5. American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 (Vertigo)
Scott Snyder leaves Gotham and Metropolis behind as he returns to his Gothic America with artist Rafael Albuquerque in the new issue of American Vampire. The series has been on hiatus since January 2013 while Snyder and Albuquerque pursued other projects but they've finally gotten together to produce the final run through of the series. Second Cycle picks up with regulars Pearl Jones and Skinner Sweet in 1967. Skinner has become a notorious outlaw in Mexico, earning a fearsome reputation as a mysterious killer from the hills while Pearl continues her journey in America. There's also a new character known as the Gray Trader who Snyder intimates may be the original vampire. American Vampire is known for its original take on the vampire mythos with Snyder positing that vampire DNA evolves. European vampires are more traditional vulnerable to sunlight, etc. while American Vampires thrive in the sun and possess rattlesnake fangs. With Second Cycle #1 as an extra-sized issue, now is a good place for new readers curious in the series to jump on as Snyder promises a white-knuckle ride to the title's finale.