Blade #4 - Comic Review

 

The previous three issues of the new Blade series have been going well. The first issue introduced a cool new villain for the vampire hunter to face, one that he was partly responsible for unleashing onto the world. The next two issues spent their time introducing new allies for Blade, and furthering the villains plot. It's been decently paced and has been unfolding in a satisfying way. This issue, however, almost feels like the writer realised that he needed to wrap things up quick as the pace ramps up and readers get a lot happen this time round.

After dropping in on Blade and his allies last issue, Doctor Strange spends some time telling Blade off for releasing the Adana, and confirms the information that we were given last issue, that the Sword of Lucifer is the only weapon that can kill her. He does at least lend the team a small hand though, as he teleports them onto the train they need to break into in order to get the sword. Whilst that is a big help in their infiltration, it does mean that they're now on a train populated by vampires.

Thus begins an almost issue length action sequence as Blade and his crew slice and stake their way through dozens of vampires in order to get to the weapon they need. And there is something of a small anti-climax when instead of fighting the head vampire, he simply offs himself, allowing Blade to take the weapon unchallenged. However, Strange pops back up to reveal that Blade can't use the weapon well enough, and that The Adana wants the sword too. Despite these warnings he does send Blade and his team straight to the Adana for the final showdown. 

If it feels like I rushed through the description of the book that's in part because the book itself rushes through things. Stuff happens at a pretty rapid fire pace this issue, and where in the previous three we're given time to absorb information, to see how the characters react, and to appreciate the story that Bryan Hill has been crafting, this issue almost drags you from one thing to another. It's fast, things happen quick, and it does feel like a rush to get to the end.

I'm sure that there are some that will appreciate this faster pace, but as someone who was really enjoying the flow of the series so far it did feel like a jarring change. I even went and double checked to see if this was an ongoing series, or if it was ending next issue as it felt like one of those stories where the writer needed longer, but a run was being cut short. Whilst it's not the end of the series with issue five, it does seem to be the end of the story if what solicitations indicate is correct, so whilst it might not be rushing to end it does feel like it's rushing to wrap up the arc. Possibly being made to write for a five issue trade?

Despite the pacing issues, the book is enjoyable, with some decent action. Whilst the cover is a lie, and Doctor Strange doesn't joint he team on the train to fight vampires, the train segment is pretty good, and everyone has something to do. However, it also never feels like any of the team are in danger. They're all excellent at fighting vampires, and they take them all down with little effort or apparent danger to themselves. A panel or two where Tulip and Rotha struggle with a vamp or two, maybe one having to save the other from getting bitten would help to sell the danger more; plus it was make the upcoming fight against The Adana feel more threatening because it would show that the team aren't un-killable monster hunters.

The art on the issue, by Valentina Pinti and Kike J Diaz, looks good, and the action scenes all have decent flow and energy to them. With the fights taking place in a very small, contained space it can be had to keep things interesting and engaging, but the art team manage to keep it entertaining throughout. 

With the series shaping up to bring this particular story to a close next issue it seems like all of the important players and pieces are ready for a final showdown between Blade and Adana. I'm looking forward to seeing that, even if the faster pace of this issue to get to that point ended up with it being the weakest issue for me so far. 

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