Writer – Lowell Cunningham
Artist – M.C. Wyman
Inker – Terry Pallot
Colours – Katy Llewellyn
Letters – Patrick Williams

Stefan and Mariah, the girl he rescued from Radu, are on the run back to Kronescu and his father, King Vladislas in the hopes of warning them about what is coming. They hardly make it very far before the enemy is upon them and while Stefan faces the soldier bearing down on them, he sends Mariah back to his father to give that warning before it is too late. Stefan makes short work of the man but Radu sends more men and more and more, keeping Stefan busy so that he does not realize that men have been sent in other directions in order to lay siege to the castle. Radu is as monstrous as ever and always seems on the brink of lashing out at those around him, even if they are his own men, he is eager to get into battle but not before he wears Stefan down a little bit. As for Stefan, he is learning that there is a monstrous side within himself as well, one that is battling his more refined nature and it is all he can do to keep his bloodlust under control. Author Lowell Cunningham also takes readers back to the castle at Kronescu where Mariah has arrived to warn him and Vladislav cannot say that he did not see this coming. He has had many years to prepare for this moment and soon enough, readers learn that he may not have an army at hand but what he does have is an undead legion of sorts, one that is more than capable of dealing with those who look to storm his kingdom. Cunningham writes a fun tale, one that is far more engaging than the last issue, at least in part due to the action featured within which managed to keep the book moving at a brisk pace. It was good to see a little more characterization when it came to Stefan, the man little more than an afterthought it seemed in the previous book whereas here, he takes center stage for a good portion of the story. Radu is as mesmerizing and as horrible as ever, as is his demonic steed which should be a lot of fun to see in action come the next issue. Mariah does little this go-round which is fine as she might play a bigger part in issues to come while Vladislav makes for the most interesting character of them all, a man whose fate is predetermined and who seems to be heading towards it no matter what moves he makes. All of this and some solid artwork from M.C. Wyman and Terry Pallot make this a solid read.

3.5 out of 5