Blade #1

Writer: Bryan Hill Artist: Elena Casagrande Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: July 19, 2023 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 23
8.4Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

+ Pull List

Marvel's slickest vampire hunter returns in a brand new ongoing by Bryan Hill (KILLMONGER) and Elena Casagrande (BLACK WIDOW)! True evil is patient. And a dark, ancient power has been simmering quietly for centuries...and when Blade himself is the one to unknowingly unleash it, Marvel's entire supernatural underworld will come out of hiding to demand he handle it. Or pay a pound of flesh for his mistakes. Bloodbaths, blackmail and Blade - you won't want to miss the explosive first issue of this new volume!
Rated T+

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff Jul 25, 2023

    Its a promising opening to a new series. Rarely is a single issue this balanced between creative personnel. Everyone working on the project seems to have an equal impact on the story. Hill is delivering a script that really is a blueprint for action for someone with a very precise idea of how to deliver it to the page in a way that allows for the colorist to come in and bring it all to life. If every issue is going to be like this, the current incarnation of Blade should be a fun one. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Jul 19, 2023

    If youre looking for an escape the way old 80s and 90s action movies used to do, Blade #1 is just for you. Its short, sweet, and powerful. The premise is easy to follow and ANYONE can dive right in with almost no background. Hill provides an entry-level comic for any comic fan to enjoy while delivering a safe place to get lost from the real world without any underlying themes or melodramatic undertones hidden within the pages. There are no politics or worldviews. Just hard-nosed action and extremely graphic illustrations. If youre looking for something new to sink your teeth into, Blade #1 is exactly what youre looking for. You need to check it out! Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless! Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Jeremy Carter Jul 24, 2023

    Blade #1 is a horror book that features creepy monsters and terrible villains. Lucky for us we have a reliable hero to save us. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Multiversity Comics - Joe Skonce Jul 21, 2023

    "Blade #1 delivers an exciting premise with some incredible art. A fantastic kickoff to a new supernatural adventure. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - Collier Jennings Jul 19, 2023

    Blade #1 is the jolt of life the Daywalker needed. It firmly breaks him out of the "vampire hunting" box and sets him on a bloody new mission. With this title as well as Bloodline: Daughter of Blade, it's looking like Eric Brooks may finally get the same recognition in comics that he has in other media. To which I say: it's about damn time. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    But Why Tho? - William Tucker Jul 19, 2023

    Blade #1 is a new start that defies any expectations. The first half of the comic almost leans in on tropes and cliches, using a similar starting scene to what the Blade movie contains. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jul 19, 2023

    Casagrande delivers beautiful art throughout the issue. I was a huge fan of her art in the Black Widow series and this first issue brings that same visually compelling and dynamic style to every action filled and scary moment. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Jul 19, 2023

    Only time will tell if this iteration of Blade has the legs to define its hero in comics, but Blade #1 certainly has enough juice to suggest it might. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Weird Science Marvel Comics - mrgabehernandez Jul 19, 2023

    Blade #1 does exactly what it needs to do for a new series starring Marvel's resident monster hunter. The story is simple-yet-effective, Blade is in top action form as a killer, and the new villain presents as an intimidating threat. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Jul 19, 2023

    Blade #1 gets the job done for what you expect from the first issue of a new series. Blade is shown as a badass while the long-term mission statement for the series is established. This all comes together to create a strong debut issue by Bryan Hill and Elena Casagrande that leaves you looking forward to what they have planned for Blade moving forward. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Watch - Rob Stryczek Jul 19, 2023

    It always feels right and long awaited to see Blade make a return. In Blade #1 readers will discover a great first start to what has potential to be a great story. The nightmarish world that surrounds his day to day life is fascinating for readers to experience. This creative team makes a triumphant first issue giving an audience just a taste of what is to come for this new fresh story. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Christopher R. Ford Jul 24, 2023

    It's the beginning of a new arc for one of Marvel's most well-known yet underutilized heroes. And the creative team looks to be tapping into some of the things that make Blade, Blade (vampires and werewolves, guns and swords, etc.) while presenting new enemies and allies to take the character in potentially new directions. The first issue grabs the reader's attention and is something both Blade fans and action comic fans should be on the lookout for. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Jul 23, 2023

    This isn't a particularly deep comic, but it's a fun ride and filled with the brand of badass action that Blade is known for in other mediums. Read Full Review

  • 6.6
    Geek'd Out - Nico Sprezzatura Jul 19, 2023

    Casagrandes work is especially worth checking out, continuing a great run that she started on Black Widow, very much following suit with that comics energetic art but taking much more of a horror-influenced approach here. (Jordie Bellaires gauzy, moody colors are just the cherry on top of whats already an eye-popping package.) If youre a fan of the character or even just looking to brush up on your knowledge of him before his upcoming movie if/when that ever actually comes out then Blade #1 is not the worst place to start. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Major Spoilers - Jonathan Cadotte Jul 22, 2023

    Blade #1 has some serious pacing issues that diminish a lot of what's going on here. It does feature a great characterization of Blade that is nearly worth the price of admission. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Pantheon36 Jul 22, 2023

    I came to this book based on the strength of Elena Casagrande's art and I'm glad I did. This issue clearly takes stylistic inspiration from the movie, but it's not a rehash. If this series fulfills the promise of this first issue it should be something special.

    This is one of the strongest first issues I've read in a while. Hill and Casagrande use the movies as a tonal springboard and as a means of subverting expectations, while also building on the flawed character Balde has always been in the comics. The art is innovative and propulsive. The story is tight and surprising.

    Great comics come when the story/art whole is greater than the sum of the parts. That's the case here. Here's hoping after 25 years they've found more

  • 9.0
    ResearchReader Jul 21, 2023

    Well this is a mostly refreshing, but absolutely explosive first issue.

    First the story is awesome. Byan Hill blows it out of the water with the issue. He gets full marks.

    Without spoiling everything, we learn that Blade messes up, like ends the world level mess up. Which is honestly nice. Seeing heroes make mistakes makes them relatable and allows them for some redemption. So love the hook.

    Also the revel of the female antagonist was close to epic. Flaying ones own skin with the only thing that can kill them and clocking their flayed body in shadows is... well like it is memorable. That is stuff you talk about at your LCS.

    One big downside, which I can see why people would rate it much lower. T more

  • 9.0
    Texas VII Jul 20, 2023

    I really enjoyed this first issue, it gave me nostalgia of Wesley Snipes Blade. Plenty of action and I found myself loving the art. It is a quick read, but it didn’t diminish my experience at all. I’m excited to see the story fleshed out

  • 8.0
    K-23 Jan 3, 2024

    Great start and I'm really hoping the quality here continues. I'm hoping Hill has refined his craft as I've seen potential in some of his previous stuff but he struggled with jarring dialogue and dragged out plot lines.

  • 8.0
    Moolissuh Dec 12, 2023

    Interesting plot, though it was slow to grab my attention.

  • 8.0
    Screaming Enigma Jul 24, 2023

    This was a fast first issue for this series, but it definitely does a good job of establishing mystery and intrigue for what's to come. This is my first book from Hill, so I wasn't really sure what to expect here. As for Casagrande, I first saw her art in Kelly Thompson's great run on Black Widow, so I was really glad to see her here. Her art is, once again, fantastic and one of the best parts of this book. Going back to the story itself, I like the new characters that are established and I'm interested to see where things go from here. Adana is already a crazy villain solely based on the fact that Blade cut off her head and she caught it in her hand.

  • 8.0
    Jawsh Jul 21, 2023

    Love the design of this new villain.
    Let's see where this goes!

  • 8.0
    thecimmerian Jul 20, 2023

    Ehhhh. I hated that I got through this book in just a few minutes but it was a fun few minutes. The pages could have used a few more panels for the fighting and the colors were too muted for my tastes but this is pretty violent and a fun ride. Hated the villain told Blade how to defeat her . He would have found out himself but it just seemed idiotic. Very sparse dialogue but Blade is more about action than words so I guess it fits. I'll be back for the next installment.

  • 1.0
    2birdsstoned815 Jul 20, 2023

    BOOORRRRIINNGGGG

  • Speed Aug 16, 2023

    Great start to a new Blade series. I haven’t previously read any of the Blade comics, but I will say it has the cool factor of the first Blade movie. It has an interesting premise and great artwork. It feels dark and vibrant at the same time.

  • 10
    Pardo Jul 21, 2023

  • 9.5
    Fraidy Cat Jul 24, 2023

  • 9.0
    Lock Sep 6, 2023

  • 9.0
    ComicFan0703 Jul 20, 2023

  • 8.5
    wesshamu Aug 9, 2023

  • 8.5
    retcon_D Aug 7, 2023

  • 8.5
    KiryuMajima28t Jul 20, 2023

  • 8.0
    Amazing Psycamorean Mar 15, 2024

  • 8.0
    Klaushenna Jul 22, 2023

  • 8.0
    Max Power Jul 19, 2023

  • 7.5
    NickNightingale Oct 23, 2023

  • 7.0
    ComicWorm Aug 28, 2023

  • 7.0
    Danilo Silva Jul 20, 2023

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