Look for the Lost Tales Volume.
Look for the Lost Tales Volume, these 3 stories are in it. Loaded with talent, this is still a nice investment. It has three stories written by huge comic names. Alan Moore, Warren Ellis and James Robinson.
The 1st writer up is Warren Ellis. He writes a detective story of where the detective is so involved with the evidence, he recreates the murder in his mind. Falling in love with Vampirella, it is a interesting romance story. The art is beautifully painted and sexually charged by Mark Beachum. The art is very provocative, complete with hard-nipples in the little bits of "material (whatever it is) on her breasts and camel-toe in the other area. It is the shortest story, but I enjoyed it. I don't see the Dracula connection in this one.
4.5 out of 5
The 2nd story is a modern re-telling of the Dracula story, written by the Great Alan Moore. I love that Alan never stops to teach us the classics. Hats off to him. I know most of my literary knowledge trying to figure-out the layers of his Books. I thank you Alan for keeping my mind busy. This story is about Dracula now, not Vampirella.
You can tell the love he has for the Dracula story by revisiting the the idea of Dracula's lady in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, with Wilhelmina Murray.
The art is not bad, Gary Frank and Cam Smith create a very dark, but sexy European atmosphere. The unsung hero is normally the colorer and this cases its Haberlin Studios creating two different night color palettes. One of a grayish noir, highlighting the "living" dead and a night setting where only the living pop-out with fleshy tones. It is visually affective.
4.5 our of 5
Now the gears change for the last story. James Robinson's story is suppose to be the main story. Warren Ellis introduces Vampirella and Alan Moore introduces Dracuala. James Robinson has the luxury of having them battle off. The art is a major change form the more adult targeted art in the first two books. Vampirella is still half-naked, it just isn't as sexy.
The story itself I felt was the weakest. It was a cool fight, but it didn't do anything for me. Maybe I don't know the history of Vampirella as much as the true fans of her, but the whole meeting the creator thing was cool in Grant Morrison's Animal Man, but it felt like it wasn't as ground breaking.
This last story left like it was a new years popper of an ending, compared to the fireworks ending it deserves.
3 out of 5.
The pin-ups are nice in the back area and the Alan Moore interview is always good to read.
Overall score 4 out of 5. This book is nice if you can find cheap, but its collected as well in the Lost Tales trade. More stories more awesome. Look for the Lost Tales Volume
Cheers!
- Silkcuts