The heroes of the Marvel Universe are bracing themselves for an all-out war with the Marvel Universe's vampires in Blood Hunt, the new Marvel Comics crossover event launching this May.
To build up excitement for the series, we can all get better acquainted with the publisher's history of vampire tales in the new "Vampire Variant Covers." Adorning Marvel titles throughout April and illustrated by some of the industry's hottest artists, they'll put a modern twist on the horror comics that made Dracula and his fellow bloodsuckers such iconic staples of the Marvel mythos.
From the X-Men to the Avengers to Spider-Boy, you can now see your favourite heroes turned into creatures of the night!
Last month, "Who will bite it?" was announced as Blood Hunt's tagline, suggesting at least some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes will become bloodsuckers as vampires emerge from the shadows like never before.
This has to be leading to some sort of Marvel Zombies-style spin-off titled Marvel Vampires, right?
Time will tell, but across the main limited series, tie-in issues, and spinoff limited series, we'll get to experience our favourite heroes falling helpless to the dark ways of the creatures of the night, all while bravely overcoming their tempting ways. United with a single vision for the first time in millennia, the overwhelming army of bloodsucking terrors will transform the world in their image by turning the lights off across the Marvel Universe.
However, in order to turn them back on, a new world order may need to be put in place!
"I think vampires are a very fun part of the Marvel Universe," MacKay explained shortly after Blood Hunt was announced. "You can enjoy them on a surface level as adding a little spookiness to a book, or you can get as deep as you like into the long-running Marvel history of vampires, which is as elaborate as any other part of it...and the fact that Dracula is there is a source of endless delight!"
"Blood Hunt is just the latest chapter in the long-running vampire mythos of Marvel vampires," he added, "and they're stepping out of the darkness in a big way."
You can check out these new Blood Hunt variant covers, along with the original pieces of artwork which inspired them, below. Once you've done that, be sure to head to the comments section to let us know which is your favourite!
BLOOD HUNT #1 (OF 5)
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by PEPE LARRAZ
Colors by MARTE GRACIA
Variant Cover by KAEL NGU
On Sale 5/1