Writer and artist Maria Llovet has been on a roll lately, with Fatale from BOOM! Studios (which she provided the art for), the sexy sci-fi miniseries Crave from Image Comics, and the very fun one-shot All The Things We Didn’t Do Last Night, also from Image. Llovet has made her name on crafting deeply felt, deeply sexy comic books… So leaping to vampires seems like a natural fit. But Violent Flowers #1, which hits later this month, is on another level.
The plot of the book follows an immortal vampire clan dealing with a murder in their midst. Specifically, The Sentinel, a vampire tasked with overseeing all supernatural creatures. (Werewolves and witches are mentioned in the book, but not seen). Carnelia is a self-loathing vampire who prefers to look her age… Or as close as a centuries-old supernatural being can look. So she is tasked with tracking down the killer. The only problems are Carnelia’s addiction to blood, and being saddled with a vampire wannabe human as her partner may throw her right back into some very bad habits.
A lot is going on in the first issue. And there’s a fair amount of mythology and character dynamics that need establishment. Llovet accomplishes that with ease and aplomb, instantly making you identify with Carnelia’s conflict and rage. Though she’s furious about the death of her “family” member, there’s a part of her that thinks they should all let nature take its course. It’s a riff on a familiar tune from vampire novels, movies, and TV shows, but thanks to the intriguing character notes and designs throughout feels fresh and new.
But what truly makes this book sing is the wild swings Llovet takes with the settings. From underwater graves in the 17th century to catacombs, to a jaw-dropping love scene in the sky, this is Llovet flexing her artistic muscles to show what she can do. And the answer is, she can do anything. Even with demonic paintings in Fatale and AI sex apps controlling a college campus in Crave, Llovet’s work has always felt very grounded. This book quite literally soars into the realm of the fantastical, and it’s stunning to read.
If you’re a fan of vampire books — particularly, anyone enamored of Anne Rice’s novels, or the recent brilliant TV adaptation of Interview with the Vampire — you’re going to love Violent Flowers #1. Smart, sexy, beautifully drawn… Llovet proves once again why she’s one of the best artists working today.
Violent Flowers #1 hits comic book stores on September 25, 2024, from Image Comics.
Violent Flowers #1 Rating:
Violent Flowers #1 Official Synopsis:
MINISERIES PREMIERE
“Vengeance blooms in their veins.”
MARIA LLOVET (CRAVE, Luna, Porcelain) returns with VIOLENT FLOWERS, a sensual tale about vengeance and acceptance, and the importance of embracing who we really are.
An ancient clan of vampires reunites after centuries. The Sentinel, a vampire who watches over all supernatural creatures, has been murdered. His erratic sister, Carnelia, will stop at nothing to get revenge, even when she’s charged with a mortal to take care of.
In a world where the cult of youth and beauty rules, Carnelia has remained old and wrinkled for ages, abstaining from her vampire urges. But her addiction to blood may prove her resolution is not as firm as it seems.
DON’T MISS the BEGINNING of this thrilling tale!!