Van Helsing: Sword of Heaven #3 Written by Chuck Dixon Art by Julius Abrera and Maxflan Araujo Release Date: 1/09/2019

The story of the monster hunter is as timeless and dated as the story of the monster itself. For every Bram Stoker’s Dracula there are a dozen lukewarm imitations that never quite amount to worthwhile entertainment. Van Helsing has become a favored victim of these half-baked replicas, starring in practically every incarnation of the Dracula story and headlining several films, series and novels of his or her own. Sword of Heaven is the latest comic foray into the life of the fabled vampire slayer. Thankfully Chuck Dixon, Julius Abrera and Maxflan Araujo have made sure that this story burns as hot as the sun against a vampire’s skin. It sizzles. It sparks. If the story of the monster hunter is a corpse, this creative team has brought it back to life.

Sword of Heaven began by establishing a modern world filled with dangerous and frightening creatures. Readers were quickly introduced to the sarcastic but effective Liesel Van Helsing and followed her international quest against vampire-kind as it expanded and revealed even more depths of mythology. Van Helsing continues on January 9th and this time it’s the supporting cast who shines. Dixon handles the characterization of the issue’s two leads with an admirable efficiency, allowing neither character to immediately overshadow the other. The apprehensive bond which then grows between Liesel and her companion can be seen as plainly as emerald cacti against the brown desert, thriving despite their circumstances. Other supporting roles emerge and prove just as interesting, redeeming what could have otherwise felt like an honorary side mission. That in mind, the events of the issue serve only to strengthen the characters and add very little to the overall story. In this case however, it’s an enjoyable romp away from the main questline.

Abrera and Araujo polish their scenes with bright colors and excellent expressive work. The landscape becomes a character all its own and that feat is owed entirely to the art team. The terrain easily could have been bland and forgettable. Instead when a dust storm kicks up in the distance the clouds become as unsettling as the as the shapes lurking therein. Action sequences are well executed and the creature designs remain a highlight of this series, this time as layers of flesh and meat dangle from the bone. Van Helsing has already treated its readers to a handful of unique enemy types. The fact that each new encounter still feels fresh, each new misshapen face still feels alarming, speaks volumes of the artistic powerhouses at the helm. Several characters do seem to have recycled facial features and bodies at times look flat, but even these flaws are admissible as the characterization and dialogue clearly defines each
personality.

Dixon, Abrera and Araujo were meant to create Sword of Heaven. As with any great team, they bolster one another’s strengths and do well to hide each other’s flaws. Without this trio at the helm, Van Helsing would have read like the next Vampire in Brooklyn. Sword of Heaven continues its strong narrative, frightening presentation and incredible monster design. It’s a staple for any comic fans who dabble in the fantasy-horror genre and relief for those who’ve grown tired of the same old monster story.

Final Score: 8 out of 10 capes

8 out of 10