Vampirella was created by Forrest J. Ackerman and Trina Robbins in “Vampirella #1” (September 1969). Since then, many stories have been written. In this post, I will present the compilation “VAMPIRELLA MASTERS SERIES VOL 4: VISIONARIES TPB,” published between 1993 and 2006. This compilation was released by Dynamite/Mythos in Brazil in 2014.
Below, I intend to briefly describe each story, starting from the lowest to the highest rating.
11. Halloween Trick & Treat (2004) – Fantasy Feast
Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI – Art by AMANDA CONNER
This story, unfortunately, does not meet the usual expectations associated with Vampirella. The narrative takes an approach that may not resonate with the character’s more traditional fans. From the beginning, with a scene that some may find uncomfortable or distasteful, to the unfolding plot at a teenage costume party, the story seems to deviate from the characteristic tone and style of the series. Additionally, the characters feel out of place, and the art doesn’t seem to align with the essence of Vampirella that readers know and appreciate. Despite attempts at humor, the text seems to lack depth and fails to achieve the emotional or narrative impact expected from a story involving Vampirella. Furthermore, the visual representation of the characters and the environment seems inadequate, which may be disappointing for fans who appreciate the character’s iconic aesthetic and style.
However, it’s worth noting that the cover art by Alex Horley is particularly striking and captures the essence of Vampirella beautifully.
★ 0.68/10
10. Creepy Fearbook (1993) – Bugs
Written by KURT BUSIEK – Art by ARTHUR ADAMS
The story unfolds within the depths of a centuries-old forest, cloaked in enigmatic shadows, as Vampirella embarks on a mission to unveil its mysteries and reconcile the conflict between humans and these elusive shadows. The script adopts a somewhat simplistic tone, reminiscent of the afternoon movies we enjoyed during our childhood. While the artwork possesses its own charm, it diverges significantly from the expected style found in Vampirella comics. Instead, it harkens back to the aesthetics of older Marvel comics, resulting in a departure from the character’s traditional portrayal.
★ 3.0/10
09. Vampirella 25th Anniversary Special (1996) – Vampirella of Drakulon
Written by FOREST J. ACKERMAN – Art by MARK TEIXEIRA
The planet Drakulon has a race that depends solely on blood to survive. Due to the intense heat, the planet is weak due to blood deprivation! Despite the good art by Mark Teixeira, this story leaves much to be desired.
★ 3.5/10
08. Vampirella Summer Special 1 (2005) – Matinee
Written and Art by MICHAEL GOLDEN
The story unfolds during a movie matinee, with the main characters being children, apparently aged between 9 and 13. Like “Creepy Fearbook” (1993), the plot takes a more child-oriented approach, evoking memories of afternoon session movies. However, in this story, there is a more interesting element: the children watch a horror movie in the theater, and one of them gets very scared. As the plot unfolds, while the children watch the movie, monsters approach them without them realizing it. Once again, Vampirella proves to be a heroine by saving the children. Additionally, she skillfully makes the children believe that it was just the end of the movie they watched, protecting their innocent minds. Michael Golden’s art is well executed, highlighting the horror and action elements that permeate the story. His ability to capture suspense and emotion adds depth to the narrative and enhances the reader’s experience. Overall, “Matinee” offers a fun and exciting adventure, although its more child-oriented approach may not appeal to all fans of the series. Still, it’s an interesting addition to the Vampirella universe, providing a unique and memorable experience for readers.
★ 4.5/10
07. Vampirella Comics Magazine 1 (2003) – The Killing Floor
Written and Art by STEVE LIEBER
Vampirella teams up with Hobby on a mission to investigate an unusual slaughterhouse, where blood is cultivated. Throughout the story, they encounter a cult trying to resurrect their leader through blood and evil practices. The art in this comic is in black and white, perfectly capturing the sinister scenes of this cursed cult.
★ 5.2/10
06. Vampirella 19 (1999) – Sanctuary
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST – Art by ALAN DAVIS
In this story, Vampirella proves herself as a true heroine, fighting demonic species to protect a baby. And for this, she even relies on the help of priests and nuns from the Catholic Church. Christopher Priest presents us with a silent story, but despite that, a beautiful and exciting story, especially due to the wonderful art of Alan Davis, which conveys emotion from beginning to end, bringing reality to the characters of the story.
★ 6.0/10
05. Vampirella 18 (1999) – Looking for Mr. Goodwin
Written By JEPH LOEB – Art by TIM SALE
Do you enjoy a good story where the narrator becomes as intriguing and captivating as, or even better than, the main character? Then, this story is for you! In “Vampirella 19,” Jeph Loeb introduces us to a narrator who is a renowned and acclaimed writer, endowed with wit and bravery to tell a story. As he narrates the story to us, we become increasingly involved with each panel, intrigued by both the unfolding plot and the writer himself. In the art, we have the excellent work of Tim Sale, known for his work on Batman and even Catwoman.
★ 6.2/10
04. Vampirella 20 (1999) – Lust for Life
Written by TY TEMPLETON – Art by BRUCE TIM
Ty Templeton writes a romance story. Vampirella finds herself madly in love with Jordan Sheppard, an extremely talented artist who paints pictures of beautiful and sensual women. The relationship between Sheppard and Vampirella initially seemed to be based on love and trust, but as the plot progresses, we discover that he betrayed that trust in a way that leaves readers perplexed and distressed. Bruce Tim, known for his work on Batman, Superman, and Justice League, presents us with beautiful art. It’s possible to perceive a truly passionate, beautiful, and sensual Vampirella. Furthermore, the other women who appear in the paintings by the villain Sheppard are also portrayed sensually. The colors were very well used in this story.
★ 6.5/10
03. Vampirella/Dracula: The Centennial (1997) – New European
Written by ALAN MOORE – Art by GARY FRANK
Readers who have read Alan Moore’s comics (like Watchmen, Swamp Thing, The Killing Joke, etc.) know the quality of this author’s writing. Alan Moore changed the way we see comics, always bringing richness to the text, where each character, each detail, will make sense in the closure of the story. The author leaves no loose ends. Here is no different. Alan Moore presents us with a Dracula story that is not burdened with cliches that we are used to reading in traditional stories. In this story, the author presents us with an unknown Dracula where his motivation is an enigma. To complete the beauty of this story, the reader is presented with beautiful art by Gary Frank. Clean and modern drawings (even for today) give us a feeling of more terror, more fear.
★ 7.8/10
02. Vampirella Halloween Special (2006) – Angel of Mercy
Written by PHIL HESTER – Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Like “Vampirella 18 (1999) – Looking for Mr. Goodwin”, this story is also narrated by a character within the narrative and also features Vampirella in search of this narrator. In this case, the narrator is a renowned tattoo artist, known for his iconic tattoos on figures like porn actors, high-level athletes like Dennis Rodman, and even singer Gwen Stefani, for whom he tattooed a butterfly on the buttocks. The tattoo artist begins by telling us about the day he met a beautiful, sensual, and seductive brunette woman who led him to hell. He involves us in his story, describing how irresistible she was and how he longed to possess her. He recounts the details of the encounter, from the seductive gaze to the moment when she, naked, asks him to tattoo her, requesting his “masterpiece.” As he focuses on the tattoo, she tells a story that serves as an analogy for a crime the tattoo artist committed in the past, but he, fascinated by Vampirella’s beauty, fails to realize that the story refers to him. Upon completing the tattoo, Vampirella reveals herself as a vigilante, executing her revenge in a surprising and shocking way. Stephen Segovia’s art is magnificent, perfectly capturing the elements of horror, action, comedy, and sensuality, with an erotic touch that complements the narrative exceptionally.
★ 8.0/10
01. Vampirella Comics Magazine 10 (2005) – Winter Rose
Written and Drawn by LIAM SHARP
Those who are Vampirella readers have seen countless romance stories of the character. But what sets this one apart from the others? The story, written and drawn by Liam Sharp in “Vampirella Comics Magazine 10 – Winter Rose”, is a masterpiece that deserves attention. The black-and-white art, with shades of gray, creates a dark and evocative atmosphere that perfectly reflects the winter setting and the melancholic tone of the narrative. The art conveys reality to us, whether we see the characters’ mistrust, romance, sensual and erotic scenes, as well as scenes of evilness. Inspired by Christina Georgina Rossetti’s poem “When I am Dead, my Dearest,” Sharp weaves a story of love, betrayal, and redemption, immersing readers in a world of mystery and danger. The plot unfolds around Vampirella and her lover, known only as “Lago,” whose romance is rooted in dark and tragic secrets. The relationship between the two is intense and passionate, but also marked by deep mistrust and an inevitable fate. As the story progresses, we are taken on an emotional and disturbing journey, where the boundaries between love and destruction become increasingly difficult to distinguish. Sharp’s art is simply stunning, capturing vivid expressions and impressive details that elevate the narrative to a new level of excellence. Each page is a work of art in itself, conveying emotion, tension, and beauty in a way that captivates the reader from beginning to end. “Winter’s Rose” is a story that transcends the boundaries of the genre, exploring universal themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption with depth and sensitivity. It is a work that remains etched in the reader’s mind long after turning the last page, leaving a lasting impression that is truly worthy of the highest honor.
★ 9.0/10
Conclusion
At the end of the stories, the reader has the pleasure of appreciating the covers of renowned artists such as Mike Mignola, David Mack, John Bolton (who even made the main cover of this compilation), Michael Golden, Jae Lee, Dan Brereton, and Dub & Pierre-Andre Dery. In the future, I will bring new posts of comic book stories to this blog, and of course, we will have Vampirella again. The order of the comics I presented does not necessarily signify the true order; it’s just my opinion. If you disagree, or if you would like to add something, please leave a comment.
Although this blog covers various subjects, I am excited to share even more incredible comic book stories in this space. I can’t wait to explore new worlds and characters together! Thank you for your support and for the opportunity to share this passion with all of you.