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cobaltbookshelf's review
3.0
3.5 stars
That was such an compelling read. I liked sapphic couple writing/ art style and characters.
A fun and quick read.
This arc was received in exchange for an honest review.
That was such an compelling read. I liked sapphic couple writing/ art style and characters.
A fun and quick read.
This arc was received in exchange for an honest review.
marieintheraw's review
2.0
So the premise for this was designed for me, truly. Unfortunately, story within fell flat for me due to seemingly long spread of time covered with in the short amount of page-length. Additionally, the art-style was not for me enough to effect my enjoyment.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
geekwayne's review
2.0
'The Vain' by Eliot Rahal with art by Emily Pearson is a vampire graphic novel that takes place over the last 80 years.
When a blood bank is robbed and only the blood is stolen, the story appeals to a young FBI agent named Felix Franklin. The four vampires find themselves fighting for the allies, then struggling to hide in an increasingly technological world. The book follows their violent story and the life of a man chasing a crazy theory.
There are some good ideas here, but they don't gel for me. There is a lot going on and I found it hard to care for these characters. The art lacks fluidity and the figures seem awkwardly stiff.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
When a blood bank is robbed and only the blood is stolen, the story appeals to a young FBI agent named Felix Franklin. The four vampires find themselves fighting for the allies, then struggling to hide in an increasingly technological world. The book follows their violent story and the life of a man chasing a crazy theory.
There are some good ideas here, but they don't gel for me. There is a lot going on and I found it hard to care for these characters. The art lacks fluidity and the figures seem awkwardly stiff.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
gingerbread_void's review
5.0
I say this all the time and I will say it again now: I love vampires! I'm not sure why but I have always had an afininity for them and I think this is a perfect example of why. This graphic novel had so many amazing things going for it! It has vampires, its queer, it spans decades, its got action, and love. This novel literally had everything.
I really enjoyed how this story was told and that it didn't shy away from exploring darker themes. A lot of times I see books or stories like this that just don't take it far enough but this novel did. I really enjoyed that.
I also loved the characters. Yes they were villains and definitely not the best people but they felt like what vampires would really be like in our world and throughout history. And not just them but the human characters as well felt very real in how they reacted.
This was just a solid vampire horror graphic novel. I throughly enjoy it for so many reasons and definitely plan of talking this one up for ages.
I really enjoyed how this story was told and that it didn't shy away from exploring darker themes. A lot of times I see books or stories like this that just don't take it far enough but this novel did. I really enjoyed that.
I also loved the characters. Yes they were villains and definitely not the best people but they felt like what vampires would really be like in our world and throughout history. And not just them but the human characters as well felt very real in how they reacted.
This was just a solid vampire horror graphic novel. I throughly enjoy it for so many reasons and definitely plan of talking this one up for ages.
juliabittorf's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
saucybruinscat's review
3.0
I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so conflicted. I honestly struggled to get through this but I forced myself. the ending had me glad I did though, that was emotional. the story between Lost and Fanny was beautiful, (yay lesbian vampires)! The story still somehow felt flat. So 3 very big stars from me and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read and review!!!
I’m so conflicted. I honestly struggled to get through this but I forced myself. the ending had me glad I did though, that was emotional. the story between Lost and Fanny was beautiful, (yay lesbian vampires)! The story still somehow felt flat. So 3 very big stars from me and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read and review!!!
cstenner's review
2.0
Massive thank you to Oni Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Vain is a horror comic which follows 4 vampires: Lost, Fanny, North, and Marquis - collectively known as 'The Vain' - across several decades. They are constantly evading the capture of Felix Frankin, an FBI agent who is investigating the suspicious burglaries which only seem to steal blood (he begins to wonder whether this is a war offence... or perhaps something more sinister). It reads much like a typical American style crime TV show.
My favourite part of this was, without-a-doubt, the comic style illustrations (I thought this was a graphic novel going into it, but I was soon proven wrong) and I LOVE the cover, how stunning! But, please be aware this is an adult horror comic, therefore, there are some extremely gruesome scenes, with lots of gore and violent scenes.
I also did really enjoy the sapphic representation and the ending was bittersweet (very controversial, as I know a lot of people dislike the ending, and thought it was anti-climatic, but I personally thought it was fitting and a nice conclusion).
So the premise of this really did sound great, however I think the execution just fell a bit flat and I was constantly left wanting more. I think the main issue stems from the plot and timeline. The timeline itself was just too long, and the short length of the comic (and lack of words) unfortunately didn't do the plot any justice. It felt rushed and each time period was over in the blink of an eye - you just start to properly get into the time period (such as WW2 - so cool, wish it would have focused on this era more!) and then it abruptly moves on, which just left me feeling disappointed. In my opinion, this would have been better off as a series of comics, which each volume focusing on the time period.
Nevertheless, I would mostly recommend this to fans of horror comics and vampire lovers!
The Vain is a horror comic which follows 4 vampires: Lost, Fanny, North, and Marquis - collectively known as 'The Vain' - across several decades. They are constantly evading the capture of Felix Frankin, an FBI agent who is investigating the suspicious burglaries which only seem to steal blood (he begins to wonder whether this is a war offence... or perhaps something more sinister). It reads much like a typical American style crime TV show.
My favourite part of this was, without-a-doubt, the comic style illustrations (I thought this was a graphic novel going into it, but I was soon proven wrong) and I LOVE the cover, how stunning! But, please be aware this is an adult horror comic, therefore, there are some extremely gruesome scenes, with lots of gore and violent scenes.
I also did really enjoy the sapphic representation and the ending was bittersweet (very controversial, as I know a lot of people dislike the ending, and thought it was anti-climatic, but I personally thought it was fitting and a nice conclusion).
So the premise of this really did sound great, however I think the execution just fell a bit flat and I was constantly left wanting more. I think the main issue stems from the plot and timeline. The timeline itself was just too long, and the short length of the comic (and lack of words) unfortunately didn't do the plot any justice. It felt rushed and each time period was over in the blink of an eye - you just start to properly get into the time period (such as WW2 - so cool, wish it would have focused on this era more!) and then it abruptly moves on, which just left me feeling disappointed. In my opinion, this would have been better off as a series of comics, which each volume focusing on the time period.
Nevertheless, I would mostly recommend this to fans of horror comics and vampire lovers!
marzipan9's review
4.0
A group of vampires with their teeth in a bunch of recent historical events, from the Nazis of the 40s to the Nazis of the 2020s? Yes! This follows a group of vampires called The Vain--Lost, Marquis, North, and Fanny--as they rob blood banks, get recruited by the FBI to infiltrate and kill Nazis, end up in Cuba in the 50s, Vegas in the 60s, and more. Also intertwined with the story is Franklin, the FBI agent working the blood bank robberies, convinced that they're being done by...vampires! He doesn't know how right he is, and it destroys his career and lands him in a psychiatric hosptial.
This was a really neat read, watching vampires wreck havoc upon actual historical events like WWII and Cuba in the 50s. J. Edgar Hoover is in the thick of everything, as well. I enjoyed it. I could have used more about the downfall of Agent Franklin, but the comic format sometimes requires things be left unsaid due to the short nature of each comic. Still really well done, and enjoyable.
*I received a copy of The Vain from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really neat read, watching vampires wreck havoc upon actual historical events like WWII and Cuba in the 50s. J. Edgar Hoover is in the thick of everything, as well. I enjoyed it. I could have used more about the downfall of Agent Franklin, but the comic format sometimes requires things be left unsaid due to the short nature of each comic. Still really well done, and enjoyable.
*I received a copy of The Vain from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jamesalextom's review
4.0
The Vain is a pop culture tour of America’s bloody history, using the backdrop of theft, serial killers, military conflict, cults, and conspiracies this short read is fun romp. There are more than a few cinematic nods that are executed stylishly on the page, with a number of sequences that I would recommend to students looking for examples of how to balance action and character.
As a fan of Vampire stories The Vain’s exploration of the ethics of trading human blood for immortality was expected but welcome. The rules it set out for it’s vampires were reminiscent of Being Human or American Horror Story. However it concerned itself less with the psychology of the vampire protagonists leaving some chapters feeling a little unsatisfied. I was though entirely gratified with the conclusive ending cementing the story as the self contained narrative it needed to be.
As a fan of Vampire stories The Vain’s exploration of the ethics of trading human blood for immortality was expected but welcome. The rules it set out for it’s vampires were reminiscent of Being Human or American Horror Story. However it concerned itself less with the psychology of the vampire protagonists leaving some chapters feeling a little unsatisfied. I was though entirely gratified with the conclusive ending cementing the story as the self contained narrative it needed to be.
zinzee's review
5.0
Based on the reviews I've seen most persons who have reviewed this graphic novel doesn't like it that much. I on the other hand loved it. The style of the panels and the artwork was stunning. I enjoyed the story. I must admit the ending wasn't that much exciting but I still enjoyed it. I loved that the author added diverse characters that didn't feel like it was forced in there. The lqbt element, waiting to see the 2 vampires kiss at the end was great.