DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #1, from Dynamite Comics on February 22, 2023, recounts the events from the Draculina, Sacred Six, and Vampirella series to set up Lilith’s plan to settle her feud with Belial for good.
The Details
- Written by: Christopher Priest
- Art by: Michael Sta. Maria
- Colors by: Ivan Nunes
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Jay Anacleto (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: February 22, 2023
Is It Good?
You would be accurate in calling DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #1 a recap issue because that’s what it is for almost the entire 20-pages of story. Christopher Priest lays out who’s who and where to bring readers up to speed on at least three separate series in recent history so that readers are starting from the same page (*ahem*).
As a kickoff for a new adventure, Christopher Priest’s issue-long recap is both useful and troubling. It’s useful in that Draculina’s history under Priest’s caretaking has taken more twists and turns than a game of Shoots ‘n Ladders viewed through a kaleidoscope. Contrary to the issue’s subtitle, none of the stories told by Priest in recent years are “simple” or follow anything resembling a straight line, so a recap is not only appreciated, it’s essential.
Conversely, a full issue to recap events is troubling BECAUSE Priest’s brand of storytelling is so prone to following an overly complicated, erratic path. Ask anyone who’s kept up on the collection of Vampirella-related runs under Priest what they’re all about, they’ll eventually start looking like this:
So where does that leave this issue? DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #1 is an excellent recap. Distilling the essence of Draculina’s life over the last few years helps. It helps a lot. If you’re curious about the character, this issue is an excellent starting point. Whether or not this jumping-on point encourages you to read the previous arcs is a topic for another day.
What also helps is Michael Sta. Maria’s fantastic art combined with Ivan Nunes’ deceptively impressive coloring. Sts Maria’s figure work and dramatic panels are practically cinematic. Nunes’s coloring detail and application are jaw-dropping. Comic reviews rarely spend more than a sentence or two talking about colorists, but Nunes deserves more attention than we know how to give. This issue contains phenomenal art.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Again, this is largely a recap issue, so if you’re a Draculina fan, there’s not much in this issue you don’t already know.
The issue recounts Lilith’s bargain with Belial, Draculina’s birth and eventual abandonment in the void between time and space, how Victory obtained a magic ring, and the circumstances surrounding Vampirella’s “birth.”
We conclude the issue with an invitation.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #1 is filled with phenomenal art and kicks of what promises to be Lilith’s most diabolical plan yet for her daughter. That said, almost the entire issue is a recap of the previous series, so if you’re up to speed on Draculina’s life under Christopher Priest, there’s not much here for you. If, however, you’re new to Draculina lore, you will find this issue to be an excellent jumping-on point.
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