DC Vs. Vampires: World War V – Darkness and Light #1

DC vs. Vampires: World War V – Darkness and Light #1 picks up around after the events of issues 3 and 4 of the current storyline. The issue contains two stories, the first featuring the vampiric Wonder Woman who finds Harper Row (who aided the Bat-Family as Bluebird during the New 52 Batman run) and her brother. Diana turns Harper, who tries to end her life once she discovers that her brother who Diana held captive died.

This part of the story shows just how depraved Diana has become since her vampiric turn, yet still shows a bit of caring, though not exactly with best intentions. The first part of the story ends with Harper finally meeting her fate at the hands of Guy Gardner, who also gets his come-uppings from Diana and seemingly meets his fate as he is ripped in twain for killing Harper.

The story then shifts to Alfred who, after becoming the bearer of Hal Jordan’s ring and facing off with Diana in issue #3 , finds himself pursued by vampires. After crashing in the woods of New York, he is found by the boy Josh Jackham, who is the son of Weather Wizard and was murdered during Final Crisis. Josh takes Alfred to a man in the woods whom he believes can help Alfred. This turns out to be Guy who has managed to keep himself alive by generating his organs and such with his ring.

This part of the story is fun as it has the feel of an action movie training montage with the eventual arrival of and Alfred’s rematch with Diana. After stopping Diana momentarily, Alfred leaves believing Guy to be dead (he’s not) after learning how to focus his will power and weild the ring. This section is also great artwise as Guy is constantly changing the lower half of his body.

The differing art styles used to tell both stories was very effective and appropriate for the feelings each story was conveying.