"Blood Hunt" is an American comic book crossover event written by Jed MacKay with art by Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia, published in 2024 by Marvel Comics. The event involves the rise of the Vampire Nation united by a single vision for the first time in millennia.[1]
| Blood Hunt | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | May 2024 |
| No. of issues | 5 |
| Main character(s) | Avengers Blade Bloodline Spider-Man Hunter’s Moon Morbius, the Living Vampire Tigra Doctor Strange Clea Vampires |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Jed MacKay |
| Penciller(s) | Pepe Larraz |
| Colorist(s) | Marte Gracia |
Blood Hunt #1 was dedicated in memory of Paul Neary.
Publication history edit
At the New York Comic Convention in October 2023, Marvel Comics teased "Blood Hunt" as the next major crossover event that will command its own main limited series, as well as spilling out into tie-in issues and spinoff limited series.[2]
Blood Hunt is announced as a five-issue limited series written by the current Avengers scribe Jed MacKay debuting in May 2024. The series is a culmination of a naturally building story about the vampire apocalypse involving the Avengers, Blade, Bloodline, Spider-Man, Morbius, Hunter's Moon, Tigra, Doctor Strange, and Clea.[3]
Main characters edit
| The characters who were credited as main character in atleast one issue from Blood Hunt #1 to #5. |
|---|
Plot edit
Lead-Up edit
As Spider-Man fights a villain named Doctor Dark who has Darkforce abilities, he witnesses Doctor Dark suddenly vomit out some Darkforce as it rises to the sky. Meanwhile, Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman notice numerous dimensional breach. As Mister Fantastic suspects the Negative Zone is one of them, Invisible Woman points out one from the Darkforce Dimension. In Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Daredevil senses the change caused by the Darkforce Dimension and springs into action against the attacking vampires by saving as many civilians as he can. In the subway, Blade's daughter Bloodline fights some vampires. She slays some of them until Dracula shows up. He states that the world is ending and advises her to come with him to save it.[4]
Main plot edit
A countdown to Sundeath occurs as the Darkforce Dimension empties onto Earth enough to block out the Sun as a voice states that he is responsible. Scarlet Witch informs Iron Man about the darkness and sees that it was caused by Blackout or at least "he was". She mentions that he was robbing a bank when he exploded. Iron Man states that similar things have happened to Cloak, Darkstar, Dusk, and Silhouette. Because of their connection with the Darkforce Dimension, Scarlet Witch claims that they have become portals. When asked by Iron Man if she can close the portals, Scarlet Witch claims that it would be difficult to close them and that Iron Man's science won't be able to help. In another location, Tigra and Hunter's Moon see Shroud in a similar condition due to his connection with the Darkforce. Tigra notes that this incident is happening all across the city and now expanding across the world. Noting that both the Sun and the Moon are blocked, Hunter's Moon states that this is an attack as they see a bunch of vampires descending towards them. The attacks occur in Milan, Lagos, Calgary, Tianjin, Cartagena, and Daegu. In Latveria, Doctor Doom has some refugees fleeing into Latveria saved from the vampires. Pleased that the borders have been secured, Doctor Doom states that his new subjects have been attended to. In Brooklyn, Miles Morales uses his sword to slay a vampire as he is confronted by Blade who states that he has a plan. Thor, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther are fighting the vampires as they ask who is responsible for this attack. Vision states that Dracula is unaccounted for, Falcon's Captain America form states that this is out of Dracula's trajectory, and Scarlet Witch states that there are too many as she asks who else would've wanted a vampire invasion on this day. Blade contacts everyone stating that he has the information they need and to meet up at the coordinates that he is sending them. Impossible City has the vehicle ready as Iron Man recalls the Avengers to it. The Avengers return through the portal as Blade's truck drives through it as well. Unfortunately, the Avengers are then attacked by Bloodstorm One, Megrim, Cruel, Unusual, Damascene, and Smoke Eater who emerge from the truck and claim that Blade couldn't make it. Bloodstorm One orders Megrim to "maintain the psychic static", orders Cruel and Unusual to "take the witch", orders Damascene to deal with Thor, and quotes "Smoke Eater, on me". Smoke Eater then quotes "Watch your tone, Bloodstorm One. I take orders from the master, not you". Smoke Eater then sprouts extra eyes, arms, and legs as she is told by Bloodstorm Run that he runs the Bloodcoven and states to Smoke Eater that she will fall in line no matter how much Crematoria Smoke she huffs. The Avengers are overwhelmed by the Bloodcoven as Impossible City ends up compromised. On Bleeker Street, Doctor Strange and Clea are putting the Montesi Formula that can end these attacks. Blade enters as he identifies it as a spell that ends all vampires as it also requires the Darkhold that Scarlet Witch has "eaten". Blade states that all the vampires have become organized. He calls this organization the Structure who had a leader named Tutor before he was killed by Moon Knight[a]. They used Atlantean rituals to detonate the Darkforce users enough to turn them into Darkforce portals enough to block out the Sun, caused a global uprising, and took out the Avengers which surprises Doctor Strange and Clea. Blade then states that the Bloodcoven is a kill squad of ultra-vampires that fed on superhuman blood and that the Avengers have been defeated. When Doctor Strange asks if Dracula is the leader of the Structure when trying to find a way to undo the vampire invasion, Blade states that he is leading the Structure as he moves in to bite Doctor Strange.[5]
Tie-ins edit
Vengeance of the Moon Knight edit
At the Midnight Mission, Dr. Andrea Sterman talks to 8-Ball about how Shroud was a Moon Knight imposter. Sometime earlier at the Mount, Tigra and Hunter's Moon are fighting Shroud who was displeased that he wasn't left alone. When Tigra mentions how Shroud and Moon Knight go way back to their West Coast Avengers days, Shroud states that it was a long time ago. Back in the present, 8-Ball asks Dr. Sterman if Shroud is supposed to be a good guy or a bad guy. She states that he goes back and forth and assumes that 8-Ball is trying to do the same thing. 8-Ball states that he is turning his life around and mentioned how he once saved Moon Knight on Hart Island. Back in the past, Shroud states that his name stands only for failure. Back in the present, 8-Ball stated that the villains who weren't crazy were spit-scared of Moon Knight and mentions what he did to Raul Bushman. In addition, 8-Ball claimed that Moon Knight was more scarier than Punisher. Back when he was locked up in the Myrmidon with Moon Knight[b], he knows how much Moon Knight has lost. Back in the past, Tigra and Hunter's Moon land safely on the streets. Back in the present, 8-Ball comments that "8-Ball: Superhero" would sound cool and will get there someday if he doesn't die first. Back in the past, Shroud mentioned how the people liked Moon Knight as Tigra is displeased that Shroud tried to steal his name which Moon Knight died for. Restraining them with his Darkforce abilities, Shroud then rants how he is honoring him, how they fought Lore, Master Pandemonium, and Tartarus together, and once invited him to join Night Shift. With Moon Knight gone, Shroud is just honoring his memory. After Shroud mentioned how the woman he used to love hates him, Tigra mentioned that Moon Knight loved Marlene Alraune where they had a kid. This causes Shroud to stop his attack as Tigra vows to help him. Just then, Shroud unleashes a large amount of Darkforce energy which he can't control. Back in the present, 8-Ball mentioned to Dr. Stenberg that the Midnight Mission was built by Moon Knight to protect people. As Reese and Soldier show up upon finding the swords, 8-Ball joins them in fighting the vampires.[6]
Amazing Spider-Man edit
As Kareem goes to check up on White Rabbit, he finds that she has been turned into a vampire. New York City soon comes under attack by vampires as Spider-Man fights them. Spider-Man is called to a location twelve blocks away by someone who is in need of his help. Upon arrival, he meets with Kareem who had Peter's number in case Tombstone wanted to get a hold of him when he wants to kill him. Spider-Man is told about what happened to White Rabbit. Kareem would normally contact Tombstone about it, but Kareem can't get through to him. Taking along some wooden stakes, Kareem informs Spider-Man that White Rabbit was dispatched to collect protection money from this bodega. Spider-Man goes in with a bunch of wooden stakes and is attacked by White Rabbit. Kareem uses a wheelchair to shove White Rabbit into a storage room and locks it as he directs Spider-Man to Apartment 3B. Entering Apartment 3B, Spider-Man is attacked by a vampire who is chained to a radiator heater. The man explains that he worked in the bodega when he was attacked by a vampire and chained himself to the radiator heater to keep from harming anyone as he asks Spider-Man to put him out of his misery. As Spider-Man takes pity on the vampire, he is staked by Kareem who got tired of waiting much to the dismay of Spider-Man. White Rabbit enters where she is back to normal. Spider-Man then leaves them and continues his fight with the vampires until he is confronted by Lizard.[7]
Avengers edit
Captain America puts out an Avengers Priority Alert calling for more Avengers. Whoever receives this message is required to step up. Their Identicard will direct them to Captain America's location and to be prepared to fight Avengers. Moments later, Captain America fights through the various vampires as he is joined by Hercules, Kate Bishop, Quicksilver, and Hazmat. Afterwards, Captain America tells Hercules, Kate Bishop, Quicksilver, and Hazmat that the Avengers have been hit hard. While traveling around, Captain America's Avengers find some humans being menaced by Nazi vampires as Captain America mentions the time when he was turned into a werewolf[c] and Hercules mentions how he was turned into a Spider-Man once[d]. As the Avengers slay more Nazi vampires, Hercules suspects that the vampires used a spell from the Darkhold to help them out. After the Nazi vampires are slain, a Helicarrier shows up and uses a Vortex Beam on everyone. Captain America then identified the person operating the Helicarrier to be Baron Blood who plans to have noble fascism be birthed in America and welcomed into the world.[8]
Issues involved edit
Prelude issues edit
| Title | Issues | Writer | Artist | Colorist | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men | 1 | Jed MacKay | Sara Pichelli | TBA | May 4, 2024[9] |
Main series edit
| Title | Issues | Writer | Artist | Colorist | Debut date | Conclusion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Hunt | 1–5 | Jed MacKay | Pepe Larraz | Marte Gracia | May 1, 2024[3] | July 24, 2024[10] |
Tie-in issues edit
Limited series edit
| Title | Issues | Writer(s) | Artist(s) | Colorist | Debut date | Conclusion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Hunters | 1–4 | Mark Russell Christos Gage Erica Schultz |
Bob Quinn Javier Garrón Bernard Chang |
TBA | May 8, 2024[11][12][13] | July 17, 2024[10] |
| Dracula: Blood Hunt | 1–3 | Danny Lore | Vincenzo Carratù | July 3, 2024[10] | ||
| Strange Academy: Blood Hunt | Daniel José Older | Luigi Zagaria | July 24, 2024[10] | |||
| The Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt | Justina Ireland | Marcelo Ferreira | May 15, 2024[14][15] | July 17, 2024[10] | ||
| Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt | Cheryl Lynn Eaton | Farid Karami | July 10, 2024[10] | |||
| Black Panther: Blood Hunt | Cavan Scott | Kev Walker | May 29, 2024[16][17] | July 3, 2024[10] | ||
| Midnight Sons: Blood Hunt | Bryan Hill | Germán Peralta | July 24, 2024[10] | |||
| Wolverine: Blood Hunt | 1–4 | Tom Waltz | Juan José Ryp | June 5, 2024[18] | July 24, 2024[10] |
One-shots edit
| Title | Writer | Artist | Colorist | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hulk: Blood Hunt | Phillip Kennedy Johnson | Danny Earls | TBA | July 10, 2024[19] |
| Werewolf by Night: Blood Hunt | Jason Loo | Adam Gorham | July 3, 2024[19] | |
| X-Men: Blood Hunt – Jubilee | Preeti Chhibber | Enid Balám | June 12, 2024[20] | |
| X-Men: Blood Hunt – Magik | Ashley Allen | Jesús Hervás | June 26, 2024[20] | |
| X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke | Steve Foxe | Lynne Yoshii | July 3, 2024[20] | |
| X-Men: Blood Hunt – Laura Kinney The Wolverine | Stephanie Phillips | Robert Gill | July 17, 2024[20] |
Series tie-ins edit
| Title | Issues | Writer(s) | Artist(s) | Colorist | Debut date | Conclusion date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vengeance of the Moon Knight (vol. 2) | 5–7 | Jed MacKay | Alessandro Cappuccio | TBA | May 1, 2024[21] | July 24, 2024[10] |
| The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) | 49 | Zeb Wells | John Romita Jr. | May 8, 2024[21] | ||
| The Avengers (vol. 9) | 14–16 | Jed MacKay | C.F. Villa | May 8, 2024[21] | July 10, 2024[10] | |
| Doctor Strange (vol. 6) | 15–17 | Pasqual Ferry | July 3, 2024[10] | |||
| Venom (vol. 5) | 33–34 | Al Ewing | Juan Ferreyra | June 5th, 2024 | ||
| Fantastic Four (vol. 7) | 21–22 | Ryan North | Ivan Fiorelli | June 12, 2024[21] | July 24, 2024[10] | |
| Miles Morales: Spider-Man (vol. 2) | Cody Ziglar | Travel Foreman | July 3, 2024[10] | |||
Notes edit
- ^ As seen in Moon Knight Vol. 9 #18.
- ^ As seen in Devil's Reign: Moon Knight #1.
- ^ As seen in Captain America #405 during the "Man and Wolf" storyline.
- ^ As seen in Herc #7.
References edit
- ^ Wilson, Carl (2023), Bacon, Simon (ed.), "Gaming and Vampires", The Palgrave Handbook of the Vampire, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–19, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-82301-6_67-1, ISBN 978-3-030-82301-6, retrieved 2023-12-27
- ^ "NYCC 2023: 'Blood Hunt,' Marvel Comics' Next Crossover Event, Revealed". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ a b "'Blood Hunt' Drags the Marvel Universe into Darkness". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ Free Comic Book Day 2024: Blood Hunt/X-Men #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Blood Hunt #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Vengeance of the Moon Knight #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 6 #49. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Vol. 9 #14. Marvel Comics.
- ^ "Marvel's 2024 Free Comic Book Day Titles Present the First Post-Krakoa X-Men Story, the Opening Kill of 'Blood Hunt,' and More". Marvel Comics. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n McMillan, Graeme (April 19, 2024). "Marvel Comics' July 2024 solicitations: X-Men, Spider-Man, Avengers and everything else, all in one place!". Popverse. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ "Dagger Forms a Team of Vampire Slayers, Hawkeye Stands Against the Hordes, & More in 'Blood Hunters'". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ "In 'Dracula: Blood Hunt,' the Lord of Vampires Takes the Daughter of Blade Under His Wing". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ "'Strange Academy: Blood Hunt' Sends Marvel's Most Promising Magic Users After the Darkhold". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ "'Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt' Makes Morbius the Marvel Universe's Best Chance Against the Vampire Invasion". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ "Union Jack Paints the UK Red in 'Union Jack the Ripper: Blood Hunt'". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "'Black Panther: Blood Hunt' Transforms T'Challa into a Vampire". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "'Midnight Sons: Blood Hunt' Reunites Marvel's Original Group of Supernatural Heroes". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ "'Wolverine: Blood Hunt' Pits the Undead Against the Unkillable". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ a b "Hulk & Werewolf by Night Unleash Terror on the Vampire Hordes in 'Blood Hunt' One-Shots". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b c d "'X-Men: Blood Hunt' One-Shots Recruit Mutantkind for the War Against Vampires". www.marvel.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ a b c d "The Fantastic Four Race for a Cure, Cap Forms a Team of Avengers, & More in 'Blood Hunt' Tie-Ins". www.marvel.com. 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-02-21.