American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell #1

Snyder and Albuquerque do a magnificent job of telling a single done-in-one story that perfectly captures the essence of AMERICAN VAMPIRE without requiring readers to catch up on the main series to-date (although it's certainly a good gateway, and hey, why aren't you caught up on this series?). It's a beautiful love story and a bloody adventure, all at the same time, and a must-read for your summer list. Read Full Review

Even though Travis feels more like an afterthought in this issue I have to give it a perfect score because Scott and Rafael reminded me why I cant wait for American Vampire to come back! Read Full Review

The Long Road to Hell is one of the best books of the year so far. This is an absolute masterpiece. I can't recommend this enough. You don't have an excuse for NOT buying this. Don't have enough money? Drop Batman and Superman Unchained. Buy this instead. Not an American Vampire fan? BUY IT ANYWAY. I can't stress this anymore than I am now. BUY THE LONG ROAD TO HELL #1. You won't regret it. Read Full Review

With American Vampire on hiatus until later this year, fans have been desperate for any bit of the series they can get their hands on. Thankfully, The Long Road to Hell is here, giving readers an incredible, if short, story in the American Vampire universe to help ease the suffering while we wait desperately for the fall. Read Full Review

A wonderful issue. Whether you are a longtime AV reader who needs to wet your whistle OR someone who hasn't ever read a page of AV, there is a lot to recommend this issue. Read Full Review

A strong story with a great and memorable characters all add up to a must read for any fan of the series. It's also especially good for new readers as well, since there is no background needed to truly understand anything going on, outside of maybe Travis Kidd's backstory. Definitely recommend. Read Full Review

A fantastic read, readers are going to devour every page of “American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell” #1. If you're a longtime reader, this is an untold chapter in the long and rich mythology. If you're a newcomer, there is no way you will not become a fan of “American Vampire” after this. Read Full Review

It's a common teaching in literary circles that comedies end with a wedding or a feast, while tragedies end with a funeral. What does it say about this sensational book that it ends with both coming together seamlessly? This issue uses a fantastic plot full of action and anxiety to engage the audience emotionally and logically. Defying expectation, subverting tradition, and continually surprising the audience, “American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell,” represents all that is joyous about reading. Read Full Review

Story aside, this thing is freaking gorgeous. Rafael Albuquerque does some beautiful work in these pages. His visual storytelling is is second to none. There are a few moments when the characters' faces don't look quite as good as we are used to, but it's a minor offense in a sea of beauty. Dave McCaig's colors are on another level, as well. There's a dynamic shift in tone that happens through the coloring as scenes change and the story grows darker. You aren't staying long, American Vampire, but it was great to have you back. You are always welcome here. Read Full Review

If you've enjoyed what's come before in the series, this is a buy. For those who enjoy vampire comics, this is a good spot to check out and see if it's for you. I've been in withdrawal and this is the hit I've needed. Read Full Review

Albuquerque also handles art duties. His work is glorious as always. Stylized, eccentric, and always beautiful. What makes his work so perfect for American Vampire is how romantic it is. Though dealing with violence and horror, there is a underlying humanity, romance and love to the stories. Albuquerque brings that out in his pencils. His human characters all have great emotion in their faces and eyes. It's rare when you can't see any other artist being part of a series. With American Vampire, it's definitely true. Read Full Review

This issue is by no means a departure from what we've come to expect of them, but damn if they don't deliver with consistency. A strong introduction to the upcoming return of the series. Read Full Review

We see the 50"s spring to life with Albuquerque's art, and he did a fantastic job. This is an oversized issue that tells a complete story and left me ready for the return of this series. The issue did not feel dragged out, the only downside I can think of is it being $7, as well as having to wait for the series to return. Overall, we get a love story about a new vampire couple on the run and it comes with plenty of blood and death. Read Full Review

All in all, Albuquerque's art is more than gorgeous enough to compensate for the minor weaknesses. The book is a nice easy read full of beautiful moments, and adds at least one intriguing new character to the "American Vampire" landscape. Read Full Review

Its a nice comic book and stands well with the American Vampire franchise. But it easily pales in front of the early American Vampire issues, in which Sweet's ballad of vengeance was being sung for our pleasure. Its good, but far from legendary. Read Full Review