VAMPIRELLA (VOL. 5) #23 – Review

In VAMPIRELLA (VOL. 5) #23, available from Dynamite Comics on August 25th, 2021, Vampirella and the Scarlet Legion track down a boy who might be the last carrier of the genetic virus that could resurrect the infamous Dracula.

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The Details

• Written By: Christopher Priest
• Art By: Ergün Gündüz, Chris Graves
• Colors By: Mohan
• Letters By: Willie Schubert
• Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: August 25, 2021

Was It Good?

It was 75% good.

I make no bones about struggling through Priest’s non-linear and erratic writing style. Unfortunately, there’s not much different here if you’re, like me, not a fan of needing a chart and scorecard to keep track of what’s going on. That said, this issue is a little better on the “can you follow what’s happening?” meter than most issues in Priest’s Vampirella run.

If you’ve been following the series up to this point, the multiple Earth’s and multiple timelines shenanigans are still in play, but we’re more focused on the here and now. That’s a good thing.

However, we’re still contending with Shane (the first man on the moon from an alternate Earth and alternate timeline who looks like Rasputin and is very insane), and his need to kill this Earth’s version of his family. Fortunately, we may be finding out a possible reason for his up-to-now unexplained motivations.

Shane’s been successful in killing this Earth’s version of himself and everyone connected to his family except for his “biological” grandson. The reason may be of surprising interest (see the next section for details).

Therefore, we may be eating a little crow if Christopher Priest actually manages to make his story make sense. Making it make sense is all we’ve ever wanted. Time will tell.

On the art, Gündüz ‘s work is steadily improving over the previous issues that look very digital and very photoshopped. That may be due to the addition of Chris Graves or it may be simply the natural evolution of an artist constantly trying to improve. Either way, we’ll take it.

To sum it all up, the story is mostly comprehensible with improving art and some nuggets that may make the previous arc make more sense. That said, Priest’s non-linear brand of storytelling is still in full effect, so your enjoyment factor may vary.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

To get yourself prepared for what’s coming, first read our VAMPIRELLA (VOL. 5) #22 review.

We begin with an odd (and mildly racially charged) prologue with good Doctor Chary as he’s visited by an FBI agent, Matt Ecsed, who claims to be Vampirella’s fiancee and possibly, also, Dracula. Let that sink in.

Cut to the beginning of Agent Ecsed’s story as he was one of the law enforcement officials who arrested Shane after killing this Earth’s version of himself and his wife. Shane then turned his attention to finding and killing his grandson, who also (maybe) happens to be Agent Ecsed.

At the police station, Shane breaks free and comes after Agent Ecsed. Vampirella arrives and whisks Ecsed away before Shane can get to him. An airborne chase follows, Vampirella on wings and Shane in a stolen police helicopter. As Vampirella carries Ecsed along, she begins to explain why Shane is after him and how she’s known Ecsed since he was a boy.

Flashback 30 years to Ecsed as a homeless child living in the subways of New York. Vampires living underground capture Ecsed to worship him because they believe he’s the host of the resurrected Dracula. His kidnapping is interrupted by Vampirella and the Scarlet Legion who want Ecsed for the same reason. We conclude the issue with a story of questions and discovery to find the truth in Ecsed’s blood and what it means for various groups picking sides and drawing battle lines.

Final Thoughts

VAMPIRELLA (VOL. 5) #23 shifts focus away from conflicting timelines to a story about a special boy who just may be the second coming of Dracula. Compared to the previous issues, the art is better and the storytelling is a tad more linear, but it remains to be seen if Priest can pull it all together.

Score: 7.5/10