The era of the American vampire officially begins as Pearl Jones declares war on the powerful coven of vampires that ended her life, and Skinner Sweet declares war on, well, everyone! Scores will be settled in blood in this installment, the third of five over-sized issues featuring stories by author Scott Snyder and the master of horror himself, Stephen King.
“Rough Cut”. 1925. Pearl goes back to her old boarding house and tells Hattie she’s not safe and needs to leave. The European vampires discuss what to do about Sweet after their discovery of Chase Hamilton’s corpse. B. D. Bloch admits that Sweet’s weaknesses are unknown to them and Lucia, a female vampire, reminds him that they know he rests during “the moonless time”. Bloch sends two vampires, Edgar and Lucia, to Pearl’s house to “clean up the mess”. On their way, they are ambushed by Pearl who literally rips off Edgar’s face, kills him with a stake and then kills Lucia via cactus. Pearl later tells her story to Henry Preston, who is skeptical. Pearl begins to feel weak as the moonless night descends. She gets a call from Bloch, who has captured Hattie and persuades Pearl to meet them at the “big sign on the hill”. Pearl ditches Preston and leaves alone to confront Bloch.
“Blood Vengeance”. 1909. Skinner Sweet awakens, realizing he’s been underwater for more than twenty years. After raiding a candy store to satisfy his sweet tooth, Sweet lays waste to the residents of Lakeview, Colorado. Mr. Percy and his vampire associates note Skinner’s reappearance and summon Jeeks and the Blackmouth Twins, who are now in the employ of Mr. Percy. Meanwhile, Sweet is confronted by old enemies Agent Finch, now the police chief, and Hector Camillo, now the mayor. Sweet blows Finch up with a stick of dynamite and beheads the elder Camillo. James Book, Felix Camillo, and Camillo’s daughter Benita head from Arizona to Lakeview after losing contact with the town. The story ends with Jeeks and the Blackmouth Twins following Sweet to an old mineshaft in which they had previously hidden money. Sweet has hung Hector Camillo’s head on a tree outside the mineshaft.
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