BloodRayne: Plague of Dreams #2
	Story Title: 'Plague of Dreams' (BloodRayne #7) Writer: Troy Wall Penciller: Mark A. Robinson Inker: Diana Greenhalgh Additional Inks: Stacie Ponder Colorist: Dustin Yee Cover by: Mark A. Robinson, Stacie Ponder, Dustin Yee Letterer: Ed Dukeshire Published by: Digital Webbing LLC
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

As the second of a three-part mini, this issue has one very simple purpose, to provide the meat of the plot. Not only has it to build on the present (and flashbacks) of the first issue, it also has to provide the foundation for the final blowout fight of the next/last issue. That is exactly what it does, in loads, and that too with style.

The story here can be divided (i.e. is playing in) four different sections, all of which although occurring at different places and time, are linked together.

First is the Rayne, her actions and thoughts here. Following from whatever she ‘saw’ from Garek, she makes a trek to the last standing lair of her vampire father, Kagan, his castle in England. That in the first part, in the second she rejoins her Brimstone colleagues and sets about to ‘deal’ with Garek.

As for Rayne’s reasons for going to the castle and what happens there, they are related to the second (as also the third section), both of which are about Garek. As it stands, along being one of Kagan’s many dens, the castle was also the childhood home to Garek. Over a century old, we get to see how a young innocent child was twisted by his father (and ‘pure’ siblings) into a being of hate and rage, which went onto become the Garek of today, the one who has become the ‘Vampire Messiah’.

It is in this incarnation of his that Garek has collected and is going to lead a vampire army against the ‘lower’ species, i.e. the humans. His mannerisms and behavior here are a mixture of cult leaders, religious fanatics and politicians (well, all three are pretty much the same), and so is his ability in amassing followers.

Finally, and even though it is the smallest of all four, is the subplot involving Rayne and whatever secret the Brimstone Council is hiding of her. Even though, Cyril (one of the top council members) reveals something to her, it is nowhere near the complete truth and even then they are (as yet) just words and no actions…or cure. How and when this plays out to completion is not certain. I for one do not think it will happen before the end of this mini, and that this particular plotline will be carried forward for some time.

The artwork, although a bit on the dark side (inking and colors), does work quite well in this setup. Most of all it is the changes in Garek, from his childhood to teens and finally to the present, that are most…expressive. On Rayne, thanks to the art, her character speaks about as much from her ‘eyes’ as she does from the dialogues.

Conclusion: Although a bit confusing (in a couple of instances), this story is very easy to get into, in terms of Rayne, her life and her time with the Brimstone Society. This I say both as a new BR-reader as also someone who never played the BloodRayne game.

RATING: 8/10