AMERICAN VAMPIRE: THE LONG ROAD TO HELL (ONE SHOT)

Review by: theWAC1

What did the
iFanboy
community think?

464
Pulls
Avg Rating: 4.7
 
Users who pulled this comic:
Users who reviewed this comic:
Story by Scott Snyder & Rafael Albuquerque
Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Colors by Dave McCaig
Letters by Jared K. Fletcher
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Size: 64 pages
Price: 6.99

After what seems like forever (it really hasn’t been that long though) Scott Snyder returns with Rafael Albuquerque to deliver another exciting, and gruesomely gorgeous issue of American Vampire. The Long Road to Hell takes its title from a song in the story (real or not?) and does a great job setting the direction and 50’s feel of this tragic love story.

The story starts out simple enough with a couple of love birds picking pockets at a dance, but quickly turns tragic when their talents are needed by the local vampire coven leader Oscar Brood who has them turned into vampires. When another group of vampires crashes the initiation demanding answers about the “cure,” the two lovers, Billy Bob and Jo, steal Brood’s car and Dynasty ring and are off to Vegas in search of a cure. Unfortunately, Oscar Brood and vampire hunter Travis Kidd are not far behind. It’s a very good American Vampire story with all the things that make it such a great series: guts, gore, car scenes (Snyder and Albuquerque LOVE cars- me too, keep it up!), lots of action, and of course, a twist.

The story’s real gem is delivered early in the form of a young, bullied orphan named Jasper. This story is as much (if not more) about him as anybody, and I instantly made an emotional connection. His presence added a much-enjoyed addition to this “Natural Born Killers” style story. He was, ironically, my most and least favorite part of the story. Favorite because of his mysterious nature and talents and hard knock life, but least favorite because of the way he was written into the story. You could tell Snyder was invested in this character, and it changed the dynamic and suspense factor of the story. Most readers probably wouldn’t care, but it was enough for me to take the book down to a 4 (which is still damn good).

This issue demonstrates how great an artist Rafael Albuquerque is. The expressions and manuerisms in his art are energized and kinetic with lots if emotion and storytelling. At times his art can look scratchy and rushed, but here he is crisp and clean, reminiscent of the early AV issues. His full page illustrations of the sword-wielding Travis Kidd were bad ass. Add Dave McCaig’s awesome colors (especially the washed out red panels like in the gas station-YES!) and this is one great book to look at.

This was a very entertaining visit back into the world of American Vampire, and one of its rising stars Travis Kidd. We got lots of vampire action and some new characters, including a creepy little kid. The art is beautiful and the story’s great. Even at $7 I doubt you’ll be disappointed, and it will probably be an issue to go back and read once this series fires back up later this year.

Story: 4 - Very Good
Art: 5 - Excellent

Leave a Comment