Title: American Vampire Vol. 4-7

Author: Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, Jordi Bernet, Dustin Nguyen, Matias Bergara, Dave McCaig

Publisher: Vertigo 2014, 2014, 2014, 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror

Pages: 208, 280, 144, 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Library; Popsugar - Library

AMERICAN VAMPIRE flashes back to two very distinct points in American history. The first tale comes from the early 1800's with the "The Beast in the Cave" featuring art by the legendary Jordi Bernet (Torpedo, JONAH HEX). Learn about the original American Vampire, Skinner Sweet, and his involvement in the brutal Indian Wars, and an ancient evil hidden in the heart of the Old West. Plus, more about the man Skinner used to call his best friend - James Book! The second tale comes straight from 1950s America, where AMERICAN VAMPIRE is terrorizing the suburbs with hot rods, teenyboppers and fangs! "Death Race" focuses on ferocious new vampire hunter Travis Kidd - but what is his connection to Skinner Sweet? As the story comes to a violent end, a sworn enemy's identity is finally revealed, and lots of blood is spilled!

Such a great volume! I really loved the story set in the 1950s, but even more the story that ending the volume "The Nocturnes." That was one hell of a way to leave the readers on a cliffhanger. So good!

Vol. 5 In the first story, series mainstays Skinner Sweet, Pearl and company return to Hollywood in the '50s during the Red Scare. In a time where America was on the lookout for the next Communist threat, was the real danger something far more insidious? A major turning point in AMERICAN VAMPIRE lore begins here! In the second tale, familiar face and vampire hunter Felicia Book is "retired" from vampire hunting when she gets called back into action to track down and kill the most powerful vampire of all time. The hunt takes our heroes through post-war Europe, behind the Iron Curtain and into the heart of Russia to track this deadly enemy...

These two stories really moved the story and mythos forward. We get to meet an iconic vampire and learn more about what the various characters have been up to. Plus, we get some tantalizing hints at what's to come. I can't wait to see where this story leads.

Vol. 6 You are cordially invited to a party--to die for! This volume of American Vampire collects eight amazing stories set in the world of American Vampire, with "lost tales," new characters and old favorites. Also collected here is the stand alone tale of Fan-favorite character Travis Kidd--the vampire hunter who likes to "bite them back" in AMERICAN VAMPIRE: THE LONG ROAD TO HELL. 

This was a nice collection of side stories to compliment the larger tale. I really enjoyed the story featuring Travis Kidd. And we got a few more hints about the Grey Trader. I can't wait for the big reveal in the next volume!

Vol. 7 When we last saw Pearl in the 1950s, she had lost her love Henry in an attack on the vampire hunting organization, V.M.S., by a coven of Hollywood vampires that nearly wiped the organization off the face of the planet.  Devastated and alone, Pearl is determained to leave California and all its painful memories behind. When we meet Pearl again, it is in 1960s Kansas, an era fraught with fear of nuclear war, angry demonstrations, and vast social change.  What has changed in the years since the V.M.S. attack and where is Skinner Sweet?

Holy cow! That was one hell of a volume. I can't believe everything that happened in the span of a few hundred pages. I'm stoked to see more from Pearl and Cal and the reappearance of Skinner. This was the most disturbing volume so far, but I mean that in a good way. It was fascinating to learn more about the big bad and its minions. Can't wait until Volume 8.