Vampirella Strikes #13 // Review
A vampire and a werewolf are hanging out in a sewer. There are a number of legends in which this sort of pairing would result in deadly combat. They’re both hunting...and they’re not hunting each other. They’re after something a hell of a lot more dangerous in Vampirella Strikes #13. Writer Thomas Sniegoski wraps up the series under the power of artist Jonathan Lau. Color clings to the art courtesy of Omi Remalante Jr. The big final showdown with a major villain feels powerful enough. There’s some genuine poetry to some of the dialogue and narration, but it doesn’t quite live up to the potential of the dozen issues which have led to it.
The town is Sepulcher City. The neighborhood is called The Menagerie. The werewolf’s name is Dagwood. He seems like a nice guy, but one would have to be to risk one’s life against a demon who is hanging out in a sewer. That demon shows up promptly, and the fight is on. Vampirella is more than ready for it, but will she stop the thing from taking possession of her? It’s an inner AND outer conflict that will put Vampirella to the test before her latest series completely wraps up.
Sniegoski fuses action with the supernatural and a traditional street-level crime setting for a quick-paced wrap-up to Vampirella’s latest series. It’s not often that a vampire has the opportunity to play completely above board as a serious classic superhero. It’s unexpectedly satisfying to see Vampirella given that opportunity. She’s a truly heroic figure who launches herself into danger and even looks to save the life of a little blue kid in the process. The poetry of Sniegoski’s prose may feel a bit strangely stiff in places, but it lends a great deal of style and weight to the series’ climax.
Lau frames some very cool action shots throughout the issue. There’s a real attempt at making every panel hit the page with intensity. There’s a great sense of momentum, but the sweeping action is occasionally tripped up a bit by sketchy artwork. The flaws and imperfections of the sketchiness are often mitigated by some really flashy and stylish color work on the part of Remalante Jr. Lau’s use of heavy shadow and silhouette occasionally amplify the beauty of a panel or two here or there in a largely appealing final issue.
It’s a nice climax. Vampirella maintains a heroic presence on the page throughout. The series ends with enough forward motion to lend anticipation to the next. Vampirella Strikes will give way to Armageddon. So...y’know...things are only going to get more intense in Sepulcher City for Vampirella and Dagwood. It’s a simple action drama set-up that has a great deal of potential to move in a great many different directions. If the creative team can maintain a simple approach, things look quite welcoming for the further adventures of a beautiful vampire superhero into the Armageddon that lies ahead.
