Review: These Savage Shores #1
It always seems that vampire stories are not far from the public eye. Whether it’s the ones attending high school, the love-sick, the twinkles, the macabre or the ones that don’t adhere to any of the long-established rules, vampires have been a part of popular culture since Mr Stoker sat on Whitby harbour and crafted the granddaddy of them all.
Vault Comics, whose last book, Fearscape, has become a huge hit delves into the undead and the living, set in the newly landed shores of Calicut. Here, the East India Company is looking to secure a future, though the introduction of a civilised evil may well encounter more than it’s match with an ancient one who consorts with daemons and legends long thought gone.
In the Indus, Kori, a native dancer has found love with the mysterious Bishan, who himself has an alternatives of origins. Entering the world is the vampire Alain Pierrefont, sent from the confines of London after falling afoul of vampire hunters. It is in this heated world, far from the civility of the West, that Pierrefont finds himself adrift with the natural beauties of the world, which may well be there for his taking, apart from the one he desires who is protected from his particular teeth of the night.
This twist on the vampire story is written by Ram V. who hails from India and is certainly taking Mark Twain’s advice of writing what you know as he crafts a story of an India long gone, steeped in history and with rich contrasts. Within this world, Ram V has crafted a tale of love in which Pierrefont finds himself ensnared with Kori. Vampires always seem to fall for the wrong girl and it seems that this particular horror quirk is still present. Also present is the ignoring of vampire rules that frustrates me with every new iteration. I understand that in the past, India may have been thought of as the “dark continent”, yet I am not sure that means a vampire can walk around in broad daylight with nary a singed hair in sight.
Sumit Kumar provides the artwork with a style that is gorgeous to look at. From page one, Kumar sets the various scenes capturing the decadence of London, the spartan existence of the shipboard life and an India from which you can almost feel the heat emanating from the pages. As well structured as the art is; Kori is gorgeously comely, Bishan mysteriously handsome and Pierrefort sits on the lecherous side of creepy; the painted colors from Vittorio Astone demonstrate who much impact the right schemes, superbly applied can have on a book. Letterer Aditya Bidikar adds a format that drips with various emotions; the innocence of the lovers to the darkness and veiled threats of London.
Regardless of my ongoing dislike of the disregard that newer vampire stories seem to apply, Vault Comics have delivered a first issue that is full of character, full of vibrancy and imbues the reader with a level of intrigue that will make them want to read future issues.
Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Ram V
Art by; Sumit Kumar
Colors by; Vittorio Astone
Letters by; Aditya Bidikar
Published by; Vault Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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