Some of you might be thinking, “Oh great, another vampire story?” But before I give the review for Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter from Marvel Comics, I think it’s important to give some background information.

Once upon a time Bella and Sookie Stackhouse did not exist. In the early ’90s there was the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, which led to the successful TV show. Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire was popular, The Vampire Diaries was also garnering a cult following in the early ’90s, and last but certainly not least, the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton was available.

As a novel, the Anita Blake series was ahead of its time. It was one of the few modern vampire novels that combined science fiction, horror, romance, humor, fantasy and mystery. It was also one of the first vampire novels where vampires were legal citizens. In addition the Anita Blake series was one of the first to feature the now famous vampire, human and werewolf love triangle.

At the time you had very few novels, movies or TV shows depicting female characters that could kick some serious evil butt. At the heart of the story, there was a rare, tough, female protagonist named Anita Blake, whom one could care about and root for.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures (Volumes 1 & 2)

Welcome to the end of the 20th century, where vampires are American citizens with rights and it’s against the law to kill one on sight. In the beginning of this graphic novel, there is a client who approaches Anita to ask for her services in helping to solve vampire murders. Everything that happens after the appointment with the client reads like an action movie. There’s never a dull moment as we get to know Anita, her friends, her enemies and enjoy her wit. Vampires are not romantic in Anita’s world. They are more … realistic. It’s as if Hamilton thought, “If you were a vampire a couple of centuries old, how would you act? What would you become? How would you use your superhuman strength?”

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The Laughing Corpse: Book 1-Animator, Book 2-Necromancer, Book 3-Executioner

Blake continues with her day job of meeting with clients who request her zombie raising services. Of course, there are clients who are not so polite with their requests. Unfortunately, Anita has to fend off the mob, a Voodoo Priestess and a master vampire determined to make her his human servant. There is also her night job as a police consultant for supernatural murders. Let’s just say that we’re in for another exciting roller coaster ride as we’re sucked into Anita’s world.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Circus of the Damned Book1: The Charmer

Anita can try to avoid trouble, but she can’t seem to hide from it. Vampires not only know her as the person whom the authorities go to if rogue vampires need to be executed (She’s considered one of the top vampire slayers in the country.), but her powers over the dead draw them to her like magnets. Interestingly, Anita’s love life begins to heat up. This is the graphic novel where the infamous Team Jean Claude vs. Team Richard debate begins.

If you want to know what happens you have to pick up the graphic novels, and I recommend that you do so. Once you begin reading the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series it is hard to put it down.

I also can’t forget to mention the illustrations. Hamilton does such an amazing job with the writing that the characters come to life. It’s an extra treat to see the drawings of all the characters. Let’s just say that the pictures of Jean Claude and Richard are far from disappointing.

I can’t wait for Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter to become a movie trilogy, a mini-series or a TV show. Move over Twilight, it’s time for a different vampire tale to come to the silver screen … one with more of a bite.

For more information, visit marvel.com.