DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #5, from Dynamite Comics on 8/20/23, marks the penultimate issue in the mini-series as Draculina learns a shocking truth about her origin and Lilith’s sacrifice refuses to go quietly.
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: August 30, 2023
Is DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #5 Good?
Yes, that’s right. DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #5 is the penultimate issue in the bizarre mini-series designed to turn Draculina’s life upside down. Christopher Priest’s latest entry changes Draculina’s lore, presents opportunities for a new status quo for at least one character, and sets up a whole lot of dangling threads that need to get resolved in the finale. It’s unclear if Priest can wrap it all up in a tidy bundle next month because he’s got his work cut out for him.
When last we left everyone in Draculina’s sphere, Katie dropped the candle after she was abducted by Draculina’s half-brother to use her as bait to draw out Belial, Draculina and Vampirella were found to be trapped in the astral plane between realities, and Lilith’s plan to get her daughter out involved slashing Victory’s throat to bless a new candle. Now, Draculina’s time in limbo leads to a disturbing revelation (if it’s true), and Victory doesn’t go down without a fight.
Therein lies the challenge with Christopher Priest’s penchant for convolution and misdirects. Draculina’s big surprise would be a game-changer for her history and the future potential of her character, but only if it’s true. So, this issue could be a big deal or a whole lot of nothing, depending on whether or not Priest chooses to make it stick in the next issue.
What’s great about this comic? Head and shoulders, there are two developments that could make this comic a banger as long as they stick. First, the maybe-true possibility that Draculina’s origin is different than the accepted lore. If true, not only does that revelation change Draculina’s status as a merciless monster, but it could portend a change to her character with wide-open possibilities.
Second, Victory’s conflict with Lilith forces the adopted daughter to make a drastic step to survive, which could have unintended consequences. Again, the potential for surprise is high, and the possibilities are endless… if Priest follows through on the setup.
What’s not so great about this comic? The chronic problem in nearly every one of Priest’s takes on Vampirella-related lore rears its ugly head yet again – the lack of focus. You’ve got so many subplots going on that it’s impossible to tell which is the main plot. Draculina is the name on the cover, but we spend as much time focusing on Katie, Victory, Lilith, and even Vampirella as we do Draculina. When every thread is important, none of them are important, so you find yourself struggling to keep it all straight. Every comic should have one big idea at its core. This one does not.
How’s the art? Sumptuous. Whatever Dynamite is paying Michael Sta. Maria and Ivan Nunes, it’s not enough. The art quality rivals and exceeds most of the comics from any comic publisher on the market. It’s that good.
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]
Check out our DRACULINA: BLOOD SIMPLE #4 review to find out how Victory got a second smile.
We begin with a flashback told to Draculina and Vampirella by the angel Samyaza as they travel through limbo to find a way out. If Samyaza’s story is true, Belial is not Draculina’s biological father, opening up the possibility that she may be a completely different creature altogether.
Meanwhile, Victory recalls when she first met and fell in love with Vampirella while her sliced throat bleeds out at Lilith’s feet. Victory’s blood completes the ritual to create a new limbo candle, but before Lilith can light the candle, Victory musters enough strength to snatch the candle from Lilith and teleport away to Alaska.
Elsewhere, Belial and a small army of demons confront his son to retrieve Katie, leading to a devastating bloodbath on a beach. e conclude the issue with hard truths, wishful thinking, and an unlit candle.
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 #5 plants a seed that could affect Draculina’s life forevermore. Priest’s penultimate issue has big-deal revelations and the possibility for changes in the status quo of multiple characters. If Priest can stick the landing in the finale, this may be Priest’s most meaningful Vampirella-related series yet.
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