Chemistry major Elliot Torres has been unable to keep a steady job but eventually accepts one by a rumored mad scientist, Dr. Vlad Stein. Upon arriving at her new workplace, and meeting her new boss under some rather unflattering circumstances, Elly tries desperately to make a good impression on her first day. The only problem is, both she and her new employer seem to be clueless as to what her job is supposed to be. Finally secure in the knowledge that her eccentric boss isn't actually a mad scientist, Elly seeks to prove herself as a competent lab assistant. Collects Volumes #1-4
I have to admit that I wasn't too sure about this story with it having a title like "Blood Stain" as I worried it would lean towards horror (and I don't do horror). However, I absolutely adore Punderworld by this author and have enjoyed the clips I've seen of Blood Stain on Linda Sejic's Patreon. I'm so glad I did take that chance as this isn't a horror story at all, but rather a story about a struggling scientist whose chef forces him to take on an assistant. Elly, the assistant, is a bit of a mess herself, but that's what helps her to understand her new boss and begin to assist him. I found Elly's sense of humor to be hilarious and thoroughly enjoyed all the glimpses into her head. I can't wait to read the continuation of this series when more comes out next year.
As for this collected volume, I was delighted that each of the original four volumes' covers were included as a separation between the parts. For a book cover collector like myself, those types of details are really important lol. I couldn't recommend this story and author more!
The only reason I picked this up is because I adore Sunstone and this book has a very similar artwork, so I've decided to give this a chance.
Turns out it is done by the wife of the creator of Sunstone, which explains the similar artwork and it does look fantastic, especially in this oversized format.
The story is totally different though and a lot more innocent. A girl becomes the lab assistant to a very quirky and creepy Professor. The back cover attributes this story as a Slice of Life, workplace comedy and that is quite fitting. As such, not a lot happens in these 500 pages, but I've still had a very good time reading about this story and was breezing through these pages very quickly.
There's few characters in here, but enough unknown factors to make me keep reading and learning more about what that Professor is actually doing. The title 'Blood Stain' is a play on words, but it is a poor fit to the story, since there's no horror to be found in here.
So all in all, this is fun & innocent and I'd be happily pick up a second volume, if it were published.
Wonderful read from Linda Sejic. Very much looking forward to her continuing the series. This is just SO different from most graphic novels - no superheroes, no fights, no monsters just an enjoyable view of real life and very relatable problems of the real world of work and everyday living and relationship pressures