Review: Vampirella Valentine's Day Special 2022

What a difference a year makes! Last year, the Vampirella Valentine’s Special brought us to the Vampiverse book. I wonder wha this years special will bring down the line. That’s a concern for another time as we have four tales of love and lust to woo our hearts.

A Dame With Fangs
(W) David Avallone (A) Vincenzo Carratu (Col) Ellie Wright (Let) Jeff Eckleberry
First up is this tale of long ago love from the distant year of 1972. A rookie cop comes across a vampire, and who should save his life? With Vampi’s appearance a love of sorts, begins at a crescendo before falling into a life of one night’s promise and no so much regret. But trying to catch love is like trying to catch lightening in a bottle, even if the fires of passion remain firmly focused on that “oh what a night”. The Script by Avallone sparkles with charm and the warmth of loves after glow. Carratu;s art is well balanced for the most part; Vampi looks hot even in a police jacket, though poses can be a touch less designed in place. The colors from Ellie Wright and depth to proceedings that may surprise.

Writing – 5 Stars; Art – 4 Stars; Colors – 5 Stars; Overall – 4.5 Stars

A Match Made in Hell
(W; A; Col) George Kambadais (Let) Jeff Eckleberry
It. seems that hell hath no fury than a water demon? Vampi is up to her thigh highs in fire demon trouble. Who better to help out than the aforementioned water demon? Of course, best laid plans of mice, men and being from Drakulon have a tendency to go awry. Gambadias has punchy script this is coupled with an almost anime feel to the action. The colors are quite neon-esque which add to the anime fell. It’s quite a change up from the first story; perhaps a change up too far?

Writing – 3 Stars; Art – 3.5 Stars; Colors – 3.5 Stars. Overall – 3.5 Stars

Outlaws
(W) Jacob Edgar; (A) Andres Labrada; (Col) Ellie Wright (Let) Jeff Eckleberry
Love, a tale older than time or so it’s been said, rears it’s true intentions as a couple of desperate outlaws in the wild wild west look to a mysterious woman to help them out of a tricky situation. Edgar’s script captures the sheen of the western genre. with the dialogue between the lovers working well, in a long winded kind of way. Andres Labrada’a art feels a little anachronistic, given the magna styling of the characters faces. Still Vampi as a saloon girl kind of works. Wright’s colors are washed out which meets the western trope well. Of all the tales of love in the book, this is for me the weakest of the four.

Writing – 3 Stars; Art – 2.5 Stars; Colors – 4 Stars. Overall – 3 Stars

O Glorious Saint Valentine
(W) Dearbhala Kelly; (A) George Kambadais & Emilana Pinna; (Col) George Kambadais; (Let) Jeff Eckleberry
A spirit, driven too “release’ the lonely and the lovelorn from their unloved life. Valentine’s day then seems like the perfect hunting ground. Who better then, than Vampi as she steps into the disco world, and boy does she ever! Dearbhala Kelly’s script brilliantly sets the table with quick introductions its off to the dance floor, with a fantastically crafted end.. Kambadais pulls double duty, helped out by Emilana Pinna. The pair give this story more presence, bodies more structure than Kambadais ‘ first story. The colors, again from Kambadais, are a great mix of darkness, disco and damsels. A great bookend story!

Writing – 5 Stars; Art – 5 Stars; Colors – 5 Stars. Overall – 5 Stars

Amidst the art changes, letterer Jeff Eckleberry remains the constant professional with easy to read fonts that help the reader adjust to the very different story and art styles on show. This book is a tale of two great bookends that bring everything that makes a great Vampi book; flirty banter, heart warming moments with a touch of faith, or even love thrown into the cauldron. Bring on Valentines Day 2023!

Overall – 4 Stars

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