Marvel’s big summer event is finally here with this week’s release of Blood Hunt #1 from Jed MacKay and Pepe Larraz. I wasn’t sold on this event when it was first announced, but my Spidey-sense went off once I heard Marvel was going to allow artists to include explicit content in special “red band” editions of issues. To see just how far Marvel would let Larraz go here, I read both the standard and red band versions of this week’s debut issue, and boy was I impressed! While it may not be the most graphic content out there, this issue pushes the boundaries for a Marvel comic book and Larraz absolutely crushes it!

Larraz's artwork, particularly the red band-exclusive panels, are the stars of this story. His illustrations are visceral, intense, & immediately elevate Blood Hunt above Marvel's other recent crossover events. Not to spoil anything but the last panel in the red band edition had my jaw on the floor.

MacKay's script is also strong, w/ crisp, concise dialogue keeping the story moving at just the right speed. The stakes feel a bit derivative to events like King in Black, but MacKay's execution gives it enough distance from those other events to keep a sense of originality.

Overall, BLOOD HUNT #1 is a home-run kick-off for Marvel's big summer event. I know these types of stories can turn readers off because they feel like nothing more than money-grabs, but I was truly impressed by Larraz’s art & will keep on this event’s main title for his work alone if nothing else.

Rating: 9/10