NERD INITIATIVE

The Run Down

If you’ve missed the last few issues of Christopher Priest’s fantastic run on “Vampirella”, allow Shawn and I to quickly catch you up! Over the last few issues, we’ve seen the dynamics and problems of Vampi’s family extend and unfold in a variety of ways as they all flood her therapist’s office. From problems between Vampi and her sister involving a son, to Lillith re-entering the fold. However, it all comes to a head here in “Vampirella #4: Family Plot Conclusion”! So strap in and join Shawn and I as we review this excellent issue.

Writer: Christopher Priest
Artists: Davis Goetten, Ergün Gündüz (Pages 1-2, 15-20 & 22)
Colorists: Giovanni Caputo, Ergün Gündüz (Pages 1-2, 15-20 & 22)
Letters: Willie Schubert

*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Writing

Shawn: “Vampirella #4” was an absolute rollercoaster ride. Priest continues to tell a story that hooks you in. Despite the shifting timelines and non-linear storytelling, you can’t help but be hooked by what you see happening in the world. Every issue feels like unwinding a ball of string. Priest lets us get to the satisfying end of a question we had while introducing new questions.

In “Vampirella #4”, Priest brings in the issue of trust. Cherry does a beautiful job serving as a voice of reason, forcing Vampirella to think about why so many people would keep such a big secret from her. This issue adds not only more depth to Vampirella’s character, but to the story as a whole. While one arc winds down, the tone and narrative set the mood in a way that draws you into the next arc.

Eda: As with most of Priest’s work, this issue gives you such an amazing blend of depth, character progression, relatability, and humor. It’s that exact blend that keeps me coming back to his “Vampirella” run and why he’s been going with the character for as long as he has. When it comes to the added depth, the story gets surprisingly very sci-fi, lending even more to this world and its rules. If you thought things were crazy before, you have no idea yet.

As for the secret mentioned by Shawn, well… let’s just say there are some big revelations that no fan will go into this expecting. I promise you, when I say that they will truly knock your socks off, as they most certainly did mine! With where this issue ends, I’m more than pumped to see exactly what Priest has hidden up his sleeve.

The Art

Shawn: Davis Goetten and Ergün Gündüz really nail the tight character close-ups in this issue. Any time a creative team wants to focus on close-up framing, it always puts the onus on the art side to really deliver. That delivery is seamless in this issue. With nowhere to hide, the linework perfectly carries the intense emotional weight of our characters. You feel Vampirella’s grief in your own soul. You feel Katie’s panic as the rat speaks to her.

Both Goetten and Gündüz bring something unique to the story. Goetten leans heavily on fine-grained details while Gündüz brings a sleeker fluidity to the panels. The really impressive part is that the transitions between their pages still manage to feel organic. The characters don’t suffer from a jarring shift in style. That is in part thanks to the color design of Giovanni Caputo working so well with Gündüz to allow the locations to serve as a visual map for the reader.

Eda: When it comes to the art, both Goetten and Gündüz absolutely killed it. Throughout the entire issue, there wasn’t a single panel that sprang to mind that felt lacking. Every detail felt intentionally and deeply personal. Two pages in particular just won’t leave my head, being Goetten’s work on page 12 and Gündüz’s time on page 18. Everything about page 12 was stunning, from the intense detailing in the line work to the realistic lighting created by the shading and Giovanni Caputo’s colors. Meanwhile, Gündüz delivered this almost creepy noir vibe on page 18, somewhat reminiscent of something like “Sin City”.

To pair with the amazing artwork, Caputo gives his color work his all here. He truly makes every panel feel special, adding so much depth to the settings and characters. Scenes are appropriately dark when needed, but on the contrary, full of color when needed as well. In the art & color department, this issue doesn’t disappoint.

Final Thoughts

Shawn: “Vampirella #4” is classic Priest. It’s fast, clever, and the emotional payoffs really hit. Davis Goetten and Ergün Gündüz handle the art side well, allowing the characters to carry the emotional scenes.

Eda: From the intense writing to the insane art work, “Vampirella #4” is a tour de force in the strongest sense of the word. Priest and crew are creating something truly memorable and iconic for Vampi and her world.

Shawn’s Rating: 9.5/10
Eda’s Rating: 9.5/10
Overall Grade: 9.5/10

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Comments

Have you been keeping up with Priest’s run on “Vampirella”? What’re your thoughts so far? Let’s discuss in the comments below!