D is on his way to the next job, when he comes across the scene of a family massacre.  The Knight family seems to have been brutally attacked by some dragons.  Only the daughter, Lori, survives, but she has severe radiation poisoning.  One of the few remaining Mobil Towns was scheduled to meet D at a nearby location.  D helps the man who saved Lori, John M. Brasselli Pluto VIII (and nothing less), get Lori to the town's doctor.  D has been hired by the mayor of the town to exterminate a Noble who somehow made it into the town.  D, however, knows there is much more than that to the story.

Highlights

Volume 4 brings out the Sci-Fi aspect of the series.  It was interesting to see where the whole futuristic points fit into the world.  There was also mention of what happened to the world powers of the past, with hints of Japan and the Far East.  Not only does this volume show more Sci-Fi, it also has no desperate female who falls madly in love with D.  For once, D doesn't control with charm, but with force, and cunning.  Who would have thought the static, moral D could have a mental dark side?  It was rather humorous.

Extras

Included in Volume 4 are several pages from Hideyuki Kikuchi's Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist.  When a businesswoman is suddenly the target for demons of the underworld, Akamushi, the Red Spider Exorcist is the one to help.  Why are these demons attacking this average woman?  Will Akamushi be able to control his abilities to defeat the demons?  Well, you won't find out in these excerpts.  They  reveal nothing of what the story is about, but are like the secret your friends are keeping from you.  You WANT to know that secret.  And that's how I felt about Taimashin. I'm looking forward to get my hands on the first volume.

Overall

Volume 4 was not my favorite.  It had too many random moments that did nothing for the plot, setting, or character development.  Then John Pluto VIII randomly became evil, trying to kill D, then, all of a sudden, he was a good guy? It made little sense. I did, however, really like the new side of D portrayed.  He wasn't the chivalrous prince he usually is, and it was refreshing to see.  

Overall, D's new side was what made this volume worthwhile.  Otherwise, I don't believe the plot was strong enough to give the series anything.  I still want to continue to read the series, and I can't wait to discover more about D.

ComicsOnline gives Vampire Hunter D: Volume 4, 3.5 out of 5 Failed Experiments.