VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #13, from Dynamite Comics on 5/31/23, brings the hunt for a monstrous serial killer to a close when Vampirella confronts the killer and his puppetmaster.
The Details
- Written by: Thomas Sniegoski
- Art by: Jonathan Lau
- Colors by: Omi Remalante, Jr.
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: May 31, 2023
Is It Good?
It’s somehow fitting that the end of this arc is marked as issue #13 because Vampirella’s future after this issue appears to be very unlucky. Thomas Sniegoski is quickly establishing himself as a master in turning one type of story into another with the slippery guile of a figure skater on a slip-n-slide, and VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #13 slips, slides, and wiggles itself into a setup for an Apocalypse you didn’t know was looking you right in the face.
When last we left Vampirella and her one-eyed werewolf partner, Dagwood, they tracked the mysterious killer into the sewers beneath the Menagerie section of Sepulcher City to rescue a stolen child. Now, Vampirella dn Dagwood not only find the child and the killer, but they come face-to-face with Ezromith to stop her unique take on the concept of “salvation.” Unfortunately, Ezromith is right about something Vampirella didn’t realize was happening.
Without giving too much away, the big positive (and selling point) of this issue is the twist. It’s real, and it’s spectacular. Sniegoski sneaks in the big twist before you realize it’s happening, and better still, you’ll realize (if you’ve been following this series) that the signs were there the whole time. In other words, kudos to Sniegoski for playing the long game in plotting out this series and paying it off big.
What does the twist mean for this finale and Vampirella going forward? It means big troubles are coming for the world, and Vampirella is at the heart of it. When we talk about creators, especially writers, putting effort into the stories they tell to make sure every development has purpose and meaning, VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #13 is a perfect example of that care and planning in action.
How’s the art? Jonathan Lau ups the ante in this issue with panel layouts. Rather than sticking with a standard six-panel-ish layout on every page, Lau chooses different panel shapes, overlaps, and staggered panel placements to give each page visual interest. Of course, Lau’s use of dramatic shadows is unparalleled, and the character designs lean heavily into grim, gothic horror. This issue looks as great as it reads.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 review to learn about Ezromith and her unique mission.
We begin with Vampirella and Dagwood entering the sewers under the Menagerie to find a kidnapped child. They eventually hear a child calling for help, and when they find the source of the cries, the killer ambushes our heroes. The killer slices Dagwood through the gut and uses superhuman force to knock out Vampirella.
Later, Vampirella awakens at the feet of Ezromith’s throne of bones. Ezromith senses a dark force coming to turn the Earth to ash, and she blames Vampirella for allowing it to happen. Ezromith hesitates in deciding whether killing Vampirella will stop the Apocalypse or only make things worse. The acolyte refuses to allow Ezromith’s hesitation to prevent Vampirella’s death and leaps into action.
We conclude the issue with death, confusion, and a new mission.
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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VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #13 brings the serial killer story to a close with a massive twist, a new status quo, and the promise of an Apocalypse. Sniegoski is proving to be a clever fox by hiding such a big twist in plain sight, and Jonathan Lau’s art is powerfully dramatic.
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