Bad Blood #1 is a new series written by Jonathan Maberry and published by Dark Horse. It’s the story of a college student, Trick, undergoing chemo treatment for his latest bout of cancer. He wasn’t just a healthy teenager prior to his first bout when he was a junior in high school, he was on his way to receiving a football scholarship along with his best friend Kyle. They both attend the same college but things couldn’t be going more differently for them. Kyle is a running back on the college football team and Trick is feeling depressed that he’s undergoing treatment let alone feeling sick almost every day. What hasn’t changed is their friendship and that much is evident when Kyle comes to get him up for pancakes because it’s picture day. Kyle is a true friend who doesn’t treat Trick like he’s “made of glass,” and in Trick’s words, “he’s too busy being absolutely real.” So when the conversation later turns to the status of Trick’s tests and treatment, Trick is completely real about how he feels. He thinks it’s not going away this time and he’s been in remission before only for it to come back. He doesn’t think he can fight anymore but Kyle won’t let him succumb to that thinking, and he also knows Trick’s mom wouldn’t want him to succumb to that thinking either. Trick is reflecting on this after Kyle leaves but his life would change in a completely unexpected way. Not only would he learn that vampires exist but that his blood is poisonous to them as he’s bitten by one and it causes the vampire to be horribly disfigured. Angry at Trick for this weird turn of events, the vampire vows to kill all those he cares about so he could suffer as punishment for disfiguring the vampire and starts with his friend Kyle. With seemingly nothing left to lose, Trick makes his own vow to get kill that vampire for hurting those closest to him. Can Trick succeed or will he succumb to this mysterious condition that makes his blood poisonous to vampires?

It’s rare when a comic tells a story that captures real life heroism by showing the reality of the difficulty of a situation when dealing with the health of a friend, family member or loved one, and does so by showing an example of the mentality of the one suffering through the illness and someone trying to provide support. It captures that in just a few panels and it didn’t feel cheap, manipulative or exploitative. In terms of a comic book story it makes Trick’s situation and mindset clear so when his life is turned upside down by this vindictive vampire it’s easy to understand why he would ultimately choose the path he did and root for him as a protagonist. That’s definitely a good thing because even though the vampire’s appearance was jolting, he felt somewhat generic and not truly an imposing figure. And that’s mostly due to the vampire’s subsequent actions being handled hastily or not shown. So the strength of this issue is easily Trick’s ordeal in its entirety, and the choice he makes as a result. And if this issue is indicative of how enjoyable this series will be then I’m definitely on board.

SUMMARY

Bad Blood #1 is a very engrossing start to this series and paints an excellent portrait of Trick’s life in terms of why he would ultimately respond to the vampire’s actions the way he did. The premise that his blood is poisonous to vampires and his plan to go after this one is even more intriguing after seeing how that was set up in this issue. The vampire itself doesn’t feel imposing as an antagonist so the strength of this issue is Trick and his story. And besides the vampire angle, in this issue is a heartfelt tribute to not only those suffering from a recurring illness but those providing support as well. This is now on my must read list.

Release Date: 1/1/14

Writer: Jonathan Maberry

Artist: Tyler Crook