VAMPIRELLA: DARK REFLECTIONS #3, by Dynamite Comics on 8/7/24, ignites the fire of revolution when Vampirella learns the truth about the Fabric and decides Lilith is the key to overthrowing Tenebris.
Credits:
- Writer: Tom Sniegoski, Jeannine Acheson
- Artist: Daniel Maine
- Colorist: Francesca Cittarelli
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Publisher: Dynamite Comics
- Release Date: August 7, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of VAMPIRELLA: DARK REFLECTIONS #3:
First Impressions:
Of course, you had to know Vampirella would never be truly evil. Right? Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson deliver another solid tale of post-apocalyptic horror and rebellion with excellent character moments and high-stakes tension. The art could use some spit and polish, but on the whole, this issue underscores you can do successful multiverse stories with the right imagination at the helm.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left Lilith in Vampirella: Dark Reflections #2, Tenebris’s enslaved Vampirella was summoned to deal with the disruption at the hatchery. Vampirella quickly knocked out Lilith and sent her away to the Pits, but Lilith’s resemblance to her deceased daughter weighed on her mind. We learned Vampirella was secretly helping rebels against Tenebris and the terrible price Vampirella’s family played in bringing Tenebris to life by the Cult of Chaos.
In Vampirella: Dark Reflections #3, we begin with a montage flashback depicting how the Lords of Chaos worked through their cults on every Earth through the fabric to bring forth a living avatar. Only on this Earth was the cult’s endeavor successful. Their blood sacrifices, including Vampirella’s family, brought forth Tenebris, Queen of the Tenebrae Monstrum.
Unfortunately, Tenebris had grander ideas about her role in the universe after she enslaved Vampirella and the Earth. Tenebris places a shroud of deep magic around the world, preventing the interference or influence of the Lords of Chaos, giving Tenebris unbridled control of her destiny.
Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson reverse the setup from issue #2 by explaining the end of the world from Tenebris’s point of view. Getting Tenebris’s perspective is a clever approach because the flashback explains how Tenebris came to power, informs readers about her lust for power as a strong bit of character development, and possibly hints that Tenebris’s machinations may have made her an enemy of the Lords of Chaos.
Tenebris summons Vampirella and explains she wants her servant to interrogate Lilith since her arrival is concerning, and Lilith can shield her thoughts like Vampirella. Later, Lilith tells Vampirella about The Fabric and freely gives a sample of her blood so Vampirella can read her mind. The revelation about alternate realities gives Vampirella the hope that Lilith and Adam are the key to overthrowing Tenebris.
Building on the knowledge that Vampirella is secretly working with rebels, Sniegoski and Acheson increasingly shift focus from Lilith to Vampirella as the main character. The series’ pacing hasn’t been particularly high, but now that we know the true motivations of everyone involved, the stakes and pace take a sizable step up.
Meanwhile, the Adam ship reboots after crashing into the woods and begins a search for Lilith. Adam is spotted by Tenerbris’s monstrous minions, who swarm to attack. Tenebris telepathically orders the ship to be returned to her intact. Elsewhere, Vampirella reports to Tenebris and lies about what she learned from Lilith. Unfortunately, Tenebris has spies that contradict Vampirella, prompting Tenebris to order her guards to capture Vampirella.
The issue concludes with a big signal, a jailbreak, talking heads, and a chance to expand territories.
Overall, Vampirella: Dark Reflections #3 gives readers a decent mix of backstory, character twits, tension, and high stakes. You CAN do a multiverse-centered story well if the focus is on telling a good story and the novelty of alternate character versions is used as an enhancement, not the thing in and of itself.
Artwork and Presentation:
Generally, Daniel Maine’s artwork is serviceable to good. As you can see from the preview pages above, the layouts are great, and the structure of each panel communicates action and visual interest. That said, the medium and wide shots lose a lot of detail, relegating the characters to rough outlines. This comic has just okay art.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
If you’re wondering where the heck Adam, Lilith, The Fabric, the Reality Corp, and all the events that form the foundation of this series can be found, it’s all in Dynamite’s Vampiverse series.
Final Thoughts:
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VAMPIRELLA: DARK REFLECTIONS #3 is another solid entry in the series that pits Lilith and Vampirella against a monstrous queen. Sniegoski and Acheson show exactly how to produce multiverse stories the right way with a post-apocalyptic tale of loss, rebellion, and war. That said, it helps greatly if you read the Vampiverse series before you get lost, and the art is just serviceable.
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