American Vampire Volume 3 Ghost War Review

American Vampire Volume 3 Ghost War Review

By Tom Garavan

Skinner Sweet (Taken from American Vampire: Ghost War, Part 3, Artist: R. Albuquerque)

Vampires, guts, guns and gore are just a few things dotting the pages of Scott Snyder’s American Vampire: Ghost War. Part of a Vertigo Series, written by Snyder and the artwork created by the devil to detail, Rafael Albuquerque, Ghost War, is a fantastic addition to the American Vampire series.

Told over a total of 6 parts (including the conclusion), readers will get a taste of the madness and mayhem that follows in the wake of Skinner Sweet. For any readers unfamiliar with the series, Skinner Sweet is a hybrid vampire, who’s only real weakness is gold.  His sociopathic tendencies lead him on ventures of violence and debauchery. His main aim in the later stories seems to be to rekindle a relationship with his only protégé, Pearl Jones.

In Ghost War, the main plot is set during WWII. In an attempt to stop a vampire infestation on the island of Taipan, a crack team of vampire hunter is deployed. One of the members is Pearl’s current flame, Henry Preston. Let’s just say a chance encounter on the island puts Bill Pike into the group. A man bearing a striking resemblance to Sweet, and he may or may not have some devious intentions towards poor Mr. Preston.

Pearl v Sweet (Artist: R. Albuquerque)

As any ‘crack team’ on a mysterious island, infested with blood-sucking horrors would soon find themselves, this is not going to be a walk in the park. We soon find the team fighting for their lives from a feral hybrid that even Skinner has a hard time putting a fight up against. It was nice seeing a new species of vampire thrown into the mix. Snyder has really created a luscious lore and world for a new take on the vampire genre. The only thing these guys tend to be glistening with is the entrails of their recently disemboweled victims. No glitter here, thank you very much.

As far as expanding the overall storyline of the series, Ghost War does generate quite a bit of content. We see nice development of both Sweet and Pearl’s relationship, as well as Pearl and Preston’s. Sweet keeps his angst, charm and sociopathic demeanour that we all know and love. In the conclusion there is some fantastic artwork done by Albuquerque as Sweet and Pearl dish out the pain to one another. Snyder has done a great job keeping the anti-hero, Sweet, as fresh and vicious as the day he burst from his watery coffin.

I have to admit, the whole infestation became a bit of a back-burner plot when we found Pearl on her way to rescue Preston from Skinner’s clutches. Readers will be more enticed as to what happens in their final showdown. That’s not saying that the content before is irrelevant. It has its quirks, and sets a nice body for the series. But what I really wanted to see was a little more interaction between Sweet and Pearl.

Taking a greater look at the artwork, Albuquerque has continued a fantastic venture in his artwork for the American Vampire series. I mean there is a certain grit and movement in his artistry that really brings the page to life. Part four has to be my favourite in the series for the artwork. There’s a depiction of Pearl running in vampire form and she is quite literally breaking the boundaries of the page. Albuquerque must be commended on his ability to bring life to his work. Please forgive my malapropos description, but the final page of part four can only be described as ‘bad-ass’. 

Albuquerque truly brings a new spin on the vampire look with American Vampire. Sweet with his elongated jaw, razor-like talons and feral features is something that is ghastly amazing to behold. The cover artwork is amazing also, it is really an attention grabber that would make this series stand out.

For anyone who doesn’t know. Vertigo is the publisher that pushes past the restraints that DC comics doesn’t allow itself. American Vampire is one of those stories that pushes those boundaries. Snyder and Albuquerque have created a rich, horrifyingly enthralling series, with a fantastic mythology that is truly something not to miss out on. Ghost War is a fantastic addition to the storyline and let me say, the ending had me breathless. Let’s just say some things go down that literally had me trawling the internet, needing to know what happens next.

Do you like vampires, rich artwork, story and mythology? How about a WWII setting on a vampire infested island? If that hasn't got you hooked then the sociopathic, wit and charm of Skinner Sweet will, faster than you can say “what nice fangs you ha……”   

We Set Signals-Polaris-Album Review

By Tom Garavan

The upcoming pop-punk band We Set Signals is definitely one to watch out for this year. Hailing from Brisbane, Australia the five man group have a fantastic future ahead of them.

Their second album release ‘Polaris’ burst onto the music scene in August of last year. The 10 track release consists of a post-hardcore/pop-punk style. What I could easily say is that this band really sounds like the American rock band, A Day to Remember. However, when you hit tracks like ‘You Had Your Chance Milhouse’, ‘Homeward Bound’ and ‘Locals Only’ they really stand out from the crowd.

The Guys From We Set Signals
(Photo from their myband page:bandpage.com/WeSetSignals)

Now I’ll admit, I’ve been listening to these guys constantly on my early morning treks into University and I have to say, they really wake you up. All the songs hit a great tempo and rhythm, creating a fantastic energy throughout the album.

The vocal range of the album is what you’d expect of a pop-punk style band. A good mix of clean and hardcore vocals. Vocalist, Nick Wilkinson has a magnificent pop-punk sound to his voice. We’re kind of looking at what would happen if Jeremy McKinnon (ADTR) and Hayley Williams (Paramore) had some sort of punk, Australian child.

Not forgetting all the other members; James, Mark, Lachlan and Corey the entire band works unbelievably well together. Specifically on the opening track, ‘Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost’. This song has a brilliant mix of everything, seriously, listen to it, you’re going to have a good time. About 20 seconds into the third track, ‘No Stairway, Denied’ the guitar hits and it sounds…hair raising. If that moment doesn’t make you want to head-bang discreetly on your way into school/work/whatever, I don’t know what will.

Whoever’s idea to play a ukulele at the beginning of ‘Homeward Bound’, I don’t understand why it’s there, but I like it. It really set the mood for the song and actually the entire album. Actually…these guys are like a fun little ukulele. Just because they’re small and underrated (at the moment) they can still blast out some amazing tunes. Do not underestimate ukuleles.

If I had to pick a specific track on the album which stands out the most, I actually couldn’t pick a specific one. However, what really stood out for me were…the first five tracks, then the final five, wait that’s the lot…yup the entire album is brilliant. But on a more serious note, if I had to pick just one; ‘Not All those Who Wander Are Lost’ because it’s a great song and the placement as the first track was perfect, it really sets the mood for the entire album.

Considering this band started out in just 2012, they have yet to be signed to a label and they’re putting out an album of this quality. We Set Signals is really one to watch out for this year, so give ‘Polaris a listen. The ukuleles are rising.

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