Written by Kim Harrison.
Art by Pedro Maia; Gemma Magno; Emam Casallos; Jan Michael T. Aldeguer; Jezreel Rojales; P.C. Siqeira; Mae Hao; & Zach Matheny.
Cover Illustration by Juliana Kolesova. Flap & Back Jacket Illustration by Pedro Maia.
SUMMARY:
Released by Del Rey Books in 2011, this 170-page hardcover graphic novel is a seven-chapter prequel to Kim Harrison’s The Hollows urban fantasy-horror series. In an alternate-reality Cincinnati, Inderland Security (I.S.) polices the decadent supernatural community. As the I.S. equivalent of a plainclothes street cop, jaded vampire Ivy Tamwood is begrudgingly assigned as the senior partner of free-spirited witch Rachel Morgan.
The twenty-something duo instantly clash over basic methodology, as they probe a werewolf’s ominous homicide. Ivy is gradually impressed by Rachel’s investigative instincts, as their teamwork draws them closer to the deceptive truth. Yet, Rachel’s rebellious, good-natured allure triggers an underlying sexual current/blood lust from Ivy.
Ominously, having arranged the duo’s I.S. partnership, others may share Ivy’s ulterior agenda to someday control Rachel’s destiny.
REVIEW:
Blood Work isn’t necessarily a huge disappointment, but it still falls far short of impressive. Though the style is reminiscent of Marvel’s Anita Blake adaptations, neither Blood Work’s rudimentary visuals nor Kim Harrison’s inconclusive plotting deliver much of anything worthwhile. A semi-naïve Rachel Morgan is marginally likable; otherwise, Harrison’s one-dimensional cast provides minimal incentive to finish reading this storyline.
More suggestive than flat-out gross as several of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake stories are, Blood Work’s premise occasionally presents glimmers of potential. The problem is that this supernatural-cop murder-mystery concocts an utterly blah read. To give Blood Work the comparative benefit of the doubt, trying one of Harrison’s Hollows novels first makes the most sense.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Harrison presents a single-page introduction. Brief bios on Harrison & artist Pedro Maia are provided. Maia’s eleven-page project sketchbook explores the visual look he created for Blood Work’s pivotal characters (under Harrison’s supervision). A three-page guide delves into Blood Work’s production. Lastly, there’s a three-page Del Rey interview with Harrison.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars
