VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #7, from Dynamite Comics on November 23rd, 2022, concludes Vampirella’s undercover mission to uncover what horrors the Cult of Chaos is planning to resurrect.
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: November 23, 2022
Is It Good?
VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #7 smacks readers right between the eyes with the return of a villain that could give Vampirella more trouble than Nyx and all of Nyx’s demons combined. If readers were soft on the previous issues because they felt like a police procedural, this issue gets Vampirella right back to her roots with a world-ending threat that elevates the stakes of the series times ten.
The magic word in this issue is antici…
.
.
…pation. (Please forgive the Rocky Horror reference. Some things can’t be helped.)
Sniegoski nails the building atmosphere of curiosity and intrigue when Vampirella infiltrates a gathering of the Cult of Chaos’s leaders to uncover their plan. With each page turn, Sniegoski teases the readers with the simplest of sight gags, begging you to wonder, “What’s under the sheet?” The tease is so simple yet so effective, which is why it’s worked for decades. The entire issue is focused on Vampirella finding out what’s under the sheet, and when the answer comes (no spoilers here), it’s a doozy.
Second and as potent as the accelerating sense of anticipation is the truly vile, evil, despicable collection of characters Sniegoski created in the Cult of Chaos leaders. Each leader is unique, but they all share a horrendous level of depravity that’s quite astounding, so kudos go to Sniegoski for casting off the recent trend of making villains who are relatable or misunderstood.
Jonathan Lua’s art is, of course, gorgeous. Lau’s line work is exceptional, the small squad of new characters all has a distinctive flair to make each memorable, and the action choreography brims with cinematic grace and energy. Lau continues to impress as one of the best artists in Dynamite’s stable.
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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 #6 review to find out how Danse Macabre scored an invite to the Cult of Chaos’s secret meeting.
We begin with a brief recap of Cordelia Wynne’s capture and Passion’s attempt to use its abilities to cover Vampirella in a disguise that makes her look exactly like the evil cult leader. Now, Vampirella enters the Cult of Chaos’s meeting looking like an exact copy of Cordelia.
The first order of business is a meal that’s not for the weak of heart (or stomach) as the board discusses their disappointment in Nyx and hope for another god… a better god. When the meal ends, the tour begins, and Vampirella is shown the location of the lab where the next monstrosity waits to be born.
Later, Vampirella secretly sheds her disguise and attempts to access the lab with no one watching. We conclude the issue with nosey sigils, inhuman bodies, and a playing card.
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Final Thoughts
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VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #7 earns high marks for expertly teasing the readers until a last-page reveal of the new Big Bad poised to make Vampirella’s life Hell. The air of anticipation is executed brilliantly, and Lau’s art is gorgeous.
Related Information
How much are Vampirella comics worth?
The first Vampirella comic, published by Warren Publishing in 1969 as a magazine by the same name, has a current auction value of $1,200.00.
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