In VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #23, available from Dynamite Comics on October 27th, 2021, 15 years have passed since Nyx’s defeat and the world is moving toward a new balance. That is until an old force has returned to establish a new order.
The Details
- Written By: Thomas Sniegoski
- Art By: Michael Sta. Maria
- Colors By: Omi Remalante Jr.
- Letters By: Troy Peteri
- Cover Art By: Lucio Parrillo
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: October 27, 2021
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Was It Good?
Color me intrigued. The series was built on the idea of a post-apocalyptic future where demons ruled the world under Nyx’s leadership and humanity’s only hope relied on Vampirella’s resurrection. Now that it’s all done, it seemed the story had nowhere else to go. Boy howdy, was I wrong.
Sniegoski continues to surprise and impress with his ability to find a compelling reason to keep going by inventing new enemies or reinventing old ones. In this case, it’s the latter and the return is refreshingly different enough to stay away from the “more of the same” criticism. What passes for peace in this new world is still so new and achingly fragile, it makes sense for an enemy to show up and threaten the newly-sprouted seeds of harmony. Sniegoski, again, makes an excellent choice with this new threat, proving there’s so much more story to tell.
In addition to the new (old) villain choice, Sniegoski makes another interesting choice by jumping forward in time by 15 years. It’s potentially wise because it allows the story to reveal surprises that are commonplace to the new time period but new for the reader. For example, the little hunting prologue (see preview images below) shows that even nature has evolved into something unique. It gives the reader little cool moments to be surprised by.
The artwork in this issue looks great. To be honest, it looks like it’s evolved and improved just as much as the story within the issue. The backgrounds are more detailed and vivid. The color work is excellent. And the panels consistently use interesting angles to capture the most dramatic view of the action.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’re curious about where we left Vampirella 15 years ago, check out our VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #22 review.
15 years later, Vampirella and Jeannine are living in a cabin in the woods on the outskirts of a town named Unity. Life has been relatively quiet these years as people, demons, and nature slowly coalesce towards a balance.
One day, Vampirella returns to the cabin from a hunting trip when she’s suddenly surprised by armored soldiers trying to kill her. Vampirella is injured at first but quickly resets herself to go on the offensive. When she makes quick work of the soldiers, she finds out Jeannine is gone. Seeing smoke and fire rising from nearby Unity, Vampirella flies off to investigate.
When Vampirella arrives in Unity, many peaceful monsters and humans are dead. One demon named Travis lay dying, and Vampirella tries to comfort him as he says the name of the group that raided the town. We conclude the issue with a kidnapped Jeannine meeting her captors, and the arrival of a familiar face.
Final Thoughts
VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #23 is full of surprises. By taking a story that is already finished and finding a brilliant way to introduce a new threat, the series feels like it has a fresh reason to continue and not simply hang on because it doesn’t know when to quit. The art is getting better with each issue, and the creative choice to jump ahead a few years opens up a ton of story possibilities.
Score: 9/10
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