I started this series after getting recommendations from reading Lock & Key. I have not read many comics/graphic novels, especially not recently, so I am kind of comparing this to L&K. I found that this took longer to get into (midway through the first volume instead of right away). American Vampire has a more expansive story, so it started to pick up after the initial story and characters were introduced over the first few issues.

I still don't know a whole lot. The story alternates between an earlier time starting in the 1800s and following law enforcement and a Pinkerton detective who caught an outlaw. A 1925 LA timeline follows Pearl Jones, an aspiring actress. Of course vampires are involved, and there are different strains (think Old World vs. New World vibe, with implications of something more). I have the next volume and look forward to seeing where it goes. ( )

Very few people are original these days when it comes to old mythos. Rarely do I see any evolution of fantastical creatures of old lore, so it's always refreshing to see a new take on something familiar. We're in the age of the undead - be it zombies returning to pay homage to our society, or vampires representing civil movements. However, if all you're adding to a mythos is talking zombies or vampires who sparkle in the sun, then you're clearly missing the point of evolution. Rather than evolving the creatures, you're simply dumbing them down to fit your homage to nothing. You should've written fanfiction instead. Though, even fanfiction adds to the mythos rather than raping it - yes, even the homoeroticism of every fanfiction adds more to the mythology than Mormon-esque philosophy and horny teenagers.

For most of their existence, vampires have been shrouded in darkness. Very few people have attempted to change that - day-walkers weren't scary enough, or thrilling enough (or sparkly enough, apparently). They are always placed in dank, dark locations because that's how it's always been. With the obvious exception of Anne Rice's existential vampires, who seem to find sunny areas like California and Miami quite alluring, even though they still only come out at night.

In American Vampire, writers Scott Synder and Stephen King offer us something new for us to sink our fangs in. Blending the old Euro Vampires - you know, the fancy dressed ones who hate the sun - with a "new vampire for a new century."

Blending the last years of the Wild West with 1920s America, the story follows the origin of the American Vampire and the war brewing between the old and the new. Stephen King focuses on the origin story, following outlaw Skinner Sweet as he descends into the well-lit realms of the American vampire as the Euro Vampires stand in shock of the abomination that is their bloodline. As Skinner Sweet tears through the new the century seeking revenge, he realizes the old west he once knew is coming to an end; meanwhile, lawman James Book is hot on his trail, seeking retribution of his own and hoping to put Sweet in his grave for good. Meanwhile, Scott Synder focuses on the twentieth century vampire and Skinner Sweet creation, Pearl Jones. The ambitious young actress is lured into her grave by her fading hopes of becoming a well-known actress. It's Skinner Sweet who brings her back from the dead in hopes that she will aid him in the destruction of those who made him what he is. Pearl seeks vengeance of her own on the Euro Vampires, killing them one at a time. The war is far from over in the conclusion of the first volume, as figures from Sweet's past return to finish what Book couldn't do.

The first volume is well thought out, and the characters are amazing. The fact that it blends two of my favorite time-periods is just the added bonus. The fact that something so well crafted by Stephen King has actually reached my eyes - let's remember my love/hate relationship with the writer - gives me goosebumps and keeps me wanting more. ( )

It was not amazing, but it was close to it; I almost gave it five stars. I am hoping the series will get better because certainly it got off to a very good start. In brief, if you are one of those pansies who like vampires that are emo, sparkle, or spend their eternity whining, then you can go ahead and skip this book. If you like vampires as the evil, blood-sucking, take no prisoners kickass creatures that they were before certain writers (and I use the term loosely) wussified them, then you have to read this series. Snyder and King truly offer a new take on the vampire mythos with their American Vampire, a vampire that is born and native to the United States. Key difference? Powered by the sun, which when you think about it makes perfect sense, especially in the Old West.

This volume collects the first five issues of the series. The series is set up in two parallel stories: Skinner Sweet's origin story (he is the original American Vampire)in the late 1800s, and Pearl's story, a young girl who is turned into an American vampire as well by Sweet during the Roaring 20s in Los Angeles. Skinner is a gang leader. They robe a bank, go afoul of the law, get chased down by a Pinkerton agent hired by the bank, and I will say no more on this. Pearl was an aspiring actress who gets raped and left for dead whom Skinner turns empowering her to get her revenge. The two stories are tied very well, and reading through this volume flows very easily. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Now readers may think Skinner is just your average bad guy, but he is presented in a way that you do care for the guy as well as for the other characters. Oh, and did I mention that the American vampires, being different, are hated by the "old world" vampires who are pretty much what we usually think of vampires (nocturnal, so on).

The art is gritty, and it matches the stories very well. It does lend itself to rereading, so though I borrowed this volume from the library, I would certainly consider buying it and the rest in the series as they come out later on. I guess I did not go all the way to five stars because there is a bit if a cliffhanger at the end (this was not a bad thing, I just found myself wanting to read more), which I won't reveal and sets up the next volume (I am assuming there will be a next compilation volume), and to be honest, I did feel it ended a bit too quickly. But aside from those little nit picks, this is one I highly recommend to vampire fans and graphic novel readers. ( )

Vampires - the Wild West - Hollywood - Blade. Skinner Sweet is an outlaw - an American Vampire with a bone to pick. After mistakenly being turned by some pompous rich European Vampires - he is left trapped in the dessert for years. When he finally get's freed he seeks vengeance and destruction. Fast forward to 1920s Los Angeles where an aspiring actress is about to have her life drastically altered by some goons and possibly the weird man who has been hanging around her pool. A bloody nightmare and a damned good read! ( )

Interesting vampire graphic novel. It jumps back and forth between two different times a stories. It was a little confusing at first to keep up with all the characters and their connections but I was able to figure it out. I liked it but I am not much of a graphic novel person so I am not sure if I will continue with the series or not. ( )