Strain #9

As the vampire threat hits Dr. Goodweather a little too close to home, exterminator extraordinaire Vasiliy Fet steps up his game with vermin much larger than your average rat.

The Team

Adapted & scripted by David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Silverfish, Dan The Unharmable Vol. 1) from the novel of the same name written by Guillermo Del Toro (director of Pan’s Labyrinth & Hellboy 1 & 2) & Chuck Hogan (The Fall). Illustrated by Mike Huddleston (Mnemovore, The Coffin, Deep Sleeper) & coloured by Dan Jackson. Cover by E.M. Gist. Published by Dark Horse Comics.

The Pros & Cons

Dr. Goodweather, along with Dr. Martinez & Mr. Setrakian start to fight back against the vampires, as they document & film Ansel Barbour, one of the first New Yorker to be infected by the vampire plague. Mr. Setrakian shows these kids a thing or two on how to kill a vamp, he may be an old geezer, but he survived the holocaust and a vampire attack. He was killing vampires half a century before Buffy ever did. After watching the vamps suck the blood out of everybody, it’s nice to see the good guys kick some ass. Especially Vasiliy Fet who seems to be a natural at slaying vampires, as he barbecues not one, but two bloodsuckers with a little help from Mr. sunlight. He has the potential to be an asset to Dr. Goodweather & company. I really like this character, I hope he survives long enough to make an appearance in The Fall series, the next chapter of The Strain series (coming out in July 2013 horror fans).

Lapham continues to deliver goods, as the tension builds up for the final issue coming out in February 2013. Illustrator Mike Huddleston lays on the blood & gore pretty thick with this issue, as vamps attack humans and humans attack vamps and let the plasma flow! I’ve just learned that Huddleston will return for The Fall as regular penciller and that’s just fine with me. Also another artist, I hope will return is E.M. Gist. His stunning covers bring a real horror element to this great series, I think this issue’s cover speaks for itself.

The Outcome

Someone once asked me which vampire series I preferred, Scott Snyder’s American Vampire or The Strain? That’s a tough one. Although both are terrific and deal with bloodsucking creatures of the night known as vampires and the humans who attempt to stop exterminate them, they’re two totally different species. I think when the dust settles and as both series are completed (whenever that happens), I’ll be able to make a decision. Until then I’m just enjoying the ride.