VENGEANCE is the follow up to the popular cable series SPARTACUS’ first season epic, BLOOD & SAND and the prequel, GODS OF THE ARENA.  Unfortunately after the first season aired, the character of Spartacus himself, played brilliantly by relative newcomer Andy Whitfield, developed cancer and had to take an immediate hiatus from the show.  To buy Andy some much needed recovery time Starz went forth with GODS OF THE ARENA, a six-part prequel that was designed to push back the second season production with hopes that Andy would heal and rejoin the cast.  Sadly Andy announced the he was officially dropping out of the second season and shortly thereafter, passed away. The role of Spartacus was then bestowed upon Aussie actor Liam McIntyre.

The big hook of the SPARTACUS series for Fango fans is the endless bloodshed, and SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE is no exception. It immediately picks up after the nail-biting cliff hanger of season one, the gladiator raid on the House of Batiatus and his Ludus.  Spartacus, Crixus, fellow gladiators and freed slaves continue to pursue Gaius Claudius Glaber (played sinisterly by Craig Parker from LOTR: THE TWO TOWERS) all across Rome in pursuit of vengeance for lost loved ones and the freeing of other slaves.  In typical gladiator fashion, much blood is spilled and many lives are lost.

The season explodes in a climatic showdown as Gaius and his Centurions wage a ruthless campaign against the rag tag band of gladiators, barbarians and freed slaves lead by Spartacus, Crixus, Gannicus and their old mentor Doctore  wonderfully essayed by Peter Mensah (TRUE BLOOD: SEASON 5).  Also in the mix is manipulating and calculating Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) who plots and schemes within the shadows; her allegiances are to herself and she plays those in her way like pawns in a game of chess. With more fluids...

Like BLOOD AND SAND and GODS OF THE ARENA, VENGEANCE is explosive, indeed gruesome and sexually charged fun; a smorgasbord of debauchery and mayhem.  The Blu-ray and DVD versions of season two offer up more of the same decadence.  Both versions are packed with an arsenal of bonus features, enough to make any fan of the series salivate like rabid arena spectator. This includes incredible features like “The Making Of SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE,” “Behind The Camera: Directing The Rebellion,” “On Set With Liam McIntyre,” as well as bloopers, “The Legend Of Spartacus,” “Burning Down The House: The VFX Of Episode 205” and so much more.  There are slight differences between the Blu-ray and DVD versions...Blu-ray delivers the 1080p grandeur and exclusive audio commentaries and extended episodes not featured on the DVD edition.  The DVD has an exclusive DVD-ROM featuring Chapter One of the new book SPARTACUS: SWORDS AND ASHES. Both sets are thorough in scope and a necessity for any worthy fan.

Want more bloody, erotic SPARTACUS fun? Check back with FANGO for future web and print  interviews with the cast and the hard working VFX team as they, um, slave away on season three’s installment SPARTACUS: WAR OF THE DAMNED coming January 2013.  Stay tuned…

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