Vampirella #7: The Host Awakens

Priest’s ongoing Vampirella drama epic continues with a new flair thanks to guest artist Giovanni Timpano, who along with Ergun Gunduz, help to bring a layer of mystery and danger in this uniquely sprawling story. If you can get passed the gross nudist introduction, there is some really solid Vampirella storytelling that once again will help to define this latest volume as a bold new step forward.

In an attempt to make sense of her rather confusion history and origins, Priest continues to tell an expansive story about Vampirella finding her place on Earth through her interactions with such a vivid cast of characters, now including CHOKULA. While I have to question the timing of this introduction simply due to how much is already ongoing in the series, it is commendable to see Priest weaving some an intricate narrative.

Vampirella isn’t often the character associated with epic horror drama, but this creative team is developing something that feels wholly special for the character. Now seven issues in, we can see that it isn’t some gimmick run with a stereotypical villain. This team has done their homework and has a real story to tell, grounding Vampirella with a story much more human than I would have ever thought.

While the visuals up to this point have certainly been enjoyable, Giovanni Timpano brings something really exciting to the series with powerful violence and great expressions. Vampirella feeding after an extended dance session at the club is arguably one of the best splash pages so far. The Six Marys bring in their typical wild card influence, and despite having no therapist to walk readers through the more intimate emotions of Vampirella’s time on Earth, the issue manages to maintain a lot of the strengths while adding new and interesting elements.

With Victory getting in deeper than she even realizes and Chokula snatching up Vampirella for a thrilling cliffhanger, the immediate future sure seems dangerous for this series. It has kept up such an enjoyable pacing, with only minimal ups and downs, that I’m truly excited for what the future holds.

Vampirella #7 isn’t a perfect issue, with a few moments that might make you cringe, but it’s another solid entry in a surprisingly in-depth series. I’m loving the intricate and long form approach to the story, and this issue is an example of the opportunities that approach affords. Be sure to check out this first part of the Chokula arc within Book 7 of the “Seduction of the Innocent”, it’s an issue you won’t want to miss.