Review: Vampirella: The Dark Powers #2

It seems that multiverses are all the rage right now, and with this second issue of this series building on Dynamites version of a multiverse (at least one of them by the way), its time for more “it’s your world Jim, but not as you know it”. Of course, there is the little matter of the savage beastie from last issue to deal with first.

The AI spawned monster, created by manifesting the powers and nature of that which killed it remains at large. Now, Vampi or “Ella as she is known here, is not one to back down from a challenge and sets her sights on painting the town monster blood red. Her naiveté and gumption both hinder and impress with the results that fails to endear either ‘Ellla or the Project to each other. Still, this is the second issue so it can’t end yet.

Dan Abnett has pretty much cornered the snappy sarcastic version of Vampi. Here, she is her monstress, stubborn and resilient best, though there does seem to be a touch of melancholy to her believe that she cannot play well with others. Abnett plays on this aspect throughout this issue, though it is not a view shared by everyone on the team. After the initial action scene, Abnett goes about giving the reader some character interaction. This allows for Vampi’s flirty side to be shown. At times these pages can feel like an information overload; hopefully aspects of these conversations will resurface down the line.

Paul Davidson’s art continues to work for the most part. The action piece that makes up the first act of the book is well crafted, chaotic at times, though do match the ferocity and savagery that Vampi inner monologues more than implies. There is a certain Justice Society of America feel to the Project team that I quite like. However, faces seems to be Davidson’s downfall. Granted every artist has their artistic licence to their work; Vampi here is different to how she is in other books. But there is more to it than that. Her elongated nose and narrow face doesn’t quite work for me at time. This narrowness also applies to her frame which I feel tries too hard to be sexy. Andrew Dalhouse supplies the colors; I imagine he had to restock on red after that first act for sure! The rest of the scheme is gorgeous especially the space setting and the world of Plural 5192. However this is a mis-coloring toward the end where it seems that shorts are applied to Vampi with no rhyme or reason. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou provides the letters making sure that all that monologuing doesn’t impact on the art and the pace fo the story well. As you would expect, there are a raft of covers to choose from; the main Jae Lee & June Chung cover is very stylised, with Joesph Michael Linsner providing his usual cheesecake elements.

I really enjoyed the first issues of this series, with Davidson’s distinctive art. This second issue somehow feels like step backwards somehow. Story wise, this is an enjoyable romp with one of my favourite characters.

Writing – 4 Stars

Art 3.5 Stars

Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 3.5 Stars

Written by Dan Abnett
Art by; Paul Davidson
Colors by; Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by; Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Covers by; Jae Lee with June Chung and Joseph Michael Linsner
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network