Dark Horse Comics has announced a sequel to Carmilla: The First Vampire, the graphic novel by Amy Chu and Soo Lee published earlier this year. Carmilla: The Last Vampire Hunter will feature lettering by Sal Cipriano and will arrive in stores next July.
Based on a 19th century queer feminist murder mystery, Carmilla: The First Vampire was a contemporary retelling set in 1990s New York Chinatown. The new OGN follows social worker-turned-vampire hunter Athena Lo to San Francisco as she investigates her family’s dark history.
“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.”
The trip to SF will bring new challenges and introduce a new vampire threat — with the shadow of Carmilla still hanging over Athena. The book falsl under the Berger Books banner, the imprint overseen by former Vertigo chief Karen Berger.
“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.
Here’s how Dark Horse describes the graphic novel:
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,” Berger said. “It’s a thrill to be working with them again on this haunting and captivating sequel!”
Look for it to arrive in stores next year on July 10.