Unholy Blood 1 sets up the surprise as readers wonder whether she is the vampire in the prologue or not. That is, until a vampire attacks her after a classmate flees, leaving her to die.
Unholy Blood 1 deals with vampires. But unlike other stories, it’s no secret in this world. What’s more, people have a curfew to safeguard them against the bloodsuckers, as vampires are weaker during the day. While there is familiarity regarding some vampire lore, Unholy Blood 1 creates an engaging story thanks to its lead heroine, a pureblood vampire out for vengeance.
Created by Lina Lim, translated by Webtoon, and lettered by Shirley Chen, the volume begins with pureblood vampire Hayan Park surrounded by a slew of vampires. White-haired with a thorny crown adorning her head, she prepares to unleash her fury. After the prologue, the Yen Press comic returns to what led to this battle. The neighborhood is dilapidated, and Hayan, now dark-haired, is an orphan attending college. She lives with her sisters, other orphans, and the priest they call father. While she wants to live a peaceful, human life, events make it difficult.
Unholy Blood 1 Sets Up an Interesting Character and World
When Hayan blends in with humans, she’s funny and awkward. One moment, she wants to make friends, and the next, she claims to her young sisters that she’s content being alone. The series starts with a shift. As Hayan drinks at a bar, she outdrinks everyone. After all, she’s a vampire. So, it seems she cannot get drunk. Unholy Blood 1 sets up the surprise as readers wonder whether she is the vampire in the prologue or not. That is, until a vampire attacks her after a classmate flees, leaving her to die.
Surrounding Hayan is a world akin to the alternate non-Slayer world in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Ten years ago, vampire-human hybrids came into existence somehow. When that happened, murders and bloodshed saw an uptick to the point where they put a curfew in place, and now a siren sounds to alert people to get indoors. There’s also a hierarchy among vampires, including Angels of Death. Plus, vampire-human mixes have a shortened lifespan of around five years. In order to avoid their imminent death, they need the blood of a pureblood. Hence why, Hayan’s father, the priest, stresses that she never reveals herself. Unfortunately, that changes with the death of a beloved teacher.
Fearful for the Future
A snowball effect happens in Unholy Blood 1. First, she kills a vampire who does not realize she is a pureblood. Next, some newbie vampire with an inferiority complex kills his old classmate, Hayan’s professor, because he is more successful. So, she metes out justice. But this leads to a detective, Captain Hwang, learning Hayan’s secret, unbeknownst to her. Even worse, the vampires now know she’s a pureblood and where she lives, setting off the beginning of her tragic losses. While it’s easy to hope, the prologue and flashes of images of Hayan’s loved ones imply she loses more than just her father.
Unholy Blood 1 begins a revenge tale that’s much the same as others. While Hayan is sometimes comedic, the series should build up the relationships more. Scenes of Hayan’s relationship with her father are too brief. Also, there must be more of the sibling’s dynamic. That way, readers care about the characters, strengthening the emotional impact when Hayan suffers a loss. Unholy Blood 1 has potential, but it must find that sweet spot between action and characters that makes readers care more about their circumstances.
