First of all i've to say that DayBlack has one of the most interesting art i've ever seen. I loved how it was done. It's not the typical "comic" look, it's more simple in the color pallet, but the result is definitely very powerful and unique. The usage of just black, white and red was very effective and helped bringing up the funky and quirky aspect of it. Of course it has a reason to be done like that: In this plot vampires are color blind and that's the only colors they see. I really liked that connection.

About the characters, i have to say that i liked Merce, the main character, a former slave turned into a vampire, who now works as a tattoo artist. A vampire and a tattoo artist? How cool is that! He's very interesting, mysterious with a lot going on on is head. And unfortunately this first volume doesn't give us many more things about him.

With regard to the actual story, i've to be honest, I could not understand the purpose. I did not realize where the story intended to get, what to expect or what to look for. But I liked it all in general. Made me want more for sure.
I guess this is one of those volumes in which it sets things up for a second one, so I will be looking forward to it because, definitely worth it.

I thoroughly enjoyed not only Keef Cross' modern spin on the vampire genre, but also his amazing artwork (which had me simultaneously wanting to immerse myself in the art of the current page and speed ahead to the story on the next). What an imaginative and vividly rendered world! I'm usually not this effusive with praise, but this was a fantastic graphic novel. 5 stars freely given.

Dayblack by Keef Cross is a strange vampire comic book in which a former slave turned vampire tattoo artist is having vivid dreams amidst being visited by vampire hunters and going through his lifestyle as we witness how he survives and how he makes a living. It was something very different and the art is something unique and unlike anything I've personally seen before in the genre. I liked the story but it is one of those volumes in which it feels like it sets things up for a bigger second volume, so I will be looking forward to more happening next time. It is quite short on happenings with many pages not featuring much in terms of story and dialogue, but it is different, well written and interests me enough to keep my eyes peeled for the next collection.

3 out of 5

The thing that struck with me first was the artwork. (Cover art was amazing!) Very out-of the ordinary, with an appealing 60s groovy (or just too many drugs?) look, tones of black white and red only and the constant feeling of stylized tattoo art predominant all over the book.

And, for once, a protagonist who is not much of a stereotype, even for vampires. Merce is a former plantation slave turned vampire overnight and experiencing the immortality blues in a rather stoic and pragmatical way ever since, apparently. He tries to get by in the not-so-lovely-but-it's-all-I've-got town of DayBlack, where he earns his liveliblood as a tattoo-artist. He has some interesting quirks, like his psychedelic dreams and his narcolepsy, he has his "minions" per se and he has a sort of "adopted son", who happens to be a vampire slayer on the side, yet loyal to him. So, things suddenly get interesting as Merce learns that a whole bunch of vampires are heading to his town, followed suit by their respective hunters. And he needs to do something, if only to keep his town and his as-of-late peaceful way of un-life intact. This book's story arc ends with a nice action cliffhanger as Merce stumbles upon some of the formerly-mentioned hunters and one can only wonder what happens next.

All in all, it was a refreshing read. Laconic (but not lacking) in the prose, elaborate on the art (but not mind-boggling) and intriguing enough for me to recommend a second fix. A great start, really!

Really great book with unique art and a different spin on the vampire lore with dope action, dialogue and story along with not being afraid to touch base on race in America and other societal issues (while yet not being preachy). Looking forward to more of Keef Cross' work! :)

Merce is a former plantation slave turned vampire who is now living day-to-day as a tattoo artist. The stark black and white images with the addition of vibrant red is gorgeous. Some of the illustrations remind me of modern Picasso representations. The story is a bit bizarre, but very addicting. Adults interested in artistic and dark graphic novels have to give this a whirl, it is incredibly interesting.

I will definitely be following this series.

I really liked the art in this graphic novel with it's clear lines mostly drawn in black and white.

The style of drawing is quite different to anything I have seen and the occasional use of colour emphasises how the main character experiences colour as a vampire.

And his story and life as a vampire is different to other vampire stories.

Merce, the vampire was turned when he was a slave working in the cotton fields, now all these years later he lives in a small town called DayBlack.

The town is called DayBlack because of dense pollution and so the sky remains black even during the day. A great place to live if you are a vampire.

And this vampire happens to be a tattoo artist and that is how he feeds and makes a living but something is wrong and he realises that he has to take steps to hide his problem and protect his business.

I liked this vampire story. The artwork is superb with clear lines in mostly black and white, and with excellent facial expressions. The book doesn't use speech bubbles but has the speech presented in paragraphs within the page. I prefer speech bubbles but it worked well having paragraphs.

I also liked the fact that the main character is black because you don't often see black vampires in books and I liked the way the novel depicts other ethnic minorities - quite different and in an everyday light as everyday people (apart from the hunters)

My only complaint is that I wanted volume 1 to be longer. I was disappointed when I came to the end

So in summary a great story, very imaginative and accompanied by excellent artwork and thus this is a good novel to own.

AND just to make it even better, a film is coming http://www.dayblackfilm.com

Damn, what a tease! Three issues of a book that doesn't look particularly prepossessing, but which has the guts and balls to grab you by the similar and engage with you. Design-wise it's more like an illustrated novel than a routine comic, with perhaps one frame and one paragraph of narration per page – and the merits of this book include that sometimes it can be great narration, and a great illustration. But even with three instalments between these covers, it's not enough! The grand arc barely gets going, and what it covers can be read elsewhere, or just taken as read as being worth your while discovering. If it all ends up being finished, and if it's as distinctive, as immediate, and as fun as this, it's going to be a mighty fine read. This short beginning however is still too much of an appetiser to be called the real deal.

The art is stunning and complex. The narrative-entertaining and modern. It makes you feel like you HAVE to read more of it. Gripping, original and completely out of the ordinary, DayBlack is a contemporary masterpiece.

(a more detailed review will be written on my website www.bravebookwork.weebly.com)

I loved these as stand alone comics. DayBlack's art is amazingly good and very different from anything you'll see on your graphic novel shelf. The story is a nice twist on classic vampire tales and uses the African American historical experience to great effect.

Man, this is awesome! Totally unique and dark humour abounds. An African-American vampire who was turned as a slave is now living in a chemically damaged town that has no day, working as a tattoo artist, he adopted one of those starving kids on TV for the cost of a cup of coffee a day only to have him arrive in town years later as an adult vampire hunter. The art is amazing!! I loved every page. The only problem was the book ended. Way too short and ends right in the middle of a good part too! When is book two coming out?

The art style was gorgeous; simple but vivid, black and white with touches of red that made the images stand out. It's unlike any graphic novel art I've seen before, and I love it. The story was also unique, the idea of a vampire working as a tattoo artist is hilarious and incredibly interesting, and it was done in the best way. Towards the end, I did lose a bit of interest in the plot, but it had such a great premise, and then the art was so detailed and dark, it was easy to enjoy.

This is a unique, unexpected experience for me as I wasn't expecting much based on the cover. But the story and artwork are both outstanding. I would recommend it for the visual experience alone. Add in the great script and you've got a graphic novel that does it's job--entertainment--exceptionally well.

3.5 stars

DayBlack is a unique graphic novel featuring a cotton slave turned vampire turned modern day narcoleptic tattoo artist. The main man of the hour, Merce, is a vampire that does tattoos and is the "foster parent" to a vampire hunter. When he isn't falling asleep on the job, sometimes quite literally, Merce sleeps in a coffin covered in skateboard and band promo stickers. Vans on the Wall, Mos Def, even a bright grapefruit sticker can be found plastered on the side. It's definitely not your every day story arc, but I think that's what makes it all the more interesting. It's dark and quirky.

Beyond the character driven, rather than plot driven, storyline this first issue also packs a strong visual punch. The bold artwork, similar in style to street tags, is incredibly striking. And many of the images are, in fact, several rolled into one which keeps the eyes roving as the reader tries to work out all of the distinctive details.

This first installment of DayBlack sets the scene for what could be quite an intriguing storyline. I look forward to seeing where the creator takes it!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me this review opportunity.