Paul Dale Roberts

    Very intriguing story, as Samantha doesn’t know her past and there is so much to explore. Samantha is able to see vampires for what they are and with this unique power, it will enable her to become a superb vampire hunter. As I see the night beckoning Samantha, this tells me that she has vampire DNA coursing through her blood, which gives her those unique powers that I mentioned above. Those red eyes of her father, tell me he was a vampire. Could it be Dracula? Gary Reed moved this story with hard-edged drama. Helsing #2 was powerful and emotional. Highly enjoyed reading the history of vampirism. What a nice refresher course and seeing vampirism defined the Caliber Core way. The Van Helsing family tree is an interesting one. Rich with history, a legacy of vampire hunters. The mystery of the Tophet is just that, a mystery. Everyone loves mysteries and now bits and pieces of the mystery is unfolding as Nadia the housekeeper reveals that Samantha’s father was the Tophet. Loved the Van Helsing Chronicles as the story takes us to Siberia! It’s great the way Gregori Rasputin, the hypnotic monk has been incorporated into this story. The legends of Rasputin live on and now he has a direct link to the Van Helsings, Dracula and the whole vampire myth. A real historical character that has been placed in the Van Helsing Chronicles. I couldn’t have asked for more! It will be fun to watch the character development of Isaac Van Helsing. Even though there were many artist involved with the comic book, the artwork blended in perfectly. Very well done. A team of top notch artists, that did their homework! Loved the cover too! This cover was a real eyecatcher. Who was the female model??? Who was the male model below?? The male model looked like Mulder from the X-Files. Hmmm…Tonight, my wife and my son went to the California State Fair at Cal-Expo to see the Village People, but I stayed behind, so I could read Helsing #2. Now that is dedication, of course now, I may be in trouble…oh well. Congratulations on this masterpiece, you guys! I will definitely be back for more!

 Paul Haywood

    Not much in at the comic shop today so I thought I’d try this book. To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes for it. From the Previews ads I’d assumed that it was a Buffy knock-off and while I quite like that show once every couple of weeks on TV is enough. Besides, how many good comics based on TV shows have there ever been? Yeah, a few- but not many.
    Luckily this book wasn’t what I’d expected. It was better. Having missed #1 (because of the above) I was pleased to see the summary on the first page- it brought me nicely up to speed. Don’t know what I missed but this issue made sense, and, yes, it piqued my interest.
    Hmm, a husband who’s a corpse belonging to the Helsing clan whose mission is to exterminate monsters- but she’s suffered a memory loss. Nice set up and nice use of "text" pages- don’t be afraid to do that in the future- some of us like to read our books as well as look at the pretty pictures. The letters at the beginning and end were a nice touch too.
    Loved the Guy Davis section- well, the art especially. Great cover too. Attractive cover design too. All in all another interesting package from Caliber.
    Definitely going to try the Disciples and will pick up Fatalis if I see it. Bet you haven’t had too many comics returned under the satisfaction pledge yet, huh?

 Suspended Animation
Michael Vance

    Save the blood and guts for hockey; horror is about anticipated and realized fear. The new comic book, Helsing, is about a mysterious and deep ties to a relative of Abraham Van Helsing, the man who killed Dracula.
    Helsing is also about her search for a mysterious and sinister organization called "The Tophet."
    But this new horror comic is ultimately about fear, anticipated and realized. As should be, there are more intriguing questions than answers in the premier issue. Subplots and characterization are introduced that hint at subtle relationships both on this earth and in other realms. Dialog and pacing are crisp, although captions seem underwritten and occasionally even clumsy: "Relics of yesteryears continued forth with their true beginnings obscured."
    The art is full of somber grays and threatening blacks, although it does not reach the classic macabre visual atmosphere of a Graham Ingels, Berni Wrightson or Frank Frazetta. The visual pacing is excellent and storytelling clear, and the artist’s characters are each physically distinctive people.
    It is a hair’s-breath away from excellence and only needs an ominous and additional layer of shadow.
    The first issue of Helsing is like a first date, more titillation than promise, offering no guarantees. But, as first dates go, this new series holds real promise. It could be a marriage made in Hell, which is the proper setting for horror.
    Particularly noteworthy is the restrained use of profanity, sex, nudity and excessive violence that have befouled the genre of horror in the last three decades.
    Recommended.

 Paul Dale Roberts

    As you know, I keep up with all Caliber titles and over the weekend, I had a chance to digest Helsing #1. The Bram Stroker legacy lives on. If Bram Stroker was alive right now, he would probably be in complete awe, seeing what his novel Dracula has inspired. For that matter, Vlad Tepes aka the Cracul, would be amazed on how his legend feeds on itself and continues.
    The legacy continues in Helsing and right from the beginning I was transfixed to the story, as Samantha goes through her dream of being in a wedding and her groom is that of a vampire. I see how a reader gets drawn into the story as Nadia tells Samantha about her mother and the characters become more rounded out. This is a good character development. The ploy works, because I was drawn in immediately. Samantha must get the impurities out of her body and soul and this is the reason why she bathes in the sun. The sun is light, the sun is good. I picked up on that one quick, as Samantha referred to the Tophet as an organization. If she knew nothing of the Tophet, then why did she say what she said?
    I love Samantha’s unique abilities to be able to walk into that bar and spot out the creatures of the night. This reminded me of that movie by John Carpenter called "Them", in which the hero was able to walk into a store and spots out the aliens through his special sunglasses. I admire Samantha for her strength and fearless determination to confront these night creatures. I was stunned at her quick reflexes in taking out the vampire from the bar. She makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer look like little league.
    Gary Reed did a superior job with the writing of this story and I will be looking forward to more. The artwork throughout this comic book was beautifully done with different contrasts that fits well with the story. Is this comic book a winner? You know it is!!