Dampyr #54 (2004) pages 56-57: Sorry about the worms

A giant hand grabs Tesla but is driven away by a giant snake who transforms into…

“Samael…”

“You are safe now. A grigori's grip could have reduced even a vampire like you to dust. It shouldn't have been here. I will apologize personally to Caleb Lost.”

(Later, Caleb meets Samael and Sir Savnok.) “I must thank you, Samael.”

“You are welcome, Camael. It was my fault in the first place, after all, and I had to make amends.” (Camael is Caleb's angelic name. He is Samael's brother.)

(Savnok isn't so sorry for filling Greta's bed with his worms.) “Well, I always find it irresistible to lie in bed with a beautiful woman. I actually hoped my gesture would not create such a scandal.”

“It's been a long time since I've seen you, Sir Savnok. In the meantime, your appearance has not improved.”

“Ho ho ho! You are still the same, blondie.”

“I appreciated your help in this circumstance, Samael, but it was up to Nergal to intervene. He is the head of the secret police of Hell. He is the one who must watch over your team.”

“Easier said than done, little brother. You know how anarchic and uncontrollable we are. Few of us respect authority. But I will speak to him, so that these incidents do not repeat themselves.”

(Speaking of Nergal, he's in a meeting elsewhere) “And that's all, Melkiresh?”

“That's all, Duke Nergal. That fool Savnok was an excellent diversion. Prince Samael also found the grigori.”

We don't often see Tesla in this vulnerable position. She's overshadowed both literally and figuratively by the tall, hunky, confident Samael, who takes her under his wing.

The characters come hard and fast in this issue, which brings together many ideas spread across the first fifty issues. Sir Savnok is more of a prankster than malicious, and sometimes he helps the Light Team. The inking on his armor is amazing; check out all the worms falling out as well. This page is his first appearance! Unless you count the worms in Greta's bed a few pages back. He also appears in issues 104, 105, 162, 173, 174, 219, 232, and 233.

Duke Nergal and his agents Druj and Melkiresh are the true villains here. Nergal is one of the most frequent antagonists in the Dampyr series, having appeared in issues 12, 23, 51, 54, 62, 104, 105, 121, 162, 189, 193, 217, 237, 245, and 252.