Vampires are big business. Whether on screen or on the printed page, they seem to always draw so much attention and appeal. And next month, comics publisher Mad Cave Studios will bring fans of vampires a new treat when it releases its graphic novel, Soul Taker. Set for release in comics shops nationwide March 11 (and for pre-order Feb. 17), the 149-page anthology culls the series’ first six issues in one collection. The story that spans those pages is at the base of its appeal for its target audience and will be discussed shortly. The artwork that accompanies the story is of its own note to the overall presentation and will be discussed a little later. The bonus content that also accompanies the presentation rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of the book. All things considered, they make Soul Taker a presentation that is sure to engage and entertain its target audience.
Soul Taker, the forthcoming horror/drama-based graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, is a presentation that is certain to find success among its targeted audience. That is due in large part to its featured story. Spanning 149-pages and six issues, the story follows a woman named Amara who is a vampire of sorts but not necessarily one. Readers could argue that she is, regardless, considering she and her species (the Nehmer) survived by using the life energy of humans. It isn’t sucking blood, but it is quite the similar setup. Amara is the last of the Nehmer and she is being chased by a warrior called a Venatori. The Venatori are a group of warriors clearly modeled after the infamous Knights Templars. According to the story, they were established by the Catholic Church and hunted down and killed the Nehmer, all except for Amara, thus the story here. While being vampiric to a point, Amara and her kind are sympathetic characters because as Amara notes, her kind never killed humans, rather only taking just enough energy to survive, which clearly was not much. Now centuries into her life the Venatori hunter, Zuriel is not Amara’s only threat. Another figure who has hunted her for almost as long as the Venatori is also hunting for her, but not to kill her. Rather, he wants the secret of her immortality. He uses the pharmaceutical company headed by his daughter and its resources to get those secrets.
Of course, things turn decidedly bloody and violent as Zuriel and his companion hunt down Amara. So, this is not a book for young readers considering said content. On the same note, there is a secondary LGBTQ element to Amara’s story, too. To that end, readers who might have any objection to such content are to be advised therein. All of that aside, the story contained here is a good setup for the series as it progresses, even with its finale. Not to give away too much but the finale involves zombies. Yes, so here we get zombies and vampires. That is sure to appeal to the noted audiences even more.
The overall content aside, the story still does much to keep readers engaged, including through its general writing. The story moves fluidly within each scene and between scenes, making the story easy to follow. The blending of third person narration and first person dialogue also plays into that general writing and makes even more for the noted appeal. That overall positive writing and the story together builds a strong foundation for Soul Taker and in turn a positive starting point for the book.
Building on that foundation is the art exhibited throughout. Artist Valeria Burzo’s work is comparable to that of artist Leomacs (Ghostlore). That is evident in subtleties like the lines used in the character designs and the lighting and general coloring used in each scene. The overall stylistic similarity is certain to appeal to its own share of audiences, thus making for potentially even wider appeal. The artwork and story together, they make for even more reason for audiences to read this introductory phase of Soul Taker at least once.
As much as the story, its writing, and the artwork featured herein do to make Soul Taker worth reading, they are only part of what makes the book engaging. The bonus content that accompanies the book rounds out its most important elements. The bonus content comes in the form of variant covers for the series’ lead issue and a handful of rough sketches of Amara in various outfits, such as a knight’s armor, a Victorian dress, and something perhaps from the 19th century. On the surface it does not seem like much, but knowing how the story goes back and forth between Amara’s past and present, one has to wonder how much was left on the “Drawing room floor” in regard to her story. Perhaps that will be known in coming issues of Soul Taker, all things considered. Keeping that in mind, the designs may well be a hint of what is to come. Keeping that in mind, the bonus covers and character art gallery collectively put the finishing touch to Soul Taker and work with the book’s story and artwork to make the presentation in whole fully worth reading among its target audience.
Mad Cave Studios’ forthcoming first volume of issues from its series, Soul Taker, is another interesting offering from the comics publisher to open 2025. That is due in part to its story, which centers on a vampiric type lead who is simply trying to live her life, not kill anyone. Meanwhile she is being hunted by two nefarious figures, one who wants her dead and the other who wants to steal her secrets of immortality. There is plenty of action and drama throughout the volume’s first six issues, meaning there is plenty to keep readers engaged and entertained. The artwork that accompanies the story is of its own interest. That is because of its familiarity in style to work from another artist on another horror-based series. The bonus content that accompanies the book in its forthcoming release puts the finishing touch to the whole. That is because of its appeal to those with a foundation in art. It also potentially gives a hint at more of Amara’s back story as the series continues. Each item examined is important in its own right to the whole of Soul Taker. All things considered they make Soul Taker a presentation that is sure to appeal to any horror and vampire fan.
Soul Taker is scheduled for release March 11 in comics shops nationwide. Pre-orders are set to open Feb. 17. More information on this and other titles from Mad Cave Studios is available at:
Website: https://madcavestudios.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadCaveStudios
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadCaveStudios
