What do you think?
Rate this book
Carmilla #1
Carmilla: The First Vampire
Before Dracula, before Nosferatu, there was...CARMILLA.
At the height of the Lunar New Year in 1990s New York City, an idealistic social worker turns detective when she discovers young, homeless LGBTQ+ women are being murdered and no one, especially the police, seems to care.
A series of clues points her to Carmilla's, a mysterious nightclub in the heart of her neighborhood, Chinatown. There she falls for the next likely target, landing her at the center of a real-life horror story—and face-to-face with illusions about herself, her life, and her hidden past.
Inspired by the gothic novel that started the vampire genre and layered with dark Chinese folklore, this queer, feminist murder mystery is a tale of identity, obsession and fateful family secrets.
At the height of the Lunar New Year in 1990s New York City, an idealistic social worker turns detective when she discovers young, homeless LGBTQ+ women are being murdered and no one, especially the police, seems to care.
A series of clues points her to Carmilla's, a mysterious nightclub in the heart of her neighborhood, Chinatown. There she falls for the next likely target, landing her at the center of a real-life horror story—and face-to-face with illusions about herself, her life, and her hidden past.
Inspired by the gothic novel that started the vampire genre and layered with dark Chinese folklore, this queer, feminist murder mystery is a tale of identity, obsession and fateful family secrets.
112 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2023
About the author
Amy Chu
292 books178 followersWriter for DC, Vertigo, Marvel, IDW and more, including: Poison Ivy, Ant-Man, Deadpool, Red Sonja, Green Hornet, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, X-Files. KISS and DMC Comics. Cofounded Alpha Girl Comics, publisher of Girls Night Out and other comics. Frequent comic-con panel speaker and moderator.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
June 17, 2023
Predating Dracula by 25 years, Sheridan Le Fanu’s chilling and sapphic vampire tale, Carmilla, has survived as a classic of gothic horror. Amy Chu and artist Soo Lee’s gorgeous graphic novel Carmilla: The First Vampire brings us to Chinatown, NYC in 1996 as a sort of modern retelling, drawing on Le Fanu’s text both thematically and as an actual insert to the plot with our heroine, social worker Athena Lo, reading it as part of her investigation. There has been a string of murders in the city and social worker Athena Lo realizes many of them are young, unhoused women that are her clients. With the police seemingly apathetic to the disappearances, Athena takes matters into her own hands at the risk of her life and—once she begins to protect another potential target named Violet who is as strangely alluring as she is manipulative—her relationship. Amplifying the sapphic aspects of the original tale in a new story where Chinese mythology and European folklore collide, Carmilla: The First Vampire is as satisfying for newcomers as well as those familiar with the original tale and makes for a sinisterly seductive read. So come right on in…
This updated tale provides a rather intriguing and dynamic look at concepts of immigrant identity, with Athena being the grandchild of her Chinese grandfather (the grandfather is easily the best character in the book) and facing anti-Asian racism for not being seen as American enough while also feeling overly removed from her Chinese heritage. In this way, the blend of both European vampiric lore as well as Chinese deities and demons functions as a representation of amalgamating identities. There is a real engaging playfulness with the blending of narratives and imagery brought to life by Amy Chu and Soo Lee here, with Lee’s rather lovely artwork (the color palettes are quite striking and eye catching) seamlessly incorporating both a gothic vibe with Chinese artwork while bringing 1996 Chinatown to life. The story, set during the Chinese New Year becoming the Year of the Rat, also plays thematically into the story.
Fans of Sheridan Le Fanu’s story will enjoy the way the novel figures so prominently into the book. When Athena discovers several of the murders occur near a queer night club, Carmilla’s, she steals a copy of the original book to read. Passages of the story are read in the text, as well as quoted by characters, and while those familiar with the story will undoubtedly put together a few key surprises before Athena does it never feels like it detracts from the enjoyment. I really enjoyed the way it remained true to aspects such as the mood swings and being rather sick during the day (assumed to be due to drug use here) or that the Millarca/Carmilla anagram also comes up. I also really appreciated how much this story emphasizes the queer aspects, with many gay, lesbian and trans characters included in the story. It also plays with class aspects a bit, with the vampire victims being unhoused people (instead of peasants) which opens a lot of opportunity for the story to discuss the necessity for society to care more about these people as well as show how quickly someone can suddenly find themselves in a bad situation without a home. As providing avenues and resources for the growing unhoused population plays into a lot of work we do at the library, this is a topic I find very important and I was glad to see it so pronounced and tactfully addressed here.
Fans of gothic or monster horror will not want to miss this exciting and eerie modern retelling of Carmilla. The end does come a bit abruptly (as did the original though) and it sort of forces in. subplot at the end which seems to be opening the door for sequels that felt a little unnecessary though would likely feel more at home if this does in fact become a series. But overall I quite enjoyed this. It is a real visual treat (and you don’t even have to suck any blood!) and is quite engaging in the way it mixes folklore for maximum effect. A quick but haunting graphic novel.
3.5/5
This updated tale provides a rather intriguing and dynamic look at concepts of immigrant identity, with Athena being the grandchild of her Chinese grandfather (the grandfather is easily the best character in the book) and facing anti-Asian racism for not being seen as American enough while also feeling overly removed from her Chinese heritage. In this way, the blend of both European vampiric lore as well as Chinese deities and demons functions as a representation of amalgamating identities. There is a real engaging playfulness with the blending of narratives and imagery brought to life by Amy Chu and Soo Lee here, with Lee’s rather lovely artwork (the color palettes are quite striking and eye catching) seamlessly incorporating both a gothic vibe with Chinese artwork while bringing 1996 Chinatown to life. The story, set during the Chinese New Year becoming the Year of the Rat, also plays thematically into the story.
Fans of Sheridan Le Fanu’s story will enjoy the way the novel figures so prominently into the book. When Athena discovers several of the murders occur near a queer night club, Carmilla’s, she steals a copy of the original book to read. Passages of the story are read in the text, as well as quoted by characters, and while those familiar with the story will undoubtedly put together a few key surprises before Athena does it never feels like it detracts from the enjoyment. I really enjoyed the way it remained true to aspects such as the mood swings and being rather sick during the day (assumed to be due to drug use here) or that the Millarca/Carmilla anagram also comes up. I also really appreciated how much this story emphasizes the queer aspects, with many gay, lesbian and trans characters included in the story. It also plays with class aspects a bit, with the vampire victims being unhoused people (instead of peasants) which opens a lot of opportunity for the story to discuss the necessity for society to care more about these people as well as show how quickly someone can suddenly find themselves in a bad situation without a home. As providing avenues and resources for the growing unhoused population plays into a lot of work we do at the library, this is a topic I find very important and I was glad to see it so pronounced and tactfully addressed here.
Fans of gothic or monster horror will not want to miss this exciting and eerie modern retelling of Carmilla. The end does come a bit abruptly (as did the original though) and it sort of forces in. subplot at the end which seems to be opening the door for sequels that felt a little unnecessary though would likely feel more at home if this does in fact become a series. But overall I quite enjoyed this. It is a real visual treat (and you don’t even have to suck any blood!) and is quite engaging in the way it mixes folklore for maximum effect. A quick but haunting graphic novel.
3.5/5
Read
February 16, 2024A multicultural retelling of the classic sapphic vampire story, Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Athena is a social worker in New York City in the 1990s with a bleeding heart. She lives with her partner, Morgan. A killer is stalking and murdering young women, Athena is at the front lines hearing all the stories from her clients living on the streets.
During her amateur sleuthing, she meets Violet in a club. Violet love bombs Athena and takes advantage/manipulates her way into her life.
I love the artwork by Soo Lee so much--the colors and characters are perfect.
Athena's grandpa is the absolute coolest character.
I love the way the author infused this timeless tale with themes of identity, culture, gender & sex, and updated it for a modern audience. I hope there is more in the universe, the door was left wide open.
During her amateur sleuthing, she meets Violet in a club. Violet love bombs Athena and takes advantage/manipulates her way into her life.
I love the artwork by Soo Lee so much--the colors and characters are perfect.
Athena's grandpa is the absolute coolest character.
I love the way the author infused this timeless tale with themes of identity, culture, gender & sex, and updated it for a modern audience. I hope there is more in the universe, the door was left wide open.
May 17, 2023
There is incredible moody art in this graphic novel retelling of the lesbian vampire classic Carmilla (1872). I also loved the noirish tone, the 90s NYC Chinatown setting, the way Chinese folklore is integrated into the European vampire lore, and the main character Athena's relationship with her Yeh Yeh (grandpa). The Carmilla character was very well done and updated for the 20th century and how she worked her way into Athena's life.
It took a weird turn plot-wise near the end, with two deaths that were unnecessary for the plot and not explored enough to have real emotional resonance. One of them was the main Black character and the other was the only trans character, so it was pretty disappointing to see them killed off like that! It kind of soured the rest for me.
It took a weird turn plot-wise near the end, with two deaths that were unnecessary for the plot and not explored enough to have real emotional resonance. One of them was the main Black character and the other was the only trans character, so it was pretty disappointing to see them killed off like that! It kind of soured the rest for me.
March 5, 2024
I'm not the biggest fan of vampire stories, I'll readily admit, but I'm always interested in finding a variation on the myth that actually feels fresh. This isn't that - there's a Chinese twist here, but it doesn't fundamentally change much, if anything. It maybe feels a bit tacked on.
I think the most surprising thing is how little Carmilla features as a character in a book that carries her name as the title. She's barely a character.
There are pacing issues. The story is slow in the first chapters, lots of quoting from the Sheridan Le Fanu classic (which features Carmilla), and then suddenly all is revealed and wrapped up a bit too quickly.
Included are three instances of Bury Your Gays, which is disappointing.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy)
I think the most surprising thing is how little Carmilla features as a character in a book that carries her name as the title. She's barely a character.
There are pacing issues. The story is slow in the first chapters, lots of quoting from the Sheridan Le Fanu classic (which features Carmilla), and then suddenly all is revealed and wrapped up a bit too quickly.
Included are three instances of Bury Your Gays, which is disappointing.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy)
April 23, 2023
I was looking forward to reading this one and I probably got my hopes up too high, which is my own fault.
I have a tendency to pick up basically anything about female vampires, because those types of stories are just so rare.
Now, if you are a reader of classic horror, you're probably familiar with the short story, 'Carmilla,' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. It's one of the oldest published vampire stories (older, even, than 'Dracula') and tells the story of a young woman who unwittingly invites a woman into her home who turns out to be a vampire.
The story is pretty well known for analogizing a Sapphic relationship without demonizing it, which was unheard of at the time, obviously.
It's a great short story, and I highly recommend reading it if you haven't.
This graphic novel was not supposed to be a retelling of 'Carmilla,' persay, but more of a... continuation? The entire thing revolves around the idea that Laura, the protagonist of 'Carmilla' was turned into a vampire and eventually moved to NYC, where she begins a killing spree in 1996 that catches the attention of a local social worker.
This sounds like an intriguing idea, but it was just handled sloppily in my opinion.
The narrative was just very rushed, the reveal at the end was too obvious and it made no sense that the main character, who had been reading 'Carmilla' (after stealing a copy from her local library) wouldn't have put some clues together about who her new friend really was.
She starts reading 'Carmilla' because she thinks it has some connection to the club, Carmilla, where these three girls have been killed, but then doesn't use any of the information from the story to apply it to real life? She doesn't recognize that the lawyer that Carmilla kills has the same last name as her character in the story? It just seemed a little pointless to put her reading the story in there at all if it wasn't going to be used, and it was REALLY pointless to have her steal the book from the library. It made no sense that she needed to read a copy that was held in the rare books room in the first place, even in 1996, this story was available in a lot of short story collections and any librarian would have given her one of those first.
On top of this, (and the reason that I felt it necessary to give this review a spoiler tag) is the whole reveal about how the main character's family were all demon hunters.
Her parents were killed in a car crash when she was young, and she was raised by her grandfather, who, like 80% of the way through the book, reveals that their family are all demon hunters and she has to kill Laura for this reason.
This was just an......"okay???" moment for me. Felt like it came completely out of nowhere and was just there to tie the story up quickly without offering any further explanation.
This story felt, to me, like the author just wanted to write a story about a young woman who finds out that she comes from a family of demon hunters and decided to shoe horn in the connection to the classic short story for...some reason? It really didn't feel like a connection that was done any justice and I wish she had just made the character a vampire without needing that connection, because that would've been a pretty interesting story on it's own, and waaayyyyy less hard to predict.
The art was good in this, and all of the elements about Chinese myths and legends was really cool, it just felt like two stories that had kinda been smushed together for me.
I have a tendency to pick up basically anything about female vampires, because those types of stories are just so rare.
Now, if you are a reader of classic horror, you're probably familiar with the short story, 'Carmilla,' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. It's one of the oldest published vampire stories (older, even, than 'Dracula') and tells the story of a young woman who unwittingly invites a woman into her home who turns out to be a vampire.
The story is pretty well known for analogizing a Sapphic relationship without demonizing it, which was unheard of at the time, obviously.
It's a great short story, and I highly recommend reading it if you haven't.
This graphic novel was not supposed to be a retelling of 'Carmilla,' persay, but more of a... continuation? The entire thing revolves around the idea that Laura, the protagonist of 'Carmilla' was turned into a vampire and eventually moved to NYC, where she begins a killing spree in 1996 that catches the attention of a local social worker.
This sounds like an intriguing idea, but it was just handled sloppily in my opinion.
The narrative was just very rushed, the reveal at the end was too obvious and it made no sense that the main character, who had been reading 'Carmilla' (after stealing a copy from her local library) wouldn't have put some clues together about who her new friend really was.
She starts reading 'Carmilla' because she thinks it has some connection to the club, Carmilla, where these three girls have been killed, but then doesn't use any of the information from the story to apply it to real life? She doesn't recognize that the lawyer that Carmilla kills has the same last name as her character in the story? It just seemed a little pointless to put her reading the story in there at all if it wasn't going to be used, and it was REALLY pointless to have her steal the book from the library. It made no sense that she needed to read a copy that was held in the rare books room in the first place, even in 1996, this story was available in a lot of short story collections and any librarian would have given her one of those first.
On top of this, (and the reason that I felt it necessary to give this review a spoiler tag) is the whole reveal about how the main character's family were all demon hunters.
Her parents were killed in a car crash when she was young, and she was raised by her grandfather, who, like 80% of the way through the book, reveals that their family are all demon hunters and she has to kill Laura for this reason.
This was just an......"okay???" moment for me. Felt like it came completely out of nowhere and was just there to tie the story up quickly without offering any further explanation.
This story felt, to me, like the author just wanted to write a story about a young woman who finds out that she comes from a family of demon hunters and decided to shoe horn in the connection to the classic short story for...some reason? It really didn't feel like a connection that was done any justice and I wish she had just made the character a vampire without needing that connection, because that would've been a pretty interesting story on it's own, and waaayyyyy less hard to predict.
The art was good in this, and all of the elements about Chinese myths and legends was really cool, it just felt like two stories that had kinda been smushed together for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐ rounded down.
Things I loved right away:
the art (perfect for this story)
the social work angle
the light shone on the forgotten the social issues explored, like: homelessness, addiction, racism, ageism, and homophobia
The narrative itself felt a little rushed. We could have used about 50 more pages to flesh out the story a little better.
I did like the characters, though they seemed a bit emotionally stilted at times.
I will gladly read the sequel, as the story certainly seems set up for one.
Things I loved right away:
the art (perfect for this story)
the social work angle
the light shone on the forgotten the social issues explored, like: homelessness, addiction, racism, ageism, and homophobia
The narrative itself felt a little rushed. We could have used about 50 more pages to flesh out the story a little better.
I did like the characters, though they seemed a bit emotionally stilted at times.
I will gladly read the sequel, as the story certainly seems set up for one.
August 2, 2023
noooo i didn't like it. :(
i want to fall back on saying this wasn't for me, but there were things that bothered me on an execution level. the story feels almost hard-boiled, which is where it clashes with my personal tastes. i did find it neat that we follow a social worker and focus on all the ways the system has failed certain people, and if you're looking for a crime story that acknowledges systemic failure, then i think you'll find something to like here.
the thing that got under my skin the most was how so much just kinda came out of nowhere? like apparently athena was attracted to violet (girl when), and then there was what *actually* happened to athena's parents, the vampire slayer angle, carmilla's backstory.... there were several points i turned back pages and tried to peel them apart because i genuinely thought they'd gotten stuck together and i must have missed something.
that being said, there's for sure an audience for this. although it didn't work on a genre or story level for me, i appreciated its representation of asian american characters and culture, queer characters, and a discussion of social issues in a way that works off what was present in the original story. it's a neat lil book!! it just didn't work for me.
2/5 stars
i want to fall back on saying this wasn't for me, but there were things that bothered me on an execution level. the story feels almost hard-boiled, which is where it clashes with my personal tastes. i did find it neat that we follow a social worker and focus on all the ways the system has failed certain people, and if you're looking for a crime story that acknowledges systemic failure, then i think you'll find something to like here.
the thing that got under my skin the most was how so much just kinda came out of nowhere? like apparently athena was attracted to violet (girl when), and then there was what *actually* happened to athena's parents, the vampire slayer angle, carmilla's backstory.... there were several points i turned back pages and tried to peel them apart because i genuinely thought they'd gotten stuck together and i must have missed something.
that being said, there's for sure an audience for this. although it didn't work on a genre or story level for me, i appreciated its representation of asian american characters and culture, queer characters, and a discussion of social issues in a way that works off what was present in the original story. it's a neat lil book!! it just didn't work for me.
2/5 stars
September 25, 2023
When social worker Athena Lo notices a pattern of young women disappearing and turning up dead, she decides to investigate for herself, and finds herself involved in the world of Carmilla's, a bar with a difficult-to-pin down owner and some mysterious staff.I really enjoyed this explicitly queer take on this story, which modernizes it to mid-90's New York City.
The plot stays dark and gloomy and pretty scary. It's a good thing it's a pretty quick read, because it did get in my head a bit. This take on the tale also combines Chinese mythology with Sheridan LeFanu's descriptions of European vampires. I also really liked that in this world, the original Carmilla story actually exists, and Athena reads it.
I'm slightly annoyed that this ended with Athena heading off to solve another mystery -- because I want to read that next installment now!
This was a bit of a mixed bag, and like many graphic novels, felt a little too short. But I liked the artwork and the way the story was done, and I'm definitely in for whatever happens next.
January 12, 2024
4.5 stars. absolutely love love loved this carmilla retelling! i love the chinese mythology combined with it too! cant wait for the second one later this year
December 30, 2023
I thought this was an adaptation of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu's Carmilla, but it is actually a sequel of sorts in which LeFanu's story actually appears in book form while Carmilla appears in person.
Athena Lo is a social worker in 1996 in New York City, and she starts digging into the disappearances and deaths of young women who have come through her office seeking help. She's convinced Club Carmilla and its mysterious owner must be somehow involved, and while investigating she becomes entangled with the club's coat-check girl, Violet, much to the annoyance of Athena's girlfriend. Athena's grandfather, a Chinese American man who teaches tai chi in the park, pops in and out to offer help and advice.
The art is fine, but the writing suffers from an obvious plot and some herky-jerky and forced turns. I am intrigued enough by the characters though that I plan to check out the next volume due in July 2024: Carmilla Volume 2: The Last Vampire Hunter.
Athena Lo is a social worker in 1996 in New York City, and she starts digging into the disappearances and deaths of young women who have come through her office seeking help. She's convinced Club Carmilla and its mysterious owner must be somehow involved, and while investigating she becomes entangled with the club's coat-check girl, Violet, much to the annoyance of Athena's girlfriend. Athena's grandfather, a Chinese American man who teaches tai chi in the park, pops in and out to offer help and advice.
The art is fine, but the writing suffers from an obvious plot and some herky-jerky and forced turns. I am intrigued enough by the characters though that I plan to check out the next volume due in July 2024: Carmilla Volume 2: The Last Vampire Hunter.
May 16, 2023
I absolutely picked this up bc of the cover but the actual plot didn’t hit like I thought it would :/
January 11, 2023
Bringing old stories into modern times can incur a large debt to the source, but it doesn’t necessarily need to become a slave to it. Certain expectations accompany the update, especially as it pertains to the identity of the original story. Creators that bring
Dracula
to the present, for instance, expect a vampire with a singular type of presence that carries over his Transylvanian identity and his bloodsucking proclivities. You keep enough to make sure the character doesn’t become something else entirely.
Amy Chu and Soo Lee have something else in mind for their Dark Horse Comic Carmilla: The First Vampire, a modern interpretation of Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 story of the same name (minus the subtitle), in which the titular vampire befriends a woman that later finds out she’s responsible for the deaths of attractive young women. The original Carmilla predated Bram Stoker’s Dracula by 26 years, initially serialized in the London-based literary magazine The Dark Blue. It has been the subject of academic discussion for years given its blend of queer themes and gothic horror stylings, especially in its decision to make the monster female while not passing judgment on her sexual identity.
You can read Ricardo's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Amy Chu and Soo Lee have something else in mind for their Dark Horse Comic Carmilla: The First Vampire, a modern interpretation of Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 story of the same name (minus the subtitle), in which the titular vampire befriends a woman that later finds out she’s responsible for the deaths of attractive young women. The original Carmilla predated Bram Stoker’s Dracula by 26 years, initially serialized in the London-based literary magazine The Dark Blue. It has been the subject of academic discussion for years given its blend of queer themes and gothic horror stylings, especially in its decision to make the monster female while not passing judgment on her sexual identity.
You can read Ricardo's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Read
December 9, 2022What I liked:
- The moodiness of the art. The colour scheme fit the story really well.
- Lesbian rep.
What I disliked:
-
- The characters. Aside from Yeh Yeh no one was really likeable, and I found the heroine especially unlikable, despite her being a social worker and standing up for marginalised people.
- The heroine
- I personally feel like a retelling should have more parallels to the original work.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
- The moodiness of the art. The colour scheme fit the story really well.
- Lesbian rep.
What I disliked:
-
- The characters. Aside from Yeh Yeh no one was really likeable, and I found the heroine especially unlikable, despite her being a social worker and standing up for marginalised people.
- The heroine
- I personally feel like a retelling should have more parallels to the original work.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
January 10, 2024
An entertaining Carmilla retelling that blends European and Chinese vampire lore in an interesting way. The art of NY Chinatown in the 90s is so good; it is drawn beautifully, so moody, and dark. The concept of this comic is also great, so queer and sexy, with plenty of mystery — the layering of the original Carmilla text was done really well.
Unfortunately, there are some pretty unforgivable character deaths towards the end that aren’t given any emotional weight, and the whole final act feels rushed. It’s a shame because the first half is solid, and it felt like it was setting up some real psychological torment for the main character and Violet. Ultimately, that fell flat and was resolved quickly.
It seems like they are setting up for a second volume, though, and I would definitely still read it, but it’s a shame this didn't hold up.
Unfortunately, there are some pretty unforgivable character deaths towards the end that aren’t given any emotional weight, and the whole final act feels rushed. It’s a shame because the first half is solid, and it felt like it was setting up some real psychological torment for the main character and Violet. Ultimately, that fell flat and was resolved quickly.
It seems like they are setting up for a second volume, though, and I would definitely still read it, but it’s a shame this didn't hold up.
September 18, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ An interesting Chinese mythology twist on the classic.
I’m glad this wasn’t simply another Carmilla retelling because I feel like we’ve had so many recently and many are very close to the original text. Saying that I am WEAK for all things Carmilla.
This comic explores Carmilla through a different lens and also gave us a butch/androgynous sapphic MC.
It’s gritty and still horror but perhaps more leaning towards action horror than gore. I wasn’t hugely keen on the artwork and the story was fairly predictable if you’ve read or seen any Carmilla content in the past but the mythology did shake that up. I’m glad I read it and did enjoy it but it’s not one I would re-read.
I also felt the harm to the trans character was a little unnecessary and didn’t actually add anything of impact to the story.
Rep// Chinese American Butch/Androgynous Sapphic MC with Buddhist family, Black Sapphic SC, White Sapphic MC. Relationship focus is WLW.
TWs below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Tw//CW// cancer, murder of trans person (on page), murder of black character (off page), deadnaming, misgendering, police brutality, homophobia, homophobic slur, murder, dead bodies depicted, addiction themes, alcohol, xenophobia, ageism, death of a family member, scenes with fire.
I’m glad this wasn’t simply another Carmilla retelling because I feel like we’ve had so many recently and many are very close to the original text. Saying that I am WEAK for all things Carmilla.
This comic explores Carmilla through a different lens and also gave us a butch/androgynous sapphic MC.
It’s gritty and still horror but perhaps more leaning towards action horror than gore. I wasn’t hugely keen on the artwork and the story was fairly predictable if you’ve read or seen any Carmilla content in the past but the mythology did shake that up. I’m glad I read it and did enjoy it but it’s not one I would re-read.
I also felt the harm to the trans character was a little unnecessary and didn’t actually add anything of impact to the story.
Rep// Chinese American Butch/Androgynous Sapphic MC with Buddhist family, Black Sapphic SC, White Sapphic MC. Relationship focus is WLW.
TWs below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.
Tw//CW// cancer, murder of trans person (on page), murder of black character (off page), deadnaming, misgendering, police brutality, homophobia, homophobic slur, murder, dead bodies depicted, addiction themes, alcohol, xenophobia, ageism, death of a family member, scenes with fire.
November 28, 2023
Uhm, I wish I’d just read the original Carmilla. I’d checked it out from the library, then saw this graphic novel version and was intrigued by the art, so I figured I’d give it a go. I’d thought this would be a retelling, but it was more a continuation of the original story, and…not a good one. While I really appreciated the moody art, the pacing was all over the place – important plot points were just thrown in with little to no sensible explanation, there was no logical buildup to the climax or conclusion, and the ending was so rushed I practically got whiplash.
March 27, 2023
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Carmilla is one of my favorite books so I love a good Carmilla adaptation! I loved this graphic novel it modernized the story, and gave it a really interesting spin while also still being recognizable as Carmilla.
April 19, 2023
“How does it begin? Or more importantly, how does it end?”
Have you ever wondered if maybe Carmilla survived, and moved to New York? Well, I didn’t; but here is the answer anyway.
This was absolutely ridiculous lol.
Have you ever wondered if maybe Carmilla survived, and moved to New York? Well, I didn’t; but here is the answer anyway.
This was absolutely ridiculous lol.
September 18, 2023
im never not gonna love a sapphic vampire gn featuring Chinese mythology
October 12, 2023
4/5
I enjoyed the perspective and realness and learning more about NYC and Asian Americans!
Can't wait for part two!
I enjoyed the perspective and realness and learning more about NYC and Asian Americans!
Can't wait for part two!
October 31, 2023
This was an interesting take on the classic Carmilla! Amazing art, intriguing story that takes something old & makes it new. Plus, gay. We love that.
August 14, 2023
Rep: Chinese American lesbian mc, Black sapphic li, Chinese sapphic li, Chinese American side characters, trans side character, gay side character
February 24, 2023
I enjoyed this overall, but wish it was fleshed out a bit more with a solid ending since it's not clear if this will become a series. More time and art is devoted to depicting social injustices than to plot development, but that's also a statement in itself - how society ignores the existence of others and leaves them as forgotten fodder so the rest of society can run about in relative safety. It's a valid point, and one that does help the story, but the pacing for actual plot points happen quickly, and often a single panel will depict a key moment, so it's like if you blink, you miss something. A lot happens between the panels and extra stuff gets thrown in on the back end that muddies what the story started.
May 25, 2023
i love lesbian vampires
Read
March 9, 2023This is a lusciously illustrated graphic novel reimagining of Carmilla and what she might be up to in mid-nineties New York City.
The author and illustrator create a multicultural story that took inspiration from not only the gothic vampires of Le Fanu's and Stoker's imaginings but also the hopping vampires of Hong Kong horror legend. (I was inspired to rewatch Rigor Mortis after reading this, a Hong Kong horror flick that has ghosts, hopping vampires, vampire slayers, and so much more. What a great movie!) The characters in the story exist at various intersections of culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, and more, which adds a unique viewpoint and layer to the original story.
I only wanted it to be much, much longer, as it was a story I could have lived in the pages of for some time.
The author and illustrator create a multicultural story that took inspiration from not only the gothic vampires of Le Fanu's and Stoker's imaginings but also the hopping vampires of Hong Kong horror legend. (I was inspired to rewatch Rigor Mortis after reading this, a Hong Kong horror flick that has ghosts, hopping vampires, vampire slayers, and so much more. What a great movie!) The characters in the story exist at various intersections of culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, and more, which adds a unique viewpoint and layer to the original story.
I only wanted it to be much, much longer, as it was a story I could have lived in the pages of for some time.
January 16, 2024
3.5
this is one where I'll have to wait and see if the sequel balances out what didn't satisfy me here. I really wish the pacing had been better. gorgeous art style though, and I'm curious to see how this continues building on its version of the Carmilla lore
this is one where I'll have to wait and see if the sequel balances out what didn't satisfy me here. I really wish the pacing had been better. gorgeous art style though, and I'm curious to see how this continues building on its version of the Carmilla lore
September 20, 2023
Interesting, but a tad too quick. Could have used more time to build up the relations between the characters and certain scenarios. Otherwise a good comic.
September 17, 2023
this one was more of a mystery and drama than a horror/vampire story. I do appreciate the fact that this turned me on to an earlier vampire book that I will have to check out. But this was so short and of little substance.
August 4, 2024
One of those books where I don’t know if I *enjoyed* it but it was interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews