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The Final Battle is here! The stakes couldn’t be any higher in Violent Flowers #4 by Maria Llovet from Image Comics.
The Revelation
Previously in Violent Flowers #3, Carnelia dropped a huge truth bomb. Turns out, the vampires from the clan do not need to consume blood. In fact, they can survive without it. The benefits of drinking blood are mostly to stay physically young and to maintain their superhuman abilities.
For example, strength and or flight. Also, it helps to recover from illness or injuries. So, the clan are just a bunch of vain immortals? Yes. But there’s more. Basically, they are adrenaline junkies. Thrill seekers who enjoy anything that raises their heartbeat.
Thrill and Ecstasy
Another reason for participating in the ritual of drinking blood is sexual arousal. The consumption of blood passes a life force from the “doner” to the “consumer”. But at the same time, both participants seduce each other in the process.
Hence why the clan members don’t collect blood and drink it from a reservoir. It’s more about the experience than the necessity. At least this seems to be the modus operandi within the clan.
Anna wanted to help
Carnelia was in a weakened state after sustaining an injury with the Toxikon arrow. Anna volunteered her blood to help Carnelia recover. Unfortunately, the poison from the Toxikon arrow was able to kill anyone. Even a vampire like Carnelia. But no matter, Anna volunteered to give her blood to help. This act of service painted Anna’s character. After all the disregard and mistreatment she received from Carnelia, she still wanted to be of service.
From One Ritual to Another
In the case of Anna and Carnelia, both experienced the hot and heavy sensations from the blood drinking ritual.
Carnelia took more than Anna’s blood. Moreover, they transitioned from the blood ritual to an act of love making. Maybe it was the thrill of surviving their near death encounter with Erzsébet.
Maybe it was the willingness of Anna to offer herself to Carnelia. Whatever it was, it ignited them to cause sparks and had Anna seeing stars, flowers and fruits. Quite the imagery from Llovet. Both literally and metaphorically speaking. Of course, there was going to be some erotic elements to this world. This is a Maria Llovet story after all.
A life of regret
From the beginning, Maria Llovet has been showing us the readers who is Carnelia. First, she showed up to the clan’s summoning as an old lady. Then she challenged the authority of the Queen in front of everyone.
She dealt with her grief and anger in a back and forth exchange of life force with Bion. It was followed by flashbacks of Carnelia’s refusal to turn Erzsébet into a vampire. This put Erzsébet in her course to damnation. Carnelia was seen expressing her hatred for Bion and the Queen for turning mortals into Vampires.
Carnelia’s resentment
Revenge is the only reason Carnelia is back. She had a complicated relationship with Nikodemos the previous sentinel. But as much as Carnelia hated their life in the clan under the Queen, she hates Erzsébet even more. Maybe she feels responsible for the death of Nikodemos.
Because her actions or lack thereof is what caused Nikodemos death. Erzsébet represents a mistake, a wrong that Carnelia wants to right. In the end, Carnelia sees them all as victims of the old ways of the clan.
Centuries old Grudge
This quarrel was the inevitable conclusion from a past choice made by Carnelia. Unwilling to extend the cycle to yet another victim, she refused to turn Erzsébet. Due to Carnelia’s rejection, Erzsébet sought Nikodemos and seduced him into turning her.
Love turned into hatred, and this drove all of Erzsébet’s action for years. Such as trying to take Carnelia’s place in the clan. Eventually things went from awkward, to uncomfortable to problematic. Which forced The Queen to stop Erzsébet. Hence the underwater imprisonment.
Spiteful Creatures
Things are not as simple if we take Erzsébet point of view into consideration. She used to be part of Carnelia’s entourage of mortal servants. Hoping one day she would join the clan as a vampire.
While Carnelia enjoyed all the pleasures of the vampire life, she refused to bring anyone else into it. Because eventually she came to resent it. Believing no one should suffer the same fate, she refused to turn anyone. But Erzsébet took offense to Carnelia’s rejection.
*Spoilers for Issue #4*
Violent Creatures
Carnelia and Anna found Erzsébet over the rooftops of Barcelona. While Erzsébet greeted with a smile, Carnelia stare with piercing eyes. They jumped on each other. They struggled and trashed about on a rooftop until the sun started to come up. At that point Erzsébet took Anna hostage and we finally saw Carnelia worried for her safety.
Something we had not seen before. Erzsébet proceeded to taunt Carnelia by revealing how she managed to escape from her prison. After this confession, they came to blows once again. Where Erzsébet stabbed Carnelia once more with the Toxikon Arrow. But Carnelia had the last word when she clawed through Erzsébet’s chest.
Carnelia the Sentinel
In the aftermath of this saga, the clan came together once more. They gave Nikodemos and Erzsébet proper burials. Additionally, The Queen officially declared Carnelia the new Sentinel for all mythical creatures in the world.
A title she didn’t want originally since she didn’t want to be a part of the clan. However, Carnelia took on the responsibility to honor the memory of Nikodemos. Equally, she wanted to challenge the old ways and rules the clan lived by. For this Carnelia was willing to be the Sentinel, to bring change from within.
How about the art?
Maria Llovet had an amazing series true to her unique art style. Issue #4 in particular had a fight sequence that played with the physicality of the characters. While at the same time changing their appearnces as they passed from sunlight to shadows. The emotional tones stayed true to each character. Whether they were young and sexy or old and gray, the sentiments stayed consistent.
I give this issue a 9.5 out of 10
Maria Llovet created an exiting world filled with mythical creatures that stole our hearts. Vampires from a clan that can be passionate, whimsical and chaotic. Or they can be loving, strict and resentful.
Nonetheless, they are quite relatable. Finally, Llovet is the first to admit there are questions that still need answers. But the good news is this was just the conlcusion to a chapter. Not the end of a story. I highly recommend you read Violent Flowers. A story of love, self-indulgence, selfishness, rebellion and revenge.
