“The year is 12090. The light had attempted to destroy the darkness." With those introductory words, Hideyuki Kikuchi, author of the beloved Vampire Hunter D series, sets the stage for Yoshitaka Amano's Coffin: The Art of Vampire Hunter D. In the aftermath of the rise and fall of a new race of vampire "aristocrats," Kikuchi goes on to describe the oblivion after they failed to retain the leadership of mankind:
- A few remained, however, with demons that they themselves had created - they survived together with these artificial devils in a corner of the borderlands, where people live in icy fear. The Flame Dragon, the Mist Monsters, the Evil Ghosts -among people unable to defend themselves against incursions by these terrible creatures there arose a group of demon-quelling professional 'hunters.'
Among them was one Danpeal in whose veins the blood of humans and 'aristocrats' is mixed, the ideal vampire-hunter. Soon tales of a supremely beautiful young man were on everyone’s lips...
Brooding. Dark. Romantic. Haunting. Mesmerizing. Frightening. Standing alone, cradling a pale female figure in his arms, or fighting a vicious enemy, Vampire Hunter D is all those things and more. And if the vampire hunter himself is all of those things how can I describe the artwork? Full of delicate detail, startling action, and stolen moments. Hideyuki Kikuchi created the character but Amano breathed life into him.
One hundred-thirteen black and white as well as 72 color illustrations from the Master Artist Amano fill Coffin: The Art of Vampire Hunter D. This collection is a must for any fan of the novels, movies, or the artist himself; it is also a great start for someone who is just hearing about Amano and his extensive talent.
With a short story from Hideyuki Kikuchi that you can’t find anywhere else, the beautifully haunting images of Amano, not to mention the Japanese as well as English translations, this is a masterpiece. Not only is the content of the book great, the book its self is great. I have this book on my coffee table and when I have company over it's the first thing they ask about.
Check out Yoshitaka Amano’s official American website for a gallery of his artwork as well as news. Another great website is Dark Horse Press Books in which you can see their complete listing of titles, including the Vampire Hunter D novels.
Article comments
1 - Christen
Good review, but "danpeal" is spelt incorrectly, it is correctly spelt "dhampir".
2 - Katie McNeill
glad you liked the review. but the spelling is correct, I took it straight from the book.