Vampirella Shines in Second Paperback Archive Volume!

Vampirella Archives Volume Two collects issues #8-14 of the original Vampirella magazine released at the time by Warren Publishing. This stretch covers the years 1970 and 1971.

The previous, initial volume capped off with #7 as the first issue credited to new editor Archie Goodwin, primarily featuring the “Three Witches” epic by Nicola Cuti, Tom Sutton, Ernie Colon, and Billy Graham. Goodwin is one of the most celebrated figures in American comics, as writer and editor, for his works on titles like Epic Illustrated, Star Wars, Batman, Iron Man, Starman, and more.

With the first issue in this second book, Goodwin immediately hits the ground running with a rapid expansion of Vampirella’s cast and lore, writing the ongoing lead feature himself, initially still with Vampi’s original artist Tom Sutton. The duo introduce key supporting characters Conrad and Adam Van Helsing, the mysterious foes of the Cult of Chaos, and the Crimson Chronicles. Mordecai Pendragon follows a few issues later.

Following Sutton’s Vampirella run across issues #1-11, the final three issues of this volume showcase the debut of legendary artist Jose Gonzalez. The master Spanish artist would quickly become the character’s most celebrated and definitive creator of the Warren era, and remains on the “Mount Rushmore” for nearly all fans to this day over 55 years into the character’s history. His contributions to the series and character continue through the very end of the series in 1983. His diverse mixed media approach employing ink washes among other techniques, and his evolving use of photorealism inspirations make every page of his a wonder.

   
   

Other creators featured in this volume include Wally Wood, Barry Windsor-Smith, Neal Adams, Dave Cockrum, Dennis O’Neil, Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Jack Katz, Sam Glanzman, Mike Ploog, Frank Brunner, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Gardner Fox, and others. These brilliant stories are complemented by painted covers by Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Sanjulian, Ken Kelly, and Bill Hughes.

This will be the second of a projected 15 total volumes in paperback for the first time, set to reprint the entire 112 issue run of Vampirella from 1969 through 1983. The Archives are printed in dimensions matching the original magazine format. Stories are primarily in black and white. This approach allowed the series in its heyday to sidestep the Comics Code Authority and push boundaries of mature content.

The following third volume will feature more Goodwin and Gonzalez, the entry of writer T. Casey Brennan, Esteban Maroto’s “Tomb of the Gods” feature, and more.