Weekend Reading: Dive into Vampire Tales

Explore Kat Dunn's 'Hungerstone' and the Fresh Saga 'Blood Type' from EC Comics

This week, two enthralling vampire stories are set to capture your imagination. 'Hungerstone' offers a fresh spin on the classical vampire legend 'Carmilla', while 'Blood Type' marks EC Comics' thrilling return with a serialized miniseries.

A Gothic Tale: 'Hungerstone'

'Hungerstone', a reimagined version of the pioneering sapphic vampire novella 'Carmilla', is finally at the top of my reading list, just in time for Pride Month. This gothic story revolves around Lenore, who relocates from London to the moorlands of Britain with her career-driven husband, Henry. In need of companionship, Lenore finds herself drawn to Carmilla, who enters their lives following a carriage mishap. As Carmilla settles into their household, her presence stirs unease with her nocturnal wanderings and absence at meals. Lenore's thoughts are consumed by her, alongside recurrent unsettling dreams and the mysterious illness striking local girls. These developments echo the original tale, yet 'Hungerstone' also delves into themes of industrialization and gender roles of the era, delivering potent moments of feminine defiance.

EC Comics Revives with 'Blood Type'

'Blood Type', crafted by Corinna Bechko and Andrea Sorrentino, is pioneering as EC Comics' initial foray into serialized narratives after a long break from the publishing scene. Originating from the creative team known for their captivating anthologies, this series introduces Ada, a relentless vampire, who we first encountered in an earlier EC Comics issue. The plot unfolds as Ada, fresh from devouring sailors on a lengthy sea journey, arrives on a holiday isle only to uncover other lurking malevolence already at work. Infused with blood, and oscillating between darkness and humor, this series promises an exciting start to summer for horror enthusiasts, it's an exhilarating escape—unless you find yourself in her path.