VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #5, from Dynamite Comics on September 21st, 2022, brings the arc to a close when Vampirella and Balthazar take a trip to Hell in hopes of finding the secret to stopping the Drujh weapons.
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: September 21, 2022
Is It Good?
VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #5 is a big step forward in the post-apocalyptic world with an ending that frees the citizens of Sepulcher City from their Drujh weapon problem with a cure that might be worse than the disease. Admittedly, the arc ends quickly with a mildly anti-climatic resolution, but there are plenty of story developments to keep readers engaged and a fair bit of intrigue that promises big things in the future.
The highlight of Sniegoski’s script is the setup and the foreshadowing. Up to this point, readers have had little information about the forces behind the Drujh weaponry and their motivation for sowing chaos. Sniegoski’s setup clarifies whose behind it all, giving the impression that a much bigger cosmic game is playing out. When the issue ends, there’s heavy foreshadowing that Vampirella’s solution may have made things infinitely worse on a very large scale.
The minor downside of this finale is the quickness with which the conflict wraps up. The final battle is well done, but it lacks the level of dramatic tension you’d expect in an arc’s conclusion. The plan goes according to plan, so it’s almost too neat and tidy for an ending.
Lau’s art, as always, is fantastic. The lines are clean and crisp, Lau makes impressive use of heavy lines and shadow for dramatic emphasis, and Remalante Jr’s colors are great.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
First, catch up on the introduction behind the Drujh weapons in our VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4 review.
We begin with a brief trip to Hell, where the last Drujh survives day-to-day in the wastelands. Suddenly, Vakpirella and Balthazar arrive to strike a deal.
Later, the mysterious dealer of Drujh weapons fills an entire warehouse of volunteers ready to unleash chaos on the world. A Sepulcher City security forces amass outside to stop them, with the help of the Danse Macabre agents. When the warehouse doors fly open, the shooting begins.
We conclude the issue with a stalemate, a bargain struck, and an escalation.
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 #5 is a visually impressive and somewhat satisfying ending to the arc. The plotting, pacing, and dialog are all on-point. However, the ending wraps too neatly, leaving you feeling like the creators are more focused on setting up the future rather than paying off the present.
Related Information
Who was the model for Vampirella?
The first person ever to officially be photographed as Vampirella is a former model and actress named Barbara Leigh. Ligh first appears on the cover of Vampirella #67, published in 1978.
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