By Anna Bailey — There’s a quote by Hungarian-American actor, Bela Lugosi: “It is women who love horror. Gloat over it. Feed on it. Are nourished by it. Shudder and cling and cry out-and come back for more.”

I am woman and I love horror.

There is nothing, nothing, that will make me pick up a comic more than seeing the name Cullen Bunn on it. I flew through Harrow County in 2015 and hoarded every issue of Venom he touched. To me, horror and Cullen Bunn go hand-in-hand. Which is why the continuation of Manor Black — starting this week with Manor Black: Fire in Blood #1 — has me very excited.

Manor Black, the original miniseries, followed Roman Black and his family, the most powerful magicians in the world, also known as House of Blood. Roman has to choose a successor and the child in which he chooses is not exactly who is family had in mind. Manor Black: Fire in the Blood continues the story of Roman training his successor, Ari, and the problem that keeps following him, just out of sight.

The first issue in the second miniseries lays a great foundation for subsequent issues. Bunn and Brian Hurtt seamlessly transition into this new miniseries by opening with Roman and Ari training, while Roman’s family watches in distaste from afar.

While magicians aren’t innately horrific, what makes the House of Blood so frightening is their power. The House of Blood are flame magicians, and so is Ari, which means they can conjure fire from their hands–we see Ari doing so in the opening, accidentally losing control and burning the trees.

Then, we flash back! I’m excited for this miniseries to show us more of Roman’s upbringing with his father, his family and what made him into who he is present day. By bringing in past elements, we’re able to see the true reality of who Roman is and relive the terror of the Black family in full.

Aesthetically, Hurtt and Tyler Crook definitely know what they’re doing. Switching between present day and the past relies heavily on visual cues, and both the artistry and coloring of both timelines makes it easy. About halfway through the issue, Ari is wandering through the woods alone, she’s not speaking and so there are panels and entire pages where our eyes are guided through page just by the art, alone. When that happens, I remember why I love comics so much.

All-in-all, Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #1 builds on its predecessor and lays out a course for future issues. And again, I say…there’s nothing Cullen Bunn writes that I won’t love.

Overall: Cullen Bunn breathes air into my lifeless body once again by raining fire and blood down on us all. 10/10

REVIEW: MANOR BLACK: FIRE IN THE BLOOD #1

Manor Black: Fire in Blood #1
Writer: Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt
Artist: Brian Hurtt
Colorist: Tyler Crook
Letterer: Tyler Crook
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
From the creators of Harrow County and The Sixth Gun comes the next chapter of this gothic horror fantasy about a family of sorcerers in crisis.
The powerful and ancient blood sorcerer Roman Black has taken a young fire mage under his wing after she has done the impossible--taken her magic house's totem spirit inside herself. But the totem is powerful, and may be impossible to control, especially when Roman's children begin to see the young mage as a threat.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Manor Black - Fire in the Blood #1

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Anna Bailey is an email marketer that exclusively watches horror films. You can follow her on Twitter at @annuh_bailey to see all her favorites.