Hello and welcome to another edition of Marvel Snapshot! In this week’s spotlight, we’ll be focusing on the daughter of one of the most famous monster hunters in the Marvel U, Elsa Bloodstone! She’s currently in the pages of the Legion of Monsters mini, and it’s been a pretty good series so far with only one final issue left to wrap things up. I felt that she was a good choice for this week! Elsa was created by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Michael Lopez in 2001 (Bloodstone #1).
Elsa is the daughter of the famous monster hunter, Ulysses Bloodstone. He hunted every creature known to man in his day, and he passed those skills on to his daughter. Along with some of his more mystical weapons, Elsa also uses quite an array of devices. She employs knives, guns of all manner, crossbows, etc. She is most known for her disdain for the occult, though. In her limited series from 2001, Elsa is introduced to the caretaker of her father’s home. The Frankenstein Monster saves her from some flesh-eating bugs, then tells her about her lineage and expectations. He tells her that she needs to take up the mantle of monster hunter because there are supernatural threats that need someone with her ancestral roots. He gives her a necklace that her father left for her that contains a piece of the Bloodstone that fueled his extremely long life and gave him supernatural abilities. She then begins her career of fighting against none other than Dracula himself!
The series was kind of campy, but good nonetheless. It also featured her against other vampires, mummies, and other creepy beings. So basically, if you’re a monster enthusiast, pick it up. After that, Elsa made her way into the series Nextwave. She also is featured currently in the mini-series Legion of Monsters. In it, she comes to New York City, where Morbius, Manphibian, Jack Russell, and The Living Mummy have a secret lair. From there, they also battle supernatural threats, just like she does. Initially, she doesn’t like the fact that she must work together with these monsters, but as the series has progressed, she’s shown that getting the job done is always her top priority.
I hope Marvel continues to use Elsa, even if it’s only in horror/supernatural titles, because I think with her father’s background she could be a great supporting character! As usual, check out my recommended reading list and some of Elsa’s covers below.
Recommended Reading
Bloodstone #1-4 (2001)
Nextwave: Agents of Hate #1-12 (2006)
Marvel Monster: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone #1 (one-shot, 2005)
Legion of Monsters #1-current (mini-series, 2011)
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
For a second, just looking at the image, I thought you were going to talk about Valkyrie. Their character designs are way too similar.
Now that she has red hair, she’s slightly different, but most of Mavel’s female characters are “Barbie Dolls”. Kind of sad really.
I love Elsa! I mean LOVE!!!!
I think she’s a good character too. I really hope they utilize her more often.