woman with an attitude, but she is not overly emotional, which works in her favor. At the same time, this former Empress seems to lack the emotional backbone you would expect from someone who once held such tremendous power.
I also wanted to know more about the world itself. Yes, vampires run it, but how? Why? And when did this happen? How does this society operate, and what are the rules that govern it? These are questions that I found myself wanting answered.
There is a lot to like here. The setting is visually striking, the action is exciting, and the vampire elements are woven into the story without overwhelming it. With a more focused story, stronger character development, and a deeper look at how this fascinating world actually works, Empress Lady Nira Lydian De Winter could become an even more compelling read.
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