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Elizabeth the First Wife
Lian DolanLian Dolan 9781938849053

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Other titles in the American Vampire series:

American Vampire #01

by Scott Snyder and Stephen King and Rafael Albuquereque

ISBN13: 9781401228309
ISBN10: 1401228305
All Product Details

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

This volume follows two stories: one written by Scott Snyder (Voodoo Heart) and one written by Stephen King.

Snyder's story is set in 1920s LA. We follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European Vampires who tortured and abused her. King's story is a western about Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire — a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before, with rattlesnake fangs and powered by the sun.

Review:

"Early 20th-century America is a fitting setting for this horror drama about confronting old traditions. Two linked stories follow a woman and a man. Snyder's tale centers on Pearl Jones, an aspiring actress in 1925 Los Angeles. When Pearl chases what she believes could be her big break, it results in her being left for dead in the desert. King's piece involves antihero Skinner Sweet, a notorious outlaw in 1880 Colorado. Under arrest and en route to his execution, Skinner's escape attempt is foiled by the unexpected presence of a vampire robber baron. Both Pearl and Skinner find themselves afflicted with a vampiric curse, but one that's been altered by their native soil. The two make quick enemies of the older, jealous European bloodlines of vampires that have carved up the spoils of the American west. Violent retribution follows as each refuses to be a pawn of the established order. Albuquerque's art holds back the horror and grotesque elements until the moments when they're most needed, making those scenes shocking and effective. The pacing is slowed by presenting two simultaneous introductory stories. But seeing how Pearl and Skinner deal differently with the monsters they've become and the monsters out to destroy them makes compelling reading. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright PWyxz LLC)

Synopsis:

This volume follows two stories: one written by Snyder and one written by King. Snyder's story is set in 1920's LA, we follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European Vampires who tortured and abused her. This story is paired with King's story, a western about Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire-- a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before with rattlesnake fangs and powered by the sun.

About the Author

Scott Snyder has been published in Zoetrope, Tin House, One-Story, Epoch, Small Spiral Notebook, and other journals. He teaches at Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence University and lives in New York with his wife, Jeanie, and his son, Jack Presley. He's currently at work on a novel for the Dial Press.

Stephen King is the bestselling author of The Stand, The Shining, the Dark Tower books, and multitudes of other works, most recently Under the Dome. American Vampire marks Stephen King's debut with Vertigo/DC Comics; it is the first comic book writing he's done, based on original material, as opposed to existing characters.

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: Gypsi, March 25, 2011 (view all comments by Gypsi)
There are two stories, told simultaneously in American Vampire. The first, Snyder's part of the novel, is the story of Pearl trying to make her way in Hollywood during the 1920's. Pearl falls victim to a vampire attack and a strange man vampire, Skinner Sweet, helps her out. Sort of. Pearl seeks revenge, thanks to Sweet's gift, and the reader watches her go from lovely, gentle flapper one moment to disgustingly grotesque and violent the next--and cheers for her the whole way.

The story that begins with the second chapter is written by Stephen King, and is Skinner Sweet's back story, taking place some forty years early in the Wild West. Through it, the reader finds out how and why Sweet became a vampire, and what is motivating him--and what makes an American Vampire different from the European vampires. As is to be expected, a hard new country like the United States creates a hard new kind of vampire. In addition, he writes an excellent introduction, validating the graphic novel as a medium. A very good read for those not convinced that it is a legitimate literary medium.

The stories are told alternating, first a chapter about Pearl, then a chapter about Sweet, so that they finish up together in the last two chapters. It may sound awkward, but the back-and-forth flow was actually excellent, with a certain amount of parallels between the two stories. Both Snyder and King write a good story, with solid characters, riveting plot lines and some terrifying instances.

Albuquereque brings it all to life with his drawings, full of bold lines and brilliant colors and lots of scary bits and gore. His vampires are frightening and horrible and they do unspeakable (but not undrawable) things to their victims. As the reader takes in the background, and sees the horror of the scenes, at times it's enough to turn the stomach. On the other hand, his ladies are very lovely, he drew some strong heroes and used some very effective, unusual angles and compositions. As for Skinner Sweet. . . well, darn it, despite King's introduction all about how American Vampire reclaims the evil vampire from the sexy mold it's been placed in of late, Albuquereque draws Sweet as rather desirable. Even seeing Sweet at his worst, I could turn the page and see him turn on the charm and forget just how evil he really was--and then be whammed again by his horrible actions. I think that was the artist's intent: another way to show just how dangerous these American vampires are.

The collaboration between these three was wonderful and produced a story both haunting and satisfying. American Vampire does reclaim the vampire from it's present fictional state, and successfully gives it new blood with this new American breed. I look forward to following Sweet's further adventures in American history, with pleasant trepidation because I expect the story will be creepy and icky but sensational, just like this volume.
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Product Details

ISBN:: 9781401228309
Author:: Scott Snyder and Stephen King and Rafael Albuquereque
Publisher:: Vertigo
Illustrator:: Albuquereque, Rafael
Author:: Albuquerque, Rafael
Author:: King, Stephen
Author:: Scott Snyder
Author:: Scott Snyder
Author:: Albuquereque, Rafael
Subject:: Fantasy
Subject:: Horror
Subject:: Graphic Novels - Horror
Edition Description:: Hardcover
Series:: American Vampire
Series Volume:: 01
Publication Date:: 20101031
Binding:: HARDCOVER
Grade Level:: General/trade
Language:: English
Illustrations:: YES
Pages:: 200
Dimensions:: 10.46 x 6.96 x .56 in 1.32 lb

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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Graphic Novels » General
Fiction and Poetry » Graphic Novels » Horror
Fiction and Poetry » Graphic Novels » Science Fiction
Fiction and Poetry » Graphic Novels » Series
History and Social Science » World History » General
Religion » Comparative Religion » General

American Vampire #01 New Hardcover Scott Snyder and Stephen King and Rafael Albuquereque

0 stars - 0 reviews

$24.99 In Stock

Product details 200 pages Vertigo - 2010-10-00 English 9781401228309 Reviews:

"Publishers Weekly Review" by Publishers Weekly, "Early 20th-century America is a fitting setting for this horror drama about confronting old traditions. Two linked stories follow a woman and a man. Snyder's tale centers on Pearl Jones, an aspiring actress in 1925 Los Angeles. When Pearl chases what she believes could be her big break, it results in her being left for dead in the desert. King's piece involves antihero Skinner Sweet, a notorious outlaw in 1880 Colorado. Under arrest and en route to his execution, Skinner's escape attempt is foiled by the unexpected presence of a vampire robber baron. Both Pearl and Skinner find themselves afflicted with a vampiric curse, but one that's been altered by their native soil. The two make quick enemies of the older, jealous European bloodlines of vampires that have carved up the spoils of the American west. Violent retribution follows as each refuses to be a pawn of the established order. Albuquerque's art holds back the horror and grotesque elements until the moments when they're most needed, making those scenes shocking and effective. The pacing is slowed by presenting two simultaneous introductory stories. But seeing how Pearl and Skinner deal differently with the monsters they've become and the monsters out to destroy them makes compelling reading. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright PWyxz LLC)

"Synopsis" by Random, This volume follows two stories: one written by Snyder and one written by King. Snyder's story is set in 1920's LA, we follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European Vampires who tortured and abused her. This story is paired with King's story, a western about Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire-- a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before with rattlesnake fangs and powered by the sun.

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