All in all, this is an excellent way to kick off the Second Cycle of American Vampire. To be honest, this is Snyder at his best. American Vampire is his and Albuquerque's baby, and its probably the work that will define both of their careers. Of course, this is completely logical to me, because it's just so good. For now though, this issue is one of the best issues of the series. It's an excellent jumping on point, but for those who have been around since the beginning, there's still a lot to love. Actually, there's nothing not to love. Character development, plot progression, everything you could possibly want is here. So do yourself a favor, and read this issue. There's no possible way you could regret it. Read Full Review

Scott Snyder may have perfected Batman, but American Vampire is his masterpiece. He and Rafael Albuquerque have given us lucky readers the definitive horror comic for recent times. An old and decrepit genre has been turned into a contemporary and powerfully bloody fable that only plans to improve further from here. If this is your second cycle, prepare for the finality of it all. If this is your first, immediately running out and finding the previous six volumes is completely understandable. American Vampire is back, and I couldn't be happier. Read Full Review

Snyder and Albuquerque kickstart the first issue of Second Cycle following a yearlong hiatus that both welcomes new readers and longtime fans looking to take another bite out of their favorite "abominus Americana liber." Read Full Review

I'll say it again, "THIS IS THE PERFECT FIRST ISSUE!" You definitely need to jump-on to this book now and this is the most opportune time to do it. Not to say you should just read from now on, you definitely need to go back and read it all, but this is the type of issue that will make you want to do that. I wish AMC would adapt this into a TV show seeing as they do such a great job with all of their properties, but I'll definitely continue to love the hell out of this even if that never happens. This is a horror story that deserves to be talked about for years to come, and it most certainly will! Read Full Review

While Snyder and Albuquerque don't tell the readers everything, they certainly transfuse enough of the awesomeness from the "American Vampire" series into "American Vampire: Second Cycle" #1 to make it a must-read. It's rare that a comic book this thoroughly developed and enjoyable comes around, offering readers a ground-level chance to enter a new world. It's even more rare when it happens for a second time. If you missed out on the first run of "American Vampire," start with this issue. If you've been eagerly awaiting the return of Pearl Jones and Skinner Sweet: wait no longer. "American Vampire: Second Cycle" #1 is just beginning and it's one hell of a start. Read Full Review

If you've been reading AMERICAN VAMPIRE, you should be overjoyed to know it's back and just as great as you hoped it would be. Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque are back with a vengeance. You've had time to get caught up and now is the time for the next chapter to begin. This is a series that has been consistent from the beginning and it's great to see the entire story moving forward, amping up our excitement even further. Read Full Review

Both creators, despite busy schedules and ballooning careers, merge and revisit AMERICAN VAMPIRE seamlessly. Available on shelves now, "Second Cycle" is not to be missed. Read Full Review

Overall, American Vampire is back and better then ever. Snyder and Albuquerque have vowed to not take anymore breaks and to deliver the best story possible. So if you are a fan of American Vampire you are going to love that its back, if you are a new fan read this issue because it is the perfect jumping on point! Read Full Review

American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 is a wonderful and near perfect start that welcomes us back to its blood thirsty world. The setup is intriguing, the characters are presented well, the artwork is perfect, and it is also easily accessible for new readers to jump aboard. If you haven't read this series before, there is no excuse now to not give this a shot. This comic is highly recommended. Read Full Review

One really gets the sense with American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 that Snyder and Albuquerque are just as excited to be back working on the book as the readers are to be reading it again. Everything a fan of the series can love is present in this return issue. The characters are awesome, the script is tight, the art is beautiful, the mystery and intrigue are high, theres a lot of action and violence, and plenty of scares. Pearl, Skinner, Scott, and Rafael, it has been awhile. Boy am I glad to have you all back. Read Full Review

For my money's worth, this was an excellent comic and I'd definitley recommend it. Read Full Review

Team A.V. comes out swinging with this re-debut and delivering a near-perfect knockout combo. Snyder's want for this issue was to be a jumping on point for new readers, and for the already established fandom to want to come back for more. For the more part, American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 excels in that aspect, but an ounce more for "Sugar Man's" motivations and where he lays in the Venn Diagram of this world might have made a little bit of difference. Though give it up to Snyder for laying the groundwork again and fueling our nightmares with the horrors that are about to come. Read Full Review

The book is broken into three different stories in three different eras, all with the thread of the Gray Trader running through them. Skinner may be the main protagonist but the story of Pearl in The 1960′s has the potential to lead the book in new directions with her family of different breads of vampire children. Snyder has two books being released by vertigo at present in American Vampire And The Wake that are among the best horror books at the moment and they cement his place as one of the best writers around at the moment. He is ably assisted by Albuquerque who deliveries some of the best art of his career and creates a genuine sense of threat with the unseen threat that runs through the book. With Fables ending soon and Hellblazer being watered down for the mass market, the return of American Vampire is perfectly timed to take its rightful place as Vertigo's flagship title. Read Full Review

An excellent read, American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 delivers tons of bloody thrills that horror fans have been craving for. I am very happy American Vampire is back and cannot wait for the next issue to get here. Read Full Review

American Vampire returns the same way it left, with its hand clutched firmly around readers' throats. Read Full Review

American Vampire was once one of the strongest books in comics, pairing with Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera's Scalped to be the new flagships to Vertigo's present. That day has past, but as the Second Cycle commences, Snyder and Albuquerque have announced to the world that they're back, and in a big way. Read Full Review

In comparison to the entire story, though, these complaints remain minimal and don't negatively impact the story much. It's clear that Snyder, Albuquerque, and the entire creative team poured their hearts into the work " and it shows. For fans of the past series, it doesn't look like this will disappoint; for anyone interested in Snyder's work, this is a great jumping-on point. Do yourself a favor and give it a try, because it looks like it's going to be worth it. Read Full Review

American Vampire Second Cycle #1 is a great introduction to this series for new readers. Snyder and Albuquerque have not lost a step and this feels like the first part of this series in every way. This is all setup but never once comes off boring or unnecessary. If you've ever had any desire to get into American Vampire, this is the place to do it. It's the best thing Scott Snyder writes as it's layered and completely original. Read Full Review

Rafael Albuquerque's stunning artwork is always a treat. He brings his usual flair for dark, gritty violence and scary-as-hell looking vampires to this issue. The opening is a little cold " both in setting and art " and doesn't quite pack the punch you get in the rest of the issue. The best scene involves Pearl standing, gun in hand, ready to defend her home from some would-be vampire hunters. It's beautiful stuff and great reminder as to why American Vampire is so highly regarded. We're glad you are back, boys. Read Full Review

This issue may feel largely like a reminder of previous events, but the series is so well done and such a welcome return to the comic landscape. Seeing Pearl and Skinner back in action is a treat, and we're bound to be in for one helluva ride this year. Blood and candy, anyone? Read Full Review

American Vampire returns right where it left off. There might of been a long wait for Second Cycle but if issue one is an indication it will be well worth the wait. Reading issue one of Second Cycle feels like an old friend coming home. Do the right thing, pick up issue one, hold it tight, and pray it never leaves us again. Read Full Review

American Vampire is back and as good as ever. Snyder and Albuquerque have a clear grasp of what worked in the original series and have continued to build on those elements. Any pacing problems are an effect of creating an introduction to a series with such a large history, which should leave the reader with nothing but a sense of optimism about where this comic is going. The characters should be a bit more pessimistic though" Read Full Review

The first issue of American Vampire provides the reader, new or old, with the introduction of two of the main characters. While letting the reader get to know the pair we also get a bit of a taste of the threat surrounding the characters and the time period. The book is usual level of stellar storytelling and amazingly detailed artwork. Welcome back American Vampire. You've been missed. Read Full Review

This is a whole lot to have going on in a first issue, even with a helpful "previously" section in the final pages. Albuquerque's expressive art is more about drama and smoke and teeth and claws than it is about narrative clarity (in a kind of Gene Colan way, speaking of vampire precedents). So you have to submit to the ride without knowing the destination at all. If you liked the seductive southwestern thrills of American Vampire before " they're back. Read Full Review

A little too much time spent on recap, but besides that, great writing, great artwork, and sufficient creepiness.