DC vs. Vampires Vol. 2

DC vs. Vampires #7-12

by James Tynion IV, Otto Schmidt (Illustrator), Matthew Rosenberg

The nightmarish second arc begins! The Earth is now cloaked in darkness as the victorious vampire empire has taken full control.

Pockets of humanity can still be found, and they struggle to live but hope fades with every darker day. The leaders of the last surviving resistance force-Green Arrow, Batgirl, and Supergirl-hatch a desperate plan to save the world…or die trying!

DC vs. Vampires Vol. 2 collects DC vs Vampires #7-12!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Horror, Vampires, Superheroes, Batman

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2023

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For such a shitty premise this is actually a fun comic.



The gist is that vampires have taken over in this DC Elseworlds story. Most of the big name players are either dead or have been turned into vamps themselves and it's up to a group of (mostly) powerless superheroes to save the day. I won't spoil anything by going further into that for those of you who haven't read the previous volume, but there's a nice twist at the end of that one.



I'm not sure it's really worth 4 stars but I'm actually looking forward to reading the next volume, so that says something. Right?
It's definitely not as twisty as volume one but it was still good.
Although, the ending left me scratching my head a bit as it seemed a bad place to stop the volume.
Babs killing Dick and taking over the vampires wasn't really shocking so much as interesting. But I just feel like there should have been more. Everything she did once she got in was on purpose, and you know she's not evil, so she obviously planned for herself to be turned.
Making it look like she's just a vampire now was kind of a weird place to stop. <--to me
It's complete camp and won't be for everyone, but I'm having fun with this one.
Recommended for fans of The Lost Boys.

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good sequel, not as good as the first book for me but a good book. Something about an underdog story that makes me like this book.

The vampires have won. They have among their ranks the most are the most powerful and smartest former heroes. However, the remaining heroes and survivors have not given up. Now they launch 3 desperate missions each. Each one is a longshot, and each one could spell disaster. High risk, high reward all the way.

There is a lot more of this story to come. I did feel that test 6 issues felt a bit rushed. I know the missions were important, but I think there was too much going on for 6 issues. Every issue/chapter starts with a full page regular and variant cover. The book finishes with a varient covers gallery and a characters sketch page.

[neide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we get James Gunn to add this event to his DC roadmap?

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really expected to hate this series (yes I read volume one as digital floppies long ago). I mean both large companies have done the heroes to monsters trope + the dystopian future it brings.

So what raises this above Marvel's Earth X and Marvel Zombies? The writing. Tynion IV and Rosenburg craft a story where character comes first. Simple gore or shock value is easy in these type of stories. Here they really try, and work at getting you to believe that Barbara Gordon is heart broken over what has happened with Dick Grayson. That heroes are on both sides of the conflict, and the war will not be pretty, and it isn't

If haven't read Something is Killing the Children by Tynion give it a try. He brings much of the same skill to this tale.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing series

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exciting conclusion to the Vampires storyline! Unfortunately, it’s a pretty open ended finish overall. Still we had a great mix of heroes and villains working together to try and save humanity. All in all a great series.

[Chris Tower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. The second volume was a little less amazing than the first, but still, very enjoyable.

The final confrontation between Batgirl and Nightwing was well wrought and had surprises!

Loved the Green Arrow stuff.

[lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since the last time i read an issue of this series and i surely regret it i missed it a lot and i’m sad it’s already the end, i loved seeing everyone together :)

[Andrew Sorrentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action. Great art. Wide array of characters help make this a fun read.
We follow the heroes on three missions: take down the vampire leader, free the people from a blood farm, and protect and revive the hero who may be able to turn the tide against the vampires.

[Green Megs &Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, it is so enticing in every way. We love strong females and hot vampire Dick Grayson. I cannot believe they disrespected swamp thing like that. That fucking twist tho? Lovers to enemies hits ✨️different✨️

[Scott Rhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batman is dead! Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern are vampires! The world is overrun! Surviving humans are gathered up and put into human "farms" to be food for the vampire hordes! Who will save us??!!

James Tynion IV has, miraculously, scored another hit. More, please!

[Joseph Domingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.75/5]

I think that the pacing is really good, and I like the different stories. Green Arrow’s is easily my favorite, but I thought the way they ended the batgirl part was kinda stupid.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mess that really amounts to nothing, it relies too heavily on shock factor without providing any substance.

[Dimitris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent story considering its silly premise

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.

Writer James Tynion IV continues his endeavour into a DC universe overrun by vampires with this second story arc that plunges the world into despair, inviting all superheroes to one more hail mary in hopes that someone will eventually be able to save it before it’s too late. Delving deeper into the psyche and personalities of the surviving superheroes, with most of the A-list heroes fallen one way or another, this volume explores the desperation in the midst of horrifying evil, pushing each and every last one of the world’s remaining saviours to do what they can to take back the world they once loved.

The story picks up where things were left in the first volume, a story arc that already nailed its premise near-perfectly with a whodunnit kind of mystery until the big reveal that establishes the new dark era of the DC universe. Without unveiling the leader of the vampire empire that now took control of Earth, letting any new reader find out who that may be for themselves, the story presents a three-way division among heroes who don’t exactly agree in the next course of action in a world now doomed by vampires and their quest for complete dominion over mankind. While Batgirl sets out on a personal quest to save Gotham by going straight into the mouth of the beast, Green Arrow looks to focus on Smallville where horrifying things are done to humans in blood camps and Supergirl seeks to complete a desperate mission where the answer to all their problem might be beyond Earth’s atmosphere if anyone’s to save the world from itself.

Surprisingly, this story arc further delves into its story with far more depth than any other similar apocalyptic story with a central focus on vampires. Writer James Tynion IV achieves this mostly by focusing on his characters, on what makes them who they are, and how they’d react given the peculiar circumstances. The banter between several characters and the numerous more intimate interactions between others also help give these characters motive and purpose in their actions. Somehow, he even sneaks in a satisfying dose of sexual gravitas into his narrative which is surprisingly well integrated, and not unusual either, in this narrative focused on vampires. Where this one doesn’t deliver the goods as well as the previous volume is in the overall mystery and its finale. Readers will surely want to keep on reading to find out if the remaining heroes will find a way to save the world from vampires but the shock factor from the countless twists doesn’t quite have as strong a bite as you’d expect this time around. The finale is also odd, despite being interesting. It felt like there should’ve been more to what happens in the final act but instead, readers are left with a huge cliffhanger for future additional volumes to figure out. With strong artwork heavily focused on expression and emotion, this still has a lot of potential to remain a strong stand-alone series as long as they don’t allow the series to overstay its welcome.

DC vs. Vampires (Vol. 2) is a solid and fun chapter into the DC universe vampire apocalypse as desperate heroes set out on disparate missions to save the world from a bloodthirsty fallout.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the first volume, but the second half of this 12-issue series seemed a bit all over the place in a way that was a bit hard to keep straight. I found myself looking over things again and again to make sure I didn’t miss things that may have just been implied in reading. While the ending was rushed, it was still a bit predictable, but I enjoyed it for what it was.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like with the DCeased mini-series, DC Vs. Vampires Vol 1 grinds down our heroes under the vampire menace and this second volume shows them triumphing against all odds. It's basic, but ohh sooo satisfying, particularly because we're outside of normal continuity, so anything can happen.

...not to say that James Tynion IV and company go particularly off the rails in this second volume. Three separate courses of action are quickly identified: attempt to take out Dick Grayson in Gotham, get Supergirl back into the sun's empowering rays, and...go protect some random humans in a blood farm in Indiana? (The last storyline is fun, but rather silly in comparison to the other two.)

All three threads are action-packed and filled with twists. There are, of course, battles between heroes and vampire heroes that you'd never expect in a main DC series. It's all gorgeously illustrated too, dripping with blood and detail.

Unfortunately, there are some issues. John Constantine pops in and out of the storylines as if from another series, making it feel like you skipped a page. The ending too is out of left field (Batgirl sacrifices herself to vampire Dick for no apparent reason and then becomes the new, benevolent vampire queen???) and way too hectic. A great mini-series comes to an abrupt conclusion. Still, a thrilling ride and worth a read!

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC vs Vampires Vol. 2 collects issues 7-12 of the DC Comics series written by James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg with art by Otto Schmidt, Francesco Mortarino, and Daniele Di Nicuolo.

Picking up a short time after events of Volume 1, the human race is in shambles after vampires have taken over the world. King Vampire Dick Grayson rules over the vampire kingdom, safely hidden behind an army of vampires in Gotham City. Volume 2 tells three simultaneous stories: Barbara Gordon leading a team into Gotham to take out Dick Grayson, Steel and Black Manta escorting a powerless Supergirl to Australia where she can attempt to breach the atmosphere and be recharged by the sun, and Green Arrow infiltrating a human blood farm to save as many human slaves as possible.

The problem with DC vs Vampires compared to DCeased, DC Comics’ other big superhero apocalyptic-horror alternate universe, is that it lacks the humanizing and emotional connections. The bonds that are formed in those books between heroes, former villains, and normal citizens is so much more powerful than anything in DC vs Vampires. Green Arrow’s story comes the closest, but is still leagues away from DCeased. I usually really enjoy Otto Schmidt’s art but I felt it was hard to decipher some of the B, C, and D-list characters in these book as not as much attention to detail was given. Overall, the DC vs Vampires books are good, mindless fun.

[Maren]

don't fukc with me! I have the power of god AND [comics] on my side! AHHHHHH

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Crazee45 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binge-read this series and I loved. This comic turned out to be excellent, specially for such a bizarre premise.

The writing is tight and the banter is great, and I love how the characters are allowed agency and ambiguity without sacrificing the pacing. The twists and turns are well built, creative and unique.

And the ending... Wow. What an awesome ending. Surprising yet it makes sense when you go back and re-read. Scary and sad but a bit hopeful at the same time and manages to incorporate both character, plot and the story's own lore without spoon-feeding you.

Also a note: Vampire Wonder Woman is awesome. I want her get a spin-off or something.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eu tinha gostado mais da primeira parte dessa minissérie que imagina o Universo DC invadido por vampiros liderado por um Asa Noturna pervertido e maligno. Nesta segunda parte, os autores parecem ter se perdido e desenvolvem um final meio what the fuck no mau sentido. Mas antes disso rolam umas experiências malucas com a Arlequina que também parecem ter sido decisões erradas dos escritores. Por outro lado, a arte de Otto Schimdt é muito boa e ajuda a acompanhar a história até o final. Tem uma história no começo da edição, que não faz parte da minissérie primordial, Caçados, que apresenta o Robin Damian e Alfred lutando contra vampiros que é legalzinha e outra história solta, Assassinos, com a Arlquina e uma pá de vilões da DC Comics que é bem ruinzinha. Demorei bastantinho pra ler esse encadernado e acho que a razão era porque eu inconscientemente sabia que lá vinha bomba. Uma pena porque a primeira edição eu tinha gostado bastante.

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the individual issues on Kindle but don't want to review each one individually. Thoroughly entertained by this whole concept, loved the artwork, and feel strangely satisfied as a Dick/Babs shipper.

[José Vitor - zetalendo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quando li o primeiro volume, não sabia muito o que esperar e me surpreendi bastante com a história. Nesse segundo a qualidade da trama continua, tem toda a brutalidade e morte, traços excelentes e colorização absurda de boa.

Apesar disso, achei esse segundo volume meio enrolado e, em partes, faltando cena.
Poderiam ter diminuído a quantidade de edições e abreviado mais a história, ou ter acrescentado mais cenas. Tiveram momentos em que mencionava algo, mas não mostrou acontecendo. (Não que isso interfira diretamente na trama, mas gostaria de ver mais detalhes)

Também senti falta de alguns personagem que não apareceram aqui. Entendo que a quantidade absurda de personagem que eles tinham para usar não daria certo, mas literalmente excluir ele da trama, sem nem dar pistas do que ele está fazendo, foi bem chato. Falo isso pensando em um especifico, mas no último issue teve várias menções a outros heróis famosos que nem apareceram.

Um destaque para a Arlequina que foi uma ótima adição aqui. Os momentos em que ela aparece para quebrar o gelo são bem divertidos, acho que no issue 10 teve uma cena muito boa dela.
Os momentos com o Oliver Queen foram bem interessantes, fazia tempo que não via nada do herói e agora quero ler a nova mensal dele.

Eu gostei do final, mas achei rápido e depois que acontece o grande plot eu queria mais desenvolvimento daquilo.

No geral, é um quadrinho muito interessante para ler e acompanhar esse universo em que os vampiros estão dominando tudo, tem muita violência e uma arte impecável.

[kesseljunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but limited appeal

The art is great, sort of a first "must" for me, but the story is just treading water. the down side of a trade paperback is the story can't be self-contained unless its the closing of an arc. So while I enjoyed this well enough I doubt I'll continue the series.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda didn’t want the book to end with the vampires winning especially because the heroes fought so long and hard for humanity but I loved seeing swamp thing & plastic man

[Sem · Rating 2 out of 5]

i could have fallen asleep halfway through and it wouldn't have mattered

[Kacie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

slay (literally)

[King Rupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent conclusion to this dystopian, blood-filled tale. Well written, twisty enough, lots of action and excellent artwork.

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like vampires, but I didn't think I'd like this because I thought it'd only go for gore and action. I was wrong. There's plenty of that but these two volumes were surprisingly very fun and well told and with a strong story, personal characrer moments and good twists on who is goign to be the hero that keep you engaged til the end.

I wished we could have seen more of Diana and her world in this tho, because I like the personality they gave her and I think the writers managed to write an evil version I liked (I like the scene at the half of the story where she prefers to talk things out and she's allowed to be funny and relaxed too while still being a dangerous vampire). I generally don't like other evil versions too much (Injustice, Flashpoint...).