Review by Frank Plowright

Deadly Season’s initial uniting theme is the sustenance needs of the supernatural. Vampires need blood, and as of Volume 3 Geoff Allen’s boyfriend is a vampire, while Dante and Vivian meet a ghoul who’d just as soon not be eating the flesh of the dead.

It’s a good start in danger of going off the rails when the ghoul is forgotten as other events overtake helping them, but thankfully the replacement plot hits the spot. So far we’ve seen Fred Allen as a monster hunter in his prime, a lecturer, parent and literally heartless monster. It’s only in the latter incarnation that he’s not been solidly in control, no matter the odds. Deadly Seasons is different. Steve Niles has him on the run and hunted, the odds for once not in his favour.

As has been the case all through the series, give Damien Worm some vampires and werewolves to draw and he’s in his element. He has them skulking in the darkness, emerging from shadows and in full-on savage effect. The illustrative highlight, though, is a page of werewolves in black suits and ties. As ever, slightly illuminated darkness is Worm’s great friend, his jagged figures arcing out of the light always a delight.

Although effective, this is a slimmer story than previously, and after three volumes the threats of vampires and werewolves are beginning to repeat, no matter how well Worm draws them. This, though, won’t be apparent to anyone picking up Deadly Season without having read the others. They’ll be greeted with a cast well introduced, great art and a solid action plot.

All volumes of The October Faction are to be combined in a smaller sized Classic Collection, appropriately enough in October 2026, but until then the final volume is Supernatural Dreams.