Review - Van Helsing: Throne Of Blood
From Zenescope Entertainment
From Zenescope Entertainment, Van Helsing returns in a new adventure this week in Throne Of Blood.
Dracula has returned—and Liesel van Helsing will stop at nothing to find him and send him back to the grave from whence he came. Her search leads her into the bowels of New York City, where she discovers that there are supernatural threats much greater than even the King of Vampires, with schemes that will put not just Van Helsing, but all of humanity, in danger.
Story: Joe Brusha & Pat Shand, Writer: Pat Shand, Artwork: Jb Bastos & Babisu Kourtis, Colors: Grostieta, Letters: Taylor Esposito (Of Ghost Glyph Studios), Editor: David Wohl, and Production & Design: Christopher Cote
Tying in nicely with the King Dracula series, Van Helsing: Throne of Blood acts as a strong connective piece that links Van Helsing’s personal crusade directly to Dracula and the wider circle of vampire lords. It doesn’t just establish their presence, but also explores why they are so desperate to reclaim Dracula and just how ruthless they are willing to be to achieve that goal. The stakes feel higher as their obsession and long-term plotting are brought into sharper focus.
This one-shot gives us a lot more time with Van Helsing herself, particularly as she begins to suspect that Dracula may have returned. As readers, we already know that he has, and we know the circumstances surrounding his return, but Van Helsing is left piecing together fragments and unsettling signs. Dracula has cheated death before, yet she was convinced the last time truly ended him. That uncertainty hangs over the story, adding tension as she weighs instinct against experience.
Investigation has always been one of Van Helsing’s greatest strengths, and that skill is put to good use here. Her search for answers leads to several brutal encounters with vampires, with the opening hospital sequence standing out as especially disturbing. It blends horror and action extremely well, setting the tone for the rest of the issue. Along the way, she checks in with old friends and trusted contacts, and these moments do more than just move the plot forward. They touch on past conflicts and strained relationships, reminding us that Van Helsing’s war has cost her personally. Even so, vital information surfaces, and the possibility of a new ally is introduced.
The story also weaves in intriguing hints from Van Helsing’s past, which gradually steer her toward Dracula and a looming confrontation with the vampire lords. Dracula himself is particularly compelling here. In his brief but impactful appearance during his escape, he reveals his true nature, reinforcing just how dangerous and manipulative he remains. This portrayal adds extra weight to the King Dracula series and makes the consequences for Van Helsing’s future all the more compelling.
Visually, the artwork is excellent throughout, especially when it leans into the horror elements. The glowing eyes, heavy shadows, and splashes of blood create a suitably grim atmosphere that complements the story perfectly and enhances the sense of dread.
Overall, Van Helsing: Throne of Blood is an excellent one-shot that not only stands well on its own but also meaningfully builds into the larger narrative. It deepens the current storyline while setting the stage for what’s still to come, making it a must-read for anyone following Van Helsing or the King Dracula saga.
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So, is Liesel like Abraham's daughter or something?