Graphic Novel Reviews: Vampire The Masquerade Volume One

A LONG time ago, longer now than I am comfortable admitting, I played the Vampire The Masquerade tabletop role-playing game (RPG)- I played, helped create stories, listened to the tales of adventure in the World of Darkness as told by my now spouse. So let’s just say I was excited to get the opportunity to read this graphic novel!

Winter’s Teeth, Book One plunges its reader right into the thick of things in the Minneapolis-St. Paul arena where Prince Samantha reigns supreme and anarchist separatists are eager to see that life in the rearview mirror. Seeley and his team of writers deliver the tale of Cecily Bain, a Brujah enforcer who knows how to survive. She is vicious, she is exacting, and she loves her still-mortal who lives in the area. Cecily takes a fledgling vampire under her wing in an act designed to save both of their unlives.

Having a background in the World of Darkness definitely helped when beginning this story. A lot of the terms will likely befuddle younger readers, but most are given meaning later in the story. Some of the action, wonderfully illustrated by Pramanik, leans on the gorey side but is suitable for a tale of vampires.

This version of the Winter’s Teeth, Book One includes a fully playable module for Vampire the Masquerade Version 5 complete with character sheets. Teenage and adult readers who enjoy horror comics and supernatural stories will enjoy this title.