ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #4, from Dynamite Comics on January 5th, 2022, finds Elvira and her friends are out of time and options as Amunet begins her big performance to resurrect her god-husband and end the world.
The Details
- Written By: David Avallone
- Art By: Juan Samu
- Colors By: Walter Pereyra
- Letters By: Taylor Esposito, Elizabeth Sharland
- Cover Art By: Dave Acosta (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: January 5, 2022
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Was It Good?
I’m going to use a word I rarely ever use. A word I actively avoid. There’s something about this word that sounds so foppish and lacking in any grit. It’s a positive word but a word that just sounds unnatural coming out of my mouth. However, it’s the only word that describes the conclusion of this series.
ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #4 is, in a word, “delightful”.
If he were standing before me, Avallone would get a standing ovation with a hearty “Well done, Sir. Well done!” I love everything about this comic – from the cheeky, mildly spicy jokes to the self-deprecating humor (e.g. one of the supporting cast is told to read the inside cover for the recap) to poking fun at Hollywood and the absurdity of its machinations. The finale, like the rest of the series, is straight-up delightful fun.
Enough praise. You deserve to know why it earned a positive reaction. First, the dialog is razor-sharp and completely in tune with Elvira’s persona. If you’re a fan of the Mistress of the Dark, this issue is as close to her style, tone, and brand of humor as you can get without being there in person.
Next, the conclusion is a wildly wonderful mix of comedic horror films straight out of the Golden Age of Hollywood with a modern twist. The combined elements don’t fit neatly into any subcategory of entertainment you’ve experienced, but this mix of classic nostalgia and modern camp strikes all the right chords for silly fun and entertainment. If you’ve ever wondered what’s missing from modern comics for the Direct Market, it’s fun, and this issue has boatloads of it.
Of course, much credit belongs to the art team for their spot-on character designs, action-packed shenanigans, eye-catching “special effects”, and most importantly for a story like this, perfect facial expressions. Facial expressions are so darn important in a story of this type because they convey what the character is thinking when thought bubbles are a practical rarity at this point in comics history. The visuals of the characters’ faces (eye rolls, smirks, grimaces, and more) sell what the characters are thinking and it adds a layer of relatability to every scene.
I can’t praise this book enough for wanting to entertain you, knowing how it wants to entertain you, and sticking the landing.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’re unsure about this Amunet character, first read our ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #3 review.
We begin immediately after issue #3 with Amunet in possession of the scroll that will summon her god-husband and end the world. Vincent Price was unceremoniously vaporized (or was he?) by Amunet, and Elvira and her allies are helplessly left to watch the Apocalypse show begin.
Inspiration strikes! Elvira recalls how the first attempt to resurrect Amun-Ra was stopped when the film Vincent was searching for included the real ritual spell in the script. Elvira sends Ahmed to retrieve his sole copy of the film and bring it back to the stage. If they can counteract Amunet’s spell with the canceling spell from the film, the world will be saved.
We conclude the issue with the plan falling apart, more than one mystical presence making an appearance, and a presented idea for a new kind of agency.
Final Thoughts
ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #4 is a delightful end to a thoroughly delightful and entertaining series. The characterizations of real-life people are spot on, every corny joke lands in the best way, and the art gets every facial expression, gesture, and body posture just right for comedic effect. Dynamite would be crazy not to follow up on this series.
Score: 9.5/10
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