VICTORY #1, from Dynamite Comics on 6/21/23, picks up with Victory after her recent adventures with Draculina and Lilith as she tries to adopt a normal, uncomplicated life. Yeah, that’s not happening.
The Details
- Written by: David F. Walker
- Art by: Brett Weldele
- Colors by: Brett Weldele
- Letters by: Taylor Esposito
- Cover art by: Dave Johnson (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: June 21, 2023
Is It Good?
VICTORY #1 is an odd comic. Picking up a few months after the events of Draculina’s recent mini-series, David F. Walker paints a picture of a woman trying to live a quiet life when she’s beset by demons, angels, and all sorts of creatures who want the Ring of Belial, the supernatural ring bonded to Victory’s soul. The setup makes sense of Victory’s origin, but the sitcom-toned plot mixed with cartoonish art creates a comic that’s at odds with itself.
When last we left Victory, she was tasked by Lilith to help unstick Draculina and Vampirella from a static time bubble. The Draculina series is still ongoing, so there’s no word yet on how that plays out. Now, Victory is living the quiet life of a cab driver (there’s no clue if this story takes place before or after the Draculina series) when demons attack to take her ring.
On its face, the story is simple and straightforward. Through the dialog, you get a relatively clear understanding of Victory’s background, why she has a special ring, and why everyone is after it. Both the plot progression and pacing make sense for a clear, quick read.
Where the issue stumbles is in Walker’s odd choice of tone. It feels like you’re reading a Cartoon Network sitcom ala Teen Titans Go! When demons attack, they’re handled with as much urgency and seriousness as swatting a swarm of mosquitoes, and the dialog brims with Whedon-esque banter. Walker’s creative choice in tone would probably work in any number of other comics, but given Victory’s recent history within the Vampirella titles, this tone feels woefully out of place.
The weird tone is amplified even more by Bret Weldele’s cartoonish art. Sometimes that word (“cartoonish”) gets thrown around unfairly, but it fits in this case. The pages look like something you would picture in a Cartoon Network Adult Swim show. The figure work is very low in fidelity and detail, so the art would be more at home in a kids’ comic ala Scooby-Doo or the Superhero Girls. Again, this art may be fine in any number of other comics, but it doesn’t fit Victory.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a prologue flashback to Victory as a little girl. When she’s caught playing doctor with the local boys, her preacher father punishes Victory mercilessly. Now, Victory is convinced that she has no choice but to live a life of bad decisions with ugly consequences.
Victory, now working as a cab driver, screeches through a city street after emerging from a portal. Her cab is chased by a pack of demons driving a monster truck. When a collision brings both vehicles to a stop, Victory fights the demons using the power of her ring. Nearby, a pair of supernatural onlookers wait to see how the fight plays out before approaching Victory with a request.
We conclude the issue with unusual power, an old acquaintance with a new face, and a request for help.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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VICTORY #1 brings the latest Vampirella character to life in her own series when her boring life is disrupted by demons and a pair of supernatural beings looking for help. The setup is fine, but the Whedon-esque vibe and cartoonish art create a tone that doesn’t fit the character or the gravity of her situation.
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