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American Vampire #3
American Vampire, Vol. 3
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Graphic Novels & Comics (2012)Two epic World War II tales in one massive volume!
In the Pacific, Pearl's husband Henry joins a clandestine group on a secret mission to Japan to hunt a new breed of bloodsucker. Meanwhile, Skinner Sweet has plans of his own...
And in Europe, vampire hunters Felicia Book and Cash McCogan go behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Romania in search of a rumored vampire cure.
Blood and bullets abound in this new collection from the Eisner Award-winning series!
Collecting: American Vampire 12-18, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest 1-5
In the Pacific, Pearl's husband Henry joins a clandestine group on a secret mission to Japan to hunt a new breed of bloodsucker. Meanwhile, Skinner Sweet has plans of his own...
And in Europe, vampire hunters Felicia Book and Cash McCogan go behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Romania in search of a rumored vampire cure.
Blood and bullets abound in this new collection from the Eisner Award-winning series!
Collecting: American Vampire 12-18, American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest 1-5
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2012
167 people are currently reading
2488 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,462 books5,017 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews
September 1, 2022
WWII sees Henry and Pearl involved with the American war effort.
Although, Henry gets a tad more involved with it than Pearl would like, and ends up storming a beach filled with some very dangerous vampires. <--Oh! And Skinner Sweet.
Meanwhile, Cash and Felicia are 007ing in Romania with some Nazi vampires.
I sense a budding romance...
This was an excellent volume. And it seems to me that this series just gets better and better. I'm crossing my fingers that my enjoyment continues.
Definitely recommended!
Although, Henry gets a tad more involved with it than Pearl would like, and ends up storming a beach filled with some very dangerous vampires. <--Oh! And Skinner Sweet.
Meanwhile, Cash and Felicia are 007ing in Romania with some Nazi vampires.
I sense a budding romance...
This was an excellent volume. And it seems to me that this series just gets better and better. I'm crossing my fingers that my enjoyment continues.
Definitely recommended!
October 31, 2023
A double header, first of all American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest, sees Felicia and Cashel team up to seek a vampire cure from inside NAZI Germany in 1941, providing the best story (and best art - Sean Murphy) in the series so far, thus making the following battle against Imperial Japanese vampires in 1943, not look that good. It features Pearl, Henry.. and Skinner. Overall 6.5 out of 12 Three Star reading.
2020 and 2017 read
2020 and 2017 read
April 19, 2020
Another great volume of American Vampire! This one is quite epic as it collects two full stories spanning 12 issues.
This is the WWII part of the overall storyline. One story in this collection takes place in the Pacific Theater and the other in Nazi Germany. The setting and mythology of World War II meshes perfectly with the addition of vampires.
While these two stories have some stand alone elements, they do also carry on the timeline of the American Vampire series overall. There are a few recurring characters from previous issues, flashbacks, etc. It had been a while since I read the last volume, but it was not hard to get back into it.
The art of this series continues to be fantastic. Sometimes it is impressionistic. Sometimes it it's detailed and precise. Sometimes it is outlandish - especially when monsters and gore are featured. But, whatever it is, it is always eye-catching and cinematic. It's such a fun book to look at!
Overall, I have been very pleased with this series and the volume has continued the awesomeness. I can't wait for more!
This is the WWII part of the overall storyline. One story in this collection takes place in the Pacific Theater and the other in Nazi Germany. The setting and mythology of World War II meshes perfectly with the addition of vampires.
While these two stories have some stand alone elements, they do also carry on the timeline of the American Vampire series overall. There are a few recurring characters from previous issues, flashbacks, etc. It had been a while since I read the last volume, but it was not hard to get back into it.
The art of this series continues to be fantastic. Sometimes it is impressionistic. Sometimes it it's detailed and precise. Sometimes it is outlandish - especially when monsters and gore are featured. But, whatever it is, it is always eye-catching and cinematic. It's such a fun book to look at!
Overall, I have been very pleased with this series and the volume has continued the awesomeness. I can't wait for more!
April 11, 2016
In the third American Vampire volume, the vampires enter World War II as Henry goes to Taipan and encounters a Japanese breed of vampire and Cash and Book go to Germany to find a cure for vampirism and instead encounter a brigade of Nazi vampires.
American Vampire 3 is more of the same greatness that I've come to expect from the American Vampire series. In the first story, Henry and company go to a Japanese island and go up against a breed of Japanese vampire with Skinner Sweet in their midst and it's up to Pearl to save her man. It's a great story and Snyder fleshes out his vampire mythology even more. Not only that, it plants the seeds for later stories. Snyder seems to be committed to American Vampire for the long haul, judging by the seeds sown.
The second story brings back the characters of Book and Cash from Volume 2 and sends them off to Germany. The brigade of vampire nazis reminded me of Robert McCammon's Wolf's Hour for some reason, probably the combination of World War II and supernatural creatures. I love that Snyder introduced yet another breed of vampire in this tale, possibly the progenitors of the species. It tied up some loose ends and also planted seeds for future tales, something that Snyder is proving adept at. He never closes a door without first opening a window.
American Vampire has proven itself to be one of the best comics going today and this volume is no exception. If you like your vampires brutal and bloody and not sparkly whiners, this is the series for you!
American Vampire 3 is more of the same greatness that I've come to expect from the American Vampire series. In the first story, Henry and company go to a Japanese island and go up against a breed of Japanese vampire with Skinner Sweet in their midst and it's up to Pearl to save her man. It's a great story and Snyder fleshes out his vampire mythology even more. Not only that, it plants the seeds for later stories. Snyder seems to be committed to American Vampire for the long haul, judging by the seeds sown.
The second story brings back the characters of Book and Cash from Volume 2 and sends them off to Germany. The brigade of vampire nazis reminded me of Robert McCammon's Wolf's Hour for some reason, probably the combination of World War II and supernatural creatures. I love that Snyder introduced yet another breed of vampire in this tale, possibly the progenitors of the species. It tied up some loose ends and also planted seeds for future tales, something that Snyder is proving adept at. He never closes a door without first opening a window.
American Vampire has proven itself to be one of the best comics going today and this volume is no exception. If you like your vampires brutal and bloody and not sparkly whiners, this is the series for you!
June 15, 2012
What could make World War 2 even bloodier? Vampires!
There’s essentially two stories told in this volume. The secret group of vampire hunters called Vassels of the Morning Star recruit aging human Henry to leave his vampire wife Pearl to try and root out a nest of bloodsuckers on the island of Taipan as the US tries to take it from the Japanese. Skinner Sweet shows up with his own agenda and as always the brutal vampire creates chaos and bloodshed wherever he goes.
In the second story, the Vassels send their agents Cash McCogan and Felicia Book to Europe on a secret mission to see if a Nazi scienctist has developed a cure for vampirism. And in a one off story, Skinner Sweet takes in a wild west show where he creates more mischief after coming across some old friends.
The series is just getting better and better as it goes. It’s now obvious that Snyder has a pretty well mapped out plot going on, and it’s getting more intriguing as the takes the characters deeper into the 20th century. We also get some more explanation and background as to the different vampire species.
It’s bloody, brutal and helluva a good comic.
There’s essentially two stories told in this volume. The secret group of vampire hunters called Vassels of the Morning Star recruit aging human Henry to leave his vampire wife Pearl to try and root out a nest of bloodsuckers on the island of Taipan as the US tries to take it from the Japanese. Skinner Sweet shows up with his own agenda and as always the brutal vampire creates chaos and bloodshed wherever he goes.
In the second story, the Vassels send their agents Cash McCogan and Felicia Book to Europe on a secret mission to see if a Nazi scienctist has developed a cure for vampirism. And in a one off story, Skinner Sweet takes in a wild west show where he creates more mischief after coming across some old friends.
The series is just getting better and better as it goes. It’s now obvious that Snyder has a pretty well mapped out plot going on, and it’s getting more intriguing as the takes the characters deeper into the 20th century. We also get some more explanation and background as to the different vampire species.
It’s bloody, brutal and helluva a good comic.
July 23, 2013
I can distill my review of why volume 3 of American Vampire is my favorite in the series down to two words: Nazi vampires.
Seriously, does anything else need to be said? Probably not, but just try to shut up my enthusiasm for Snyder's series.
In volume 3, we follow our American vampires and those who love to try and stake 'em into World War II. In the first storyline, Pearl's husband, Henry, is enlisted by the Vassals of the Morning Star (a society of vampire hunters who have made an uneasy pact to keep Pearl and Henry safe) to join a team being sent to the island of Taipan to wipe out an indigenous vampire. When they arrive, they find a vampire unlike any they've ever seen: these vampires retain nothing of their former humanity, can turn a human in a matter of minutes, and are particularly vicious. To complicate matters, the first American vampire, Skinner Sweet, jealous of Henry's relationship with Pearl, sneaks aboard with the intention of killing Henry.
In the second storyline (which is by far my favorite), Felicia Book and Cash McCogan are sent to a remote European castle to track down a rumored cure for vampirism. What they find instead is a Nazi plan to utilize vampires as the ultimate killing machines.
Felicia Book is a particularly interesting character. The daughter of a vampire and a human, Felicia has a huge chip on her shoulder as she has been raised to avenge the death of her father. She's one bad ass mamma-jamma and Snyder hasn't clearly addressed exactly what genetic side effects she may have from her supernatural parent. It will be interesting to see how she continues to develop as a character.
The vampire mythology continues to be the most intriguing part of the story. So many vampire types, developing over the centuries and in varying geographical areas, have led to distinct species with particular strengths and weaknesses. The introduction of the towering ancient vampires hidden beneath the Nazi stronghold is one that I hope gets more focus in future storylines.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
Seriously, does anything else need to be said? Probably not, but just try to shut up my enthusiasm for Snyder's series.
In volume 3, we follow our American vampires and those who love to try and stake 'em into World War II. In the first storyline, Pearl's husband, Henry, is enlisted by the Vassals of the Morning Star (a society of vampire hunters who have made an uneasy pact to keep Pearl and Henry safe) to join a team being sent to the island of Taipan to wipe out an indigenous vampire. When they arrive, they find a vampire unlike any they've ever seen: these vampires retain nothing of their former humanity, can turn a human in a matter of minutes, and are particularly vicious. To complicate matters, the first American vampire, Skinner Sweet, jealous of Henry's relationship with Pearl, sneaks aboard with the intention of killing Henry.
In the second storyline (which is by far my favorite), Felicia Book and Cash McCogan are sent to a remote European castle to track down a rumored cure for vampirism. What they find instead is a Nazi plan to utilize vampires as the ultimate killing machines.
Felicia Book is a particularly interesting character. The daughter of a vampire and a human, Felicia has a huge chip on her shoulder as she has been raised to avenge the death of her father. She's one bad ass mamma-jamma and Snyder hasn't clearly addressed exactly what genetic side effects she may have from her supernatural parent. It will be interesting to see how she continues to develop as a character.
The vampire mythology continues to be the most intriguing part of the story. So many vampire types, developing over the centuries and in varying geographical areas, have led to distinct species with particular strengths and weaknesses. The introduction of the towering ancient vampires hidden beneath the Nazi stronghold is one that I hope gets more focus in future storylines.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
February 5, 2017
Vampire Nazis! Vampire hunter spies!
Plus, I loved the graphics. What fun!
Plus, I loved the graphics. What fun!
November 6, 2022
The third stop on my American Vampire re-read. This time we've moved to the 1940's after a one issue Skinner Sweet flashback. It's an extra long volume that contains a miniseries in addition to the regular run. Henry is starting to feel old during WWII so he heads off on a secret mission where he meets a new breed of Asian vampire along with Skinner Sweet. Thankfully, Pearl plays catch up to pull his fat out of the fire before Taipan is blown off the map.
Then Felicia and Cash head to Romania to investigate a scientist who says he has a cure for vampirism before the Nazis show up. It's a bit of a slow burn until it ends with a whole lot of craziness. Sean Murphy illustrates the miniseries.
Then Felicia and Cash head to Romania to investigate a scientist who says he has a cure for vampirism before the Nazis show up. It's a bit of a slow burn until it ends with a whole lot of craziness. Sean Murphy illustrates the miniseries.
March 5, 2015
American Vampire, Vol. 3, consists of three interconnected stories. The first, "Strange Frontier," is a short-story set in the American West of 1919. Skinner Sweet visits a Wild West show (directly patterned after Buffalo Bill Cody's). He's surprised at the inaccuracies of the show, particular the gunfight that led to his "death", and sets things right in typical fashion. Then he confronts an old girlfriend who was responsible for turning him in.
The second story, "Ghost War", takes place in the Pacific WWII arena. It deals with Henry Preston and his wife Pearl Jones. Henry has aged well for his age, but he is growing older and Pearl isn't. He's tried numerous times to join the military and fight in the conflict, but each time he's been rejected. Then one of the representatives of the Vassals of the Morning Star shows up and gives Henry an offer he can't refuse. He accepts the assignment and joins a special group of troops that have been selected to investigate a small island under Japanese control . It's rumored that the Japanese have bred a new breed of vampire. The Vassals want them wiped out and a secret war mission makes a great cover.
The third story in the volume is "Survival of the Fittest". Set in 1941, Felicia Book and Cashel McCoogan team up to rescue a botanist in Romania who may have discovered a cure for vampirism. Posing as a pair of wealthy industrialists who support the Nazi cause, Felicia and Cash travel into the dark heart of the Nazi Empire. There they uncover several surprises that threaten not only the outcome of the war, but the fate of humanity and vampires alike.
This was an enjoyable read, but not quite as fascinating as the previous two volumes. "Strange Frontier" provides a quick look deeper into the mind of Skinner Sweet and reveals that, perhaps, he never was as evil as the public has been led to believe. "Ghost War" is the strongest of the volume, but the relationship between Henry and Pearl is not given the space needed in this story. "Survival of the Fittest" moves the larger plot of the series along but ends in predictable fashion.
It'll be interesting to see how "Ghost War" and "Survival of the Fittest" develop and crossover in the future.
The second story, "Ghost War", takes place in the Pacific WWII arena. It deals with Henry Preston and his wife Pearl Jones. Henry has aged well for his age, but he is growing older and Pearl isn't. He's tried numerous times to join the military and fight in the conflict, but each time he's been rejected. Then one of the representatives of the Vassals of the Morning Star shows up and gives Henry an offer he can't refuse. He accepts the assignment and joins a special group of troops that have been selected to investigate a small island under Japanese control . It's rumored that the Japanese have bred a new breed of vampire. The Vassals want them wiped out and a secret war mission makes a great cover.
The third story in the volume is "Survival of the Fittest". Set in 1941, Felicia Book and Cashel McCoogan team up to rescue a botanist in Romania who may have discovered a cure for vampirism. Posing as a pair of wealthy industrialists who support the Nazi cause, Felicia and Cash travel into the dark heart of the Nazi Empire. There they uncover several surprises that threaten not only the outcome of the war, but the fate of humanity and vampires alike.
This was an enjoyable read, but not quite as fascinating as the previous two volumes. "Strange Frontier" provides a quick look deeper into the mind of Skinner Sweet and reveals that, perhaps, he never was as evil as the public has been led to believe. "Ghost War" is the strongest of the volume, but the relationship between Henry and Pearl is not given the space needed in this story. "Survival of the Fittest" moves the larger plot of the series along but ends in predictable fashion.
It'll be interesting to see how "Ghost War" and "Survival of the Fittest" develop and crossover in the future.
July 22, 2016
In professional wrestling, there's this term for a specific kind of character called a "tweener". A tweener is basically a guy who's generally in it for himself. He's not exactly a heel (bad guy) or babyface (good guy), he's more so inbetween. A prime example would be Stone Cold Steve Austin, a guy who exhibits traits of a rule breaker but is beloved by the fans.
If we took the American Vampire universe and labeled the characters in relation to their actions, Skinner Sweet would be the definition of a tweener. Sure, you could argue that he fits the role typically portrayed by a villain but with some of his actions in Volume 3, Skinner is often walking that line between good and evil.
In Volume 3, Snyder moves the setting to the 1940s and the conflict of World War II. By that alone, Snyder's already got me interested. If you ask anyone, Nazi's are the true measuring stick in regards to the level of evil the human race can sink to. When you throw vampires in the mix as soldiers of the Reich, you're sinking so low you might as well be operating out of Hell.
While the first two volumes are just plain excellent, the third installment truly takes things up a notch. The ongoing development of some of these characters has lead the series into some fantastic story telling. Snyder is just churning out compelling fiction, leaving nothing off the page. Emotions are running high as characters like Skinner Sweet, Pearl Jones and Felicia Book interact throughout history, desperately trying to rid the world of one another.
This Scott Snyder guy is something else. I've yet to read anything of his that doesn't grip me from the beginning and leave me wanting more. There's so much to love within this series and so far, I can't recommend it enough.
If we took the American Vampire universe and labeled the characters in relation to their actions, Skinner Sweet would be the definition of a tweener. Sure, you could argue that he fits the role typically portrayed by a villain but with some of his actions in Volume 3, Skinner is often walking that line between good and evil.
In Volume 3, Snyder moves the setting to the 1940s and the conflict of World War II. By that alone, Snyder's already got me interested. If you ask anyone, Nazi's are the true measuring stick in regards to the level of evil the human race can sink to. When you throw vampires in the mix as soldiers of the Reich, you're sinking so low you might as well be operating out of Hell.
While the first two volumes are just plain excellent, the third installment truly takes things up a notch. The ongoing development of some of these characters has lead the series into some fantastic story telling. Snyder is just churning out compelling fiction, leaving nothing off the page. Emotions are running high as characters like Skinner Sweet, Pearl Jones and Felicia Book interact throughout history, desperately trying to rid the world of one another.
This Scott Snyder guy is something else. I've yet to read anything of his that doesn't grip me from the beginning and leave me wanting more. There's so much to love within this series and so far, I can't recommend it enough.
March 25, 2019
“Deep down, beneath your little housewife act, you’re a bad girl, aren’t you.”
- Skinner Sweet
Pearl! I guess she brought out the sweet in Skinner Sweet.
This volume was action packed with a variety of interesting storylines.
Pearl, Henry, and Skinner Sweet in Taipan with the Japanese Army and feral vampires.
Felicia Book and Cash McCogan against the Third Reich and vampires.
The evolving fates of Gus McCogan and Felicia Book who both had prenatal vampiric issues.
And of course, more Skinner Sweet backstory.
This was layered and entertaining enough for five stars had the artwork been consistently good. But there were at least three hands in the paint and that was two too many.
December 20, 2021
The weakest in the series up til now.
So here finally was the chance to see vampires within a larger violent context, a war that makes the undead seem insignificant, and we get an unconvincing 'special mission', which could've taken place in any era.
We get the xenomorph vampire, which is more silly than frightening. We get Skinner glomming on to a secret mission, and no one bats an eyelid. Pearl has to be forced into the story.
And we get Sean Murphy's even sillier Nazi vampire story. I just don't accept that the Nazis would for one second contemplate working with vampires, they surely are the worst kind of genetic aberration. Nor do I think vampires would do more than look down on the Nazis, as pathetic amateurs.
Cash turns up again, and seems to have switched brains with someone, as his personality has completely changed, now acting as some kind of bargain bin Indiana Jones (Bindiana Jones).
Pick a story, one story, American Vampire, and tell that well, not this frenetic jumping all over the place.
Read with TV's Kadi P
So here finally was the chance to see vampires within a larger violent context, a war that makes the undead seem insignificant, and we get an unconvincing 'special mission', which could've taken place in any era.
We get the xenomorph vampire, which is more silly than frightening. We get Skinner glomming on to a secret mission, and no one bats an eyelid. Pearl has to be forced into the story.
And we get Sean Murphy's even sillier Nazi vampire story. I just don't accept that the Nazis would for one second contemplate working with vampires, they surely are the worst kind of genetic aberration. Nor do I think vampires would do more than look down on the Nazis, as pathetic amateurs.
Cash turns up again, and seems to have switched brains with someone, as his personality has completely changed, now acting as some kind of bargain bin Indiana Jones (Bindiana Jones).
Pick a story, one story, American Vampire, and tell that well, not this frenetic jumping all over the place.
Read with TV's Kadi P
June 26, 2012
The best volume yet. Here, the action has been moved to World War II. The first storyline is about Henry going on a vampire hunting mission in the South Pacific, and finding a secret Japanese camp. The second stars Felicia Book and Cash, infiltrating a Nazi castle to try and extract a scientist with a possible cure for vampirism. Especially important for Cash, whose son had been infected as an infant. It is, of course, violent and bloody. There's also more information about the complicated world of vampires that Snyder has created, and fully believable characters and relationships.
October 30, 2022
Earlier "American Vampire" showcased what a great fit vampires are in a western setting. This time the stories are war focused, and both were great.
The series jumps around into different time periods and yet somehow isn't confusing. There's an overarching set of stories, with characters weaving in and out, often unexpectedly. And Sweet and Pearl usually pop up at some point, often separately, occasionally in the same place and time. Sweet is annoyingly cool considering what a bastard he is. I can never decide if I like him or not, but he is amusing and an undeniably interesting character. 🍭
It's a fun series, and fairly fitting for October as well, although that's a coincidence on my part - I almost never remember to read something spooky in the lead up to Halloween, but this series works well!
The series jumps around into different time periods and yet somehow isn't confusing. There's an overarching set of stories, with characters weaving in and out, often unexpectedly. And Sweet and Pearl usually pop up at some point, often separately, occasionally in the same place and time. Sweet is annoyingly cool considering what a bastard he is. I can never decide if I like him or not, but he is amusing and an undeniably interesting character. 🍭
It's a fun series, and fairly fitting for October as well, although that's a coincidence on my part - I almost never remember to read something spooky in the lead up to Halloween, but this series works well!
December 21, 2023
(Buddy read with Vladexander Vladervans)
"Throughout history, vampires have secretly walked among us, hunting humans and wielding power from the shadows." Blah, blah, blah.
If you've seen one vampire, you've seen them all. At least that's what this vol was trying to convince you is not true, but let's be honest, it still is. Snyder really tried to bring in some newer and older unknown vampires, but it just didn't work well. The new vampires in Taipan were some weird cross between the alien from the Alien movies and Venom, whilst the older vampires in the Nazi story were basically huge totem poles. Neither of those wowed me and, sadly enough, neither did the lacklustre plots.
Both stories felt tediously repetitive and repetitively dull, mirroring each other with their secret missions and suddenly sprung romances. And if you thought the World War II setting in this vol would make it more interesting, then think again! It was your generic run-of-the-mill action, fighting, running, shooting at vampires with varying degrees of success.
There was nothing particularly wrong with the characters. They were all written fine for the most part, but the random romances between some of the characters intensified the feeling that Synder's writing in this vol was more sloppy than the previous vols. It was odd because I've always appreciated Snyder's writing style and in this vol I couldn't even do that because the plots were so cliched and basic. The few moments that did have me surprised were the final scenes of both of the stories and so, I can quite unironically say that the best part of this vol was the end.
"Throughout history, vampires have secretly walked among us, hunting humans and wielding power from the shadows." Blah, blah, blah.
If you've seen one vampire, you've seen them all. At least that's what this vol was trying to convince you is not true, but let's be honest, it still is. Snyder really tried to bring in some newer and older unknown vampires, but it just didn't work well. The new vampires in Taipan were some weird cross between the alien from the Alien movies and Venom, whilst the older vampires in the Nazi story were basically huge totem poles. Neither of those wowed me and, sadly enough, neither did the lacklustre plots.
Both stories felt tediously repetitive and repetitively dull, mirroring each other with their secret missions and suddenly sprung romances. And if you thought the World War II setting in this vol would make it more interesting, then think again! It was your generic run-of-the-mill action, fighting, running, shooting at vampires with varying degrees of success.
There was nothing particularly wrong with the characters. They were all written fine for the most part, but the random romances between some of the characters intensified the feeling that Synder's writing in this vol was more sloppy than the previous vols. It was odd because I've always appreciated Snyder's writing style and in this vol I couldn't even do that because the plots were so cliched and basic. The few moments that did have me surprised were the final scenes of both of the stories and so, I can quite unironically say that the best part of this vol was the end.
November 2, 2019
Wow! This one had A LOT of action! I mean the other volumes did too but this one was crazy! I guess when Snyder started packing Nazi vamps the story is bound to get more exciting!
I really like Pearl, but her relationship with her non vamp husband is getting sadder and sadder. Freaking BITE HIM ALREADY!! It’s like Edward Cullen and Bella Swan all over again! Just bite him and get it over with! Geez!!
Anyway...this story is great and I’m so glad I found it!
I really like Pearl, but her relationship with her non vamp husband is getting sadder and sadder. Freaking BITE HIM ALREADY!! It’s like Edward Cullen and Bella Swan all over again! Just bite him and get it over with! Geez!!
Anyway...this story is great and I’m so glad I found it!
February 3, 2016
Vol 3 covers #12-18. The time is now 1940's and the Marine's are invading the mythical island of Taipan (in real life Saipan) where a new breed of vampire exists. It seems the Japanese have been doing some experiments (again in the real world- Unit 731, but that was in Manchuria) and creating a nasty strain. I won't say anything else to ruin it..but Skinner Sweet is back and we run into a covert team of Sons of the Vassals who work with Preston to find out what is going on, add to that Skinner Sweet..and you have one heck of a ride. Also I get most comic book writers don't know much about history...but Mr Snyder in 1944 (thats when Saipan was invaded) it is unlikely that (a) helicopters, while existing is basic forms, were common enough to do the sea rescue bit..they just did not exist in that capacity yet- not till the Korean War would you see stuff like that...and (b) the bomber would need a couple dozen bombs to pull off what it did..not 1..it's not a smart bomb...maybe a dive bomber could have pulled it off..but not the plane shown...ahh screw it..its a comic book about VAMPIRES..forget I said anything about the historical stuff.. I enjoyed the story and the overall story arc. Curious about the Skinner sweet story and how the author ends things-but I'm sure more will be explained in future volumes.
One thing- in the past, I've complained about the art. But, I had a chance to read R. Albaquerque's explanation for his art style and what he was trying to accomplish and perhaps I'm getting it. I am still not a complete fan, but it no longer looks as bad as it did at first. I also think in this vol it has improved significantly. But, thats just me. Hey if you love vampires...don't hesitate to pick this up. I'm glad I did.
One thing- in the past, I've complained about the art. But, I had a chance to read R. Albaquerque's explanation for his art style and what he was trying to accomplish and perhaps I'm getting it. I am still not a complete fan, but it no longer looks as bad as it did at first. I also think in this vol it has improved significantly. But, thats just me. Hey if you love vampires...don't hesitate to pick this up. I'm glad I did.
June 7, 2019
This re-read for American Vampire has been a nice surprise. I'm really digging it so far.
This is broken into two stories. The first is all about Skinner hunting Henry as he goes into a special unit in war. This unit is made to hunt down vampires. Skinner tags along to try and take out Henry but of course, we meed a new breed of vampires, and they might even be worse than American Vampires. The next story is about Felicia and Cash on a undercover mission to try and get the cure for vampires. This is more of a stealth like story with a big blow out ending.
The funny thing is both are build up stories. Both start off a bit slow though I will say the first story picks up faster with some great moments and a perfect ending. The second story, while not as good in pacing, and takes a bit to grow, the ending is a great moment too. Both build up to solid endings with satisfying conclusions, art great as always, and all pretty damn interesting.
A nice 4 out of 5 for this volume.
This is broken into two stories. The first is all about Skinner hunting Henry as he goes into a special unit in war. This unit is made to hunt down vampires. Skinner tags along to try and take out Henry but of course, we meed a new breed of vampires, and they might even be worse than American Vampires. The next story is about Felicia and Cash on a undercover mission to try and get the cure for vampires. This is more of a stealth like story with a big blow out ending.
The funny thing is both are build up stories. Both start off a bit slow though I will say the first story picks up faster with some great moments and a perfect ending. The second story, while not as good in pacing, and takes a bit to grow, the ending is a great moment too. Both build up to solid endings with satisfying conclusions, art great as always, and all pretty damn interesting.
A nice 4 out of 5 for this volume.
December 30, 2012
Brief Introduction:
I am definitely on the roll with Scott Snyder’s fantastic series, “American Vampire” and the third volume of this series does not disappoint me! “American Vampire: Volume Three” is probably the most intense out of the entire “American Vampire” series as Scott Snyder’s dramatic writing and Rafael Albuquerque, Danijel Zezelj, and Sean Murphy’s artwork contribute greatly to this volume!
What is the story?
In this volume, there are two stories being told regarding Pearl and Felicia Book. In the first story, it is the 1940s when there is war between America and Imperial Japan and Pearl’s husband, Henry Preston, is called into battle to fight off a group of vampires that are sighted on an island near Japan. Unfortunately, Skinner Sweet happens to be in the same group as Henry and he is planning revenge on Henry and only Pearl can rescue her husband from Skinner Sweet! In the second story, Felicia Book, the daughter of Jim Book, who was killed by Skinner Sweet, goes on a mission with Cash McCogan to Nazi occupied Romania to find Dr. Erik Pavel, who claims that he has a cure for vampirism!
What I loved about this comic:
Scott Snyder’s writing: What can I say? Scott Snyder’s writing for this series continues to get better and better as the characters are thrown into new and troubling situations! For one thing, I loved the way that Scott Snyder actually made the story progress in the timeline as the setting goes from the 1920s to the 1940s and it really gives the story a more realistic feel to the characters. It is rare that I see many comic books actually progress the characters forward in time, so this was a welcoming change for me! I also loved the way that Scott Snyder tied in the historical aspects of World War II into this story without trying to twist the history of World War II. Usually, the problems I find with stories that has historical elements mixed in with fantasy elements is that sometimes it tries to state that the fictional characters were actually involved in any kind of historical event that happened in history. What I like about what was being done with combining the historical aspects of World War II with the fictional characters of “American Vampire” is that they never really mentioned any historical figures like Hitler and the stories were more centered on the characters and their fight against vampirism while using the historical elements to bring the reader into a whole new world on the idea of vampires existing in such times. I also loved the way that Scott Snyder developed the relationship between Pearl and her husband, Henry, as Henry seems to have second thoughts about their marriage since Pearl is a vampire and is much younger than he is and he wanted to feel wanted again. I also loved the way that Pearl and Henry still cared about each other, despite the fact that Pearl is a vampire.
Rafael Albuquerque, Danijel Zezelj, and Sean Murphy’s artwork: Rafael Albuquerque, Danijel Zezelj and Sean Murphy all contributed greatly to the artwork of this volume as each artwork is scratchy yet dramatic for these stories! In the story “Strange Frontier,” where it talks about Skinner Sweet’s former lover, I loved the way that Danijel Zezelj made the artwork a bit brighter than what you would normally see in “American Vampire” and I also loved the way that the characters’ faces are shadowed in which makes them look really dramatic. The only problem I have with Danijel Zezelji’s artwork is that sometimes it is hard to distinguish the characters’ facial features since it seems like their facial expressions are lumped into one expression as there are barely definite linings on the characters’ faces that could really detail their emotions. Rafael Albuquerque’s artwork is as usual, brilliantly done as the artwork is scratchy and yet, it fits perfectly for this type of story. I loved the way that Rafael Albuquerque illustrates the characters’ facial expressions in a dramatic way as I really felt the emotions that the characters were feeling. Sean Murphy’s artwork in “Survival of the Fittest” was extremely well done as the characters’ faces are shadowed in such a dramatic way and I loved the snow covered landscape when Cash and Felicia came to Romania!
What made me feel uncomfortable about this book:
As with the previous volumes, there is some strong language and gory violence in this volume including people having their heads ripped off and that might be disturbing for anyone who is not a huge fan of gory violence. As for the strong language, there are many instances where the characters drop the “f” bomb and say the “s” word, so readers might want to skim over those words if they are uncomfortable with reading them.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, “American Vampire: Volume Three” is a fantastic volume where using historical context in a fantasy series is used extremely well and anyone who is a huge fan of Scott Snyder’s works will easily enjoy this volume of “American Vampire.”
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
December 22, 2020
Spoiler free review of volumes 1-6, for spoilers visit: https://amanjareads.com/2020/12/16/am...
American Vampire is a graphic novel series that claims to bring horror back to the vampire genre. In my opinion, it failed. It's not scary and worst of all it's not that interesting.
I'm not a huge vampire fan to begin with. I think the whole genre is completely exhausted. There are a few notable exceptions like my favorite classic Buffy, and modern takes like the incredibly disturbing movie The Transfiguration. But traditional vampires are boring anymore. There's nothing left to discuss.
Seriously, how many ways can you spice up this old trope?! Let's move on!
American Vampire works off the premise that there are several species of vamps and the American ones are the newest and most dangerous. They threaten the way of life for the old school vamps who prey on young women and can't come out in the daylight. American vampires are bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, and blend into society better.
The whole series reads more like an anthology than one coherent story. It hops around through key points in American history but forgot to make me care about any of it. I didn't care about the main characters at all. They were underwritten and lacked a focused conflict.
The art is good and has some really fun monster designes but that's not enough to make it a desireable read. Overall, it commits the greatest sin of being boring. It's a very meh book.
Meh books are the worst to write reviews for. If I love something I can praise it for pages. If I hate something I enjoy laying out my argument for why it's bad. But for a graphic novel like American Vampire all there really is to say is meh.
If you really love vampires. Like love anything and everything vampy, this might be more fun for you. But for most of us I think it has done little to reinvent the genre or stand out amongst the dozens and dozens of simiar stories already out there.
American Vampire is a graphic novel series that claims to bring horror back to the vampire genre. In my opinion, it failed. It's not scary and worst of all it's not that interesting.
I'm not a huge vampire fan to begin with. I think the whole genre is completely exhausted. There are a few notable exceptions like my favorite classic Buffy, and modern takes like the incredibly disturbing movie The Transfiguration. But traditional vampires are boring anymore. There's nothing left to discuss.
Seriously, how many ways can you spice up this old trope?! Let's move on!
American Vampire works off the premise that there are several species of vamps and the American ones are the newest and most dangerous. They threaten the way of life for the old school vamps who prey on young women and can't come out in the daylight. American vampires are bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, and blend into society better.
The whole series reads more like an anthology than one coherent story. It hops around through key points in American history but forgot to make me care about any of it. I didn't care about the main characters at all. They were underwritten and lacked a focused conflict.
The art is good and has some really fun monster designes but that's not enough to make it a desireable read. Overall, it commits the greatest sin of being boring. It's a very meh book.
Meh books are the worst to write reviews for. If I love something I can praise it for pages. If I hate something I enjoy laying out my argument for why it's bad. But for a graphic novel like American Vampire all there really is to say is meh.
If you really love vampires. Like love anything and everything vampy, this might be more fun for you. But for most of us I think it has done little to reinvent the genre or stand out amongst the dozens and dozens of simiar stories already out there.
June 19, 2018
This is a pretty intense series and this is, perhaps, the most intense volume yet. This book gives us a deeper dive into the future and some characters we haven't spent as much time with. Cash and Felicia Book get a pretty big adventure tale full of Nazis, Vampires and Nazi Vampires.
Pearl and Henry enlist in the WWII war effort and wind up in the South Pacific. Skinner Sweet shows up and that's really all the more I can say because that story line is b.a.n.a.n.a.s. (and spoilery)
I like how this series keeps progressing through time and slowly introducing new characters with each new decade. It helps us move forward without getting too convoluted. I also appreciate that there is If you've read the first 2 volumes, that last spoiler wasn't actually a spoiler for you. Just the new fans.
Really happy with this book and looking forward to where Snyder and Co are going next.
March 8, 2018
This volume had 2 different stories set during WWII. One was set in the Pacific Theater, and the other the European Theater.
The story set in the Pacific dealt with a special group of vampire fighting soldiers who find themselves facing a much greater threat than they'd been led to believed. However, one of the soldier's is Pearl's loverboy, so she takes matters into her own hands. Oh, and another of the soldiers? None other than Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire. We finally get to see Pearl vs. Skinner, and there's a twist there most of us probably didn't see coming.
The second storyline, Survival of the Fittest, deals with Nazi vampires and a suppose cure. We also get a glimpse of the first vampires, literal giants who find themselves at odds with more modern vamps. There's also the matter of Mccogan's vampire baby, and a cure is very important to him.
Parts of this volume reminded me of F. Paul Wilson's THE KEEP and overall this was a strong collection. Good series overall.
The story set in the Pacific dealt with a special group of vampire fighting soldiers who find themselves facing a much greater threat than they'd been led to believed. However, one of the soldier's is Pearl's loverboy, so she takes matters into her own hands. Oh, and another of the soldiers? None other than Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire. We finally get to see Pearl vs. Skinner, and there's a twist there most of us probably didn't see coming.
The second storyline, Survival of the Fittest, deals with Nazi vampires and a suppose cure. We also get a glimpse of the first vampires, literal giants who find themselves at odds with more modern vamps. There's also the matter of Mccogan's vampire baby, and a cure is very important to him.
Parts of this volume reminded me of F. Paul Wilson's THE KEEP and overall this was a strong collection. Good series overall.
June 11, 2012
An excellent continuation of the story, adding depth and shading to Sweet and introducing several new, interesting characters.
February 16, 2019
Wow, this was a definite improvement over Vol. 2!
This has convinced me to keep going with the series.
YAY for more TBR!
This has convinced me to keep going with the series.
YAY for more TBR!
April 8, 2014
Volume 3 of this series is absolutely massive - there are 12 or 13 single issues in this one volume (as opposed to the rather anaemic 5-6 issues most graphic novels consist of), and there's a lot to like in these stories.
First off, there's a nice prologue story set in 1919, where American vampire Skinner Sweet runs into a carnival showing a bowdlerised version of his life and "death". Needless to say, he reacts rather predictably to all this, but the real entertainment is when he runs into his old flame Kitty, who is reduced to putting herself on display for the entertainment of others. When she admits to being the one who betrayed Sweet to the law, he is about to tear her head off when she makes some rather cogent comments.
"It was all over. Everything. The world we knew. Paved over. Fenced in. Everyone saw what was coming, everyone except you." and later
"... the world we belonged to is gone. Except for you, baby. It was always in you. The West, it's wherever you go."
This is an interesting point to make which really struck me at the time. If you can see the series as an alternative view of American history, done from the point of it's first vampire, then Skinner Sweet represents a part of history that is both overly romanticised and quite definitely a part of the past the the USA has grown up from.
Ahem, being a bit long-winded about the smallest part of the book, so lets get to the rest. There are 2 separate stories in the rest. The first follows Henry Preston (who is married to second American vampire Pearl) as he fights a secret mission on a Japanese island. There he teams up with Skinner Sweet to take down a nest of vampires that are being experimented upon by the notorious Unit 731 of the Japanese army. Its brutal and gripping, and leads to .
The second story follows vampire hunters Felicia Book and Cash McCogan in an undercover mission to Nazi Germany in a bid to find a cure for vampirism. What they actually find are and there follows a hectic chase as the two of them try to escape. This story feels like it came from the pages of Hellboy, which is no bad thing, especially as the story ends with some uber-vampires being awakened from a long sleep. The cure they seek isn't exactly as advertised, but it may give a future to Cash's son, infected with vampirism in the womb.
4 stars is maybe a bit generous, but it was a lot of fun so lets called it 3 1/2 stars.
First off, there's a nice prologue story set in 1919, where American vampire Skinner Sweet runs into a carnival showing a bowdlerised version of his life and "death". Needless to say, he reacts rather predictably to all this, but the real entertainment is when he runs into his old flame Kitty, who is reduced to putting herself on display for the entertainment of others. When she admits to being the one who betrayed Sweet to the law, he is about to tear her head off when she makes some rather cogent comments.
"It was all over. Everything. The world we knew. Paved over. Fenced in. Everyone saw what was coming, everyone except you." and later
"... the world we belonged to is gone. Except for you, baby. It was always in you. The West, it's wherever you go."
This is an interesting point to make which really struck me at the time. If you can see the series as an alternative view of American history, done from the point of it's first vampire, then Skinner Sweet represents a part of history that is both overly romanticised and quite definitely a part of the past the the USA has grown up from.
Ahem, being a bit long-winded about the smallest part of the book, so lets get to the rest. There are 2 separate stories in the rest. The first follows Henry Preston (who is married to second American vampire Pearl) as he fights a secret mission on a Japanese island. There he teams up with Skinner Sweet to take down a nest of vampires that are being experimented upon by the notorious Unit 731 of the Japanese army. Its brutal and gripping, and leads to .
The second story follows vampire hunters Felicia Book and Cash McCogan in an undercover mission to Nazi Germany in a bid to find a cure for vampirism. What they actually find are and there follows a hectic chase as the two of them try to escape. This story feels like it came from the pages of Hellboy, which is no bad thing, especially as the story ends with some uber-vampires being awakened from a long sleep. The cure they seek isn't exactly as advertised, but it may give a future to Cash's son, infected with vampirism in the womb.
4 stars is maybe a bit generous, but it was a lot of fun so lets called it 3 1/2 stars.
August 11, 2016
Snyder pushes the series forward into World War II with a volume that's truly an embarrassment of riches.
The Vassals of the Morning Star have a stake--I'm not ashamed of that joke--in the Allied cause, so, having heard rumors that Taipan is infested with vampires and worried about the fate of the American soldiers due to land there, they embed a small crew of their own to take the bloodsuckers out. Included is the stealthily-recruited Henry, Pearl's husband, who gets some great fleshing-out as he tries to figure out what he wants from life besides happiness at home. Also included is Skinner Sweet, hiding in plain sight: he's curious--and he's been thinking about Pearl. In the series's continued period-by-period stylistic homages, this is an awesome, action-packed Dirty Dozen-style secret war operation. And it finds a strong emotional core in the Henry/Pearl/Skinner triangle, especially as we duck back further into the past for another peek at Skinner's backstory, and the woman he almost loved--a woman who, like Snyder, understood narrative.
The Germany story is a classic in both the "Nazis, I Hate Those Guys" genre and what I'll call the "Werewolf Women of the S.S." genre (thanks, Grindhouse trailers!). Cash, working with the Vassals after the terrible fate of his son in the previous book, goes to Germany with Felicia Book to run an exfiltration on a scientist who may or may not be able to cure vampirism. This story is slightly cheesier, but there's also some genuinely unnerving stuff here: Both Cash and Felicia having strong motivations to find out the truth behind the doctor's claim gives it high stakes, too, which cuts through some of the camp.
All in all, another well-paced, clever, scary, and dramatic installment. A bit of non-spoilery nightmare fuel: the vampires lurking in the water like sharks, unable to come too close to the surface because of the sunlight filtering through the first few feet of ocean. Waiting for nighttime.
The Vassals of the Morning Star have a stake--I'm not ashamed of that joke--in the Allied cause, so, having heard rumors that Taipan is infested with vampires and worried about the fate of the American soldiers due to land there, they embed a small crew of their own to take the bloodsuckers out. Included is the stealthily-recruited Henry, Pearl's husband, who gets some great fleshing-out as he tries to figure out what he wants from life besides happiness at home. Also included is Skinner Sweet, hiding in plain sight: he's curious--and he's been thinking about Pearl. In the series's continued period-by-period stylistic homages, this is an awesome, action-packed Dirty Dozen-style secret war operation. And it finds a strong emotional core in the Henry/Pearl/Skinner triangle, especially as we duck back further into the past for another peek at Skinner's backstory, and the woman he almost loved--a woman who, like Snyder, understood narrative.
The Germany story is a classic in both the "Nazis, I Hate Those Guys" genre and what I'll call the "Werewolf Women of the S.S." genre (thanks, Grindhouse trailers!). Cash, working with the Vassals after the terrible fate of his son in the previous book, goes to Germany with Felicia Book to run an exfiltration on a scientist who may or may not be able to cure vampirism. This story is slightly cheesier, but there's also some genuinely unnerving stuff here: Both Cash and Felicia having strong motivations to find out the truth behind the doctor's claim gives it high stakes, too, which cuts through some of the camp.
All in all, another well-paced, clever, scary, and dramatic installment. A bit of non-spoilery nightmare fuel: the vampires lurking in the water like sharks, unable to come too close to the surface because of the sunlight filtering through the first few feet of ocean. Waiting for nighttime.
May 18, 2017
Everyone’s favorite vampire comic book series returns!!! American Vampire: Volume Three features three stories, “ Strange Frontier”, “Ghost War” and “Survival of the Fittest”. The first story, “Strange Frontier”, features Skinner Sweet at a wild west show in 1819. He feels the show ruins his repuatation so he goes for his bloody revenge. The story is written by Scott Snyder and Illustrated by Danijel Zezelj . I can’t say I like Danijel Zezelj’s artwork, but you gotta give the brother credit for trying.
The next two stories take us to the frontlines of World War II. That’s right!! Vampires and WWII!!! What more could you ask for?!!
“Ghost War”, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque, folllows a team of vampire hunters to the Island of Taipan, Japan, where they discover a new breed of vampire with Skinner Sweet among them posing as a human. We also see the return of Pearl Jones and her husband, Henry. Now, what I didn’t like was that this new breed look more like aliens than vampires. And by “aliens” I mean the ones designed by H. R. Giger for those movies that Sigourney Weaver starred in. The other thing I didn’t was that Albuquerque changed Skinner Sweet's fangs. He turned them from to giant canines to a mouth full of shark teeth, kind of like the vampires in 30 Days of Night. Albuquerque’s work still rocks though.
The next story, “Survival of the Fittest”, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Sean Murphy, follows the story of Felicia Book (daughter of Jim Book form Volume one) and Cash McCoogan (from volume two) who are both members of a secret vampire hunting society called the Vassals. Book and McCoogan travel to a castle in Eastern Europe in search of a cure for vampirism, only to discover that it is occupied by vampire Nazis. THAT’S RIGHT…VAMPIRE NAZIS…HOW MUCH MORE EVIL CAN YOU GET!!!! I love It!!!
Sean Murphy’s art is amazing. I mean…..WOW!!!!
If you haven’t read American Vampire yet…by all means go do so!!! And, Hollywood, hurry up and make this into a damned movie!!!!!!!!!
The next two stories take us to the frontlines of World War II. That’s right!! Vampires and WWII!!! What more could you ask for?!!
“Ghost War”, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque, folllows a team of vampire hunters to the Island of Taipan, Japan, where they discover a new breed of vampire with Skinner Sweet among them posing as a human. We also see the return of Pearl Jones and her husband, Henry. Now, what I didn’t like was that this new breed look more like aliens than vampires. And by “aliens” I mean the ones designed by H. R. Giger for those movies that Sigourney Weaver starred in. The other thing I didn’t was that Albuquerque changed Skinner Sweet's fangs. He turned them from to giant canines to a mouth full of shark teeth, kind of like the vampires in 30 Days of Night. Albuquerque’s work still rocks though.
The next story, “Survival of the Fittest”, written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Sean Murphy, follows the story of Felicia Book (daughter of Jim Book form Volume one) and Cash McCoogan (from volume two) who are both members of a secret vampire hunting society called the Vassals. Book and McCoogan travel to a castle in Eastern Europe in search of a cure for vampirism, only to discover that it is occupied by vampire Nazis. THAT’S RIGHT…VAMPIRE NAZIS…HOW MUCH MORE EVIL CAN YOU GET!!!! I love It!!!
Sean Murphy’s art is amazing. I mean…..WOW!!!!
If you haven’t read American Vampire yet…by all means go do so!!! And, Hollywood, hurry up and make this into a damned movie!!!!!!!!!
July 11, 2014
Vol 3 of 6. Wow. This was a great issue. The vampires are now in the 1940s and fighting in the war. I wonder how this would be pulled off as a movie. This volume was so good it brought a tear to my eye. The artwork is not the best but it works for the darker scenes and those vampires are truly scary looking. It's really hard to describe all the subplots going on so I won't even attempt. All I can say is that I am enjoying every volume so far but this one had me holding my breath as I read it. I wouldn't even notice until a chapter came to an end and I'd exhale.
March 17, 2016
Japanese vampire and WWII need I say more?
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