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Graveyard Shift #1
Graveyard Shift
Reunited after their memorable run on NOBLE CAUSES, JAY FAERBER and FRAN BUENO bring you a new tale of crime, horror, and romance! It’s Fright Night-style thrills and Castlestyle crime-solving as a homicide detective and his girlfriend find their love put to the ultimate test when they run afoul of a gang of vampires! Collects GRAVEYARD SHIFT #1-4
104 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 22, 2019
Kind of a horror/romance thing, I guess?
A police officer pisses off a vampire during a bust, so it kills the other cops, attacks him but doesn't quite kill him, and turns his girlfriend into a bloodsucker.
It's not a terribly complicated story, nor is it terribly original.
Boy loves girl, girl tries to eat boy, boy throws a cross at girl, and girl snaps out of it right before chewing on boy's throat. It seems the gist of the story will revolve around the two lovebirds avoiding evil vampires and trying to find a cure for her.
But as silly as it sounds, I liked the art and I'm kind of wanting to read more.
A police officer pisses off a vampire during a bust, so it kills the other cops, attacks him but doesn't quite kill him, and turns his girlfriend into a bloodsucker.
It's not a terribly complicated story, nor is it terribly original.
Boy loves girl, girl tries to eat boy, boy throws a cross at girl, and girl snaps out of it right before chewing on boy's throat. It seems the gist of the story will revolve around the two lovebirds avoiding evil vampires and trying to find a cure for her.
But as silly as it sounds, I liked the art and I'm kind of wanting to read more.
March 15, 2020
Vampires. Yay?
Well, suppose most of us have already seen and read their fair share about those sublime creatures, that drink our blood, seduce our loved ones, relax in coffins, never grow old, sparkle in the sunlight …
You have to come up with something special these days. And this one doesn’t. But it looks quite nice.
So, there’s this cop that is after some guy that turns out to be a vampire, which first kills his colleagues and then takes a nibble on his fiancée’s neck. Turning her into a vampire as well. Mr. Forgot His Name stands by his honey, though, and they try to find a cure for her sudden photosensitivity (no sparkling here) and other typical vampire problems.
And that’s it, more or less. The writing is pretty uninspired, unfortunately. The whole thing isn’t particularly scary, or cool, or sexy. And it also doesn’t really explore its characters or themes a whole lot. It’s a pretty straightforward tale, that is mildly entertaining, with some decent art. Though that is more true of objects rather than characters. The latter are a bit underwhelming.
2.5 stars
I would probably read a second volume, to see if the story and characters get developed further. But there doesn’t seem to be one. And since this thing is from 2015, I suppose it is a little deader than its protagonist.
Well, suppose most of us have already seen and read their fair share about those sublime creatures, that drink our blood, seduce our loved ones, relax in coffins, never grow old, sparkle in the sunlight …
You have to come up with something special these days. And this one doesn’t. But it looks quite nice.
So, there’s this cop that is after some guy that turns out to be a vampire, which first kills his colleagues and then takes a nibble on his fiancée’s neck. Turning her into a vampire as well. Mr. Forgot His Name stands by his honey, though, and they try to find a cure for her sudden photosensitivity (no sparkling here) and other typical vampire problems.
And that’s it, more or less. The writing is pretty uninspired, unfortunately. The whole thing isn’t particularly scary, or cool, or sexy. And it also doesn’t really explore its characters or themes a whole lot. It’s a pretty straightforward tale, that is mildly entertaining, with some decent art. Though that is more true of objects rather than characters. The latter are a bit underwhelming.
2.5 stars
I would probably read a second volume, to see if the story and characters get developed further. But there doesn’t seem to be one. And since this thing is from 2015, I suppose it is a little deader than its protagonist.
July 21, 2015
The generic title – “Graveyard Shift” – is appropriate for such a bland vampire story. Liam, a homicide detective, is in love with Hope, his artist girlfriend. Then she gets bitten by a vampire! Will love triumph over all? Fart.
All the clichés of the well-worn vampire sub-genre are here: sunlight, crosses, and holy water all hurt them. There’s a head vampire who, like McDonald’s, is busy setting up new (franchises) vampires everywhere, and, when Hope turns, a female medium is brought in to explain the supernatural happenings. The vampires have super-strength and turn to dust when staked. It doesn’t help that the love’n’vampires angle reminds me of Twilight either. This comic should be called Every Vampire Story Ever!
There’s really nothing else to this comic – it’s full of stock characters and bad story. Liam and Hope figure out their new relationship and, despite being a homicide detective, Liam’s pretty quick to understand his hot girlfriend has to kill others to stay alive. Whatever he needs to keep getting laid, I guess - bewbs! Later they fight the head vampire who of course looks all snarly and animalistic like all vampires have to when they fight for some reason.
Fran Bueno’s covers look a lot like Jae Lee’s, which were the only positive aspect of the comic. The interior art’s not bad either, but nothing amazing. I’m surprised the guy who gave us the sci-fi/western Copperhead wrote this boring, unimaginative story. Good vampire comics continue to be a rarity. If you’re looking for one, the recent Morbius, The Living Vampire book from Marvel was ok – give that a shot over this rubbish instead!
All the clichés of the well-worn vampire sub-genre are here: sunlight, crosses, and holy water all hurt them. There’s a head vampire who, like McDonald’s, is busy setting up new (franchises) vampires everywhere, and, when Hope turns, a female medium is brought in to explain the supernatural happenings. The vampires have super-strength and turn to dust when staked. It doesn’t help that the love’n’vampires angle reminds me of Twilight either. This comic should be called Every Vampire Story Ever!
There’s really nothing else to this comic – it’s full of stock characters and bad story. Liam and Hope figure out their new relationship and, despite being a homicide detective, Liam’s pretty quick to understand his hot girlfriend has to kill others to stay alive. Whatever he needs to keep getting laid, I guess - bewbs! Later they fight the head vampire who of course looks all snarly and animalistic like all vampires have to when they fight for some reason.
Fran Bueno’s covers look a lot like Jae Lee’s, which were the only positive aspect of the comic. The interior art’s not bad either, but nothing amazing. I’m surprised the guy who gave us the sci-fi/western Copperhead wrote this boring, unimaginative story. Good vampire comics continue to be a rarity. If you’re looking for one, the recent Morbius, The Living Vampire book from Marvel was ok – give that a shot over this rubbish instead!
August 22, 2015
Short and quick read. Nothing new though.
March 21, 2016
The first issue was good, however the other three turned a little too expected to be really enjoyable.
A standard vampire story.
A standard vampire story.
December 4, 2018
Vampire and human love! Is there anything sweeter than that?
The story starts with a punch. Liam (a cop) gets unexpected guests that sadly take out their anger on him by biting his girlfriend. Is there a cure to vampirism?
Although the plot did start off nicely enough, I found the conflicts too easily resolved. Not sure what I can expect in terms of a sequel.
The story starts with a punch. Liam (a cop) gets unexpected guests that sadly take out their anger on him by biting his girlfriend. Is there a cure to vampirism?
Although the plot did start off nicely enough, I found the conflicts too easily resolved. Not sure what I can expect in terms of a sequel.
November 11, 2015
So lets go back and take into consideration that the writer thought up of this idea circa 2006. At that time, before the rise of vampire related media, this would have been perfect for the time. It's hard to follow the fact that it didnt get published until 2014. Four issues seems very short for a story that has some decent potential for a interesting continuing series. I gave it 5 stars because I liked the story a lot more than I thought I would and would only rate it lower due to the shortness of length. I think this is worth a read and I love the art.
February 10, 2016
After seeing the artwork on a website devoted to Comics, I decided to give this issue a shot considering it's from Image Comics.
They publish some of the BEST written books in the industry, and this title is no different.
However, myself not a really big fan of vampires, of which the particular story revolves around, I actually enjoyed reading the first issue. Cannot wait for #2.
Finished all of Volume 1. Not too bad.
They publish some of the BEST written books in the industry, and this title is no different.
However, myself not a really big fan of vampires, of which the particular story revolves around, I actually enjoyed reading the first issue. Cannot wait for #2.
Finished all of Volume 1. Not too bad.
December 28, 2022
Liam dirige une opération policière pour arrêter un certain Tobias, un toxicomane, mais celle-ci tourne mal quand l’homme concerné semble doué de talents surhumains et finit par s’enfuir en se jetant dans le fleuve. Mais en rentrant chez lui, il retrouve avec plaisir sa compagne Hope. Cette dernière doit préparer une exposition dans une galerie d’art et l’arrivée à leur appartement de deux jeunes hommes pour finaliser l’organisation ne surprend personne. Mais rien ne se passe comme prévu : le couple est attaqué et Hope est mordue, se transformant alors en vampire …
Je n’attendais rien de spécial de cette lecture et ce fut tant mieux car j’ai trouvé l’ensemble assez banal. On dès les premières pages, le graphisme se révèle typique des comics : moderne, dynamique, des couleurs franches et variées. J’ai souvent énormément de difficultés à différencier les styles des différents dessinateurs tellement je les trouve similaires. Je ne trouve pas le dessin désagréable, au contraire, il est plutôt sympathique mais je n’y trouve pas de caractère, cela évoque plutôt le travail commercial à la chaine. Mais pour une lecture détente, ça le fait bien ! Côté histoire, je savais bien sûr qu’il s’agissait d’un récit avec des vampires tout en redoutant la banalité vu que le sujet a été déjà exploité en long, en large et en travers. Du coup, difficile de trouver un angle d’attaque original et surprenant. Ici, les auteurs ont opté pour la transformation en vampire de la petite amie du héros et ce dernier ne compte pas pour autant la laisser tomber. S’ensuit des scènes alternant violence et amour, car Hope lutte elle aussi de son côté contre ses nouvelles tendances. Mais même si ce n’est pas vraiment mauvais, je n’ai rien trouvé d’étonnant et qui plus est, l’ensemble est peu creusé, se focalisant surtout sur le visuel et moins sur le psychologique. Il faut que le couple trouve un moyen de contrer l’effet vampire tout en étant poursuivi par les autres vampires donc ça reste très cliché. La fin pourrait laisser penser qu’il serait possible de voir une suite publiée mais comme l’album date de 2015 et que rien d’autre n’est pas paru, ce ne sera vraisemblablement pas le cas. Effectivement, vu la banalité de ce titre, je ne pense pas qu’une suite soit nécessaire !
Je n’attendais rien de spécial de cette lecture et ce fut tant mieux car j’ai trouvé l’ensemble assez banal. On dès les premières pages, le graphisme se révèle typique des comics : moderne, dynamique, des couleurs franches et variées. J’ai souvent énormément de difficultés à différencier les styles des différents dessinateurs tellement je les trouve similaires. Je ne trouve pas le dessin désagréable, au contraire, il est plutôt sympathique mais je n’y trouve pas de caractère, cela évoque plutôt le travail commercial à la chaine. Mais pour une lecture détente, ça le fait bien ! Côté histoire, je savais bien sûr qu’il s’agissait d’un récit avec des vampires tout en redoutant la banalité vu que le sujet a été déjà exploité en long, en large et en travers. Du coup, difficile de trouver un angle d’attaque original et surprenant. Ici, les auteurs ont opté pour la transformation en vampire de la petite amie du héros et ce dernier ne compte pas pour autant la laisser tomber. S’ensuit des scènes alternant violence et amour, car Hope lutte elle aussi de son côté contre ses nouvelles tendances. Mais même si ce n’est pas vraiment mauvais, je n’ai rien trouvé d’étonnant et qui plus est, l’ensemble est peu creusé, se focalisant surtout sur le visuel et moins sur le psychologique. Il faut que le couple trouve un moyen de contrer l’effet vampire tout en étant poursuivi par les autres vampires donc ça reste très cliché. La fin pourrait laisser penser qu’il serait possible de voir une suite publiée mais comme l’album date de 2015 et que rien d’autre n’est pas paru, ce ne sera vraisemblablement pas le cas. Effectivement, vu la banalité de ce titre, je ne pense pas qu’une suite soit nécessaire !
April 20, 2024
Everything you know about vampires is valid here. All except the garlic part, I guess. The only thing of note is the great artwork and the modern take on characters' reactions to vampires. The story doesn't bring any innovation to the urban fantasy genre. In fact, the simplicity in which the main character figures out how to deal with vampires feels like a deus ex machina. It works too well for him. Still, the artwork is nice. We mustn't forget that, if you're looking for a fast and pretty read.
Liam is a policeman. His squad of four gets tasked with assaulting an apartment where they face a vampire. The latter retreats, but swiftly takes revenge on three of the four policemen. When they visit Liam, they bite his girlfriend Hope's neck, draining her blood, and leave Liam for dead in his burning house. Two days later he wakes up in the hospital after being saved by firemen. He is soon attacked by the vampires again. His girlfriend Hope is one of them.
Liam is a policeman. His squad of four gets tasked with assaulting an apartment where they face a vampire. The latter retreats, but swiftly takes revenge on three of the four policemen. When they visit Liam, they bite his girlfriend Hope's neck, draining her blood, and leave Liam for dead in his burning house. Two days later he wakes up in the hospital after being saved by firemen. He is soon attacked by the vampires again. His girlfriend Hope is one of them.
July 10, 2023
I quite liked this short vampire story. While not complex, it’s engaging, and the art is great.
In the opening set up, a police raid unknowingly targets a vampire, and the rest of the vampire gang come after the cops for revenge. The last cop from the raid has his fiancé turned while he’s injured and left for dead.
The story focuses on the human-vampire couple’s journey to understand what they’re dealing with, while trying to track down the vampires.
In the opening set up, a police raid unknowingly targets a vampire, and the rest of the vampire gang come after the cops for revenge. The last cop from the raid has his fiancé turned while he’s injured and left for dead.
The story focuses on the human-vampire couple’s journey to understand what they’re dealing with, while trying to track down the vampires.
January 9, 2018
The story is cliche. But the art makes up for it. It’s stunning and I love images use for the chapters.
December 5, 2021
Brz i dinamičan strip, napreduje bez zastajkivanja.
February 9, 2023
A Weak 3/5 Graphic Novel
June 9, 2023
A fun little story of a husband and wife seeking revenge after one of them is turned. I do like the subtle tie-in to Stephen Kin'gs Salem's Lot story at the end.
September 25, 2023
A vampire love story. Love beyond the grave. Love after bitten.
December 6, 2025
Solid, if unremarkable. I think I read 'my girlfriend is a vampire' somewhere else though. End seemed a but trite.
June 8, 2015
Policejní jednotka vedená detektivem z oddělení vražd jménem Liam. Právě vstupuje do nuzného předměstí aby tam udělala pořádnou razii.
Detektivové mají podezření na to že jistý podezřelý úchyl, stojí za zmizením několika dívek a tak mu nad ránem, bez omluvy vlítnou do kvartýru.
Chlápek se nicméně ukáže jako tužší sousto, které nerozhodí ani díra v hrudníku. Dokud není vyražen oknem a nespadne do řeky, kterou právě začalo osvětlovat ranní sluníčko. Liam to ale nemá moc čas řešit. Spěchá za svojí krásnou blonďatou přítelkyní, jménem Hope. ¨
Hope pracuje v galerii a Liama miluje. Stejně jako Liam miluje Hope.
Potom do jejich domu vrthne partička upírů a Liam se probouzí v nemocnici.
Právě se mu změnil celý svět.
Jay Faerber je comicsový a seriálový scénárista, který má za sebou (pro mě) docela povedenou oddychovku Copperhead a spolupracoval na seriálech Star Crossed a Ringer pro CW. Taky naprosto zbožnuje seriály Buffy a Castle. Takže proč nenapsat něco co tak trošku spojí obojí?
Mám rád romantické comicsy. A vůbec mi nevadí že kresba Frana Bueno, stejně jako Faerberovo vyprávění mají seriálové parametry. Na stranu druhou, není to nijak extrémně originální dílo ani nápad a seriálové parametry a klišé spíše téhle sešitové romanci škodí, než pomáhají.
Ovšem, čtyři čísla Graveyard Shift utekly jako voda, a já si teď říkám že Jay Faerber bude následovat Joshuu Williamsona a Kurtis J. Wiebea v mojí rozrůstající se Image sbírce.
Graveyard Shift je totiž pořád lepší lovestory než Twilight...
Detektivové mají podezření na to že jistý podezřelý úchyl, stojí za zmizením několika dívek a tak mu nad ránem, bez omluvy vlítnou do kvartýru.
Chlápek se nicméně ukáže jako tužší sousto, které nerozhodí ani díra v hrudníku. Dokud není vyražen oknem a nespadne do řeky, kterou právě začalo osvětlovat ranní sluníčko. Liam to ale nemá moc čas řešit. Spěchá za svojí krásnou blonďatou přítelkyní, jménem Hope. ¨
Hope pracuje v galerii a Liama miluje. Stejně jako Liam miluje Hope.
Potom do jejich domu vrthne partička upírů a Liam se probouzí v nemocnici.
Právě se mu změnil celý svět.
Jay Faerber je comicsový a seriálový scénárista, který má za sebou (pro mě) docela povedenou oddychovku Copperhead a spolupracoval na seriálech Star Crossed a Ringer pro CW. Taky naprosto zbožnuje seriály Buffy a Castle. Takže proč nenapsat něco co tak trošku spojí obojí?
Mám rád romantické comicsy. A vůbec mi nevadí že kresba Frana Bueno, stejně jako Faerberovo vyprávění mají seriálové parametry. Na stranu druhou, není to nijak extrémně originální dílo ani nápad a seriálové parametry a klišé spíše téhle sešitové romanci škodí, než pomáhají.
Ovšem, čtyři čísla Graveyard Shift utekly jako voda, a já si teď říkám že Jay Faerber bude následovat Joshuu Williamsona a Kurtis J. Wiebea v mojí rozrůstající se Image sbírce.
Graveyard Shift je totiž pořád lepší lovestory než Twilight...
October 13, 2015
Within a few pages Jay Faerber gives us great deal of background story, who the characters are, for example Liam is that kind of cop, seeing is believing and his girlfriend Hope you just love at first sight, beautiful, witty and goodhearted. The story revolves around Hopes transformation, what she was before and what she becomes, can you still be good and be a vampire if you started life that way? As the story progress we see Liam and Hope struggle with their relationship as well as trying to solve the case, why did the vampires attack, how’s behind och most importantly for our couple, is it possible to reverse this “condition”?
The art is beautiful and Fran Bueno gives us a perfect mix of emotions and atmosphere as well as cool action scenes. As a mention there is a certain noir feeling about the whole novel the color palette are more to the dark side, but without being gloomy, its blue, yellow and brownin-ish, depending on where we are or who we see. This style is right up my alley.
All and all, Graveyard Shift are an OK read, the story might not be that original (hard to do nowadays), but both Liam and Hope grew on me, when it all was finished I did want to know what happened next, and I suppose just that will bring this one above average. And if you add the beautiful art, well if you’re like me, don’t mind a good vampire story now and then, especially when it comes in a nice package, than go ahead and pick up this one, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
You will find a full review at the road so far
In Swedish and English.
The art is beautiful and Fran Bueno gives us a perfect mix of emotions and atmosphere as well as cool action scenes. As a mention there is a certain noir feeling about the whole novel the color palette are more to the dark side, but without being gloomy, its blue, yellow and brownin-ish, depending on where we are or who we see. This style is right up my alley.
All and all, Graveyard Shift are an OK read, the story might not be that original (hard to do nowadays), but both Liam and Hope grew on me, when it all was finished I did want to know what happened next, and I suppose just that will bring this one above average. And if you add the beautiful art, well if you’re like me, don’t mind a good vampire story now and then, especially when it comes in a nice package, than go ahead and pick up this one, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
You will find a full review at the road so far
In Swedish and English.
October 13, 2016
Graveyard Shift by Jay Faerber (story), Fran Bueno (art) and Ed Dukeshire (letters), published by Image Comics, Inc. (2015) – This is a very engaging graphic novel about a police officer and his beautiful girlfriend, who are attacked by vampires and barely escape. Unfortunately, the woman suffers a serious wound from one of the fiends and she is turned. However, the officer stays with her and helps her to control her blood-thirsty cravings and they go after the vampires that attacked them. It is a very interesting and enjoyable horror story that is enhanced by terrific artwork. This edition includes all four installments (previously published separately). I hope additional installments of this story are coming and I also plan to read other graphic novels written by Jay Faerber.
February 5, 2024
Solid enough Vampire story with some good art and characterisation. I like that the newly sired Hope is still a good person, that becoming a Vampire doesn't necessarily make you evil but you still need to feed. It reminds me of Angel but without the curse of regaining your soul. Hope was good alive, so she remains that way dead, it's an interesting subversion of the lore. Not entirely original but it works here.
March 5, 2016
Okay, the "book" was a bit been there done that.
The whole vampire thing is getting pretty old, on the other hand I'm indeed a big sucker for vampires so I'm not complaining.
The storyline was quickly paced and the art was really cool.
Even though the book was a bit cliche I think it could be a good start of a series.
If you're a fan of the vampire diaries I expect you'll find this delightful.
All in all it was a good novel and recommend it to all other vampire fans.
The whole vampire thing is getting pretty old, on the other hand I'm indeed a big sucker for vampires so I'm not complaining.
The storyline was quickly paced and the art was really cool.
Even though the book was a bit cliche I think it could be a good start of a series.
If you're a fan of the vampire diaries I expect you'll find this delightful.
All in all it was a good novel and recommend it to all other vampire fans.
August 7, 2016
Basically it's a graphic novel about a couple and she gets turned into a vampire and their subsequent struggle.
It's neither the best nor the worst vampire fiction I have read but I can't give it more than 2 stars because to me it really was just OK.
It's neither the best nor the worst vampire fiction I have read but I can't give it more than 2 stars because to me it really was just OK.
October 11, 2016
I love Jay Faerber's work, so I was really excited to start this series. The story seemed almost cliche on the surface--woman is turned into a vampire, man and woman band together to find a cure--but the execution was what brought it to life. Solid 5 stars.
March 3, 2015
GOOD START
NICE ART
Merged review:
THIS DUDE HAS A REALLY COMPLICATED MESSED UP LOVE LIFE
Merged review:
EVERYTHING IS GOOD ABOUT IT
THE LOVE STORY IS MY FAVORITE RATHER THAN THE VAMPIRISM PART
NICE ART
Merged review:
THIS DUDE HAS A REALLY COMPLICATED MESSED UP LOVE LIFE
Merged review:
EVERYTHING IS GOOD ABOUT IT
THE LOVE STORY IS MY FAVORITE RATHER THAN THE VAMPIRISM PART
August 8, 2015
Depeche Mode's Black Celebration album brought to life. Entertaining '80s style action-horror yarn. Brueno's work (sequentials, art, colors) is excellent.
August 1, 2015
Like a lot of Jay Faerber comics this would make a solid TV show
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews