VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #4, from Dynamite Comics on 8/23/23, brings Vampirella and Dyna Might one step closer to discovering the mastermind behind Plural Earth 1948’s drug problem.
The Details
- Written by: Dan Abnett
- Art by: Pasquale Qualano, Gerardo Gambone
- Colors by: Ellie Wright
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Jae Lee, June Chung (Cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 23, 2023
Is It Good?
VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #4 takes the superhero detective story in satisfying directions in Dan Abnett’s latest chapter. Abnett improves on the crime thriller by scaling back the action in favor of red herrings and mysterious clues that hearken back to the detective noir atmosphere that worked so well in the earlier issues.
When last we left Vampirella and Dyna Might, Vampirella got a right hook from Photofit’s jealous girlfriend, Crush, but Vampirella sent her flying through an upstairs window. Unfortunately, Crush landed within striking distance of Agent Sabitzer. Now, the hunt for Photofit’s boss is on as Vampirella and Dyna Might quietly race to find the mastermind before their cover is blown.
In the prior reviews for this series, you may have seen repeated phrases such as “crime thriller” and “detective noir,” but in VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #4, the combination of action, urgency, and possible conspiracies make this issue feel like something out of a James Bond novel. Phillip Kennedy Johnson is currently writing the heck out of Bond for Dynamite, but should PKJ choose to step away, Abnett may be the next best choice to pick up Bond, which would be a considerable step up from his time on James Bond Jr.
What’s great about this comic? Beyond all the standard writing execution that Abnett nails, the seed of a mystery is starting to bloom. There are enough clues to start formulating theories about who is behind Photofit’s drug operation, and that’s exactly what a mystery should do – get your guessing gears turning.
What’s not so great about this comic? The art is generally good, but there’s a jarring artist handoff for the last six pages that’s hard to miss. Pasquale Qualano and Gerardo Gambone have great styles, but they aren’t remotely similar or complementary to each other, so when that page turn hits, it’s almost as if you’re reading a different comic between the same covers.
How’s the art? Putting the jarring transition aside, the art is quite good. Given the choice between the two, Qualano’s style is stronger, with clean lines and a fluidity to the character’s motion that suits the action scenes better.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #3 review to find out what happened when Photofit’s girlfriend Hulked out.
We begin with Agent Delaney and Dyna Might arriving at Phtofit’s mansion while the building burns out of control. Outside, they find Agent Sabitzer’s body after Crush got her gigantic hands on him. Inside, Dyane Might runs into Crush and unleashes her full powers to knock Crush unconscious. Upstairs, Vampirella has Photofit knocked out and drained of enough blood to read his thoughts. Unfortunately, Photofit doesn’t know the identity of the mastermind.
Later, Photofit resists Department S’s interrogation, but Governor Masters decides to sit in on the interrogation, hoping his reputation will loosen Photofit’s tongue. Meanwhile, Vampirella follows up on a hunch. We conclude the issue with abject terror, a visit to a pathetic home, and a steely threat.
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Final Thoughts
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VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #4 scales back on the action but turns up the heat on the mystery, intrigue, and possible conspiracies. Abnett’s writing is rock solid, and the individual artists deliver excellent work, but the artist handoff in the latter half of the comic is a jarring distraction.
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