By Gabe Gonzalez — So, I’m just going to get right to it: I really enjoyed Vampire The Masquerade Winter’s Teeth #3. This is a third issue that demands attention on every panel and every page, doing so with a careful balance of world-building, intrigue, and fantastic narrative flow. The book continues utilizing the modern gothic-horror at its foundation while also bringing in ideas and new spins on creations from the genre’s past. The creative team continues the impressive work of taking a sibling drama spliced with a coming-of-age story and embedding it into a world of crimson chaos.

In this issue specifically, the story of Cecily and Ali continues to get stranger and grander as Ali becomes better acquainted with the vampire world and Cecily must do her best as a guide to keep Ali on the “straight and narrow” of said vampire world while also avoiding the many perils they face. Phew!

When the book opens, we’re treated to the clean-up process of several vampiric murders within the sewers. The individuals that have died are coined “Nosferatu”, which in our world is a Romanian word synonymous with vampire and also the title of the first film to ever feature the fanged bloodsuckers. In the world of Vampire The Masquerade, however, those known as the Nosferatu are lowly creatures who have refused the protection of the prince and gone their own way. These Nosferatu have been seemingly murdered by a group of Christian monster hunters, sparking a domino effect. We next see more of the Twin Cities as we’re introduced to Frankenstein-styled torturers who enhance themselves with the flesh of the vampires and the idea of unique powers that are granted to each individual fledgling of the fang, including forms of blood magic and super-strength.

The writing continues to be spectacular as the book takes on several plot points without ever feeling overbearing. Huge kudos to all the creators who are working together here to balance this world and this story within a narrative that will be heralded as a great piece of vampire-horror comic fiction for years to come. The characters of Cecily and Ali are dealing with their own obstacles while paired with one another, leading to truly fantastic character work.  And, last, instead of ignoring the influences from which the foundations of these ideas come, the book embraces the infrastructure of horror and gothic fiction, at times feeling like a love letter to the movies and books of the past while keeping the story’s feet firmly planted into the source material of its namesake.

The art maintains its spot as the star of the show, however, with murky tones and vibrant colors infusing a godforsaken world that has both class and character. The panels and pages are so filled with detail, fantastic linework, and unnerving imagery that the reader could spend hours marveling at the craft. The book is a blood-smattered piece of art that continues to peak with each issue. Personally, at this rate I could see Vampire The Masquerade Winter’s Teeth being my favorite comic of 2020.

Overall: Vampire The Masquerade Winter’s Teeth #3 continues to be great read, loaded with gothic horror. It strikes a careful balance of world-building, intrigue, and character dynamics, elevated by awe-inspiring artwork. It also has established itself as one of 2020’s best vampire comics, with each issue better than the one before. 10/10

REVIEW: Vampire The Masquerade - Winter’s Teeth #3

Vampire The Masquerade - Winter’s Teeth #3
Writers: Blake Howard, Tini Howard, Tim Seeley
Artists: Nathan Gooden, Devmalya Pramanik
Colorist: Addison Duke
Letterer: Andworld
Publisher: Vault Comics
Price: $3.99
When Prince Samantha calls in Cecily and Ali to investigate the murder of three Kindred, the two vampires must learn to trust one another fully if they're going to solve the mystery—and keep their own secrets from the Camarilla. But when they discover that the killings could be linked to a dangerous old grudge, the case leads them to a new breed of enemy they never thought possible!
Buy It Digitally: Vampire The Masquerade #3

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Gabe Gonzalez