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

Radu is looking forward to meeting his brother on the field of battle, almost gleeful about the prospect. Part of him though is looking to convert his brother and bring him around to his side. That being said, he has no qualms about killing Stefan as Stefan is looking to do the same to Radu. There are two confrontations that take place in this issue thanks to Lowell Cunningham and M.C. Wyman, the first between the brothers and the second between the forces of Radu and those of Kronescu, the latter of which Radu’s men are very unprepared for, not that they know it. It is hard to say which one readers will look forward to the most as both were teased in the last issue and one might say the second as one can almost predict how it will go down between the two men. Such as it is, Radu’s forces arrive at the castle and as they look to lay siege, they encounter what they think are hapless citizens until they realize the second before their deaths that those hapless people are not that in the slightest. That aside, there are also a few asides with Mariah who is looking to make a good impression with the King and more importantly Stefan with whom she has developed feelings. She is unsure she can overcome the low station of her birth but perhaps with the knowledge of the Bloodstone at her disposal, it will make all the difference. Putting all of that aside, the creators of this book put the conflict between Radu and Stefan front and center as they should for it is between them that the fate of Kronescu will be decided. One would think that Radu, who has had much more experience in battle and with his powers might come out on top but it is Stefan who pulls out the win. Suffice it to say, this is not the end of Radu as readers might expect, especially given how the films go which those who peruse this book are probably most familiar with. A solid issue that looks to wrap things up without wrapping them up as there is still the Bloodstone, a revived Radu and a castle full of citizens who no longer want to be dined upon, just to name a few.

3.5 out of 5