ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #4, from Dynamite Comics on September 21st, 2022, turns your dreams into nightmares as Elvira winds up on the wrong side of Elm Street. Can she become a Dream Warrior before this dimension becomes her Final Nightmare?
The Details
- Written by: David Avallone
- Art by: Silvia Califano
- Colors by: Walter Pereyra
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Dave Acosta (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: September 21, 2022
Is It Good?
If you’re looking for pure entertainment in a comic riddled with more horror film and pop culture references than a 24-hour MST3k marathon, ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #4 is the one to beat. Everything about this comic screams (*heh*) fun, so grab your popcorn and enjoy.
Avallone’s script is a masterclass in comedic timing and self-referential jokes. Elvira’s “voice” is captured perfectly, the setting homages the Nightmare on Elm Street series (not one but several films) with all the in-jokes you could imagine, and the resolution throws in a twist that shakes up this series’ model of hopping from one famous film to another with an out-of-nowhere but pleasant surprise. (Hint: somebody’s making good use of their Disney+ subscription).
At this point in the review, we would normally add a criticism of something that didn’t work to provide some balance, but aside from a few minor nitpicks, there’s nothing off about this issue. Avallone nails the irreverent beats taking the piss out of the Elm Street franchise, Elvira is wittier than ever, and the meta twist expands the scope of the story that has the potential for bigger things in the future. Time will tell.
Second but equal to Avallone’s writing is Califano’s art, which captures the essence of all the actors with just enough of a caricature veneer to add a humourous edge to the visuals. Who doesn’t love the idea of Fredy Krueger… I mean Teddy Luger with a glove sporting Swiss Army Knife instruments?
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]
Find out how Elvira got from point A to point B… or is it D to E?… in our ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #3 review.
We begin with Elvira appearing in her next film-based pocket dimension, spawned from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Running through nightmarish boiler rooms and booby-trapped bedrooms, Elvira avoids every swipe and slash from Teddy Luger before figuring out she can use dream power to move around in this dimension.
Elvira hops from location to location and sequel to sequel until she finds the true villain who created this universe and the remote that could send her home. Before Elvira can activate the remote, a strange portal opens up, and an agent known for presiding over Time and all its “variants” takes Elvira into custody.
We conclude the issue with a walk down mammary… err, memory lane, a low-impact argument over high-impact actions, and a valid request for bug spray.
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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ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #4 writing’s clever, witty, and fun. The art captures the look and feel of the actors but adds a farcical twist to elevate the humorous mood. And everything about this comic is deadset focused on putting a smile on your face.
Related Information
How old was Cassandra Peterson when she played Elvira?
Cassandra Peterson first appeared in her Elvira persona as host of Movie Macabre with Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, a weekly B-Movie presentation show airing on KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, beginning in 1981.
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