Comic Book Review: Morbius: The Living Vampire #1 (SPOILERS)
Image via www.marvel.com
Morbius has always been one of my favourite Marvel characters.
When I first heard about the new ongoing Morbius: The Living Vampire comic, I was excited. Like DC’s Animal Man, it looked like Marvel was taking a risk and letting one of their more fringe characters headline an ongoing comic with powerful art and out-of-the-box writing.
I hoped for Animal Man level greatness. But, great isn’t a word I’d use to describe Morbius: The Living Vampire #1.
The art is everything you want: clear images that are easy to follow, full of action, and understandable, but Richard Elson’s art isn’t the problem here. Unfortunately, Joseph Keatinge’s story is the weak point.
What we know is Michael Morbius has escaped from The Raft and is on the run. From who? At this stage, no one. Doesn’t seem that anyone has noticed just yet. So, Morbius is living on the streets.
1992′s Morbius #1 – Image via www.milehighcomics.com
Morbius: The Living Vampire #1 has no direction. The story doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Who is he running from? No one. Where is he running to? Nowhere. What is his purpose; what does he want? To run from no one to get to nowhere, apparently.
Morbius is a directionless, pretty-boy vampire, living on the streets and getting roughed-up by thugs. There’s just no substance to this comic. You don’t even get to see his trademark (and every vampire protagonist’s trademark I guess) struggle between his thirst for blood and the value of human life.
Although Morbius: The Living Vampire #1 tries to introduce him to new readers by explaining powers, weaknesses, and fractal shards of his backstory, it really doesn’t work. This comic is not new-reader friendly.
If this were any other character, I wouldn’t bother grabbing the next issue. But it’s Morbius. I’ve seen the potential the character has so I’ll give Morbius: The Living Vampire a chance.
I hope that Marvel has cashed in on the tween, vampire fans here, and I hope it sells well despite the lack of story. I hope this comic gets the chance to find its feet and find its potential. But, at this point, you’re better off hunting down the 90′s series if you want to read a decent story about everyone’s favourite living vampire.
