Vampirella #0 Review

A new volume of Vampirella kicks off this week from Paul Cornell and Jimmy Broxton. Unfortunately, Vampirella is going to find herself in a very different situation.

VAMPIRELLA #0
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist/Colorist: Jimmy Broxton
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: 25-cents

Previously in Vampirella: Vampirella was last seen in our modern time, fighting the good fight, and dispatching the evil in the world.

1000 YEARS LATER…

I’m not a big fan of bringing a classic character to the present, but Vampirella has never felt like a character that should stay in the ’70s. She’s a character that seems timeless – even though her fashion sense may not – so stories featuring her should work in any time period. That is what we are going to find out as Paul Cornell kicks off his story 1,000 years in the future. A time when people are kept under strict lockdown, and any bit of joy is monitored. Three people trek through a vast winter environment looking for the resting place of our title character, but none of them are going to make it out alive. One bites it will defending the other two from flying monstrosities. The other two sacrifice themselves in order to bring Vampirella back to life.

There is a relaxed haste in Cornell’s approach to this prologue; readers know time is of the essence, but the pace of the story is very slow. It all feels very British. In the end, there is not much readers know about the world except it has fallen apart, and the only hope is for Vampirella to rise and kick butt. Part of me is kind of frustrated that not a lot is happening in the issue, but on the other hand, I couldn’t stop reading, and want to know what happens next. The sense of mystery is high, and there are a lot of questions that need answers. I hope Cornell is able to serve up a fantastic future world, without the adventures feeling like worn out tropes.

VERY BRITISH

Jimmy Broxton’s art in this opening chapter is simply fantastic. If Cornell takes Vampirella to the future, Broxton keeps the art style firmly in the past. Page after page reminds this reviewer of reading European comics from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Strong lines with deep shadows, and light pastels really makes this story stand out. While I often proclaim my distaste for the high contrast printing in Dynamite books, in Vampirella #0 it is actually adds to the story.

BOTTOM LINE: A GREAT START

I had a lot of fun reading the last Vampirella series, and there was a sense of dread the new volume wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to last. After reading Vampirella #0 multiple times, I have to say I am pleasantly pleased with this opening chapter. Cornell brings a unique pace to the story of Vampirella’s resurrection, while Broxton’s art feels like a tale from the past. Even casual Vampirella should give this issue a chance, it is worth the read.

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