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aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
"The Beast in the Cave," the first of three small arcs to make up this graphic novel, is my favorite since Snyder and Stephen King collaborated on the introductory story to the series. I've always had a soft spot for Book, and it was wonderful to see him front and center again, and to learn more about his past with Skinner.
"Death Race" was a decent tale, but Travis Kidd never really grew on me. The 50's James Dean/Danny Zuko macho kind of guy has never really done anything for me, so rather than feel like an actual character with a grudge, he struck me as more of a walking stereotype with more than his share of Tragic Back-story thrown in for the sympathy factor.
The final story contained here, "The Nocturnes," sets a couple of different balls in motion that will no doubt have repercussions in the future. But, sadly, I cannot stop snickering at the fact that two of the Morning Star agents are named Calvin and Hobbes. And, speaking of Hobbes, I am curious how his current medical endeavor is going to impact the Morning Star. That was just a lovely dose of good, old-fashioned creepy.
But, mostly, I am glad to see Pearl and Henry back after a long break from the series, and I cannot wait to see how their cliffhanger plays out over the next few issues.
"Death Race" was a decent tale, but Travis Kidd never really grew on me. The 50's James Dean/Danny Zuko macho kind of guy has never really done anything for me, so rather than feel like an actual character with a grudge, he struck me as more of a walking stereotype with more than his share of Tragic Back-story thrown in for the sympathy factor.
The final story contained here, "The Nocturnes," sets a couple of different balls in motion that will no doubt have repercussions in the future. But, sadly, I cannot stop snickering at the fact that two of the Morning Star agents are named Calvin and Hobbes. And, speaking of Hobbes, I am curious how his current medical endeavor is going to impact the Morning Star. That was just a lovely dose of good, old-fashioned creepy.
But, mostly, I am glad to see Pearl and Henry back after a long break from the series, and I cannot wait to see how their cliffhanger plays out over the next few issues.
bushraboblai's review against another edition
5.0
Skinner's backstory surprised me but at the same time made sense. Travis Kidd, however, makes this issue stand out.
michellewords's review against another edition
3.0
This one seemed a little off. The first story, "The Beast in the Cave" had a retro style in the art that didn't sit well with me.
The other two stories about Travis Kidd, teenage vampire hunter and Calvin Poole discovering a different kind of beast in his hometown.
There are more changes and more species popping up in America, but it's still the same in a lot of ways.
I wonder how this will be wrapped up.
The other two stories about Travis Kidd, teenage vampire hunter and Calvin Poole discovering a different kind of beast in his hometown.
There are more changes and more species popping up in America, but it's still the same in a lot of ways.
I wonder how this will be wrapped up.
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
In order to fight the US soldiers encroaching on their territory, including Jim Book and Skinner Sweet, the Apaches awaken a legendary monster, the Mimteh. Greaser vampire hunter Travis Kidd is on the trail of a vampire that killed his family. Agent Poole is in the south and encounters both racism and another breed of vampire. All this and more in American Vampire Volume 4!
Here we are again, another entry in Scott Snyder's chronicles of vampires in America. At this point in the series, it's getting repetitive to say but Scott Snyder is my favorite active comic writer.
The three stories within this volume take place in different time periods but all serve the same purpose: to showcase the different species of vampires in America and expand the backstory of Skinner Sweet and the rest of the supporting cast.
I liked the pre-vampiric history of Skinner Sweet and Jim Book, and the Mimteh. She reminded me of the character Julie Newmar played in the Gregory Peck western, Mackenna's Gold, only with fangs. I'm hoping she makes further appearances in the series.
Travis Kidd, greaser vampire hunter, was another interesting addition to Snyder's vampire mythos. I love the idea of a kid being busted out of a nuthouse to be a vampire hunter, and he's one of the best. The wooden fangs he uses to bite vampires back was a nice touch, and he made a good point about Skinner Sweet near the end of his tale. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him.
Agent Poole's sojourn into the south met with expected results. The timeline sure jumped ahead quite a bit in this volume, all the way until the 1960's. How far is Snyder planning on taking us in the life of Skinner Sweet?
If I had to complain about something in this volume, it would be that we didn't get all that much Skinner Sweet as a vampire. Still, Snyder continues to keep me entertained with one of the most overused monsters, the vampire. Now I have to wait a few months until the next volume comes out.
Here we are again, another entry in Scott Snyder's chronicles of vampires in America. At this point in the series, it's getting repetitive to say but Scott Snyder is my favorite active comic writer.
The three stories within this volume take place in different time periods but all serve the same purpose: to showcase the different species of vampires in America and expand the backstory of Skinner Sweet and the rest of the supporting cast.
I liked the pre-vampiric history of Skinner Sweet and Jim Book, and the Mimteh. She reminded me of the character Julie Newmar played in the Gregory Peck western, Mackenna's Gold, only with fangs. I'm hoping she makes further appearances in the series.
Travis Kidd, greaser vampire hunter, was another interesting addition to Snyder's vampire mythos. I love the idea of a kid being busted out of a nuthouse to be a vampire hunter, and he's one of the best. The wooden fangs he uses to bite vampires back was a nice touch, and he made a good point about Skinner Sweet near the end of his tale. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him.
Agent Poole's sojourn into the south met with expected results. The timeline sure jumped ahead quite a bit in this volume, all the way until the 1960's. How far is Snyder planning on taking us in the life of Skinner Sweet?
Spoiler
While Pearl and Henry made the tiniest of appearances, it was the most powerful scene in the book and planted even more seeds for the next volume.If I had to complain about something in this volume, it would be that we didn't get all that much Skinner Sweet as a vampire. Still, Snyder continues to keep me entertained with one of the most overused monsters, the vampire. Now I have to wait a few months until the next volume comes out.
tmwebb3's review against another edition
4.0
The art held up the story here. Death Race was beautiful. Didn't care for the Book/Sweet prequel.
daphne_dlcrz's review against another edition
2.0
The last story was really interesting and a good read. But I felt overall the story for me was boring.
jasmiinaf's review against another edition
5.0
The best volume and the characters were really interesting. American Vampire has a habit of being too dark sometimes, but this had just enough humor and dark story.
caitcoy's review against another edition
4.0
Volume 4 brings Skinner, Pearl, Henry and the others to the fifties, with the addition of a greaser kid, Travis, who's made a life out of hunting and killing vampires. It was fun to see everyone in the fifties and Travis was awesome, but not quite as good as volume 3. Still one I'd recommend to fans of the series or graphic novels in general!
lindakat's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was ok, this whole series feels ok. I like following Sweet’s story through the ages, but it always feels incomplete, like there’s a story in the background that’s not being told, one that would sew up all the story snippets to form a cohesive tale.
Also, I understand that the racism is meant to be a reflection of the times and it’s never idealised or supported by the ‘hero’s’ of the story but it’s still really gross to read especially how deep into the ‘villain’ characters get, like saying a whole pool had to be drained because a black man had swam in it and the water was now dirty. Did that really have to be included considering the other derogatory terms used? The picture was set already.
As a whole, this series feels a little disappointing because I love Scott Snyder as a Batman author and I was so excited to read his own creation but the further into the series I go the more ‘meh’ it feels. Will read the next one because it’s free on KU but not expecting great things from it.
gigitru's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this volume with lots of back story and details about these characters I'm really growing to love.