Bad Blood #4 has Trick and Lolly striving to turn the tables as they learn to hunt and defeat vampires from Jonas Vale, the experienced vampire hunter who saved them last issue. It opens up with Trick and Lolly fighting against a low-level vampire but performing horribly while Jonas watches from above. And just when the vampire is gonna finish Trick off Jonas steps in and makes light work of the vampire. He explains to them the physical advantages that vampires have and what has to be done in order to win those fights. He knows that a war is coming and Trick and Lolly have to be prepared to defend themselves because despite the vampires bumbling attempts to kill the two of them, not all vampires ares stupid and they will eventually find a way to overcome their tainted blood. So he prepares them by showing them the importance of charms to defend their houses and loved ones because the vampires are always watching them from the shadows and this is key to preventing that. But with the anger of Lord Sturge, the vampire horribly disfigured by Trick’s blood, increasing everyday and his clan believing they’re getting closer to being able to understand why they can’t feed off the blood of the people, could even a well-trained Trick and Lolly stand a chance against the full might of the House of Swords?

Last issue’s introduction of Jonas Vale was perfect timing and it opened up the world of the vampires in a way I had hoped after reading the previous issues. This one starts off with great action as Lolly and Trick are tossed around by the vampire they’re practicing killing but it’s not just the initial action that makes this issue engrossing. It’s Jonas’s breakdown of the vampires’ natures and their societal structure as their context and actual abilities in this series are finally revealed. It’s an interesting take on them as the myths are dispelled surrounding them, i.e. their portrayal in other series, and this is what I was looking for in issues #2 or #3. And considering the vampires came off as mostly incompetent last issue this put them in a new light and showed them as having the potential to be formidable and why they’ve been suffering, weak and focusing on Trick and Lolly. Even the artwork contributed to making Sturge’s focus on Trick seem reasonable as he’s become more grotesque looking, and every time he was shown I thought he should really do something about that growth on his neck. And this issue doesn’t turn away from the personal character development, which has been a strong point in this series, as the two undergo a transformation and it’s very well done. And with the shocking way this issue ends I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them next.

SUMMARY

Bad Blood #4 is an excellent issue that shows the series has found its stride combining great personal development, story progression and a unique and interesting lore for the vampire order. With every issue it becomes easier to root for Lolly and Trick and in this case their training as well, while Jonas provides some thrilling action to go along with that. And with the vampires proving to be more cunning and capable this time around Jonathan Maberry shows that he has a lot in store for the fifth and final issue.

Release Date: 4/2/14

Writer: Jonathan Maberry

Artist: Tyler Crook