What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood Stain #2
Blood Stain Volume 2
Upon arriving to her new workplace, and meeting her new boss under some rather unflattering circumstances, Elly tries desperately to leave a good impression first day on the job. The only problem is-- both she and her new employer seem to be clueless as to what her job is supposed to be.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2017
16 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 21, 2018
I thought this second volume was going to be like this..
But most of it ended up like this ..
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
But most of it ended up like this ..
Happy Reading!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 26, 2017
I'm still enjoying it, but after two trade paperbacks, I still feel like I'm waiting for the story to start...
Right now there's a tendency for something to happen in the book, then the person it just happened to will think about it a lot. Almost re-capping it. It happens enough that it's obviously a deliberate stylistic choice, but it feels like it makes the story move very slowly for me.....
Right now there's a tendency for something to happen in the book, then the person it just happened to will think about it a lot. Almost re-capping it. It happens enough that it's obviously a deliberate stylistic choice, but it feels like it makes the story move very slowly for me.....
October 27, 2025
The art is awesome, the story is...not there.
Everything that happens in this entire volume could have been put in one issue. I mean, there is almost no forward plot motion here at all.
When the last volume left off, Elliot found herself at Vlad Stein's home/lab with a job as his assistant. It was spooky, she was unsure if she'd made the right decision, and she hadn't "had time" to let her sister or boyfriend know where she was going or what she was doing.
Ok. We pick up there, right?
So they were understandably upset, but she sugarcoats the situation and calms them down.
Next, she meets Vlad, drinks the cook's (forgot his name) terrible coffee, and has a nervous breakdown over asking questions, does a lot more inner monologuing over nonsense issues that I found incredibly silly after having lived through the first volume of inner monologuing the nonsense issues, and then kind of settles into a pasta dinner.
And maybe I'm missing some nuance of webtoons, but this felt like some kind of oddball fanfic. Weirdly sexual but not overtly sexual mad scientist fanfiction.
Anyone else?
Just me?
I don't know. Part of me is annoyed, part of me wants to find out where this is going, and part of me has a whole bunch of Hoopla borrows that I need to use up. God! Why does the art have to be so good?!
So.
I guess I've made up my mind to download the next volume.
We'll see.
Everything that happens in this entire volume could have been put in one issue. I mean, there is almost no forward plot motion here at all.
When the last volume left off, Elliot found herself at Vlad Stein's home/lab with a job as his assistant. It was spooky, she was unsure if she'd made the right decision, and she hadn't "had time" to let her sister or boyfriend know where she was going or what she was doing.
Ok. We pick up there, right?
So they were understandably upset, but she sugarcoats the situation and calms them down.
Next, she meets Vlad, drinks the cook's (forgot his name) terrible coffee, and has a nervous breakdown over asking questions, does a lot more inner monologuing over nonsense issues that I found incredibly silly after having lived through the first volume of inner monologuing the nonsense issues, and then kind of settles into a pasta dinner.
And maybe I'm missing some nuance of webtoons, but this felt like some kind of oddball fanfic. Weirdly sexual but not overtly sexual mad scientist fanfiction.
Anyone else?
Just me?
I don't know. Part of me is annoyed, part of me wants to find out where this is going, and part of me has a whole bunch of Hoopla borrows that I need to use up. God! Why does the art have to be so good?!
So.
I guess I've made up my mind to download the next volume.
We'll see.
May 7, 2020
The art is still impeccable and I'm really warming up to the characters. Just wish there was more... communication on their behalf because I'm not sure how long will this prolonged miscommunication that's happening between Vlad and Elliot gonna seem fresh.
October 16, 2020
3.5 stars because made me laugh. what a bunch of nonsensical overimagination of that girl.
Finally I know- Dr. Vlad Stein is Blood Stain (and for the stains in his lab apron)
Finally I know- Dr. Vlad Stein is Blood Stain (and for the stains in his lab apron)
April 16, 2023
The artwork is always what strikes me most about this comics, a perfect medium for us to get to know the characters and their characteristics, combined with a light tone and a fun sense of humor. Also, I like the way the balloon changes depending on the tone of the dialogue, whether the characters are angry or embarrassed, especially in the case of Elly .
And we finally meet Vlad Stein, no longer so creepy in the light of day, but still capable of unleashing Elly's paranoia. Their squabbles, often originating from a lack of mutual understanding, are amusing. Both of them often seem lost in their thoughts.
The only flaw for me is that the story progresses slowly, perhaps more focused on the growth of the characters than on the progress of the plot. I'm curious to read the next one.
And we finally meet Vlad Stein, no longer so creepy in the light of day, but still capable of unleashing Elly's paranoia. Their squabbles, often originating from a lack of mutual understanding, are amusing. Both of them often seem lost in their thoughts.
The only flaw for me is that the story progresses slowly, perhaps more focused on the growth of the characters than on the progress of the plot. I'm curious to read the next one.
December 5, 2020
I still feel like I'm waiting for the story to get started. The plot is just far too slow moving for me, I am really enjoying the humour and the art though.
April 15, 2017
In this volume, we learn a bit about Elliot's new employer, the mysterious Dr. Vlad Stein. Is he a harmless recluse with a knack for accidentally getting blood on his clothes? Or something more sinister? We certainly don't find out in this volume ...
I think the pacing on this series is what gets to me the most. I'm all for decompressed storytelling and giving characters time to develop and so on. But the sad truth is that not much has actually happened in the course of these first two volumes. We've gotten introductions and Elliot has been fired from one job, and spent one day at her second. There have been funny moments in abundance, but it almost seems as though their purpose is to distract us from the fact that there's no story. When my instinct is to start making jokes about comparing Blood Stain to the two issues (or whatever it was) of his own title that Cerebus spent peeing, something is wrong. The artwork is lovely, the premise is cute, and some of the funny bits aren't half bad. Now if we just had a story ...
I think the pacing on this series is what gets to me the most. I'm all for decompressed storytelling and giving characters time to develop and so on. But the sad truth is that not much has actually happened in the course of these first two volumes. We've gotten introductions and Elliot has been fired from one job, and spent one day at her second. There have been funny moments in abundance, but it almost seems as though their purpose is to distract us from the fact that there's no story. When my instinct is to start making jokes about comparing Blood Stain to the two issues (or whatever it was) of his own title that Cerebus spent peeing, something is wrong. The artwork is lovely, the premise is cute, and some of the funny bits aren't half bad. Now if we just had a story ...
February 2, 2022
I'm enjoying this, but the trade paperbacks feel a bit slim, both in amount of pages and story. The author is doing a great job giving the reader a feel for the three main characters, but I'm looking for more plot in addition to the endearing awkwardness and anxious internal monologs.
September 21, 2017
Doctor Vlad Stein a.k.a Blood Stain. Now I get it :)
In this volume, we see more of the supposedly creepy doctor. Seems like an OK guy.
I have a strong feeling that slow pacing is going to be a characteristic of this series.
Still enjoying it though.
In this volume, we see more of the supposedly creepy doctor. Seems like an OK guy.
I have a strong feeling that slow pacing is going to be a characteristic of this series.
Still enjoying it though.
April 28, 2023
4,5 STARS ROUNDED UP!
I ALREADY LOVE THESE PEOPLE SO MUCH I WOULD DIE FOR THEM THANKS :)
I ALREADY LOVE THESE PEOPLE SO MUCH I WOULD DIE FOR THEM THANKS :)
March 22, 2017
I'm still not sure where this story is going, but I'm glad I finally got to really ''meet'' Vlad.
The characters are growing, and the story is starting to take form - even if I don't know where it's going yet.
The art is nice, but it seems a bit flat to me...
Still looking forward to reading the next album though!
The characters are growing, and the story is starting to take form - even if I don't know where it's going yet.
The art is nice, but it seems a bit flat to me...
Still looking forward to reading the next album though!
December 23, 2021
When Elliot took her latest job out of desperation, she knew that her new boss was probably creepy. What she wasn’t expecting was for him to be working out of his basement and sleepwalk hiring an assistant. What’s even worse is that he’s made an even worst first impression than she did because Dr. Vlad Stein is covered in blood and lurking in the dark.
I’m glad I’m reading the first three volumes back-to-back because it’s pretty slow moving. I have a pretty good feeling that the first three volumes are going to feel like one volume because they plot moves very slowly. That said, I was fully entertained yet again and am excited to read the next one because it’s a pretty funny series.
This time around, we get to learn a little about Vlad and his chef, Serge, as well as their relationship with one another. I like that they seem to also be friends, which would make sense given that Serge also lives at Vlad’s place. The interactions between the two of them had me cracking up a couple times. I’m excited to see where this goes.
It was fun to see that Vlad is just about as clueless as Elliot, though in totally different ways. They’ve made such terrible first impressions, but Vlad is the winner here. The guy doesn’t even remember hiring Elliot nor did he bother to explain why he’s always covered in blood. It was also interesting to see that his nickname is blood stain, which appears to be due to a combination of how his name sounds depending on one’s accent and the fact that he always has blood stains on his clothes.
While the plot moves very slowly, I am excited to read the next volume and see where the story goes.
I’m glad I’m reading the first three volumes back-to-back because it’s pretty slow moving. I have a pretty good feeling that the first three volumes are going to feel like one volume because they plot moves very slowly. That said, I was fully entertained yet again and am excited to read the next one because it’s a pretty funny series.
This time around, we get to learn a little about Vlad and his chef, Serge, as well as their relationship with one another. I like that they seem to also be friends, which would make sense given that Serge also lives at Vlad’s place. The interactions between the two of them had me cracking up a couple times. I’m excited to see where this goes.
It was fun to see that Vlad is just about as clueless as Elliot, though in totally different ways. They’ve made such terrible first impressions, but Vlad is the winner here. The guy doesn’t even remember hiring Elliot nor did he bother to explain why he’s always covered in blood. It was also interesting to see that his nickname is blood stain, which appears to be due to a combination of how his name sounds depending on one’s accent and the fact that he always has blood stains on his clothes.
While the plot moves very slowly, I am excited to read the next volume and see where the story goes.
March 1, 2018
Wow that was awful. Really awful. And I thought the first volume sucked and went nowhere. This one was worse. Linda Sejic is better than this crap. I want to hope the next volume is better but there’s little chance of that at this point. So awful. Absolutely terrible. Waste of everyone’s time. It’s so bad I’m embarrassed for image comics and Sejic. I don’t think I’ve read a comic that sucked worse than this comic. I flushed more interesting shit down the toilet. Holy crap this was so bad. I still gave two stars because I like her art. To be clear though, it’s only because of the art. Otherwise this book gets no stars. I could go on but that’s all. Thank you. Sorry for wasting your time. But if you’ve read this book then you are used to it.
September 16, 2025
I love the colorful artwork, the sense of movement, and especially the sense of humor of this web comic. If I weren't so lazy, I'd follow it online, but I've never been good about that, so I'll just look forward to volume 3.
If you like silly humor with a smidgen of darkness, and you're open to receiving it in graphic novel form, this series is for you. It combines the mundane with over-the-top zaniness in a really fun way.
2025 reread: I'm enjoying it the second time through--maybe not quite to the degree when I read it 8 years ago--but it's still worth reading for review before I get to what I have read yet.
If you like silly humor with a smidgen of darkness, and you're open to receiving it in graphic novel form, this series is for you. It combines the mundane with over-the-top zaniness in a really fun way.
2025 reread: I'm enjoying it the second time through--maybe not quite to the degree when I read it 8 years ago--but it's still worth reading for review before I get to what I have read yet.
November 18, 2020
This series is adorable. I just wish the volumes ended more definitively. Great art and funny story.
January 13, 2024
The first volume of this series definitely made me want to continue the story, and I enjoyed this second volume, though I found it a bit on the slow side, even more so than volume one. I am still intrigued by the characters, story, and world, but I hope it moves forward a bit more in the next volume.
I am interested to see what comes next!
I am interested to see what comes next!
July 23, 2017
3.5 stars
I really enjoy the art and concept behind this series, but once again i feel like nothing happened!
I really enjoy the art and concept behind this series, but once again i feel like nothing happened!
November 28, 2020
Ending: she has completed her first full day. Bad breakfast, better lunch, cleaning lab instruments, and exhausted after a good dinner. She and vlad show similar characteristics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2020
Definitely be ready for a bit of a slow burn with this series. That's not a bad thing in my opinion, but anyone expecting a fast paced or action packed book will be disappointed here. The second volume picks up right where the first one left off. Elly made it to her new (potential) employer's house and is desperate to make a good impression. There is a lot of introspection as Elly and Dr. Stein both try to come to terms with how their work relationship will play out. Especially after some misunderstandings arise.
The art has to be the star of the book. There are a lot of visual gags (for lack of a better word) that heighten the feelings that the characters are having. Some are obvious. The ones that are more subtle seem to add a lot more to what is happening. I enjoyed this book enough that I jumped right into reading volume 3 when I was done.
The art has to be the star of the book. There are a lot of visual gags (for lack of a better word) that heighten the feelings that the characters are having. Some are obvious. The ones that are more subtle seem to add a lot more to what is happening. I enjoyed this book enough that I jumped right into reading volume 3 when I was done.
October 29, 2023
Like volume 1 the art work was lovely and i enjoyed the characters and the plot/theme of this series.
The only reason this is not a 5 stars is i find the story's pace very slow
I hope once the initial set up of the characters and story the pace will pick up
The only reason this is not a 5 stars is i find the story's pace very slow
I hope once the initial set up of the characters and story the pace will pick up
April 5, 2025
There is an awful lot of treading water happening here; I don't feel like the story has really started yet. We've had two books of Elliot being insecure and nervous... when do we get some more action.
March 13, 2017
Both Sejic spouses seem to have a thing for writing characters who are cute in their own quirky, misfit ways. Probably because they're both big nerds. It's lovely. This second trade paperback of Linda's Blood Stain gets us into the real beginning of the interesting stuff.
Last volume, readers were introduced to Elliot, a university graduate struggling to find and keep a steady job. She lives with her sister (and her sister's family) in their mother's house and things have gotten stressful with the family barely managing to keep afloat. Desperate, Elliot gives her last resort a try and winds up in a big house in the middle of nowhere with a Dr. Frankenstein lookalike and his chef (nanny?).
Volume two is about Elly doing her best to settle in and make good first impressions.
What should you expect from this series? I'd best describe it as slice-of-life featuring a nervous wreck, a socially awkward mad scientist, and a normal guy who mediates between them. I'm not sure where it's going. It isn't like Stjepan's frame narrative Sunstone that starts us off knowing the endgame. There are little hints in the bonus artwork and in Sunstone (yes - they're set in the same universe and interconnect!). However, as to where the series leads and how the characters will develop, your guess is as good as mine. And that's alright. I'm interested enough to keep following along.
If you're not sure you want to put money into it yet, good news: it's free online! Check it out and even read beyond what's currently been published. Linda posts pages as she goes.
3.5/5 stars.
Last volume, readers were introduced to Elliot, a university graduate struggling to find and keep a steady job. She lives with her sister (and her sister's family) in their mother's house and things have gotten stressful with the family barely managing to keep afloat. Desperate, Elliot gives her last resort a try and winds up in a big house in the middle of nowhere with a Dr. Frankenstein lookalike and his chef (nanny?).
Volume two is about Elly doing her best to settle in and make good first impressions.
What should you expect from this series? I'd best describe it as slice-of-life featuring a nervous wreck, a socially awkward mad scientist, and a normal guy who mediates between them. I'm not sure where it's going. It isn't like Stjepan's frame narrative Sunstone that starts us off knowing the endgame. There are little hints in the bonus artwork and in Sunstone (yes - they're set in the same universe and interconnect!). However, as to where the series leads and how the characters will develop, your guess is as good as mine. And that's alright. I'm interested enough to keep following along.
If you're not sure you want to put money into it yet, good news: it's free online! Check it out and even read beyond what's currently been published. Linda posts pages as she goes.
3.5/5 stars.
February 8, 2018
This is the story of Elly’s first day at her new job. Her worries, her fears, her overthinking, her fantasies running amok, the awkward moments and misunderstandings, the charming cook and her absent-minded boss. I found it funny and enjoyable, but I am not sure if the story has started or if this is still part of the introduction. Why is dr Stein always wearing a blood stained lab coat?
October 25, 2018
The equivalent of a filler episode.
You watched it and are glad to see the characters doing their thing but the plot literally goes nowhere. Gonna read the third volume to see where it goes next but my expectations are low.
You watched it and are glad to see the characters doing their thing but the plot literally goes nowhere. Gonna read the third volume to see where it goes next but my expectations are low.
April 4, 2017
Great artwork & colors.
Not much story, but still enjoyable.
Not much story, but still enjoyable.
May 22, 2023
I can confirm: humor > horror
September 27, 2024
Instagram
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴘʟᴏᴛ
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 - ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴀʀᴛᴡᴏʀᴋ
°
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 - ꜰɪɴᴀʟ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ
°
When I first learned about the series and heard the doctor was called Vlad, and with the series' name being Blood Stain, I made the rather obvious conclusion that Elly's new employer was secretly a vampire. Also given the fact that he's portrayed as quite sinister and mysterious in the beginning, and he works in the dark, I've spent the entire first two volumes waiting for Vlad's true nature to be revealed.
I realise now this isn't the case. Vlad, unfortunately, is not a vampire. He's just an eccentric weirdo who works in the dark simply because he can't be bothered to change the light bulb. And the sinister title is just a play on words for the doctor's name. Vlad Stein = Blood Stain. It's a bit of a stretch and I found myself testing out the name in different accents to see if I could actually make the two sound remotely similar and easily mistaken. I think it's one of those cases where if you take a step back and squint then maybe...
All that being said, and despite my initial disappointment that Vlad is human, I do like this series and I do want to read the rest, but I can't help but think it's a little bit of a missed opportunity.
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴘʟᴏᴛ
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 - ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 - ᴀʀᴛᴡᴏʀᴋ
°
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 - ꜰɪɴᴀʟ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ
°
When I first learned about the series and heard the doctor was called Vlad, and with the series' name being Blood Stain, I made the rather obvious conclusion that Elly's new employer was secretly a vampire. Also given the fact that he's portrayed as quite sinister and mysterious in the beginning, and he works in the dark, I've spent the entire first two volumes waiting for Vlad's true nature to be revealed.
I realise now this isn't the case. Vlad, unfortunately, is not a vampire. He's just an eccentric weirdo who works in the dark simply because he can't be bothered to change the light bulb. And the sinister title is just a play on words for the doctor's name. Vlad Stein = Blood Stain. It's a bit of a stretch and I found myself testing out the name in different accents to see if I could actually make the two sound remotely similar and easily mistaken. I think it's one of those cases where if you take a step back and squint then maybe...
All that being said, and despite my initial disappointment that Vlad is human, I do like this series and I do want to read the rest, but I can't help but think it's a little bit of a missed opportunity.
January 1, 2018
Am I cheating on the reading challenge by ending the year with a comic? Maybe.
(It's December 31st and I am one book short, let me have this).
Now onto the review.
I still love Elly's active imagination. It's the best part about these comics. That being said, I remember being charmed by it more in the first volume.
I also think the story suffers from the everyday minutiae a little too much. So, when the story finally ends, you're left wondering if that's all there is. I understand this is somewhat of a slice-of-life story, so such details are expected to an extent. But I don't think it's necessary to see every greeting exchanged printed on paper. If the dialogue is condensed, the story would become a lot stronger.
I know some people are a little bothered by the recapping, but it doesn't bother me so much. I appreciate the "lessons learned" montage, it really brings some things full circle. I agree that it can get repetitive, but I think it isn't over used in this volume.
(It's December 31st and I am one book short, let me have this).
Now onto the review.
I still love Elly's active imagination. It's the best part about these comics. That being said, I remember being charmed by it more in the first volume.
I also think the story suffers from the everyday minutiae a little too much. So, when the story finally ends, you're left wondering if that's all there is. I understand this is somewhat of a slice-of-life story, so such details are expected to an extent. But I don't think it's necessary to see every greeting exchanged printed on paper. If the dialogue is condensed, the story would become a lot stronger.
I know some people are a little bothered by the recapping, but it doesn't bother me so much. I appreciate the "lessons learned" montage, it really brings some things full circle. I agree that it can get repetitive, but I think it isn't over used in this volume.
March 21, 2017
Picking straight up from where Volume One ended with a seemingly chilling end, Elly Torres is face-to-face with their new employer not knowing what’s going to happen next. Linda Sejic’s Blood Stain (Volume Two) continues Elly’s pursuit of a job though she not only has to contend with her employer but also herself in the process.
Elly’s first encounter with her new boss and her first day on the job is on in which both she and her new boss get their first impressions of one another. To say the least it is an adventure of awkward situations and verbal gaffs, for both Elly and her employer, Dr. Vlad Stein. Attempting to create a viable and productive working relationship between the two is Stein’s chef, Serge, who continually explains the good Doctor’s eccentricities to the very imaginative Elly while urging Stein not to send another assistant running away as fast as they can with his gruff behavior. Unfortunately for Serge, he doesn’t know what’s going on in Elly’s head.
Like my review for Volume One, this short description only gives a hint of what transpires in Blood Stain’s second chapter. The continued focus is on Elly, but now that the story is in its central location Sejic begins giving some light on both Serge and Stein. While Elly’s characterization is further along than her two male counterparts, the development on all three is both intriguing and raises questions about how all of them will interact with one another as time goes on and what situations they’ll get into because of their own quirks and misunderstandings.
As a longtime fan of Sejic’s webcomic, it was once again a pleasure to get on paper a story I’ve enjoyed online for years. Blood Stain (Volume Two) is a continuation of a fantastically drawn story with intriguing characters both familiar and that one is just getting to know. If you haven’t already picked up Volume One then I encourage you to get both it and this volume, you won’t regret it.
Elly’s first encounter with her new boss and her first day on the job is on in which both she and her new boss get their first impressions of one another. To say the least it is an adventure of awkward situations and verbal gaffs, for both Elly and her employer, Dr. Vlad Stein. Attempting to create a viable and productive working relationship between the two is Stein’s chef, Serge, who continually explains the good Doctor’s eccentricities to the very imaginative Elly while urging Stein not to send another assistant running away as fast as they can with his gruff behavior. Unfortunately for Serge, he doesn’t know what’s going on in Elly’s head.
Like my review for Volume One, this short description only gives a hint of what transpires in Blood Stain’s second chapter. The continued focus is on Elly, but now that the story is in its central location Sejic begins giving some light on both Serge and Stein. While Elly’s characterization is further along than her two male counterparts, the development on all three is both intriguing and raises questions about how all of them will interact with one another as time goes on and what situations they’ll get into because of their own quirks and misunderstandings.
As a longtime fan of Sejic’s webcomic, it was once again a pleasure to get on paper a story I’ve enjoyed online for years. Blood Stain (Volume Two) is a continuation of a fantastically drawn story with intriguing characters both familiar and that one is just getting to know. If you haven’t already picked up Volume One then I encourage you to get both it and this volume, you won’t regret it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews