Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Comics Review: "VAMPIRELLA VOLUME 5 #25" is the End

VAMPIRELLA VOLUME 5 #25
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Ergün Gündüz
COLORS: Mohan
LETTERS: Willie Schubert
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Marco Mastrazzo; Shannon Maer; Rose Besch; KyuYong Eom; Ergün Gündüz; Zoe Lacchei; InHyuk Lee; Maria Sanapo; Emanuela Lupacchino; Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner; Ken Haeser; RB White; Roberto Castro & Trish Forstner; Lucio Parrillo; Lorraine (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Rated Teen+

“The Red Mass” Conclusion “Unholy”


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.

In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the character and has been publishing new Vampirella material since then.  Dynamite's flagship Vampirella comic book series, simply entitled Vampirella, is now in its fifth volume.  Vampirella Volume 5 is written by Christopher Priest; drawn by Ergun Gunduz; colored by Mohan; and lettered by Willie Schubert.  The series focuses on a reborn Vampirella who fights the forces of chaos to save humanity.

As Vampirella Volume 5 #25 (“Unholy”) opens, the “Red Mass” is here.  Our favorite interstellar vampire, Vampirella, is marrying FBI Agent Matthias “Matt” Ecsed, the man who would be Dracula.  Will the marriage unleash or tame the “Dracula virus?”  Will Shane, the First Man succeed in killing Matt, who could be related to him – in a alternate dimensional sort of way?

Vampirella looks to forge a bond in blood or at least make a deal, so maybe there can be a happy ending … maybe.  After 50 years, no interstellar vampire should still be alone.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Vampirella Volume 5 #25.  It is not only the fourth issue of this series that I have read, but it is also one of many Vampirella comic books that have engaged my imagination these last few months.

Apparently, writer Christopher Priest is bringing this series to an end with the issue #25.  As I'm just getting into the series, I think there is still fun to be had.  Still, if this is the end, Priest wraps it up nicely, with just enough loose ends for the next iteration of flagship Vampirella.

Artist Ergun Gunduz presents some of his best work of the series here, and his art looks even more gorgeous under Mohan's lush colors.  Gunduz and Mohan offer an occasionally sparkly affair, but throw in some ghoulishness for Priest's twist opening for this issue.

I had high hopes for #25 before I knew it was (or could be) the end.  I have hopes for what comes next.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comics will want to read Vampirella Volume 5.

B+

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


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