The Strain: The Fall #1
Story by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Illustrated by Mike Huddleston
Letters by Clem Robins
Colors by Dan Jackson
Covers by E.M. Gist
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Strain is a series of vampire novels by visionary Renaissance man Guillermo del Toro (perhaps best known for directing tiny little films like the Hellboy series) and Chuck Hogan, who previously penned The Town. Last Fall we received news that a made-for-television series is being developed for the FX Network, now this month we are treated to the first issue for series two of the ongoing comic adaptation from Dark Horse Comics.

There is a government conspiracy, a really nasty virus, and a bunch of modern day folks trying to survive something so large and complex in scale, they cannot possibly understand all its implications yet. The clichés don’t even stop there. However, it’s due to the stellar writing that I am willing to walk this rather pessimistic and possibly predictable comic journey a few more miles. Thank goodness for del Toro and Hogan.

The Strain, Vol. 2
Story by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Script by David Lapham
Illustrated by Mike Huddleston
Colored by Dan Jackson
Lettered by Clem Robins
Covers and Chapter Art by E. M. Gist
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 05, 2013
Cover Price: $19.99

Adapted from the novel by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, volume two of the comic series The Strain has just been released by Dark Horse. Written by David Lapham, with art from Mike Huddleston and color by Dan Jackson, this action-packed thriller has really picked up the pace and shed some new light into the mystery of the vampire plague. Read on to find out my thoughts!

Dr. Ephraim Goodweather is on the run and wanted for murder. He and his partner Nora have teamed with the aging Jewish vampire hunter, Abraham Setrakian, to get the truth out about the vampire Sardu and human cohort Eldritch Palmer’s devious plans for world domination. Setrakian knows all about the vampire catastrophe hitting New York, as he has a long history with Sardu dating back to his time in a concentration camp; and for certain reasons, Setrakian feels it is his fault for ushering in the oncoming apocalypse. It’s a race against time as a disease is spreading through the five boroughs of New York City and other players are beginning to make themselves known, including other original vampires called The Ancients.

Last September we found out that Guillermo del Toro and LOST showrunner Carlton Cuse were teaming up to turn The Strain—a trilogy of vampire novels written by del Toro and Chuck Hogan—into a TV series at FX. Now the cast for the show is starting to take shape.

It’s being reported that Mia Maestro has joined the cast of the show as the female lead, joining the already cast Corey Stoll as the male lead.

Many of you may have read Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan‘s trilogy of vampire horror novels, which began with The Strain back in 2009 and was followed by The Fall in 2010 and The Night Eternal in 2011.

Considering del Toro’s strong background in film and his dabbling in TV and video games and pretty much all forms of entertainment, it was safe to assume that the books would eventually come to life via adaptation at some point.

Now comes word that the FX network is near a deal that would see a pilot made based on The Strain.

The Strain #2
Story by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Script by David Lapham
Art by Mike Huddleston
Colors by Dan Jackson
Letters by Clem Robins
Cover by Mike Huddleston
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 11, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

“They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting.”

The Strain #2 keeps the story rolling and manages to hold your attention for the duration of the read. While it does seem to drop a lot of the depth the book had, it doesn’t sacrifice any of the major parts.

The story picks up right after the last issue with the three survivors in the hospital receiving treatment while the authorities are baffled by the seemingly unknown cause of death of the rest of the flight.