Writers:Various
Artists: Various
Publisher: Harris
Vampirella is now more magazine than comic book, but since the people behind the periodical saw fit to include two comic strips starring the vampire instead of the disappointing one last issue, the magazine warrants a review on a comic book review site.
The on-going "Vampirella Must Die!" story by Palmiotti and Gray is a send-up of practically everything Marvel in comic books. The characters not from Vampirella's history amusingly dead-on parody the X-Men, and the brilliant scathing of teleportation recalls the mockery from the crew of the Satellite of Love for Brit stinker The Projected Man.
The artwork by Gabriel Rearte, Meth and Raymond Lee visually pokes fun of the vile vaults of Image's worst, but even if this story is a goofy pastiche, Vampirella's gratuitous murder of a hero stands starkly out of character. It only provides a contrived means for the demand exclaimed in the title. Of course, that could be the point.
Jeff Parker's story is more straightforward in terms of Vampirella's actual adventures but still lighter than her comic book series. Parker in a smooth, simple style renders in a wash of black and white a decent problem for Vamp to solve while taking a few shots at thin-skinned Wiccan stereotypes.
The horror related reviews of books and comic books are short but informative. The music reviews however are more valuable because the selection of some works are unlikely to be covered anywhere else save for maybe Psychotronic. Meaty interviews and some eye-candy from a Vampirella wannabe complete a magazine that actually gives you more for your money.
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