In VAMPIRELLA VERSUS PURGATORI #2, available from Dynamite Comics on April 28th, 2021, Lilith and Vampirella have each collected a handful of Tzadakim, but all it takes is for Lilith to corrupt one to end the world.
The Details
- Written By: Ray Fawkes
- Art By: Álvaro Sarraseca
- Colors By: Salvatore Aiala
- Letters By: Tom Napolitano
- Cover Art By: Derrick Chew
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: April 28, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, it was good for not taking the “easy” route by avoiding the obvious questions.
In the first issue, Purgatori shows up out of nowhere to assist Vampirella against Lilith. The obvious question is “what’s in it for Purgatori?” In this issue, Fawkes not only doesn’t avoid that question but goes after it like a dog on a bone. That’s writing that thinks as the average person would think instead of ignoring the obvious in service to the plot. The story comes first, and that’s a plus.
The art is decent enough. Some of the shading and highlight textures look smudged and it doesn’t work as well as it should, but it’s not enough of a problem to hurt the overall look.
Judge for yourself in our VAMPIRELLA VERSUS PURGATORI #2 preview.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
We begin with Purgatori rescuing her next Tzadakim from Elementals in Sweden. The Elementals don’t pose a challenge and she handles the rescue easily… or does she? She bites the Tzadakim but it’s unclear if she took a few sips or if she killed the Tzadakim.
Lilith is reviewing the hunt with Undine. Her minions have captured six, which is more than enough since she only needs to corrupt one to end the world. However, Vampirella has rescued about the same number and Lilith suspects she may have a mole in her midst. Lilith orders Undine to bring three of the Tzadakim to her for a “chat.”
Vampirella is finishing up her latest rescue by pinning Salamander the fire demon under her heel (literally). Salamander grovels for mercy and tells Vampirella everything he knows about Lilith’s progress.
Later, Vampirella and Purgatori have a psychic chat to discuss their next steps. Through the talk, Purgatori confirms that if a Tzadakim is killed a new one is born in its place as a child and Undine will need another year of spellcasting to find it. This revelation opens the door to the idea that the surest path to defeating Lilith is to kill all the Tzadakim and start the cycle over, giving Vampirella a year to find and kill Undine so the new generation of Tzadakim can never be found.
It’s the safest play but the most callous, and Vampirella is against unnecessary killing just to defeat her mother. Purgatori may or may not have already been enacting the safe plan, and we’re further convinced Purgatori is acting with an ulterior motive. Vampirella picks up on the same vibe and she presses Purgatori for her motives.
Again, this is smart writing. Purgatori obviously has an agenda, and it would be foolish for Vampirella not to press her on it. Purgatori avoids giving answers, which lowers trust, amps up paranoia, and puts their partnership on edge. It’s internal conflict piled on top of the conflict with Lilith that amplifies the tension, which makes for a more interesting story.
Vampirella heads back to Lilith’s penthouse to find out where the captured Tzadakim are held. When she arrives, she’s attacked by Undine’s sisters (killer mermaids) hiding in Undine’s bottomless pool. Unfortunately for the mermaids, they’re no match for Vampirella and they get ripped apart.
Vampirella contacts Purgatori during her next rescue to explain what happened and work up a new plan. Purgatori suggests she goes to the next location and allows the Tzadakim to be captured so she can follow Lilith’s minions back to wherever the captured are held. Vampirella grows more suspicious of Purgatori because she seems to have all the right answers but is unwilling to explain how she has the answers. Despite her misgivings, Vampireall follows through on Purgatori’s suggestion.
We conclude the issue with a secret meeting that is sure to end badly.
How Does It End?
Flying can be unpleasant. Lilith wants to show somebody a good time. Purgatori’s “other partner” is revealed.
Final Thoughts
VAMPIRELLA VERSUS PURGATORI #2, available from Dynamite Comics on April 28th, 2021, combines decent art with a solid plot and an escalating sense of paranoid tension. It’s hard not to wonder what happens next when you can feel a double-cross coming around every corner.
Score: 8/10
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