Comics Review: VAMPIVERSE #3

VAMPIVERSE VOLUME 1 #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson
ART: Daniel Maine
COLORS: Francesca Cittarelli
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Madibek Musabekov
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stephen Segovia; Meghan Hetrick; Maria Sanapo; Daniel Maine; Roberto Castro; Madibek Musabekov; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Rated Teen+

“The Red Mass” Book 3: “Paperchase”

Vampirella is a vampire and female superhero created by the late author and science fiction and horror expert, Forrest J Ackerman, and designed by comic book artist, Trina Robbins.  Vampirella first appeared in Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969), the debut issue of a black and white horror comics magazine from Warren Publishing.  Writer-editor Archie Goodwin changed the character from a hostess of horror comics to a leading character in her own stories.

Vampirella publications were published by Warren into 1983, and after Warren's bankruptcy, Harris Publications obtained the character and published new and reprint Vampirella comic books into the mid-1990s.  In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the character and has been publishing new Vampirella material since then.

Dynamite's latest Vampirella comic book series is Vampiverse.  The series is written by Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson; drawn by Daniel Maine; colored by Francesca Cittarelli; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  In this new series, a Vampirella from one universe must travel the “Threads of the Fabric” and gather Vampirellas from other universes.  Their goal is to stop Bloodwing, a Vampirella who wants to kill all the other Vampirellas and also the Creator of all things.

Vampiverse Volume 1 #3 (“Paperchase”) opens on a world much like one of those 1950s television domestic sitcoms.  But where is the domesticity?  Lilith Van Helsing is on the run – from Bloodwing!  The murderous Vampirella has already killed Lilith's mother, Vampirella; her father, Adam; and her little brother, Adam, Jr.

Luckily, our heroic Vampirella; her new partner, adorable-yet-deadly Baby Prague; and “Book” (the “Book of Prophecy” personified as a disembodied boy) arrive in time.  Now, Lilith is part of this “Scooby gang” of the Vampirella universe.  Still, they need to find another Vampirella, the two-fisted, supernatural detective, “Vamp” if Book is going to find his missing pages.  But waiting for them is...

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Vampiverse Volume 1 #3, one of a growing number of Vampirella comic books that I have recently read.

After a shaky first issue, Vampiverse has kicked into high gear with its second and third issues.  Writers Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson are weaving an interesting take on the universe of Vampirella by revealing delightful alternate Vampirellas and their inventively different worlds.  The third issue gets more action-packed with each page as it unveils a supernatural take on the 1930s and 40s.  Think Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow with a touch of The Rocketeer.

Daniel Maine's art and Francesca Cittarelli's colors sell the pre-World War II vibe while Taylor Esposito's letters carry the beat of this fast-moving story.  Vampiverse's creative team has certainly given me a reason to return for more, and that reason is Vampiverse #3.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comics will want to read Vampiverse Volume 1.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).