Review: Vampirella – Roses for the Dead #1 (of 4)
Vampirella is back; back on familiar ground and back in a familiar outfit once more as this new mini series from Dynamite goes back to the roots and charm that made Vampi a star in the first place.
This series sets the tone of the story early on, with a witch, a comatose girl, a midnight predator and of course Vampi thrust into the mix, with a need to feed and ethically looking to curb evil by drinking their evil doers blood! It all makes an odd logical sense or at least the same sort of sense that enables the Punisher to exist in a “we don’t kill the bad guys” Marvel universe.
The book is written by Kristina Deak-Linsner, a writer, editor, artist, gallery artist and reference model. Some of her most recent work was the Vampirella / Dawn book that had many detractors. I didn’t get to read that series, so come into Roses with an open mind. Deak-Linsner chooses to take a difficult path in trying to explain Vampi’s origin. There have been so many that at times, it is hard to keep up. The origin of choice is the Drakulon version, which is fine. The dialogue fluctuates from being great in places; the flirting in the bar; to being nothing more than exposition; the first few pages especially. This may be in part to the story structure, which seems like it is starting halfway through.
The art is provided by Joseph Michael Linsner, famous for his Cry for Dawn series and cover artist for cover A. For those, like me, who have only seen the fantastic painted covers, you may be slightly disappointed with the interior art, which is a more standard fare than expected. With that said, Linsner’s art does carry with it a certain amount of cheesecake. Actually, belay that, the art carries lashings and lashings of cheesecake, which for this character is perfectly fine. Sure, there will be people who cast the usual arguments. Yet Vampi is a sensual character, that exudes sexuality, which needs to be celebrated, which Linsner does admirably. Colors are provided by Ceci De La Cruz who produces a look that seems at first glance to be a tad bright for a horror book. Re-reading the book, I noticed that what I first thought of as bright, was actually a depth of color to establish the seedier parts of a gaudy city.
I understand that characters sometimes need to go through changes to try and capture a new audience and re-capture that certain charm that makes readers like them in the first place. The recent Vampi series, set in the future, for me at least, was a step too far. This series then, again for me, is somewhat of a return to form for a much loved character.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Color – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Kristina Deak-Linsner
Art by; Joseph Michael Linsner
Colors by; Ceci De La Cruz
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment
Author Profile
- 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
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