Blood Train #1
Review
Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Bernard Chang
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 29, 2025
Page Count: 48
Blood Train delivers a fast-paced and visceral horror experience that will satisfy fans of zombie movies and body horror. While light on character development, it makes up for it with stunning visuals and unrelenting action.
Blood Train #1
ReviewWriter: Adam Glass
Artist: Bernard Chang
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 29, 2025
Page Count: 48
Blood Train delivers a fast-paced and visceral horror experience that will satisfy fans of zombie movies and body horror. While light on character development, it makes up for it with stunning visuals and unrelenting action.
All aboard the Blood Train! But as you can probably tell from the title, this is going to be one violent ride. This fun, little horror one-shot from Image Comics kicks off its new Ninth Circle imprint, promising a mix of Resident Evil-like bioweapons and Train to Busan-esque survival terror. Created by writer Adam Glass and artist Bernard Chang, this 48-page comic wastes no time unleashing its brutal brand of frights and body horror. But does it deliver more than just shock value? Let's dive into my full review and find out!
Overview
After backpacking through Asia, a group of friends board the Siberian Express for their journey home. But moments before stepping on the train, one of them is mysteriously pricked by an unknown substance. As the train departs, that friend begins a horrifying transformation into a dangerous bioweapon that tears through the entire train. The surviving friends must fight for their lives as they're trapped in a metal tube hurtling through the Siberian wilderness with a growing horde of mutated monsters.
Image: Image Comics
Review
It’s full steam ahead for Blood Train from the moment you turn the first page. As a 48-page one-shot, the comic wastes no time with slow build-ups, throwing readers straight into a survival horror nightmare that plays out in real-time. The sense of dread builds rapidly, and when the horror kicks in, it explodes into pure, unrelenting chaos. Adam Glass doesn’t slow things down with heavy exposition, instead opting for breakneck pacing that perfectly suits the claustrophobic setting and tight page count.
Bernard Chang's stunning artwork impressed me the most about this comic. His monster designs are very distinct, making the horror elements shine throughout every page. While the comic refers to the monsters as “vampires,” they look like something right out of Resident Evil with their monstrous and grotesque appearances. Chang’s coloring also makes the comic’s visuals pop, contrasting the horror and violence with bright, neon colors. The more vibrant palette gives the whole book a fever dream quality, perfectly matching the story's escalating insanity.
Image: Image Comics
However, Blood Train stumbles slightly in its character development. With only 48 pages to work with, there's simply not enough real estate in the comic to flesh out the cast beyond surface-level archetypes. You’ve, of course, got the “final girl,” the eccentric friends, and the brash party boy to round out the cast of characters. While there are some glimpses of deeper motivations between the two leads, it's not quite enough to create strong emotional stakes come the comic’s big finale.
But with that said, Blood Train hits the mark in being a rollercoaster of fast-paced horror thrills. It’s not trying to be a slow-burn horror story like James Tynion’s Something is Killing the Children. Instead, Blood Train knows exactly what it is–a straightforward and unrelenting romp you can turn your brain off to and just enjoy the carnage. Horror fans looking for a quick hit of adrenaline and gore will find plenty to enjoy here.
Image: Image Comics
Final Thoughts
Blood Train is a solid start for Image's Ninth Circle horror imprint. While it may not reinvent the wheel in certain areas, it delivers exactly what it promises: a fast-paced, visually stunning horror experience. Adam Glass and Bernard Chang have crafted a comic that feels like the best kind of B-movie—lean, mean, and unabashedly over-the-top.
The comic delivers a visceral, adrenaline-pumping experience within its limited page count. Chang's artwork is a big highlight, elevating what could have been a standard zombie story into a visually memorable nightmare. While deeper character development would have added emotional weight to the story, the frenetic pacing and stunning visuals largely make up for this shortcoming.
For horror fans, especially those who enjoy body horror and zombie-style outbreaks, Blood Train is an easy recommendation. It's a self-contained story that delivers a complete experience in one sitting, perfect for readers looking for a quick horror fix. If future Ninth Circle releases can maintain this level of quality while expanding on more character depth, horror comic enthusiasts will have a lot to look forward to from this new imprint.
Why You Should Read Blood Train
- Bernard Chang's artwork is a visual feast, especially his intricate monster designs and fever-dream color palette.
- Horror fans will appreciate the creative kills and body horror transformations.
- It's a self-contained story that delivers a complete, action-packed experience in one sitting.
- Perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced, visceral horror without complex