VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #16, available from Dynamite Comics on March 31st, 2021, shakes up the status quo by putting the Danse Macabre on the offensive. Lord Mazarin learns a painful truth, and Jeannine comes into her own.
The Details
- Written By: Thomas Sniegoski
- Art By: Kewber Baal
- Colors By: Omi Remalante Jr.
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: March 31, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, because it’s a game-changer. The story shifts the positions of everyone involved. Vampirella and the Danse Macabre shift from defense to offense against chaos. Lord Mazarin shifts from haughty destroyer to something more pitiable. And Nyx shifts from a weakened brat to something potentially more dangerous. Shaking up the status quo is almost never a bad thing, and this story shakes everybody up.
As for the incredible art, it’s another excellent turn by Baal, Remalante Jr., and Peteri. Ramalante Jr.’s coloring work is the standout for the rich, dramatic shading, followed closely by Baal’s pencils and inks which remind this reviewer of Neal Adams in many ways. Nice art overall by the team.
Check out our VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #16 Preview to see for yourself.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Following Desmond’s revelation to Vampirella that Nyx is deathly ill (see our VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #15 Review to get caught up), the Danse Macabre send Passion in liquid bird form to spy on Harmony to verify the truth. Yes, Desmond is telling the truth and the team decides to use Nyx’s weakened state as the perfect opportunity to go on the offensive.
The art team gets to show off Passion’s versatility in this issue as a sort of T-1000 type character. Passion flies in as a dove made of a mercury-like substance, spies on Nyx’s recovery scene with liquid eyeballs lowered by a gooey tether, and when a harpy attacks, Passion shifts into multiple, blade-wielding drones to quickly kill it. The imagination and creativity going into Passion’s mission are impressive.
Cut to Jeannine and her Granma as Lord Mazarin attacks the human rebel base. Jeannine escapes, barely, but her Grandma isn’t so fortunate. This scenario also plays out as a shift for Jeannine because she resolves to adopt the role of a fighter for humanity. Sheltered from the world and trained by her Grandma for so long and recognizing she no longer has that protective safety net, Jeannine comes into her own in this nice bit of drama.
Back to Nyx and Harmony’s attempts at casting healing spells. Harmony has reached her limit and decides to go beyond her limits in an act of self-sacrifice. The sacrifice works to restore Nyx, but it’s not clear if what comes back is the same Nyx.
Lord Mazarin surveys the dead from his assault on the human rebels. He won easily, but some new understanding dawns on him. The armor is not just a tool and a weapon, it’s also a prison.
Without giving away the ending, Lord Mazarin is not alone, Nyx has a healthy glow, and Vampirella gets some wonderful toys.
Final Thoughts
VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #16, available from Dynamite Comics on March 31st, 2021, does exactly what a comic needs to do in an on-going series, shake things up in a meaningful way. The art is excellent, and the changes mean big things are coming.
Score: 8.5/10
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