‘Blood of the Taken’ Revamps Vampire Lore

This Autumn, Storm King Comics is set to enthrall horror enthusiasts with a groundbreaking addition to the vampire genre. Blood of the Taken, the debut graphic novel by Sian Mandrake, promises a visually stunning and uniquely compelling story that reinvents the classic vampire tale. Scheduled for release this October, the novel is part of John Carpenter’s Night Terrors imprint, adding an extra layer of credibility and excitement to this much-anticipated debut.

The protagonist of Blood of the Taken is Theo, a 500-year-old vampire with a deeply ingrained maternal instinct. After losing her own brood, Theo haunts a small town in Western Massachusetts, searching for humans she deems suitable to join her twisted family. Her attention falls on lifelong best friends Ed and Liam, who are drawn into her eerie mansion and sinister plans. As they become ensnared in Theo’s violent web, they quickly realise that escaping her clutches is not an option. Theo’s intentions, however, extend beyond turning them into fellow undead; she seeks to create a new family, a prospect that terrifies Ed and Liam.

Mandrake’s debut is distinguished not only by its gripping story but also by its inventive visual style. The artwork is bold and captivating, ensuring that readers are drawn into the dark, atmospheric world from the very first page. Blood of the Taken is poised to be a standout graphic novel, offering a fresh perspective on a time-honoured genre.

Sandy King, founder and editor of Storm King Comics, expressed her enthusiasm for Mandrake’s work, stating, “The moment I discovered the work Sian had been doing on their own to create a crowdfunded version of this story, I knew that Storm King was the perfect place for this exquisite, fun and no-holds-barred approach. Sian has done nothing less than breathe new life into a classic horror tale, and I can’t wait for the world to see this gorgeous and captivating book.”

Blood of the Taken features lettering by Janice Chiang and will be available from September 18 directly from Storm King Comics at www.StormKingComics.com. It will also be available in comic book stores and from book retailers starting October 1. This graphic novel not only marks Sian Mandrake’s debut but also continues the artistic legacy of their parents, renowned artists Tom Mandrake and Jan Duursema.

This release comes during an exceptional year for Storm King Comics, which has already seen the publication of two new graphic novels by Steve Niles, The God List and The Killing Hole. The company has also released acclaimed works by Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio (Long Haul), Amanda Deibert and Cat Staggs (Death Mask), and concluded the award-winning Fetch series by Mike Sizemore with Dave and Pete Kennedy.

Fans eagerly anticipating these latest offerings will no doubt have seen them showcased at the Storm King Comics booth at San Diego Comic-Con in July. With Blood of the Taken, Storm King Comics is set to deliver another unforgettable addition to the world of graphic novels, promising to captivate and terrify readers in equal measure.