VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #6, from Dynamite Comics on October 19, 2022, begins the latest arc in the Danse Macabre crusade against the Cult of Chaos when Vampirella tracks down a high-ranking devotee to uncover the Cult’s plan.
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)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 19, 2022
Is It Good?
VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #6 begins a new arc in a post-apocalyptic Earth where humans and demons struggle to peacefully coexist. Thomas Sniegoski continues the title’s evolution into supernatural police procedural with high stakes, eclectic characters, and a crime mystery that will keep you guessing.
We praised Sniegoski’s smooth method of transitioning this title from a war against Nyx and her demon army into a police procedural where Vampirella takes on the job of keeping the peace in the aftermath. Now, Sniegoski reinvents the title yet again by leaning into the spy thriller genre as Vampirella leads an impossible undercover mission to uncover the Cult of Chaos’s plans. Through drips and drabs of dialog from the evildoers, there’s a hint of terrible things to come, so Sniegoski’s smooth genre-bending is further enhanced by incredibly nimble foreshadowing to build intrigue.
The plot centers around Danse Macabre’s efforts to squelch the Cult of Chaos, fearing history may repeat itself if the Cult leadership is planning something big. The pacing and action are spot-on, but it’s the dialog that elevates this issue’s importance. Snippets of conversations and exchanges between characters drop just enough hints to build mystery and curiosity without divulging too much to give the big reveals away. In several ways, this is a rock-solid start to a new arc because the story sets up and foreshadows things to come while taking strides to move the plot forward in the here and now.
Jonathan Lau’s art (metaphorically) drips with drama and mood in this issue. Long, dark shadows keep the story in perpetual gloom, and the layout maximizes dramatic effect in every panel. “Contrast and shadows” is the name of the game for success in this series, and Lau delivers beautifully.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with two threads jumping back and forth through time to set the stage for this latest arc. Vampirella and Danse Macabre have their hands full breaking up Cult of Chaos cells engaged in misdeeds, sacrifices, and general mayhem. Dervish believes the cells are precursors to a larger plan by the Cult of Chaos leaders. When Dervish receives intel about a secret meeting that will assemble all the leaders at once, he concocts a plan to infiltrate the meeting.
Vampirella finds one of the Chaos leaders, Cordelia Wynne, and takes her into custody before Wunne can leave for the big meeting. With the help of Passion/Jeannine, Vampirella learns apiece of the Cult’s puzzle. We conclude the issue with Jeannine demonstrating new abilities, a delayed flight, and an uninterrupted plan.
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Final Thoughts
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VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #6 is a nearly perfect setup issue to kick off the latest arc. Vampirella investigates a plot with potentially world-ending consequences, so the stakes are immediately shy high, and Lau’s art pushes maximum drama on every page.
Related Information
When was Vampirella created?
Vampirella was first introduced to the world in her own self-titled magazine from Warren Publishing in July 1969.
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