VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5, from Dynamite Comics on 10/18/23, brings the Project’s covert mission crashing down when Vampirella confronts Towers for his Buff source and Dept. S commences a raid on the club.
The Details
- Written by: Dan Abnett
- Art by: Pasquale Qualano
- 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: October 18, 2023
Is VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5 Good?
The noose tightens, and the race is on to find out who brought Project tech to Plural-1948 before Vampirella and Dyna Might are captured or worse in VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5. Dan Abnett’s high-octane script spins up the fight on two fronts, giving readers a thrilling issue that maintains the mystery but keeps the plot moving.
Abnett’s script picks up directly from the last issue with Vampirella confronting Tyro Towers for his Buff supplier, presuming he’s either the mastermind or he knows who the mastermind is. Now, the leadership of Department S decides to put a stop to Project interference for good, putting Dyna Might in danger and Vampirella in the crosshairs of a SWAT team.
The plot does move forward enough to make you feel like important developments are happening, but in all honesty, the mastermind behind the Project tech connection is still a complete blank. Abnett keeps readers close to Vampirella’s investigation, so you’re unraveling the mystery right along with her, but Vampirella’s trail keeps bumping up against one dead end after another. In short, the investigation may be realistic, but realistic can also be frustrating.
What’s great about VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5? Abnett crafts a fast-paced, tension-filled script from front to back. Even in the moments where Vampirella and Towers are posturing, you could cut the tense anticipation with a knife. Further, Abnett creates a (implied) ticking clock now that the team’s cover is blown and forces close in, which amps up the urgency by leaps and bounds in a penultimate issue.
What’s not so great about VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5? The lack of progress on the investigation is an increasingly sore point of frustration. Rather than unveil the mastermind’s identity sooner and letting the finale issue (next month) focus on foiling the plan, at least a portion of the finale will be devoted to getting to the answer, leaving not much room to deal with the fallout. In fairness, Abnett could pull off a banger of a finale, but the potential for a rush ending is high.
How’s the art? Pasquale Qualano pulls out all the stops in the issue as Vampirella gives up the act and lets loose her full power. The superpowers of Plural-1948 have never encountered a being like her, and Qualano makes every punch, kick, scratch, and bite satisfying.
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What’s VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #4 review to find out how Mr. Fix, aka Photofit, got nicked.
We begin with Vampirella and Tyro Towers in a staredown after Towers drank a Buff that gave him metal skin and superior strength/speed. Vampirella demands to know the name of the mastermind behind the Buff supplies, and she makes it clear she’s willing to beat that information out of Towers. Tyro is happy to meet the challenge.
Elsewhere, Delany explains the details of his report to his leadership, but they’re not buying the events of the story. Governor Masters knows the Project is operating in his world, and he’s determined to shut it down. Masters begins by raiding Vampirella’s nightclub.
We conclude the issue with big fights, arrests, and wings.
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Final Thoughts
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VAMPIRELLA VS. THE SUPERPOWERS #5 amps up the action, the pacing, and the urgency now that the team’s cover is blown. Abnett’s script crackles with energetic tension, and Qualano’s art heightens the drama, but the lack of progress on the main mystery suggests the finale may be rushed.
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