VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4, from Dynamite Comics on August 24th, 2022, finds Vampirella and Danse Macabre in a losing war against citizens who have desperately chosen to become Drujh hosts.
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 price: $3.99
- Release date: August 24, 2022
Is It Good?
VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4 is a little odd because it’s structured almost as if Sniegoski is introducing all the characters in this arc, again, in anticipation of something else coming in the future. Vijaya, one of the humans who barely manages to resist the Drujh infection, has her part of the conflict concluded. The ringleader of the Drujh weapons distribution opens the door for a big play, but for everyone else, this issue feels like an introduction montage.
To be clear, if you’re interested in getting up to speed on all the characters, their abilities, and their origins, this issue is the best way to do it. Sniegoski combines action, dialog, and narration to help readers experience the characters through what they say and do, not through boring descriptions. Each character shows you who they are with a moment to shine, so this type of introduction is as good as it gets.
However, this is an odd recap if you’re already up to speed on the characters and was hoping for a little more progress in the story. The plot development is admittedly sparse, so set your expectations accordingly.
The art by Lau is, of course, excellent. Heavy lines and deep shadows infuse every scene with gloomy horror, which amplifies this arc’s underlying theme of grief. VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4 is a horror comic, but don’t miss the subtle (and not so subtle) subtext related to pain and the extremes a person will go for relief, especially self-destructive extremes. Lau’s expert use of shadow around tired, sunken eyes adds a quality of hopelessness to the atmosphere of the story.
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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 #3 review to get caught up on the insidious Srujh weapon infestation.
We begin with Dervish and Jeannine/Passion overseeing a procedure by the Macabre doctors to remove the Drujh weapon from Vijaya. The longer the weapon remains attached to her body, the less Vijaya can resist the weapon’s urge to kill. Just as the doctors begin the procedure, a pair of Drujh host humans barge in and open fire.
Elsewhere, Vampirella grapples with another one of the infected. The infected’s weapon decimates Vampirella’s wings, but Vampirella wins the fight by draining the infected’s blood. The draining has the unusual side effect of psychically linking Vampirella to other infected humans, and she sees the Macabre are in danger. With Passion’s help, Vampirella spawns artificial wings to fly off for a rescue.
We conclude the issue with Jeanine learning a new trick that makes her uncomfortable, Dervish talking as fast as he thinks, and Vijaya putting an end to her struggle.
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 #4 is a solid issue to reacquaint readers with the assortment of characters, their origins, and their abilities in preparation for the conflict to come. The art is a perfect complement to the hopeless, dire circumstances of the plot, and the writing contains a wealth of subtext. However, this is almost entirely a character introduction montage that sacrifices progress in the plot. Be warned!
Related Information
Who is Vampirella based on?
Vampirella is not based on any previous character or real-life person. She’s an original character who first headlined her own self-titled magazine in 1969, created by Forrest J Ackerman and artist Trinna Robbins.
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