Dynamite Entertainment has announced a new 48-page one-shot that will celebrate the 45 years of Vampirella in Vampirella #1969.
The over-sized issue celebrates the heady days of the character’s earliest appearances with contributions from a roster of all-star writers and artists, including: Nancy Collins and Fritz Casas, Eric Trautmann and Brett Weldele, Phil Hester and Jethro Morales, Mark Rahner and Colton Worley, and David Walker and Aneke. Vampirella #1969 will debut in November and feature three covers: one by Robert Hack in retro-style dress, a cover by Jack Jadson, and a rare edition featuring Hack’s artwork in black-and-white, much like the artwork of the original Vampirella magazine.
With the large number of creators on the series, each is bringing something different to the tome. Nancy A. Collins, who just wrapped her run on Vampirella said in a press release, “When I was asked to contribute a story to Vampirella #1969, I went back to see exactly what was going on the month the first issue of Vampirella hit the stands. As it turns out, the police were searching for the killers responsible for the Tate-LaBianca murders while America was dealing with the aftershocks, both physical and cultural, of Hurricane Camille, Woodstock, and Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. My story has classic-era Vampirella landing in a Hollywood that bears a closer resemblance to the reality of the time than what existed in her goofy/campy early adventures.”
At 45 years old, Vampirella seems to have renewed interest due in part to the Dynamite Entertainment series.
“Vampirella seems to have found a niche in the pop culture consciousness,” says Collins. “People recognize her name, even now – which is interesting, when you realize she never had a cartoon show or TV series to introduce her to a mass audience (as I don’t count the direct-to-video movie that came out 20 years ago). Some of it obviously has to do with her being a sex symbol, but there seems to be a genuine fondness for the character from her long-time fans that transcends that.”
Vampirella #1969 is scheduled to arrive in November 2015.
