Vampirella #8: Downhill From Here…

The plot deepens in Vampirella #8, a book that proves Christopher Priest is weaving a complex tale bringing in many different aspects of Vampirella’s origins while taking the character in a fresh new direction that isn’t afraid to take chances.

If there is one thing this book does well, it’s capture a unique vision for Vampirella as a character. Her motivations are purely her own, and this drive of hers helps to push the narrative forward in an interesting way. We have a few different plot lines ongoing currently with both her and Benny dealing with separate but equally dangerous situations. While Benny’s part of the story is not bad by any means, it’s Vampirella and Leger that really strikes my interest.

We get to see more of Drakulon in Vampirella #8 which was probably the highlight of the entire issue despite it being essentially an hallucination. Priest draws real world similarities with the state of their civilization but it isn’t overt or distracting. He also brings a bit of chaotic bisexual (or even pansexual) energy with a splash page courtesy of Giovanni Timpano & Ergun Gunduz’s magnificent artwork featuring Vampirella making out with Leger. This is all while Victory remains at home still wearing Vampirella’s costume…But the artwork is still consistent for this series. It’s one thing to draw a good Vampirella on a cover, but to pull off consistently interesting artwork in the story is a testament to this team’s ability. Everything from the vibrant colors to the awesome lettering in the SFX make this issue feel well rounded.

Vampirella #8 feels like it is steeped in tension as the different narratives begin to come together at the end. The cliffhanger mention from Vampirella saying “things are about to go downhill from here” feels like an on the nose nod to audiences, giving us a chance to brace ourselves for what’s to come. There seem to be a lot of moving pieces right now so I am ready for things to start coalescing a bit more so the bigger picture becomes clear. This issue begins to get us to that point, but I would have appreciated just a bit more clarify on the overarching conflict.

With a strong characterization for Vampirella driving this multilayered narrative, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in this twelve-part story. New and longtime fans will be pleased to dive into a story with this much depth and range, so pick it up today!