“Vampirella #3” Review – Priest Strikes Powerful Gold Again!

If you missed the previous issue of Priest’s “Vampirella”, man, are you in for a wild ride! The tension ramped higher as yet another member of Vampirella’s posse came for a chat with her therapist. Turns out, it’s becoming a family affair, causing others to get caught in the crossfire. Now, follow Shawn and I as we dissect “Vampirella #3” in our new review!

Writer: Christopher Priest
Artists: Davis Goetten, Ergün Gündüz (Pages 1 – 3)
Colorists: Giovanni Caputo, Ergün Gündüz (Pages 1 – 3)
Letters: Willie Schubert

The Writing

Shawn: Christopher Priest continues to prove that he is unlike any other. This issue of “Vampirella” was full of all the hallmarks of a great Priest story. There was so much going on in this issue it made my head spin. Yet this is just the well-set-up and cerebral story that Priest has become known for. We get a glimpse of the repercussions of the events of the last issue. Additionally, we are presented with a surprising story of Christology and the nature of faith.

“Vampirella #3” covers several timelines as we continue to piece together the full story. This high-stakes family drama continues to grow. I really enjoy how we continue to get a window into the relationship of this family. Heck, Priest is making most families seem normal by comparison when you look at Vampirella and her family tree. Priest continues to set the tone of a story that is approachable for new fans of Vampirella while weaving bits and pieces of lore from his previous runs into the story.

Eda: If there’s one thing I can say about Priest it’s that he continues to up his game with each issue. Right off of the bat, “Vampirella #3” hits you with Priest’s signature brand of humor before sucking you deeper into the very tangled web that is the family tree. As per usual with him, when things get dramatic, they get juicy and relatable. Like Shawn stated, this issue gives us a surprising look at Christology and, as a queer person who’s always told that I’m a walking sin, it’s a look I can relate to. In Pride Month, it was very nice to get that reminder of the queerness that comes with the character of Vampirella, given that she’s bisexual.

When it comes to the story overall, I was consistently left on the edge of my seat! This issue is a true page turner with top notch dialogue that would make Tarantino jealous. Also, despite admittedly taking a couple issues to get used to, I’m loving this style of storytelling. Priest somehow manages to tell a very cohesive story despite the separate stories being segmented, all to eventually come together. It truly makes things feel like all of these characters are in the room, telling their stories at once only to find out they reach the same conclusion. When you pick up what’s being put down, it clicks and it clicks good.

The Art

Shawn: Davis Goetten, Giovanni Caputo, Ergün Gündüz, and Willie Schubert really did amazing work on this issue. With the timeline jumps, there are plenty of options for variety in every aspect of the art, from the line work to the colors, and I feel like this creative team took full advantage of that ability. Goetten perfectly captures characters with a variety of line work. Sometimes the lines are crisp and clear, focusing on details such as freckles and curls, while other times the lines appear to blur, feeding the colors. This issue features lots of close-up panels, which can be a daunting job. There’s no distance to hide behind and that’s not an issue for Goetten. He perfectly captures the expressiveness of the characters with their pain and feelings flying off the page.

Caputo masters colors on this issue. Not only does he do a wonderful job handling the color differences between timelines as well as flashbacks, but the lighting and shading in the bar scene are also spectacular. The jump from bright and beautiful to a dark and damp swamp is only possible with such talented colorwork.

Eda: Within just a few pages, the art keeps you planted after the writing reels you in. The line work of both Goetten and Gündüz absolutely shine here as they both completely understand emotions. Seeing how characters react to the events truly makes you feel for each of them while giving each a distinct personality. Not only that, but they actively engross the reader into each and every setting, helped only by the insane colorwork of Caputo in Goetten’s case, as Gündüz did his own. There’s one panel in particular that stands out to me, being a shot of Vampirella and her sister flying in the night sky, light shining just right to make them look like bats. Nothing but pure genius.

Final Thoughts

Shawn: This is another perfect issue of “Vampirella”. The story continues to be great. Not only does the non-linear story create new threads in itself, it also allows us to resolve some aspects of it. The art team continues to stun from panel to panel, treating each timeline jump as a challenge to create a distinct world. Priest continues to keep “Vampirella” fresh and interesting despite being the longest tenured writer on the character. Three issues in and its clear this will be another phenomenal run. – 10/10

Eda: Priest and company continue to prove how and why they’re here to stay. With each passing issue, I become more and more sucked in, feeling as if I’m a part of the action. The art breathes life into something already wonderful due to Priest’s once-in-a-lifetime gift. I need more, pronto. 10/10

Overall Grade: 10/10

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Comments

Are you reading Priest’s current run on “Vampirella”? What do you think so far? Let us know in the comments below!