Painted with perversion
For my review for Vampirella/Dracula: Centennial click Here
This volume contains reprints from Vampirella / Dracula: the Centennial and Vampirella: 25th Anniversary Special, along with a few Vampirella Monthly stories.
To be honest, this was a nice intro to Vampirella trade for me. I only read the Centennial because its three of my fave writers. I found this volume on sale and trade up, which I don't regret. Everything in the Centennial is in this volume.
The art is great, it is a nice variety of talents, some art is painted, some traditional pencil and ink, all great. The painted works especially are breath taking.
These stories at time did feel like they had little continuity between them. But the basics remain. Vampirella is an Alien and where she comes from they are what we cal Vampires.
Warren Ellis stood out strongest for me writer wise. His tale from the Centennial I mentioned in a past review, it is sexually charged. The other story he wrote was illustrated by the Amanda Conner Jimmy Palmiotti club. This was a tale weaving Vampirella in our human history. I highly enjoyed it.
The second story I enjoyed a lot was the Ty Templeton written and Bruce Timm illustrated "Lust for Life" story, in which Vampirella has to decide what is more imporant, love or life?
There is a cinematic tale titled "Sanctuary" which is a short, fun action scene.
The Alan Moore story as mentioned in past reviews is a neat retelling. For more details visit my Centennial review.
Jamies Robinson in both stories didn't blow me away. The Centennial story I just skip now a days, but the "Two so different" painet tale by Ray Lago, was a decent story, but it wasn't the strongest in the book.
The Archie Goodwin three stories were nice treats. REmastered with modern technology, these classic tales are filled with bold colors, which it is a shame if Archie did not see them. Classic horror from a time before guys like Garth Ennis.
I saves talking about the first tale for last, because like Warren Ellis' Necromance, Forresy J. Ackerman's "Vampirella of Draklulon" was painted with perversion by Mark Texeira. This short story will boil your blood.
I highly enjoyed this book and would suggest it as the intro-trade to anyone who wants a crash course in Vampirella. It is a book full of All-Star talent. How can it not be a good place to start?
4.5/5
Cheers!
- Silkcuts