Blood Hunt #5- The Finale Comic Book Fans Need Right Now
From Marvel Comics
Written by Jed MacKay
Art by Pepe Larraz
Despite its meandering, perhaps typical beginnings, Marvel’s latest event series Blood Hunt ends this week with a resounding exclamation point of an ending. That’s right everyone, you can all come out now, you can stop worrying, “we got him”, it’s good!
Blood Hunt is the culmination of multiple ongoing comics at Marvel, centralized on Moon Knight and Doctor Strange from Jed MacKay (To a lesser extent The Avengers as well) and Blade from Bryan Hill. This pool of historically sidelined characters now brought to the forefront along with their inherently darker themes was undoubtedly the draw for a lot of long-time comic book readers to this event.
However, it has been evident from this series progression that another highlight was staring us in the face all along, which was Jed MacKay’s capable, dramatic, classic comic book sensibilities on full display. I have to give MacKay recognition here in this finale for finally delivering on the promise of “event series” with a conclusion issue that has shocking, lasting implications for multiple facets of the Marvel universe that we know will be explored by him and Bryan Hill (who is returning his Blade series with a new “number one” by the way) rather than leaving bold new ideas to die at their climax as has been the trend in recent years.
While I enjoyed and was a champion of the most recent event titles of Empyre, The King in Black, and Judgement Day it is difficult for me to point to their lasting effects in Marvel History, despite their ambitious, momentary, broad scope. The King in Black event series ultimately led to huge upheavals in the world of Venom and an underrated follow up title in Extreme Carnage, but is only mentioned offhand by other characters in Marvel Comics as a buzzword or as a contextual tool for setting time periods. Empyre saw some continued reference and evolution in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Fantastic Four, but overall seems like too much of a distant memory at this point for an event title that alleged to change the fundamental, ancestral hierarchy and organization of universal governance and trade, but perhaps that’s because we have far too few cosmic-centric ongoing Marvel titles. Then there’s Judgement Day, which literally feels like it never happened in the Marvel Comics universe despite it being one of the most emotional, apocalyptic, and all-encompassing events of all time. I feel like if you walked into Marvel Comics Headquarters right now and whispered the word “Eternals,” you’d be escorted out by security descending from the ceiling, which is so unfortunate.
Perhaps this laboring feeling of unrealized narrative potential is what makes me so hopeful for the fallout of Blood Hunt, which feels like an earnest attempt to change and alter the course of Marvel Comics for the foreseeable future.
Let’s dive more specifically into Issue #5 here, which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
The stylistic difference of Blood Hunt is made most evident in the opening pages of Issue #5 where we pick back up with Doctor Strange making the difficult decision to entrust Doctor Doom with the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme in order to cast a spell to banish the Darkforce consuming our dimension. In this moment, the reader becomes startlingly aware that a secondary, no-less-important plot thread has developed with implications that extend beyond the bounds of the current crisis. If you weren’t sure of that fact, it is again supported by Doctor Strange’s ominous question to Doom, “Has this ALL been your design?”
We cut back to the climactic action of the series with Avengers versus Bloodcoven, leading to a truly breathtaking panel of Thor the Thunder God descending upon the Darkhold wielding Varnae wearing Blade’s skin. There’s also a mention here to Varnae’s previous encounter with Thor which was all the way back in 1990 with Marvel Comics Presents #63. I really enjoyed Varnae’s distaste for Thor as a fellow “eternal” being that seemingly should have given into despair and doubt by this point like Varnae, but continues to be a hero braving once more to stand against the cataclysm.
There’s also a really cool and subtle narrative layout devise implemented by artist Pepe Larraz here with a shift to more dynamic and tilted paneling for the Avengers-centric action sequences, while the tense conversation between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange remains more traditional in style.
We then cut back to Doctor Strange gifting Doctor Doom his soul, and with it, the title of Sorcerer Supreme with the promise of Victor’s word that “he will give it back once the world is saved.” I have to comment here on the amazing, iconic artwork from Pepe Larraz for this scene and the ethereal color and lighting choices from Marte Garcia, it is truly a standout moment in the entire series.
We also get a moment with Dracula and Bloodline, who are venturing towards the Ancient Atlantean spire, with a hilarious comment from Dracula, “He’s summoned a palace. The arrogance…” I really enjoyed the journey of Bloodline in this series as she struggles with her own morality in the wake of the apocalypse, having to decide to trust Dracula of all people. We also see Miles Morales, who is fighting for mental control as he has been turned into a vampire, team up with Dracula and Bloodline which was a fun addition to that side of the story.
In the fateful climax of our series, we see Doctor Doom wield his magic with the help of Strange Academy and begin to untether the Darkforce in a dazzling series of pages, as well as Bloodline descending from the skies to stab her blade through her own father’s chest to stop Varnae’s ascendance. However, when this proves to not be enough, Miles arrives with a blade of his own, as yet another “bloodline” to Varnae who personally turned Miles. Finally, the Avengers are able to rescue their wounded companions, and Scarlet Witch is able to tear Varnae from Blade’s body and imprison him in a psychic cell. It is a heroic, hopeful moment that is where these event series would typically end-
However, instead, we cut back to Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom as Doctor Doom banishes Doctor Strange’s ghost, with the chilling words, “Doom does nothing halfway. Let me Show you what it means to save the world.” It is an understatement to say that this is not good news for the rest of the Marvel Comics universe. What’s more, we see Dracula and Miles atop the Atlantean temple basking in the new daylight, revealing that the sunlight no longer affects members of the Vampire race. Two huge, shocking, pivotal final moments that I cannot wait to see further explored. We even get the tease of “One World Under DOOM,” on the back page with a glorious cover of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes bowing before Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Doom.
I feel like it has been some time since we got a really good Doom story, so I am on the edge of my seat. Additionally, as I have said multiple times on this channel now, I love to see Marvel utilize Dracula and I hope that we get to explore the evolution of the Vampire nation in the wake of Varnae’s plot.
Moreover, I love this feeling, that only comic book readership can induce, of being energized and encouraged to seek out and follow multiple titles now in the aftermath of this event such as Moon Knight, Blade, Miles Morales: Spiderman and The Avengers and even past volumes such as Bloodline. In the end, I feel like Blood Hunt succeeded in rewarding the dedicated readership of Marvel comics fans with far reaching, enticing ideas rather than limiting itself to temporary spectacle or a trite, sentimental message.
Please support your local comic book store and pick up Blood Hunt #5 on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
