Summary

• Blade's arrival in the MCU signals the rise of vampires, as shown in Avengers #14, building on comic lore already established in the movies.
• Atlantis's role in creating the first vampires is revealed by Hercules, setting the stage for Blade to battle these undead creatures.
• With the upcoming Blade movie starring Mahershala Ali, vampires are ready to infest the MCU, posing a threat that only Blade can stand against.

Warning: contains spoilers for Avengers #14!

Blade’s imminent arrival in the MCU means vampires are right behind him, and the movies have already laid the foundation for their lore. The Marvel Universe is currently in the throes of Blood Hunt. This event sees Earth’s vampires rise up to claim the planet as their own. In Avengers #14, vampire history is explored, and many of the building blocks of the lore are already present in the MCU.

Avengers #14 is written by Jed MacKay and drawn by CF Villa. The Bloodcoven have taken out the Avengers, forcing Captain America to bring together an ad hoc version of the team. Hercules answers the call, and as he fights the vampires, he briefly recounts their history. He blames Atlantis for the creature’s existence.

Hercules, growing more frustrated with the undead, explains that Atlantean sorcerers, attempting to transcribe the Darkhold, created the first vampires.

Atlantis' Legacy Extends Beyond the Sub-Mariner

Vampires Have a Legacy of Evil in the Marvel Universe--But Thankfully There is Blade

Although Atlantis is best known as the home of Namor the Sub-Mariner, it has an extensive history beyond him in the Marvel Universe. Hercules’ account is correct: Atlantis was responsible for creating the first vampires. The undead have stalked the Earth ever since. Over the years, various vampire hunters have emerged, but none like Blade. A day walker, Blade, turns the tables on vampires by using their own powers against them. Blade is a fan favorite character, and was the first Marvel character to successfully headline his own movie in 1998, starring Wesley Snipes.

A new Blade movie, starring Mahershala Ali in the title role, will grace theaters in 2025. This movie represents an exciting expansion of the MCU, as it will introduce vampires and other supernatural elements to the mix. Marvel has an extensive vampire lore for the MCU to draw on. Establishing that lore in a convincing way can be tricky, but the MCU has already introduced a variant of Atlantis in Wakanda Forever. Atlantis is the foundation for vampires in the comic, and it could be again in the MCU.

The Vampires Are Ready to Infest the MCU

Blade Might Be All That Stands in Their Way

Other MCU projects, such as Werewolf by Night, also established vampires and other monsters, and there are those who hunt them as well. Blade made his debut (of sorts) in the Eternals post-credit scene. Blade’s solo film can pick up the disparate elements about vampires that are lying around the MCU and fashion them into an exciting and cohesive backstory. Vampires have made a major impact on the Marvel Universe, as seen in events such as Blood Hunt, and in Blade’s solo movie, they will leave a mark on the MCU as well.

Avengers #14 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!