In VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #21, available from Dynamite Comics on September 1st, 2021, Vampirella and Jeannine rescue a traveling couple from demonic bandits and receive an offer for some hometown rest and relaxation.
The Details
- Written By: Thomas Sniegoski
- Art By: Michael Sta. Maria
- Colors By: Omi Remalante Jr.
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Ben Oliver (cover B)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: September 1, 2021
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Was It Good?
I mentioned in the last issue that I thought this series was done with Nyx’s death and the proclamation that humans and demons are on notice to find a way to co-exist. Of course, it’s not done, but the tone of the narrative has shifted into something completely different… in a good way.
The first twenty issues of this series were fully focused on the war with Nyx to stop her demonic dominance over the planet. Now, we shift into the wandering heroes righting wrongs in the aftermath of the Demon War. The setup and the main conflict in this issue have a very strong The Walking Dead vibe with the heroes wandering from place to place, looking for some sense of normalcy. Here, that vibe is completely different than the previous arc, and yet, it works just as well.
Sometimes the big, bombastic action pieces can turn into so much noise if you don’t get quiet time once in a while for contrast. This is certainly a quiet(er) issue, but there’s plenty of monster shenanigans and a steady current of unease to make this read worth it. The unease comes in with Vampirella and Jeannine’s invitation to visit a quiet town.
The town’s creepy. Its people are creepy. You get that tone almost immediately, and you can’t help feel like something is wrong through a brilliant combination of dialog and body posture from the townspeople. It’s brilliant because the tension ratchets up almost continually through small, nuanced gestures that feel “off.” This issue is a great example of evoking powerful tension through subtlety.
Sta. Maria’s art is fine for this issue. To be fair, this issue is heavy on that same subtlety, focusing on quiet character interactions, so there isn’t much to show off. The characters are well-drawn, but the art lacks oomph. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with it, there’s just not much to see beyond a small fight in the beginning.
Overall, this issue looks good, but it wins in making you feel uncomfortable to the point of paranoia. The little, tiny details get under your skin, and it 100% works.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
You know Vampirella, but you may not know Jeannine. Check out the VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #20 review to get her part of the story.
We begin with a brief prologue of Jeannine writing a journal entry in the ruins of a suburban home. The surrounding town is in shambles with most of the buildings destroyed or burning. Jeannine’s story begins with a chance encounter between herself, Vampirella, and an older couple harassed by bandits.
Vampirella makes quick work of the bandits, and the grateful couple invites her and Jeannine back to the town of Surette for a meal and a bath. The older couple seems VERY eager to get Vampirella and her young sidekick to come back with them.
When they arrive in Surette, the townsfolk are aggressively friendly. Vampirella simply wants a bath and something to eat for Jeannine, but the folks seem determined to get them to stay longer. At points, Vampirella considers leaving Jeannine in Surette so she can grow up around humans in a friendly, safe environment.
Of course, the friendliness gets to be too aggressive, and you can’t help but feel the townsfolk are up to something. Your feelings are correct. The issue concludes in the last act with talk of virgins, a last supper, and the townsfolk preparing to hold up their end of a black bargain.
Final Thoughts
VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #21 is a masterclass in subtle dialog and art hints that slowly build tension and paranoia in mundane scenes. Although, you can tell something is wrong with this All-American town from a mile away, the journey is no less terrifying, making the cliffhanger conclusion that much more effective.
Score: 9/10
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