Blood Hunt (comics)

"Blood Hunt" is an American comic book crossover event, written by Jed MacKay with art by Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia, published in 2024 by Marvel Comics. The event involves the rise of the Vampire Nation, which is united by a single vision for the first time in millennia.^[1]

Blood Hunt #1 was dedicated in memory of Paul Neary, with various other issues and tie-ins being dedicated in memory of Jeffrey Veregge, Don Perlin and Ray Chan.

At the New York Comic Convention in October 2023, Marvel Comics teased "Blood Hunt" as the next major crossover event that will command its own main limited series, as well as tie-in issues and spinoff limited series.^[2]

Blood Hunt is announced as a five-issue limited series written by the current Avengers scribe Jed MacKay debuting in May 2024. The series is a culmination of a naturally building story about the vampire apocalypse involving the Avengers, Blade, Bloodline, Spider-Man, Morbius, Hunter's Moon, Tigra, Doctor Strange, and Clea.^[3]

As Spider-Man fights a villain named Doctor Dark who has Darkforce abilities, he witnesses Doctor Dark suddenly vomit Darkforce energy, which rises into the sky. Meanwhile, Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman notice numerous dimensional breaches, including a breach in the Darkforce Dimension. In Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Daredevil senses the change caused by the Darkforce and springs into action against the attacking vampire forces, saving as many civilians as he can. In an alley, Blade's daughter Bloodline fights a group of vampires. She kills some of them until Dracula shows up. He states that the world is ending and advises her to come with him to save it.^[4]

The Darkforce Dimension empties onto Earth, blocking out the Sun and allowing vampires to attack worldwide. As the Avengers are fighting off vampires, Blade contacts them and says he has information and to meet up at the Avengers' base, the Impossible City. The Avengers are ambushed by Bloodstorm One, Megrim, Cruel, Unusual, Damascene, and Smoke Eater, who manage to overwhelm them. Thor and Scarlet Witch are incapacitated, with Black Panther sacrificing himself to have the rest of the remaining Avengers evacuated. Blade tells Strange and Clea that the vampires have become organized under the Structure, which caused the Darkforce users to blot out the sun, the global uprising, and the Avengers being attacked by the Bloodcoven, a group of vampires who feed on superhuman blood. When Strange asks if Dracula is the leader of the Structure, Blade stabs Strange and states that he is the leader.^[5][6][7][8]

At the Impossible City, Thor and Scarlet Witch have been restrained while Black Panther has been turned into a vampire. As Bloodline and Dracula prepare to fight the Bloodcoven, they are greeted with the remaining Avengers (Captain Marvel, Captain America, Iron Man, and Vision). Vision overpowers the Bloodcoven with solar energy, forcing them to retreat. After arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, Dracula, Bloodline, and the Avengers meet with Strange, Hunter's Moon, Miles Morales, and Tigra. Bloodline expresses relief about meeting with Miles again, while telling him that she cannot find her father. Just as she says this, Miles suddenly turns into a vampire.^[9][10]

At the Sanctum Sanctorum, a vampiric Miles begins to attack only for Vision to subdue him and Doctor Strange's astral form and Clea to restore his mind to normal. Dracula informs Bloodline that Blade is the new lord of the vampires and that she must be the one to strike him down and stop him. When Bloodline runs off, Dracula and Miles Morales go after her. Tigra and Hunter's Moon state that the Midnight Mission will put together an army that cannot be killed or turned, but that they need one more to join their party. The Avengers plan to face off against the Blade and the Bloodcoven, but realize they need to draw him out. Captain America broadcasts a speech worldwide, stating that they have fought worse opponents that tried to take over Earth before and won and that the world should tell the vampires that they cannot have it. After the broadcast, Captain America states to Iron Man that it was the same speech he gave to the Impossible City and hoped that Black Panther would recognize it.^[a][11]

At the Temple of the First Blasphemy, Black Panther meets up with Blade and the Bloodcoven. When Black Panther asks if the man he is speaking with is actually Eric Brooks, it is revealed that Blade is possessed by Varnae. Back in Doomstadt, Doom informs Strange and Clea about Varnae and how Marie Laveau had failed to make Blade the host of Varnae the first time,^[b] but now has succeeded the second time around. Doom reveals that he has a plan to get rid of the Darkforce covering Earth in exchange for Strange giving up his title of Sorcerer Supreme. At the Temple of the First Blasphemy, the Varnae-possessed Blade tells Black Panther that he has the power of a god and the living Darkhold in his possession, which he needs to complete his ritual. Black Panther reveals to Varnae that the heart-shaped herb has been healing his vampiric infection bit by bit as he frees Thor. The rest of the Avengers show up as Varnae dares them to face the Unliving Darkforce.^[12]

Thor remembers the last time he fought Varnae^[c] as he fights him without Mjolnir, which is still in orbit. In Latveria, Doom and the Strange Academy students begin casting a spell to eliminate the Darkforce. Bloodline and Miles attack Blade, allowing Scarlet Witch to free him from Varnae's possession. Doctor Strange expects Doom to follow his oath of returning the Sorcerer Supreme mantle to him, but he refuses. While still a vampire, Miles finds himself unfazed by the sun. Dracula states that the sun has lost its effect on the vampires and that they have a new dawn ahead of them.^[13]

At the Midnight Mission, Dr. Andrea Sterman discusses Shroud's identity with 8-Ball, revealing his history as a Moon Knight impostor. Sometime earlier at the Mount, Tigra and Hunter's Moon clash with Shroud, displeased with their interference. Shroud reflects on his past, acknowledging his failures. Shroud mentioned how the people liked Moon Knight as Tigra is displeased that Shroud tried to steal Moon Knight's name. Restraining them with his abilities, Shroud then rants how he is honoring Moon Knight's memory and struggles with conflicting emotions. Tigra talks him down, vowing to help him. Just then, Shroud unleashes a large amount of Darkforce energy which he cannot control. In the present, 8-Ball asks Sterman if Shroud is supposed to be a hero or a villain. She believes he goes back and forth; 8-Ball shares his own journey and recounts Moon Knight's formidable reputation. 8-Ball assists in fighting the vampires.^[14][15][16]

Reese, 8-Ball, and Soldier evacuate refugees to the Midnight Mission. Lady Yulan then arrives stating that the world has become a world of monsters and every vampire must harden their hearts to become part of it. Reese then goes on the offense stating to Yulan that Moon Knight never left anybody behind. After a brief fight, Yulan flees as Soldier and 8-Ball head off to find more survivors as Reese runs off. Returning to the apartment, the man she saved agrees to go with her.^[17]

Tigra, Wrecker, and Hunter's Moon free Khonshu from a prison in Asgard. Khonshu then takes the three to his realm, stating that he has gathered his "children" to be the Fists of Khonshu. Khonshu then states that they will go to war while Tigra and Hunter's Moon will lead the Fists of Khonshu on a global strike. Moon Knight thanks Khonshu and persuades Wrecker to fight with them. Moon Knight then leads some of the Fists of Khonshu to New York City.^[18]

In New York City, Kareem discovers that White Rabbit has been transformed into a vampire. As the city faces a vampire onslaught, Spider-Man intervenes. Kareem contacts Spider-Man, seeking assistance regarding White Rabbit's transformation. Spider-Man is told about what happened to White Rabbit. Kareem would normally contact Tombstone about it, but Kareem cannot get through to him. Taking along some wooden stakes, Kareem informs Spider-Man that White Rabbit was dispatched to collect protection money from this bodega. Spider-Man goes in, armed with wooden stakes, and is attacked by White Rabbit. Kareem assists by restraining White Rabbit, directing Spider-Man to another location. There, Spider-Man encounters a chained vampire seeking release from his torment. The man explains that he worked in the bodega when he was attacked by a vampire and chained himself to the radiator heater to keep from harming anyone as he asks Spider-Man to kill him. As Spider-Man takes pity on the vampire, he is staked by Kareem who got tired of waiting much to the dismay of Spider-Man. After White Rabbit is returned to normal, Spider-Man resumes his battle against the vampires until he faces Lizard.^[19][20]

Captain America puts out an Avengers Priority Alert calling for more Avengers. Moments later, Captain America fights through the various vampires as he is joined by Hercules, Kate Bishop, Quicksilver, and Hazmat. Afterwards, Captain America tells Hercules, Kate, Quicksilver, and Hazmat that the Avengers have been hit hard. While traveling around, Captain America's Avengers find some humans being menaced by Nazi vampires as Captain America mentions the time when he was turned into a werewolf^[d] and Hercules mentions how he once gained spider powers.^[e] As the Avengers kill more Nazi vampires, Hercules suspects that the vampires used a spell from the Darkhold to their ends. After the Nazi vampires are killed, Baron Blood arrives and attacks the Avengers.^[21]

Baron Blood orders his fellow Nazi vampires to kill the Avengers. Kate Bishop is surprised that Captain America had fought Blood before which she did not know. When Blood grabs Captain America's shield, he ends up hurt due to Captain America having swapped his shield with a silver-edged one. Captain America tells Hazmat, Hercules, Kate, and Quicksilver that he will handle Blood while the others fight his Nazi vampires. Hercules picks up Hazmat as Quicksilver makes use of a wooden stake to help cover their retreat when evacuating the captive humans to the escape pods. As the fight between Captain America and Blood continues, Captain America finds out that there are other Nazi vampires awaiting to be awakened. Quicksilver contacts Captain America stating that there are more prisoners and not enough escape pods. As a weakened Blood catches up to Captain America, he steers the Helicarrier as speaks over the PA system telling everyone to buckle up.^[22]

As Captain America pilots the Helicarrier, he alerts the rest of the Avengers that they are now in range of the sunlight. He then sets it to autopilot so that he can continue his fight with Baron Blood. Hercules tosses some of the vampires out of the Helicarrier as they burn up in the sunlight. Kate Bishop then uses some sonic arrows and Hazmat uses her radiation on the vampires. Quicksilver claims to Captain America that the vampires are up to something with their retreating. Captain America orders Quicksilver to interfere with their plan. Quicksilver tells Hercules and Hazmat to keep the civilians safe and keep clearing out the vampires while Kate accompanies them. Quicksilver and Kate head to the Helicarrier's Emergency Reactor Dump to shut it down. They trick the vampires into leaving the Reactor Control room. As Blood flees, Kate prepares to fire an arrow.^[23]

John Jameson battles the vampires as Man-Wolf, but is nearly staked by his father J. Jonah Jameson, who believed him to be infected. Man-Wolf states that he cannot be infected by vampire bites. As Man-Wolf puts his father on a bench to wait for Spider-Man, three vampires attack. Man-Wolf manages to kill them. Meanwhile, Dagger is confronted by a barista converted into a vampire and fails to reason with him. When Dagger uses her light daggers to pin him to the car, a stake comes out of nowhere to destroy the car to free him. Dagger is then saved by Elsa Bloodstone.^[24][25]

Bruce Banner awakens to find himself surrounded by dead bodies; he is then confronted by vampires who previously fed on his blood. Becoming the Hulk, he stakes the gamma-enhanced vampires. At the Hudson River, Kate Barton (as Hawkeye) is fighting vampires with help from Lucky the Pizza Dog and Dr. Dante Malik. It is then revealed that Malik is a self-destructive vampire called a Blood Hunter.^[f] Elsa Bloodstone and Dagger are confronted by more vampires including a vampire-converted Yelena Belova. Bloodstone pins Belova to the wall – Dagger then uses her light-based abilities on Belova. Something goes wrong as Dagger behaves like a vampire.^[26][27][28]

At the Latverian embassy in Alberia, Tatiana Keska is speaking with the other people there about the vampire invasion as she states that she and her fellow Latverians have put up with Doctor Doom in the past. Doom kills the attacking vampires before taking Keska back to Latveria.^[g] In Brooklyn, Dagger is now acting as a vampire as Belova prevents Elsa Bloodstone from attacking her, stating that she healed her. Dagger breaks up the fight between Bloodstone and Belova while freeing Belova. More vampires are seen flying above as they are confronted by Hallows' Eve.^[29]

On the planet Ydrea, Silver Surfer comes across an inhabitant named Aranthalla who has become a conduit for the Darkforce. Silver Surfer discovers that the different Darkforce users on Earth are being used to empty the Darkforce into Earth. He interacts with Silhouette who he remembers as one of the youths who assisted the Fantastic Four against Terrax^[h] as she is trying to fight the spell. Silver Surfer learns that magic is responsible for what has happened to the Darkforce users. As Silver Surfer learns about the vampire invasion on Earth, he tries to help free the Darkforce users, but is ensnared by Darkforce tentacles. Silver Surfer escapes, returns to Ydrea, and tells its inhabitants that he will restore order. Silver Surfer then turns the orbiting asteroids into a solar umbrella to restore day and night to Ydrea. At the 2nd Circle club, Satana is trying to get through to Blade as vampires have paid a visit to the 2nd Circle. As the vampires start attacking the demons, Satana moves in to break up the fight. One vampire introduces himself as Bordu who states that the vampires are needing different blood like the ones that they are used to drinking. Satana mentions that her club has a rule that humans and non-humans must get along and orders them to get out before she unleashes her basilisk on them. Satana then summons her basilisk as they kill Bordu and the vampires. Dagger, Elsa Bloodstone, and Yelena Belova officially meet Hallows' Eve, who states that she was wearing a vampire mask to stay off their men. More vampires arrive, but are repelled by Dagger. As a cured human runs off to find shelter, Dagger breaks up an argument between Bloodstone and Hallows' Eve stating that they have friends who are infected. Dagger, Bloodstone, Belova, and Hallows' Eve agree to work together to fight the vampires.^[30]

Blade stabs Doctor Strange, after admitting he is the leader of the Structure;^[i] Blade then bites Strange in the neck as he has no intention of letting the man die. Clea goes on the offensive, taken aback when Blade counters her magic. As they fight, Blade explains that his swords came from an Ancient Atlantis order of magician hunters – blades that can kill a sorcerer, cut through enchantments, and protect them from dark spells and hexes. When Clea comments that Strange was his friend, Blade claims that this was a plan that has spanned an epoch. Strange is unleashed as a vampire forcing Clea to magically restrain him. To save Strange, Clea removes his astral form from his body. Despite Clea's objections, Strange advises her to assemble the Montesi Formula. Clea states that he must be saved but Strange insists they join forces with the other superheroes. The ghost of Victor Strange plans to make his entrance as he sees Strange's vampire body.^[31][32][33]

In the Crypt of Shadows behind the mirrors of the Sanctum Sanctorum, Victor Strange is contacted by someone claiming to be "a friend". Victor possesses Strange's body and confronts Wong. When Wong notes that Victor killed himself the last time they met, Victor revealed that he was reborn as a ghost, but was imprisoned behind the mirrors of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Wong figured out that Victor's ghost was in the Crypt of Shadows, claiming that he was unheard, unseen, and unmourned. As Wong tries to get Victor to surrender, Victor states that he received help as Wong figures out that he got help from Blade. While restraining Wong, Victor dares him to stake Strange's body. Wong is unable to do so and retreats. Meanwhile, Baron Mordo is seen meditating in the company of the ghost of the dog Bats and two of the Sanctum Sanctorum's snakes.^[34]

In the Crypt of Shadows, Baron Mordo, Bats, and the snakes are working on a spell. Bats states to the Dog God that Strange and Wong are in trouble and they are trapped in the Crypt of Shadows unable to help. The Dog God makes Bats his avatar as he breaks free from the Crypt of Shadows to help Wong. As Bats fights the Victor, the two snakes inform Wong that they have been in the Crypt of Shadows and had summoned the Dog God to help them. When Wong learns that Mordo had a hand in it and asks him to explain himself, Wong stated that he gave Strange the one chance he has for victory. When Victor asks Bats if he would kill Strange's body, Bats states to Victor that he is a ghost like him as he bites Victor's ghost, removing him from Strange's body. With Victor defeated, the Dog God leaves as Bats reverts to his normal form. Before leaving with Victor's ghost in an unconscious state, Mordo advises Wong to tend to Strange as he prefers to have him look like he is in good condition when he finally kills him.^[35]

As he dons his strongest armor and grabs his strongest sword in the Vampire Nation, Dracula states that he has yet to claim the strongest piece of his arsenal. Xarus informs Dracula that their spy has returned. In Atlanta, Brielle meets up with Rebecca and Jayden – the sky is then covered in darkness. which Brielle senses. Upon arrival, Dracula finds three vampires and asks them if they have seen a girl that he is looking for. As Bloodline, Brielle fights the invading vampires until Dracula appears and kills them. After trying to attack Dracula, Bloodline is informed that the world is ending and Dracula needs her help saving it.^[36][37]

As Bloodline is running down the street stating that she will not kill her father, she fights some of the vampires until Daredevil arrives. Afterwards, Daredevil learns that Bloodline is Blade's daughter and helps her get her serum pills. After Daredevil was briefed on what happened, Bloodline states that she will have to kill her father as everyone else says. She is told by Daredevil that he will not force her to make a decision and that running will not help save lives. Just then, Daredevil senses that someone is near. It is the arrival of Dracula who asks if Bloodline has finished wallowing as they have work to do. Daredevil states that Bloodline does not want to go with Dracula as he fights them. Bloodline breaks up the fight and states that she will return to the Sanctum Sanctorum. While walking on the streets with Dracula, Bloodline asks for some privacy as she calls up her mother. Bloodline leaves a message on her mother's phone talking about working with her father and stating that she does not know if she can be a hero. Just then, Bloodline and Dracula are attacked by vampires as Blade arrives.^[38]

With Bloodline unconscious, Dracula finds out that Blade is possessed by Varnae and states that his incorporeal form can do no harm to her. Bloodline then suffers a hallucination where Atlanta is more medieval and that Blade is a teacher at her school. As Bloodline figures out that this is not the real Blade, she finds her sword gone as Blade tells her that she has no need for her sword in his castle. Bloodline starts to feel the bloodlust building in her. Meanwhile, Dracula continues his fight with Varnae's vampire followers. Varnae then mutates the corpses of the fallen vampires into Bloodbeasts. Bloodline's hallucination continues as her bloodlust improves. Blade states to Bloodline that he wants her by his side when ruling their kingdom. Dracula continues his fight against the Bloodbeasts and manages to kill them and the vampires present. Bloodline breaks free from the hallucination when her mother calls her on her mobile phone. After a tearful discussion with her mother, Bloodline tells Dracula that they need to save his father from himself.^[39]

Strange Academy students including Doyle Dormammu, Shaylee Moonpeddle, Toth, Guslaug, Germán Aguilar, Zoe Laveau, and their new classmate Pia join a vampire tour in New Orleans. As the sky darkens, chaos erupts when the guide is bitten – the students fight vampires. Doctor Voodoo evacuates them, suspecting Blade's involvement. In his office, Voodoo tries to get some answers from Pia about the attacks which she denies knowledge of; some students eavesdropped. The astral form of Doctor Strange arrives, privately informing Voodoo of Blade's responsibility. The only chance at stopping the vampire invasion is the Montesi Formula so they must seek the Darkhold in Madripoor to help complete the Montesi Formula. Voodoo raises objections; the students plan to seek it out. Arriving in Madripoor's only forest, they ask a person where they can find the Darkhold – the person attacks as it is the Darkhold. Pia's astral pet Tito Peping tries to attack only to be knocked down which infuriates Pia, triggering her vampire side. A flashback shows the Darkhold's human form, who is on the run with Agatha Harkness from Scarlet Witch; Darkhold then flees from Harkness.^[40][41]

Doctor Voodoo states to Guslaug and Toth that he will get the students back to Strange Academy with it being on lockdown. After Doctor Voodoo walks off, Guslaug and Toth are then visited by Agatha Harkness, who appears to them in the form of a mouse. Back in Madripoor, Pia, Doyle, Shaylee, Germán, and Zoe are looking for the Darkhold. Germán hears Pia's taunts about Germán's dislike towards vampires and why she could not tell her. Just then, they come across an alley, where Madripoor thugs are fighting the vampires. While noting that vampires are attacking Earth, the Darkhold wants to do something good for once which surprises the Strange Academy students. Just then, Harkness arrives as the Darkhold disappears. The Strange Academy students are approached by Doctor Doom who offers to help them with a plan that does not involve wiping out an entire species.^[42]

In Madripoor, Pia and the Darkhold arrive at an arena, where he gets all the demons to do a survival of the fittest experiment. Moments later, her fellow students battle the vampires as Germán Aguilar gets a text from Pia stating that she is in the arena. Germán runs out to the arena only for a large group of vampires to arrive. At the arena, Pia and the Darkhold are fighting demons until Agatha Harkness arrives. As Germán is swarmed over by vampires, he is saved by Doyle Dormammu. After the Strange Academy students get away from the vampires, Zoe Leaveau scolds Germán for nearly endangering himself. Back at the arena, Harkness goes on the attack as the powers of the Darkhold weaken. After getting a distance from Harkness, the Darkhold is followed by Pia who starts to bring out her vampire fangs. She then gives Tito Pepping to the Darkhold for extra protection until he regains his magical strength. Harkness catches up to them with a bunch of clones. As the rest of the Strange Academy students close in on the arena, Pia prepares to defend the Darkhold from Harkness. In the nick of time, the Strange Academy students arrive and help to defeat Harkness's clones. When the Darkhold confronts Harkness, he makes her disappear. Pia tells her fellow students that she has forgiven the Darkhold for making off with her. Doyle Dormammu pitches an idea to make the Darkhold a student at Strange Academy. In Latveria, the Strange Academy students see the arrival of Doctor Strange and Clea. When Germán asks Pia if Strange has apologized for trying to wipe out the vampires, Pia states that she is not sure how she feels about it. Doom then has the Strange Academy students get into their positions as he prepares a spell.^[43]

In New York City, two vampires pilot an airplane as they are transporting a casket that Dracula once found in a Russian gulag. The casket is dumped onto a building as its symbiote vampire occupant known as the Captive emerges smelling a Symbiote. Not long after, the Venom symbiote senses Eddie Brock's returns and laments letting Dylan Brock die while also noting how it had once been corrupted by Lee Price. Under the city, Dylan is walking with Toxin as he mentions how he cannot have Normie Osborn secure him a shelter at Alchemax. He also mentions to Toxin that Venom did not tell him much. Dylan tells Toxin that he compares their plight to when Knull blanketed the Earth in darkness. As Toxin goes to check up on his father, he unknowingly leaves Dylan alone as a vampire is lurking in the shadows. Meanwhile, Venom arrives in a graveyard. Its senses go off as it is confronted by a zombified version of Lee Price and Mania. Venom goes on the defense. It soon learns that Captive brought Priceand the Mania symbiote back to life as zombies. Back underground, Dylan is confronted by a vampiric version of the priest that once took Venom's confession.^[44]

Dylan Brock recognizes the priest. Years ago, the priest mentioned how he had met Venom during his meeting with Eddie Brock.^[j] The priest got injured and Eddie later visited him in the hospital stating that Venom was responsible for the attack. He was later attacked by the vampires when he did not have any holy water or a holy cross on him. At the graveyard, the Captive starts baiting the other symbiotes to him when talking with Lee Price. The Captive then attacks Venom as he considers him an alien parasite. As the Captive prepares to eat a part of Venom, he is attacked by Price where the captive translates his zombie language that it wants Venom. Venom then prepares to attack the Captive. Back underground, the priest tries to bite Dylan only to find that the blood has been tainted. Dylan states that he is half-Symbiote as he takes a chair and attacks the priest. Then he takes a fragment of the chair and stakes the priest. Back at the graveyard, the Captive tries to feed on Venom's energy only to find his own flesh feeding on him. After the Captive is defeated, Venom is confronted by Meridius, who asks Price if it would like a fresh and ageless symbiote. Price then separates from Venom and merges with Meridius.^[45]

Spider-Man goes on the defensive against Lizard. Just then, Misty Knight arrives claiming that she and Lizard have a cure for the vampires. They fight their way past the vampires to get to Morbius who has been captured alongside Colleen Wing. Following the signal of the tracker that she placed on Morbius, Knight leads Spider-Man and Lizard to a building where Spider-Man finds that the tracker was removed from Morbius. Lizard then picks up something and runs off with Spider-Man and Knight not far behind. Arriving at an empty church, Spider-Man and Knight follow Lizard down the secret stairwell, where they find a secret laboratory owned by the Beyond Corporation. Meanwhile, Morbius and Wing are tied up in a Beyond Food truck. Wing manages to get free of her handcuffs, then frees Morbius. Morbius gets a monologue from the vampire TJ who used to be an underling for the Beyond Corporation. He has now taken the name of Theocritus who has established his start-up Hemoglobin Inc. as he wants to help Morbius finish the cure.^[46]

As Theocritus shows Morbius the rest of the lab, Wing is in a pen and is shown to have been bitten. Morbius is working on the serum when Theocritus comes in to introduce the Cure program's leader Whitney. At Hemoglobin Inc.'s pens, Wing interacts with her fellow prisoner Sarah who explains to her how Hemoglobin Inc. has been changing humans into vampires and how they take care of their own. Sarah is then taken away to undergo a transfusion.^[47]

As Spider-Man, Knight, and Lizard drive into the Mercer Building while fighting the vampires there, they drive into the garage. As Spider-Man and Lizard make their way into the elevator that takes them to Hemoglobin Inc., Knight looks for a terminal for the virus that Maxine Danger gave her. When Knight finds a terminal, she is confronted by Wing, who is now a vampire. Entering Hemoglobin Inc., Spider-Man looks for Morbius while Lizard fights the vampires. Wanting the cure to be safe, Morbius assists Lizard in fighting the stronger vampire as he tells Spider-Man to secure the blue vials in the freezer. After obtaining the vials, Spider-Man is told that they contain aerosol and that he should dump them into the cooling system to disperse their contents. The cure works on the newer victims, while Morbius and the older vampires were left unchanged. As Knight and Wing tend to the restored humans, Morbius and Lizard work on remaking the vampire cures.^[48]

In Birnin Zana, the Golden City, Black Panther states that the heart-shaped herb has restored some of his semblance. He remembers Blade telling him to locate the temple ruins and have the Impossible City deliver it to him. After Black Panther collapses while begging Bast for help, a vision of Blade appears taunting him for not feeding and asking him to accept the gift he gave him. Blade advises him to find the temple ruins associated with his gods or else he will raze Wakanda himself. Shuri contacts Black Panther who is operating in a safe location beneath an artificial sun. As Shuri states that the Darkforce has not been able to penetrate Latveria's borders, Black Panther advises Shuri not to go to Doctor Doom as he ends his transmission. At the Wakandan nature preserve Msitu Wa Dhabihu, Black Panther returns to his exile when he is confronted by a black panther.^[49]

Black Panther is attacked by Bast speaking through a black panther, who states that Black Panther has disappointed Bast. Bast has taken Black Panther to her sister Anuket who is informed about Varnae's rallying and Black Panther being turned into a vampire. In their discussion, Bast states to Anuket that Varnae's temple must be destroyed. In the distant past, Bast and Gherke lead the Enneads and the Orishas against Varnae's forces. Kokou confronts Varnae in his temple. The prisoners are evacuated as Bast instructs the black panthers to take the prisoners west and wait for the news of victory. Back in the present, Anuket's blood has changed Black Panther. He is then confronted by some Atlantean warriors.^[50]

At the Atlantean temple ruins in the Indian Ocean, Black Panther states to the Atlantean warriors that he is not here as an act of aggression and that he arrived to reclaim what once sat upon Wakandan soil. An Atlantean warrior states that they are at an impasse as they will not relinquish what is in Atlantean waters. Black Panther swims through the Atlantean temple ruins and finds some chained up Aqueos sect members. Black Panther manages to kill them. Black Panther contacts Impossible City to send the temple to the Onassis Reservoir in Central Park. As that is done, Black Panther awakens in Bast and Anuket's presence. Bast welcomes Black Panther home and gives him some heart-shaped herbs.^[51]

In Arizona, Danny Ketch is visited by Tulip who informs him about Blade's recent activity and suspects that something has motivated him. She suggests that they enlist Ghost Rider for help. Ketch assumes his Ghost Rider form as Tulip faints. Later, Tulip regains consciousness as Johnny Blaze had arrived. Blaze can no longer assume his Ghost Rider form^[k] and notes that Tulip had been subjected to Ketch's Penance Stare. He agrees to help Tulip find Blade. Ketch then grants Tulip access to his arsenal. Moments later, Blaze, Ketch, and Tulip attack an armed convoy whose soldiers are either killed or driven away. When Blaze opens the truck, Tulip is ensnared by a multi-eyed tentacle. Ketch becomes Ghost Rider and destroys the creature. In El Fasha, Iraq, Victoria Montesi meets with some people who inform her about a darkness in the cave they are outside of. She finds a possessed man who states that the Adana is loose^[l] and will feed upon blood. When the man briefly fights the possession asking for help, Montesi uses blood magic to summon Lilith.^[52]

In Chicago, a nurse is tending to a child who heard that Spider-Man was turned into a vampire. After walking out, the medical staff is confronted by a vampire. Before the vampire can attack a nurse, Ketch arrives and uses his chains to drag the vampire away. Blaze, Montesi, and Tulip arrive telling the nurse that Ghost Rider is a friend as he subjects the vampire to the Penance Stare. Afterwards, the nurse learns from the Midnight Sons that a nightmare led them to this place. She states to them that there have been strange things happening at the hospital lately like people hearing voices, a patient disappearing, word that a Spider-Man is a vampire. Just then, the Midnight Sons is attacked by Blade. When they try to reason with Blade during the fight, the Midnight Sons is told "Blade isn't here" and disappears in a flock of bats. Montesi claims that Blade was not acting like himself as she casts blood magic to form a magical circle. She states that a door has awakened containing "A sleeper of Hell".^[53]

Ketch talks to Tulip who is worried about Blade as she claims that there's some of his remaining personality still inside him. Montesi Montesi and Blaze tell Nurse Julie that the hospital was built above a gateway and that Montesi can use a ritual to pull the source of this evil to her. As Julie is instructed to think about what frightens her the most to draw the gateway's entity to her, they will destroy it. She recalls how a college kid got hit by a car that ended up on fire and he was long gone. Ketch, Blaze, Montesi, and Tulip confront the demonic entity, with Montesi managing to banish it. In Chiang Mai, Thailand weeks after Varnae's defeat, Tulip runs into Blade at a temple who does not want to talk about Varnae. Tulip states that Ghost Rider has gotten over the fact that Varnae possessed Blade. When Tulip asks if he is OK, Blade states "Tulip, I wish I knew".^[54]

Wolverine is confronted by vampire-converted members of the local military police. He starts slashing at the ones inside. When he exits, he is attacked by a vampire military police member operating a jeep with an electromagnetic beam as they work to capture him. In the nick of time, Wolverine is saved by Louise of the Nightguard, who Wolverine previously worked with before against Dracula's minions.^[m] Outside of Long Beach, California, Wolverine and Louise are attacked by armored vampire mercenaries. Afterwards, Wolverine is then contacted by Maverick, who has been converted into a vampire and had sent the armored mercenaries after Wolverine. Maverick states that a power vacuum will be formed when the vampires are defeated and that the humans and mutants have failed the plant's power paradigm.Wolverine and Louise then find themselves surrounded by more armored vampire mercenaries.^[55]

As Wolverine and Louise kill some of the armored vampire mercenaries, Maverick contacts Wolverine asking if he is sure that he does not want to hash out his offer. Wolverine proceeds to destroy the drone, which prevents Maverick from spying on him. Maverick has a glass of blood while talking to a mysterious person about the loss of some vampire mercenaries and their vehicles. He suspects that Wolverine is working with Jeff Bannister when dealing with the vampires as the person with him is revealed to be Alyssa of the Siren Sect. She states to Maverick that when Blade and his vampires are done depleting the superheroes, it will be the Siren Sect's turn to rise from the shadows and strike as she plans to be the queen of the vampires. After arriving at Long Beach, Wolverine and Louise find that Maverick's mercenaries are herding civilians, equipment, and weapons on their ship that is bound for Santa Cruz. Wolverine and Louise then attack the armored vampire mercenaries as the civilians flee. After Louise destroys the ship, she and Wolverine commandeer one of the escort boats to get to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, Wolverine and Louise are attacked by the Aqueos sect.^[56]

Off the coast of Santa Cruz, Wolverine and Louise are fighting the Aqueos. When the engine of their escort boat is hit, Wolverine and Louise "helmet up" and dive into the waters as the explosion takes out the Aqueos on board. When more Aqueos show up, Wolverine wounds some of them to attract sharks, who attack the Aqueos. After fending off the Claw Sect, Wolverine stabs himself in the abdomen as part of the bait to draw out Maverick and asks Louise to bite him. Using his new vampire form, Wolverine uses his night vision to find more Claw Sect vampires as he kills them.^[57]

On Santa Cruz Island, California, Maverick points his gun at Wolverine as Alyssa works to get Wolverine under her thrall. She does one final test to find her king as she pairs Wolverine against Maverick in a fight to the death. Meanwhile, Louise fires her arrow at the armored vampire mercenary guards. Upon breaking through the door, she finds the heart of the vampire compound. Before she can fire a "stake" into it, she is attacked by vampire mercenarie. Alyssa unleashes Wolverine on Louise, who identifies Alyssa as a member of the Siren Sect. After stabbing Wolverine with her sword, Louise is then attacked by Alyssa as Wolverine pulls the sword out of him. Louisa manages to stake Alyssa in the heart as she disintegrates into dust. Both Wolverine and Maverick are cured of their vampirism.^[58]

At the beginning of the vampire invasion, Invisible Woman forms a force field around the Grimm family's farmstead as Human Torch and Thing work to keep the younger children safe. Back in Manhattan, Mister Fantastic stretches around Manhattan using a full spectrum light device he put together to attack the vampires and rescue civilians. Some of the vampires sacrifice themselves to destroy Mister Fantastic's device, allowing them the other vampires to attack Madison Square Garden.^[59]

After Mister Fantastic is wounded, medical student Priya Raju tends to his injuries. With Mister Fantastic in danger of bleeding out, Alicia Masters asks him to find a way to solve the vampirism again. While exploring the basement of Madison Square Garden, Mister Fantastic salvages some junk to improvise something to help deal with the vampires. Meanwhile in Arizona, Human Torch keeps up the defense against the vampires when one of them tries to grab one of the children. Back in New York, Mister Fantastic has put together a cellular resonator and uses it to fend off the vampires. Just then, the sky clears which pleases Mister Fantastic and Alicia. Just then, they see the news that Doctor Doom has saved the world and has become Sorcerer Supreme, shocking them.^[60]

Dracula and Miles Morales catch up to Bloodline who states that she is not up for a team-up with Dracula. Miles then swings off to go rescue people in Brooklyn. Miles works on saving people with his mask getting ripped and causing him to unknowingly frighten a fleeing woman and her child. Miles proceeds to web the door shut to keep her safe. He starts to get dizzy while webslinging after failing to get through to anyone. Some time earlier, Miles had slain a vampire when he was approached by Blade who wants him to do something. Miles asks if this has something to do with the energy vampire R'ym'r. Blade states that he is still sealed away. Then Blade proceeds to bite Miles while claiming that he is going to make Earth a place for the creatures of the night once more. Miles then fights Blade and is unable to land a Venom Blast on him when Blade starts controlling his mind stating that he will need him. Back in the present, Miles is still falling and gets a rough landing. He is then approached by Hightail who learns that Miles was bitten by Blade. She states that R'ym'r has returned. They cross several blocks and find a group of vampires evoking a spell to free R'ym'r. Despite their attempts, the seal containing R'ym'r is broken and possesses the vampire that evoked the spell.^[61]

Now that R'ym'r is released, Miles Morales and Hightail go on the offensive by killing the vampires present. When most of them are slain, R'ym'r attacks Miles and Hightail as they fight him. R'ym'r notes that Blade is not here to save them and that they cannot kill him as he starts to feel his strength returning. Just then, Bloodline arrives to help Miles and Hightail out. Bloodline wants Miles and Hightail to buy Bloodline some time while she comes up with a way to stop R'ym'r. Hightail manages to grab the seal fragments as Miles webs them back together. With the seal fragments webbed back together, Bloodline casts a magic spell that seals R'ym'r away. As Hightail runs off to check up on her folks, Dracula arrives. When Miles asks where he was when they were fighting R'ymr'r, Dracula states that the fight with R'ym'r is not worth his time as he casts as spell that sends R'ym'r's seal to someplace where nobody can tamper with it. Miles and Bloodline then follow Dracula through a portal to fight more vampires.^[62]

North of New York City, Jubilee is riding on her motorcycle as she comes across a group of vampires feeding off a human. She is then aided by Ghost Blade of the Forgiven who helped her out once when she was turned into a vampire. As they fight the vampires, Jubilee tends to the bitten female as she turns into a vampire by feeding her rat blood. The female introduces herself as Sonal as Jubilee takes her to meet with some friends of hers. While en route, Jubilee and Sonal are ambushed by vampires as they fight them. At the Holy Trinity Cemetery where the Forgiven operate, the Forgiven work to collect newly created vampires before they are gone too fast. Jubilee and the Forgiven do a toast to Raizo. With Sonal in the Forgiven's care, Jubilee rides off on her motorcycle.^[63]

In Manchester, United Kingdom, a group of people led by Mara Sal of the Greater Manchester Police are attacked by vampires. As everyone else takes refuge, Mara sticks around to the point where she helps Union Jack who tries to get some of the vampires to answer his question on who sired them. At the Rusholme Hospital, a veterinary nurse tends to Union Jack's injuries. Mara finds a bathtub filled with blood as a towering vampire restrained by chains emerges. Union Jack breaks up the fight revealing that he is actually the vampire Bulldog. Just then, the building is then raided by vampires who have a message for the "Ripper" advising him to either join them or die.^[64]

Edward is then contacted by his master who tells him "silence" and to have the Ripper's head on a spike. The vampires begin the attack as the refugees make use of the different weapons. As Mara fires her gun, Edward removes one of the skin staples on Union Jack. Bulldog then emerges and saves Union Jack by beheading Edward. Bulldog advises them to find the vampire who turned him into a vampire.^[65]

Union Jack and Mara use Bulldog to find the vampire who transformed him. Arriving at Manchester Town Hall, Union Jack and Mara have the vampiric Alan bound up with them. When the vampires arrive, Union Jack unleashes Bulldog on them. Just then, Hunger arrives. Mara then opens fire on Hunger, who drops Union Jack. Bulldog then bites Union Jack. He is turned into a vampire, but Hunger cannot control him. Bulldog allows Mara to shoot him in the head causing Hunger to feel the pain. This gives Union Jack the opportunity to stab Hunger in the head. Everyone who was turned into a vampire is restored to normal, including Union Jack.^[66]

Magik states that her father used to read her stories about Ilya Muromets when she was young and living in Sibera. In the present, two kids named Anya and Nikolai are running from the vampires. Just then, they are confronted by Illyana Rasputina who tries to fight them, Later, Illyana, Anya, and Nikolai are in a cage being taken across the tundra as Illyana learned that Anya and Nikolai's parents bought them some time to get away when vampires invaded their village. Upon arrival in the ruined village, Illyana, Anya, and Nikolai find Anya and Nikolai's parents about to be preyed upon by the vampires. Their leader shows up stating that Varnae would be disgusted that the local humans have not taken the opportunity to become something more. As Illyana, Anya, and Nikolai head into the forest to survive, she learns that their leader is Ilya Muromets who gained these gifts from magic. As Illyana, Anya, and Nikolai run into the forest, they are attacked by vampires. Illyana becomes Magik and manifests her Soulsword to fight the vampires. Then Magik invades Ilya's stronghold, where she kills the vampires there. Ilya then duels with Magik as he considers her a worthy kill. Magik manages to kill Ilya by beheading him and allowing the remaining vampires to get a head start away from her. Illyana then collects Anya and Nikolai to take them home.^[67]

A few miles outside the Hopi Tribal Lands, Jake Gomez rides his motorcycle to Wild Dino Adventure Park in the Arizona desert. His narration has him mentioning that he would come here with Red Wolf and his best friend Molly, but Red Wolf is in the middle of U.S. Marshal business and Molly has gotten tickets with her friends to see Lila Cheney. He then proceeds to put his earbuds in so that the music associated with his playlist can soothe his werewolf form. When nighttime happens and the full moon is out, Jake transforms into his Werewolf by Night form. His narration has him stating that Wild Dino Adventure Park was built on stolen Hopi land according to his grandmother Rora. Werewolf by Night hears chatter meaning that someone else is here. Nearby, some cultists are doing a spell to Lord Charon to bring a soul to them from the afterlife. Jake remembers two of them to be Sam and Trevor from middle school. As the sky goes dark because of the Darkforce, the ghost of Trevor's uncle Duke arrives. He proceeds to possess Trevor as he kills a man named Carson. Jake finds himself unable to transform as Duke goes on the attack as "Uncle Roulette". Hours or days later, three vampiric police officers have been pleased with the "buffet" that they had. Uncle Roulette is still on a rampage in Wild Dino Adventure Park as he starts bringing the lights back on and the dinosaur animatronics to life. As the remaining cultists are attacked by the vampiric police officers, Uncle Roulette notes that something is keeping him in Wild Dino Adventure Park and that he has scores to settle like the one with Johnny Blaze for trapping him in Mephisto's Realm.^[n] Before Sam can be preyed upon the by vampiric police officers, the moon appears in the sky as Jake recovers from the attack, transforms, and kills the vampiric police officers. As Roulette demands that Sam give him the book so that he can free himself from Wild Dino Adventure Park, he is then attacked by Werewolf by Night who breaks his possession over Trevor. The next morning, Jake awakens to find many dead bodies around him. He then leaves Wild Dino Adventure Park and walks into the desert while wondering if Molly, Grandma Rora, and Red Wolf will forgive him for what happened.^[68]

In Osaka, Japan, the sky gets covered in Darkforce. Moments earlier outside of Osaka, Kwannon is relaxing in a hot spring with Scalphunter present. He cannot join her in the hot spring since his cybernetic parts would rust. Kwannon then senses that something is wrong. Back in the present, Kwannon in her Psylocke appearance and Scalphunter find a lot of dead bodies. While protecting a woman and her child, Psylocke states to Scalphunter that the local Yōkai have taken advantage. After Scalphunter shoots the Nure-onna, he is then attacked by the Kuchisake-onna. After Psylocke goes into the Kuchisake-onna's mind and learns its history, she fights it with Scalphunter's help. Psylocke manages to kill the Kuchisake-onna. While noting to Scalphunter that this is going to be a long night, they proceed to fight some vampire ninjas.^[69]

50 years ago, two people encounter a bloodied kid who speaks Spanish. As they are rusty in Spanish, the two men think that either they are dead or underground with many devils. In the present, Bruce Banner arrives at the ghost town of Old Tucson with Charlie Tidwell, who has been transformed into a doll. While walking through Old Tucson, Bruce enters a bar and meets a man named Miguel who states that Old Tucson is a movie set where all the great western films are made. Everyone had left when the skies got covered in Darkforce. Miguel states that his family came from Mexico 50 years ago and how his family were ambushed by "blood-sucking devils" that make their nest under the American desert. His mother sacrificed her life to get Miguel to safety and he was taken in by an old carpenter. With the Sun being blocked by the Darkforce, the vampires are on their way here. Just then, the vampires burst from the ground and drag Bruce underneath as he calls for Hulk to come out. After being attacked on his torso, Bruce heals fast as he transforms into Hulk who fights them. The vampires call Hulk a fractured son and that his blood will keep them around for ages. Hulk improvises some stakes to kill some of the vampires. With the lead vampire dead, Hulk leaves as Miguel mourns his family.^[70]

In Upstate New York, the vampires are attacked by X-23, who kills them. She then proceeds down the hall, where she finds Gabby Kinney's Scout appearance hooked up to some blood packets. X-23 frees Gabby and expects an explanation on why she went off on her own the moment they are in the clear. Gabby states that she cannot leave yet as she found lots of blood when the people in the hospital have gone missing. The vampires settled for mutant blood when they captured Gabby. In addition, another mutant is being held in the hospital by the vampires. They traverse through the halls and find a chained-up Xarus. While displeased that Gabby lied about a mutant being chained up here, X-23 is told by Gabby that Xarus did not choose to be a vampire. Xarus breaks up their argument by alerting them that more vampires have shown up. As X-23 and Gabby fight the vampires, Xarus states that he is glad that he is an only child. After using one of his chains to choke a vampire, Xarus tells X-23 that the vampires have been giving him mutant blood to see if it is safe for them to consume. X-23 then frees Xarus from his chains as they are attacked by a vampire that was given a dose of Xarus' blood. Just then, Xarus emits energy that knocks everyone down. As Xarus was fed mutant blood, he manifested the abilities. X-23 and Gabby then work to keep Xarus alive. X-23 saves Xarus' life by giving some of her blood for Xarus to drink.^[71]

Blood Hunt received generally positive reviews from critics. According to ComicBookRoundup, the core miniseries received an average score of 7.9 out of 10 across 49 different reviews.^[85]

Six months after the events of Blood Hunt and seizing the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Doom emerges from Latveria to take over every broadcast medium on the planet, declaring himself Emperor of the World, leading into the events of One World Under Doom.^[86]