Review – Operation Sunshine #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

October 12, 2023

2–3 minutes

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writers: Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks
Artwork: David Rubin
Colours: K.J. Diaz
Letters: Ferran Delgado
Release Date: 11th October 2023

Fittingly, given that its spooky season, we get a look at a new fang-tastic vampire orientated story from Dark Horse. “Another vampire story?”, some of you will no doubt groaningly ask. For a subject that has seen a perhaps overpopulation in modern media, this pierces through with something that, whilst not turning the genre on its head, gives a fresh, humorous take.

Hex is a bloodbug, a creature no longer human, but not quite vampire either. Bugs are granted long life with the downside of requiring the consumption of blood and severe aversion to daylight. Formed or created by genuine vampires, or OVs as Hex calls them, they serve at the whims of their creators or eek out an existence in the shadows. Being a 350-year-old trapped in the body of a teenager, their existence is fuelled by both hatred and a desire to avoid as much of the world around them as possible.

Steve is also a bloodbug. The difference is that he’s new to this stuff. He’ in his 30s and trying to hold down a regular day job working on computer in a soulless office cubicle. Passing off his new severe allergy, and foul smell, following a disturbing encounter in a club toilet, Steve has created the Bloodpool; think Deliveroo or JustEat but with blood instead of burgers. Taking jobs to fund a cigarette habit, Hex ends up meeting Steve which leads to encounters with OVs and the set up for the posted premise of “Near Dark meets Ocean’s Eleven.”

As much as I’m a fan of vamp stories, I’m always a little wary picking up a new one in that they’ll end up a bit same old same old. Zebrowski, Parks, et al play a blinder here with something that definitely grew on me. Rubin and Diaz’s visuals didn’t initially land personally, but I’ve quickly grown to love the overall effect. This was all on me as the style was not what I expected although the talent in the delivery was clearly evident. Instead of playing into the dark and gloomy horror elements, we’ve got almost whimsical grime. The OV monstrosities, detailed backgrounds and visual humour aplenty provide a solid compliment to the story. The world building is also on point; fancy a coffee from Starlovecraft’s? After a few pages I was lapping up every blood-soaked panel.

There’s a surprising amount going on this debut issue and had to double check it wasn’t a bumper sized issue. Deserving of an almost immediate re-read, there’s a certain frenetic energy here which Delgado’s letters help us navigate. Whilst many panels are busy with detailed visuals and exposition or chatter, I found it had the effect of becoming more engrossing rather than something to consider a negative. The unlikely pairing of Hex and Steve, with the arrival of Mr Gobin suggests that we can expect an increasingly weird ensemble cast and I for one am all for it.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]