Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Frank J. Barbiere
Artist: Chris Mooneyham
Release: 11th February, 2015

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Anyone who follows my reviews – though they have admittedly been few and far between lately – already knows that I just can’t stop praising this series. Somewhat predictably then, I have nothing but praise for this latest issue.  If you are not already reading and enjoying this series then you need to do yourself a solid and go get on the ball and catch up with the adventures of Fabian Gray! At first the series could be viewed strictly an action adventure story, but with this latest arc it has moved into the horror category and with this new direction we have the option to explore new literary characters!

Last issue we were introduced to the possibility of Van Helsing having appeared, and the cover to this particular chapter confirms the arrival of the Vampire/Supernatural hunter extraordinaire, This comes with a problem however, as Fabian has let the “Vampire” take over. The suspense is raised to near unbearable limits here; let’s just say I found myself turning pages fairly quickly!

As always, the creative team of Barbiere and Mooneyham have the outstanding ability to tell the bulk of the story without words, and the sequence between Vampire Fabian and Van Helsing is a true testament to their prowess. The fight sequences move along fluidly with a cinematic frame-by-frame feel, and the issue also incorporates a flashback sequences of Van Helsing dealing with another Vampire, and – as has become the norm with Mooneyham’s artwork – one truly poster-worthy full page spread.

I honestly can’t praise these two creators enough. This series from the start has been action packed and easy to immerse myself into. The pace is always rather quick yet it never feels rushed or sloppy, and the artwork speaks for itself most of the time, with Barbiere trusting in Mooneyham’s ability to tell the story where words would just get in the way. This to me is what top-notch creators today look like; If you are not already following Fabian’s adventures then honestly, what are you waiting for?

I promise you that if you enjoy action/adventure stories featuring some characters that you will likely recognise from outside the comic world then I strongly recommend this book. It does not disappoint in it’s writing and the visual storytelling is some of the best in the market today. But hey, that’s just my humble opinion – grab an issue and judge for yourself!

Rating: 5/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Shane Hoffman (aka “Hoff”)
You can also find Hoff on Twitter.

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