Thursday, June 30, 2022

Comics Review: "DRACULINA #4" is Fergalicious

DRACULINA, VOLUME 1 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Michael Sta. Maria
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Willie Schubert
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Collette Turner with Arif Prianto
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rose Besch; Guillem March; Rafael Kayanan; John Royle and Jagdish Kumar with Candice Han; Ergun Gunduz; Michael Sta. Maria with Ivan Nunes; Rachta Lin; Sun Khamunaki; Ron Leary; Michael Mettlen; Collette Turner; Collette Turner with Arif Prianto; Panda and Wonderllama Photography (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

“90 Hours in San Francisco” Book Four: “Theogony”


Draculina is a Vamperilla comic book character.  She first appeared in Vampirella #2 (cover date: November 1969) and was likely created by Vampirella's creator, Forest J. Ackerman.  Draculina was depicted as Vampirella's younger or twin sister.

Now, Dynamite Entertainment has given Draculina her own comic book series, Draculina Volume 1, a spin off of the comic book series, Sacred Six.  It is written by Sacred Six writer, Christopher Priest; drawn by Michael Sta. Maria; colored by Ivan Nunes; and lettered by Willie Schubert.  The series focuses on Draculina, a woman who finds that she is of two natures, and one wants revenge on everyone who ever did her wrong, including that pesky other identity, a girl named “Katie.”

Draculina Volume 1 #4 (“Theogony”) opens on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California.  Katie finally has a meeting with Belial, also known as the mob boss, Giordano “Gio” Basci.  The bastard has also tipped off Draculina's jilted lover, and now she finds herself hunted by the “Reality Merchant,” Draculina's “husband” via an arranged marriage.

And yes, he can alter reality, and Katie is about to discover that unpleasant … reality.  That also includes everyone associated with Katie and Draculina.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Draculina Volume 1 #4, which is the fourth time I've read any story involving this character.

What a delightful series Christopher Priest has fashioned in Draculina.  It is one of the best trippy, time-spanning, dimension-hopping comic books that I have ever read.  Priest has also created a cast of delightful characters, and their engaging personalities keep the series grounded.

The art by Michael Sta. Maria also keeps the storytelling straight.  Sta. Maria's art is also pretty and slick, making Draculina feel like a comic and satirical romp and less like a vampire dark fantasy.  Ivan Nunez's glittery colors light up the story, and Willie Schubert's expert lettering keeps it straight.

Draculina isn't Vampirella filler material.  This is actually a stand-out comic book series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella characters and of writer Christopher Priest will want to try Draculina Volume 1.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” June 2022, which features an interview with writer Christopher Priest.]

A

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


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