After seeing the threat of vampires seemingly go unnoticed in the rest of the DC Universe, it's now exploding all over the place.
The Good
This title has been one of my favorite new books to come out of the "New 52." Joshua Hale Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino have consistently delivered great issue after great issue. The inclusion of Batman in the brewing vampire war has been a mixed blessing but serves to connect the events of this series with the rest of the DCU.
If you've been reading this series (and shame on you if you haven't), you know that a pretty important character to this title was killed last issue. It's that sort of unexpected storytelling that says anything can happen. Obviously we've seen comic book deaths many times but it was something you wouldn't expect to see at this point. Now we're seeing the ramifications of that death.
To further connect these events with the DCU, we also have a crossover with JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK. This is a sort of mixed blessing as you really should read JLD #7 before this issue (and are told to do so as well). With the way the events are unfolding, there has to be a crossover with other characters. This is all getting way too big to be contained quietly in just one title.
The art continues to amaze. There especially is one double page spread that really stands out. It's done with a slightly different style and you'll notice it when you come to it. I hate to admit I was a little unsure of the art when reading the first issue. I thought it was too...pretty and artistic but Sorrentino really captures the vibe and atmosphere of what's going on. I fear the day when he might need to take a break or a breather.
The Bad
As much as I dig the inclusion of other characters into this story, I don't really like being told what order I need to read my comics. It's great that it is included to help readers avoid confusion. It's just the idea that if you're not reading this and JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, you're sort of forced to. Then again, both books do deserve to be read.
The Verdict
There's nothing like a good crossover to connect the different corners of the DC Universe. This is both a good and bad thing as Batman being here still feels a little forced and you have to read JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK before this issue. Don't let your distaste for vampires stop you from reading this book. This is one of best new titles to come out of the "New 52." Fialkov and Sorrentino are consistently delivering a great book month after month. If nothing else, you'll want to read this for Fialkov's witty dialogue, especially one line Mary, Queen of Blood makes.