Where to begin even describing this manga! The main character Charley is a Catholic Priest who is also a cyborg vampire. Yes you read right. He is depatched by the Vatican to destroy rogue vampires along with his creator vampire playboy Johnny Rayflo. Charley will only take blood from Johnny to stop further sinning. There are three main stories in the first installment. The first is entitled The Confined Elagabalus where the two come up against a vampire princess who has a history with Johnny.

The second chapter is Hierocles' Delusion where Charley is called in to look at a suspicious Priest who is only conducting services at night. In the middle of a service a cross falls down with a dead girl tied to the back of it, knocking out the Priest. Charley and Johnny are caught round the back exchanging blood which doesn't look good, but they pass it off as embracing (not much better in a church). There they meet a cute young boy who is more than he seems. The third story is Fleeting Dark Abba which is a short tale about Charley when he was a young human boy and how he met Johnny.

There is a lot of violence and it is not for the easily offended! There are lots of homosexual overtones and it can be quite sacreligious at times (something I actually enjoyed randomly). The stories are a little crazy, but I did quite like it. I will continue with the series and see if it starts to make any more sense... ( )

Unusual, violent and a bit warped this first volume of Vassalord was an interesting introduction into the odd relationship between cyborg/vampire, Charley (a.k.a. Cherry), and his "Master" Rayflo. Unlike most partnerships we start off with a bloody violent duel when Charley returns to Rayflo's home after being off killing vampires for the Vatican. In the first chapter Charley is called out to China to dispatch a vampire only to discover that the church hasn't been entirely upfront about his intended victim. In a second tale our duo are investigating threats against a church when a priest is crushed under the crucified body of a young woman. The third segment is a sweet recollection of Charley and Rayflo's first meeting.

The relationship between these two leads is confusing, neither really appears to have an upper hand on the other. Despite Charley's reference to Rayflo as Master, Rayflo provides more sustenance than oversight to the cyborg. On the switch side there does seem to be a bit of subservience in Charley's dealings with the older vamp.

Individually, these characters provide a bit of dichotomy as well. Despite his holy calling Charley is convinced he is unworthy of the church and seems rather determined to prove this to himself. For Rayflo's part and despite his impressive abs, he seems to act a bit on the flamboyant side which is at odds with the initial impression we get of him at the beginning. In the second story we are introduced to some other characters who are to become regulars and they confused me even more. I certainly think a third read through is in order to try and figure it all out.

I know it probably sounds like I didn't really enjoy this manga due to my bewilderment. This is simply not the case. Despite the blood and gore there were some cute parts along with parts that made me giggle. The character interactions are interesting, the plot lines are well defined and there is plenty of action. The panels and drawings were dark and gothic for the most part and the chibi images were always a delightful surprise in the context of the story.

This is probably one of the overall most different manga I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more in the future. ( )

Breaking so many unwritten rules of plot development, Vassalord somehow manages to avoid become Soap Opera stupid, instead remaining a delightfully hlarious book filled to the brim with gay fluff, tastefully gory violence, and brain-melting plot crack. ( )