Written by Laurell K. Hamilton & Jess Ruffner
Art by Ron Lim; Laura Villari; & Bill Tortolini
Cover Art by Brett Booth & Andrew Dalhouse
SUMMARY:
Adapting Laurell K. Hamilton’s 1995 horror-fantasy novel as a trio of five-issue mini-series, Marvel Comics concluded the first one for December 2010. Late at night, a weary Anita returns to her St. Louis apartment, only to be confronted by vampire eliminator Edward to reveal the identity of the city’s new master vampire. Troubled by a nightmare tampered with by Jean-Claude, Anita and best friend Veronica (aka Ronnie) hit the gym and compare case notes re: a recent homicide. Anita later reluctantly convinces her new boyfriend, Richard, to be her date at a friend’s Halloween costume party.
Notes: The second and third portions of Marvel’s adaptation are entitled The Ingenue and The Scoundrel. Including The Charmer, the adaptations were released separately as hardcovers and/or trade paperbacks.
REVIEW:
This transitional issue mostly consists of three dialogue-laden sequences, and that’s it. Aside from Marvel’s interpretation of a cynical Anita Blake visualizing Laurell K. Hamilton’s creation, the only other creative element worth mentioning is the solid, contemporary gothic artwork (including the cover image). Otherwise, adult readers aren’t missing much by skipping over this less-than-pivotal finish to The Charmer.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page summarizes the plot to date. At the end is a full-page (and gory) cover reveal for the Ingenue opener.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars
