VAMPIRELLA/DRACULA: UNHOLY #6, from Dynamite Comics on June 1, 2022, brings the arc to a close with a final confrontation between Matt and Dracula/Eriq. Who will live? Who will die? Who will be reborn?
The Details
- Written By: Christopher Priest
- Art By: Donny Hadiwidjaja
- Colors By: Mohan
- Letters By: Willie Schubert
- Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: June 1, 2022
Was It Good?
VAMPIRELLA/DRACULA: UNHOLY #6 ends the arc (series?) on a multitude of emotional notes and a VERY large door open for the future. On sheer surprise factor alone, this comic is a winner and an excellent capper to the strongest Priest run we’ve read to date.
“What’s so great about it?” you ask. Simple. That’s it. It’s simple. In the corpus of Priest’s Vampirella runs, this is the one story that establishes a clean, clear, straightforward story with interesting characters and a compelling outcome. We’ve wrestled with making sense of Priest’s famously non-linear, erratic style of storytelling in the past, but this series has almost none of that trademark chaos. When the story is clean, clear, and straight, you can sit back and enjoy the story without being distracted by trying to make sense of it.
The plot is not at all predictable or safe, and that’s almost always a net positive. Matt confronts Dracula with a slim hope that he can separate Eriq from the King of Vampires. Vampirella’s marriage ritual results in unexpected consequences for her. And the entire issue is crafted with multiple layers of physical and emotional conflict. This issue doesn’t just have the good guy fight the bad guy. The good guys suffer loss, grief, and consequences in a finale that turns a unique monster story into a surprising tragedy.
The pacing is solid, the emotional beats pack a punch, and the issue ends on a “what the…?!?” moment with gobs of potential for the future. The only minor down point is the persistent skepticism by the FBI, NYPD, and Dr. Chary that the supernatural isn’t real. The joke is well past silly and tired at this point.
Hadiwidjaja’s art here is possibly the best of the series. The final confrontation(s) involve a battle against the filthiest, most vile-looking Dracula we’ve seen in years. Dracula is malignant and decayed, and Hadiwidjaja gives readers a classic monster with an unusual look that sticks with you. If Dracula rises from the grave again (*heh*), Hadiwidjaja should get another crack at the Count.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
It would really “suck” if the story was spoiled for you without knowing what came before it, so first read our VAMPIRELLA/DRACULA: UNHOLY #5 review before proceeding further.
We begin with Vampirella recovering in the hospital after she was gunned down in the FBI building in the last issue. Lilith watches over when Det. Imogen Craig (from the current Draculina series) stops by for questions about the death of her brother. The two share information when Vampirella suddenly bolts awake.
Meanwhile, Matt confronts Dracula/Eriq to either destroy him or save Eriq, if possible. Despite all his old attacks and a few new ones he picked up from the Red Legion, Dracula is unphased. The vampire uses Eriq’s memories to convince Matt to give up his attacks and join the vampire. Matt chooses an explosive alternative.
Vampirella was pulled awake by Matt’s emotional state, and she flies off to help him. We conclude the issue with weakened vampire against weakened vampiri, a family visit, and a positive sign.
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Final Thoughts
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VAMPIRELLA/DRACULA: UNHOLY #6 is a satisfying ending to an emotionally complex and surprising series from Priest. The pacing, plot, and dialog all work well. The art is creepy. And the last page ending has a shocking moment rife with storytelling potential.
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