DC vs Vampires: World War V #9 review

So, in the last session of this hot-and-cold relationship I have with the DC vs Vampires franchise, I had reached an understanding with the series. It would provide B-grade schlock horror while moving the plot forward, and I…would have to be ok with that. It’s fine, relationships are all about adjusting to suit each other’s needs better. Does the latest issue of World War V keep this ship steady?

Behold the typical Elseworld! Random costume swaps! And dead babies!

Gods! Monsters! Dinosaurs! Robots! Vampi- no, not that

With the entrance of the New Gods of Genesis in the last issue, the focus of this comic has shifted to the battle between Genesis and Apokolips, with Earth as a battlefield. In this issue, we get to see the two sets of New Gods duke it out on Dinosaur Island. But they aren’t alone, as Dinosaur Island is home to a bunch of other refugees from the DC Universe, who could be classified as “creatures.” And soon enough, these “commandos” are forced into combat with Darkseid’s forces.

So at the moment, we have a three-way (six-way?) fight between the humans we were following, Cyborg’s android crew, the New Gods of New Genesis, Frankenstein’s monsters (the four of whom seem to be aligned), Darkseid and his forces, and the vampires. Interestingly, the vampires seem to be divided among themselves as Atlantis (all of whom are now vampires) has seceded from Queen Barbara. Which is interesting as so far the vampires behaved a lot like those in Sinners, and presented a united front (also go watch Sinners if you haven’t already). However, the vampires (who, as I should remind people, are in the name of this series) have been reduced to an afterthought.

So, is anybody editing this series? Because I don’t think anyone “mights right” with their gods

As for Queen Barbara, we get to see her finally, definitively on the backfoot, her army having been reduced to her and Grodd. And so our heroes immediately and swiftly deal with her for good. After all, she’s the reason that Darkseid is here, and even if the vampires select a new monarch after she’s gone, they are in disarray at the moment and can be picked off easily. And it’s not like she’s remorseful in any way, and continues to demand respect in an arrogant manner that she is in no position to ask for.

Wait, they aren’t killing her? They’re letting her run free.

Umm, they should probably kill her.

I mean it. Kill her.

Kill. her.

KIIIIIIIIILLL HEEEEEEE-

Your reviewer has lost their mind and has gone in search of it…

Score: 5/10

Backup: Wildcat: Going the Distance, Part Two

In the latest backup, we are following Wildcat as he is searching for his son, who has been helping people throughout the wasteland. Unfortunately, by the time he has caught up with Tommy, he has been turned. While this was maybe a bit predictable, it is by no means any less tragic. 

Shane McCarthy and Fábio Veras continue the tradition of the backups of this series having greater emotional depth than anything the main story can come up with. Reading this backup will make you feel for Ted as the one thing he was holding onto to make it through this hellscape has been taken away from him. Even if he wants to quit and give up in his darkest moments, he’s still a hero. And heroes have a duty to the people they swore to protect.

Score: 9/10

Recommended If

• You’re a Wildcat fan.
• You have the money to spare for an amazing backup and a lackluster main story
• You can’t wait to see if another faction joins the fray. We haven’t seen the Amazons, yet have we?

Overall

With DC vs Vampires: World War V #9, our relationship has regressed. There was a screaming match at the therapist’s office (“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE ALFRED LANTERN, BAT AL GHUL, AND BABY DEADMAN PLOT IS SIGNIFICANT?” “WHAT I THOUGHT YOU CARED ABOUT EVERYTHING MAKING SENSE?”) and uh, we aren’t sure where this will go. But at least the Wildcat story helped smooth things enough to make sure we can last till next month.

Score: 7/10