In VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #17, available from Dynamite Comics on April 21st, 2021, a healed Nyx asserts her dominance over the demons on Earth, and the new Danse Macabre takes the fight to the enemy.
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: April 21, 2021
Was It Good?
It was okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay.
This is a build-up issue where the multiple groups in their own threads are moving towards the big finale. There is a big twist (that’s not really a surprise) at the end, but for the most part, it’s a lot of talking and a lot of setups that don’t feel like it’s building the tension as much as it should for an apocalyptic conclusion to come.
The art team did a great job. The colors are solid, and the lettering is excellent. The art team (especially during the panels where Abaddon is appealing to his masters) did a phenomenal job.
Check out what we mean by the art in our VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #17 preview.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
The Danse Macabre strikes out to use the Nyx’s recent illness as an opportunity to take her out for good (Read our VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #16 review to see how they got that useful tidbit.) The plan is simple – sneak in through a back door with inside help from Desmond, kill Nyx, sneak out. Of course, it won’t go that smoothly.
The Danse Macabre wonders where Abaddon’s disappeared to, and we cut to his location – floating in the fire’s of the Sun as he communes with the Lords of Order. He begs to be used to start the Apocalypse — the purpose for which he was created — but they have another task for him. As noted in the summary above, these panels with Abaddon bathed in the Sun’s fire are beautiful work from the art team.
Earth-bound demons have been summoned to see Nyx as a reward for their loyalty during her illness. Nyx wants to demonstrate she’s on the mend and ready to lead them. When they arrive, they see Nyx has become more powerful (in a demonic way) and she rewards her followers by ripping their faces off and making a skin robe. It’s gross. It’s cool. It’s both gross and cool.
Cut to Jeanine who’s sleeping in an abandoned shop, hiding from any demons looking for a human snack. She holds the knife her grandmother gave her and we get a nice flashback montage explaining the knife’s origins. It started with an odd meteor that crashed to Earth a century or more ago. The narration implies the meteor was sent by the Lords of Order so that it could be made into a weapon for just this moment. We don’t find out in this issue the knife’s purpose or power but enough attention is paid that it will probably be something significant.
Meanwhile, the Danse Macabre arrives outside of Nyx’s building. Adam and Vampirella go in while the rest provide distraction and cover. Inside, Nyx senses Adam and Vampirella have arrived as expected… it’s a trap. The issue concludes with the Danse Macabre’s plan falling apart.
How Does It End?
Desmond receives a VERY unwanted kiss. Adam shows the depths of his love. “HOLD STILL!”
Final Thoughts
VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #17, available from Dynamite Comics on April 21st, 2021, has excellent art and good writing. The issue could benefit from building more anticipation for the finale, but it gets all the players where they need to go.
Score: 7.5/10
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