Before Dracula, before Nosferatu, there was Carmilla! Following their widely praised reimagining of Le Fanu’s gothic novella, writer Amy Chu (DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, Wonder Woman) and artist Soo Lee (Star Wars: Tales from the Death Star, Disney Villains: Maleficent) return to their tale of obsession, vampires and Chinese folklore with Carmilla: The Last Vampire Hunter. The new graphic novel, with lettering by Sal Cipriano, is set to arrive in July 2024.
Social worker turned vampire hunter Athena Lo has just lost everyone she loves–and it’s all her fault. Hoping to put her life back together, Athena travels to San Francisco’s Chinatown on a quest to uncover the truth about her dark family history. But her journey escalates into a nightmare when she’s violently introduced to a new gang of Asian American vampires and its unlikely leader, who hold shocking secrets. As she navigates this dangerous territory, Athena can’t escape the ghost of Carmilla… and neither can the vampires. In Volume Two of this feminist tale of murder, mystery and monsters, Athena must decide—whose side is she on?
“Amy and Soo deliver a fascinating story about the unyielding supernatural sway of the enigmatic vampire Carmilla, while exploring family heritage, cultural identity and historic and present-day anti-Asian racism,” said editor, Karen Berger. “It’s a thrill to be working with them again on this haunting and captivating sequel!”
“Excited to continue the story of Athena and Carmilla, this time on the West Coast, and to introduce a whole new world of pan-Asian supernatural characters to the readers,” said Chu. “I hope with the Last Vampire, Soo Lee and I help define Asian American horror as a genre.”
“I’ve fallen in love with these characters as I bring them to life on paper, and Athena has a very special place in my heart,” said Lee. “Introducing a new cast of Asian Vampires creates a twist to the genre that I hope will become a new trend for many years to come. This story has become a part of me and this sequel is one I hope resonates with many people, especially if family is an important part of you.
Carmilla Volume 2: The Last Vampire Hunter arrives in bookstores on July 9, 2024 and in comic shops on July 10, 2024. It is now available to pre-order for $19.99 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local comic shop and bookstore.
Praise for Carmilla: The First Vampire:
“A sophisticated and modern reimagining of one of the great classics of the horror genre… a vampire story you do not want to miss.” – James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children, The Woods)
“Amy Chu and Soo Lee have cut a perfect gem of a story from the collective unconscious, with an archetypal monster that s at once both deeply mysterious and itchingly familiar like anything that truly haunts us.” – Lilah Sturges (House of Mystery, The Science of Ghosts)
“Amy Chu and Soo Lee’s take on the story of Carmilla brings a captivating noir tone to this famous gothic tale. The dark atmosphere, and tension will keep you hooked, I couldn’t put it down. “ ––Sweeney Boo (Over My Dead Body, Eat, and Love Yourself))
“Carmilla is an itch in the back of your head, the horror of knowing something’s right behind you, whether it be a creature, a nightmare, or a terrible love. Amy Chu and Soo Lee weave a beautiful tale full of mystery in an unsettling New York. I highly recommend it.” –– Chip Zdarsky (Batman, Sex Criminals)
“Amy and Soo are the perfect new blood to revive this gothic classic. Dripping with style, this seductive story is sure to leave a mark.” –– Casey Gilly (Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer, Ravenloft: Orphan of Agony Isle)
“Amy Chu and Soo Lee have created a brave new vampire book that I hope leads to future collaborations.”—Horror DNA
“This isn’t your typical vampire story, and often feels more like a story about identity and discovering your place in the world, and for that it stands out amongst other vampire tales.”—Set The Tape