The campy supernatural double feature continues, from the author of Aoi House! After months of hard work and practice, the vampire cheerleaders of Bakertown High travel to Las Vegas where they hope to win the national cheerleading championships. But things quickly go awry when team captain Lori Thurston turns up missing after a wild night on the town with her teammates. With no time to find their missing captain, the vampire cheerleaders must restructure their routine before the tournament begins. But a grim fate awaits Lori at the hands of a mysterious and deadly foe. Vampire High Stakes is the lead story from Aoi House creative team Adam Arnold and Shiei.

This comic book struggles to deliver a compelling narrative. At the same time this comic book tries to blend supernatural elements with high school drama, but falls short in execution, which has left me personally with an unsatisfying experience.

The story in this comic book centers around a group of cheerleaders who are secretly vampires, coupled with a paranormal investigation squad dealing with various supernatural threats. While the premise offers potential for an engaging mix of humor and horror, the narrative lacks coherence and depth. The plot feels disjointed, jumping from one scenario to another without adequate development or transitions.

The character development in this comic book is very minimal, with the protagonists lacking distinct personalities or motivations. The cheerleaders, despite their supernatural twist, come across as stereotypical and one-dimensional. The paranormal squad fares no better, serving more as plot devices than fully realized characters. This lack of depth makes it difficult for me personally  to connect with the story or care about the characters’ fates.

The writing itself in this comic book tries to infuse humor and wit, but often falls flat. The dialogue is clichéd and fails to capture the nuances needed to make the interactions engaging or believable. The humor feels forced, relying on tired tropes rather than original or clever insights.

The artwork itself in this comic book, while competent, cannot compensate for the weak storytelling. The character designs and settings are adequate but lack the dynamic flair needed to elevate the narrative. The illustrations do not fully capture the potential energy of the supernatural and high school settings, resulting in visuals that feel static and uninspired.

One of the few positives of this comic book is the potential for genre-blending, combining elements of supernatural mystery and high school drama. However, the execution lacks the necessary balance and finesse to make these elements work together harmoniously. The story misses opportunities to explore interesting themes or character dynamics that could have added depth and intrigue.

I Give This Book 1 / 5