So now that DC vs Vampires: World War V has done what every DC Elseworld does when it runs out of ideas and brings in Darkseid, the tone of this series has shifted from a tense survival horror (how tense was actually debatable) to a B-grade action movie with vampires and aliens. And honestly, it felt like an improvement. Where does the series go from here?
Baby, I forgive you. Let’s get back together.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that this series and I have had quite the tumultuous relationship. It was exciting at first, but then they kept stalling whenever I wanted something serious. They made a few attempts but then left me cold and wondering whether I should call it quits. However, then we had a deep conversation and I realized that I’m the problem. It’s me who didn’t get you DC vs Vampires World War V, and now I do. And hey, looks like you’ve even started to make an effort in return.
Issue 8 of this series is actually refreshing in quite a few ways. For once, we get to see the vampires on the back foot as they struggle to deal with Darkseid’s forces and have to hide in a manner similar to the humans’ when they were being hunted by the bloodsuckers. We even see the Constantine sub-plot brought back up in this issue, as does the whole Alfred and Ra’s subplot. And they are set to collide with a little push from Constantine.
One of the more common complaints I’ve had about this series is the lack of attention to continuity. Well, it seems that either the creative team reads my reviews, or there has been an overwhelming amount of similar complaints, as we actually see one of those continuity problems being addressed in this issue. Back in #6, we saw vampire Martian Manhunter show up alive again after getting heat visioned through the head in the original series. So, apparently, it was vampire Miss Martian who shape-shifted to look like J’onn while fighting (I never said the continuity problems were addressed particularly well).
Oops, that backhanded compliment means we must start addressing the comic’s problems. Well, in the last issue we saw a group of cyborgs, robots, and similar tech-focused characters being prepped by Cyborg (and btw, me and the rest of the team went insane trying to name all of them, and there were still several we could not place). So, one of those characters was supposed to be Tomorrow Woman…except she was accidentally drawn in Power Girl’s colors. Why is that relevant to this issue? Because she’s still in Power Girl colors! Oh, and I didn’t know Captain Atom was a tech character now.
It’s ok. We talked about this with the therapist. Everybody has their occasional slipups. Baby steps.
Score: 6.5/10
Backup: Wildcat: Going the Distance, Part 1
This backup focuses on Wildcat Ted Grant as he searches for his son in the vampire apocalypse. While the backups are clearly not in continuity, taken as is, this is a pretty solid Wildcat character piece as he copes with the loss of almost everything in his life and focuses on a singular goal to keep going. However, along the way, he continues to do what he can to help those who can’t help themselves. It’s hard to let heroic instincts die, even in a world where it seems futile.
Also, the art of this backup is good. Fabio Veras and Francesco Segala play around with shadows to give this story the vibe it needs, and they pull it off in style.
Score: 8.5/10
Recommended If
- You wanted a Ted Grant story
- You wanted to see the vampires get theirs for once
- Look, I know if you don’t get it, but we’re committed to making this work
Overall
DC vs Vampires: World War V #8 has embraced what it is. Instead of trying to be something it’s not, it has acknowledged what it truly is. And hey, I’m strapped in, but not everyone’s ready for this level of commitment. I’m sure everything will end well.
Score: 7.5/10
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