Broken Frontier

Skinner Sweet and Pearl come to brutal blows during the conclusion of "Ghost War."

The much anticipated confrontation between American Vampires Pearl and Skinner Sweet finally arrives at a brutal and shocking end.  The clash between the two perfectly features both Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque’s talents as co-creators. 

Snyder does a great job of making the aforementioned battle so much more than a simple dogfight between the two ferocious vampires.  The entire conflict is steeped in the two characters' relationship and history, reaching completely back to their first meeting in issue #1.  Skinner reveals both his motives and feelings about Pearl, while she comes to a heartbreaking realization, much her to dismay and her unwillingness to accept the truth.

Pearl’s husband Henry, likewise, cannot be glossed over.  The letter he’s written throughout the arc makes its final appearance towards the end of the issue, to a strangely satisfying demise.  Considering Henry’s responsibility for the actions of both he and Pearl, the reaffirmation of the two lovers’ affection is a delight to see.

On art details, Albuquerque and colorist Dave McCaig deliver one of the most powerful, vibrant, and detailed issues yet seen.  The gunshot sequence as the issue opens is the perfect example of the duo’s skills as artists; between the ferocious face of Skinner and the heavy oranges and reds, there is no denying the carnage Skinner has dealt.  Albuquerque’s figures, moreover, are bursting with kinetic energy.  So much hatred is conveyed as Skinner and Pearl prepare to attack, with their fangs and claws ready to strike, both posed like panthers prepared to pounce. 

McCaig deserves an enormous amount of praise and respect for his work in the issue.  Each of the three scenes - Pearl and Skinner’s fight, the escape from the island, and the hospital recovery room - are gorgeous and dominated by their own color palette.  The oranges which rule the first half of the issue, the brief appearance of dark purples, and lastly the blues and greens that close the issue are all beautiful and powerful.

Every once in a while, it’s nice to get a happy ending to a brutal story.  The conclusion of American Vampire’s latest arc "Ghost War" is both of those, and at the same time a better finish than one could hope for.