Midnight Sons Reborn

Lore & Background

The Blood Hunt event begins when Spider-Man witnesses Doctor Dark vomit Darkforce energy into the sky, while Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman detect dimensional breaches. In Hell's Kitchen, Daredevil fights attacking vampire forces as Dracula approaches his daughter, Bloodline, stating the world is ending and advising her to join him. The Darkforce Dimension then fully empties onto Earth, allowing vampires to attack globally. The Avengers are ambushed at their base, the Impossible City, by Bloodstorm One, Megrim, Cruel, Unusual, Damascene, and Smoke Eater. Black Panther sacrifices himself to evacuate survivors but is subsequently turned into a vampire. Blade reveals that the vampires have organized under "the Structure," led not by Dracula as initially suspected, but by Blade himself after he is possessed by Varnae. Doom reveals in Doomstadt that Marie Laveau failed to make Blade the host of Varnae previously but succeeded this time.

In Their Own Story

At the Sanctum Sanctorum, a vampiric Miles Morales turns against the group until Vision subdues him and Doctor Strange's astral form, aided by Clea, restores his mind. Dracula informs Bloodline that Blade is the new lord of vampires and she must strike him down. Captain America broadcasts a worldwide speech urging humanity to reject the vampire takeover, noting it was the same speech he gave at the Impossible City before Black Panther's fall. At the Temple of the First Blasphemy, Varnae-possessed Blade reveals he possesses the living Darkhold and god-like power to complete his ritual. Black Panther, whose heart-shaped herb has been healing his infection bit by bit, frees Thor from restraint. In Latveria, Doctor Doom and Strange Academy students cast a spell to eliminate the Darkforce covering Earth. Bloodline and Miles attack Blade, allowing Scarlet Witch to free him from Varnae's possession. Despite Strange expecting Doom to return the Sorcerer Supreme title per their oath, Doom refuses. Dracula declares that vampires now have a new dawn as they are unfazed by the sun.

Reader's Guide

Readers should note the specific dedications: Blood Hunt #1 honors Paul Neary, while other issues honor Jeffrey Veregge, Don Perlin, and Ray Chan. The main series is a five-issue limited run debuting in May 2024. Key locations include the Impossible City (Avengers base), the Sanctum Sanctorum, Latveria, Doomstadt, and the Temple of the First Blasphemy. Critical characters involved beyond the core Avengers include Hunter's Moon, Tigra, Clea, Vision, and Miles Morales. The plot hinges on the revelation that Blade is possessed by Varnae, not acting as himself, and that Dracula is aware of this hierarchy. Tie-in issues explore side conflicts: "Vengeance of the Moon Knight" features Shroud and Khonshu forming the Fists of Khonshu; "Amazing Spider-Man" details White Rabbit's transformation and a plea from a chained vampire in a bodega; "Avengers" shows Captain America leading a team against Nazi vampires led by Baron Blood.

Did You Know?

• Blood Hunt #1 was dedicated in memory of Paul Neary.
• Blade is revealed to be the leader of the vampire Structure only after being possessed by Varnae.
• Black Panther sacrificed himself at the Impossible City but survived as a turned vampire, later healing bit by bit via the heart-shaped herb.
• Doctor Doom refused to return the title of Sorcerer Supreme to Doctor Strange despite casting a spell together to remove the Darkforce from Earth.
• Miles Morales turns into a vampire briefly in the Sanctum Sanctorum but is restored to normal by Vision and Doctor Strange.