‘Blood Hunt’ #5 delivers an action-packed climax and a game-changing twist

A great ending to a great story.

July 31, 2024

Blood Hunt #5 was almost always going to end with Marvel’s heroes being victorious and the Earth freed from eternal night. After all, you can’t do “superheroes vs. vampires” forever, no matter how cool a concept it is. But it’s how Jed MacKay and Pepe Larraz choose to end the issue that sent me reeling. Because for all the efforts of the Avengers, the newly-resurrected Moon Knight, and Doctor Strange, it’s a trio of unexpected characters that save the day: Miles Morales, Brielle Brooks, and Doctor Doom.

Doom’s role in the finale was set up all the way back in Blood Hunt #1, especially since Latveria was one of the few places on Earth not affected by the “Sundeath”. In Blood Hunt #5, Doom makes a request of Strange that ends up having some lasting repercussions, and setting up a major status quo shift that’s been teased to spill out into other Marvel titles. Ditto for Miles’ newfound vampirism, which isn’t undone by the end of the issue. It’s a testament to MacKay’s skill as a writer that he can swing for the fences like this and not only deliver some great character moments, but keep a reader hooked until the very last page.

Marvel Comics

Larraz, who has been delivering nothing but big moments since Blood Hunt began, turns it up to 11 for the finale. Most of the issue is a giant fight scene between the Varnae possessed Blade, the Varnae’s Bloodcoven, the Avengers, Moon Knight, Brielle and Miles. And it looks gorgeous.

One image in particular sticks out: Blade confronts Thor, insisting they confront each other “god to god.” Larraz takes up that gauntlet and draws Thor descending from the sky, lightning crackling all around him, while Blade rises on a tower of shadows to meet him. It’s a literal clash of dark and light, and the type of big, bombastic fight you want in an event comic.

Of course, Larraz is also working with Marte Gracia, who’s a top tier colorist. Gracia finally starts to lessen the darkness that’s permeated this book since its beginning, letting light shine on our heroes. He pays special attention to Moon Knight, as the lunar-powered hero’s cloak is a shining white oasis in an ocean of darkness. When all is said and done, Blood Hunt #5 isn’t just a gorgeous looking, action-packed book – it’s a great ending to a great story.