Review: Vampirella, Vol. 3 #6
“Since the dawn of time when humans of the earth began to form thoughts…one thing has united them: Fear!” – Vampirella
After Vampi has thwarted the plans of the evil Hollywood producer, she deserves a little time off. But will she get it? Her boyfriend asks her about her taking time off to which she replies “tomorrow.” On this night she’s doing her job as a Vampira or Elvira host for horror movies. The MC introduces her as the star of this Halloween party and the crowd cheers loudly. Most of the guests are in costume. Her boyfriend even offered to show up as the werewolf but Vampirella told him it might be a bit unsettling. Everyone seems to be having a good time except one lonely looking fellow who looks like John Belushi and is even dressed as a bumblebee. However, he’s not in a costume!
The Creative Team:
How do you follow up a great story like the last five issues gave us? Kate Leth does a masterful job with this one shot episode as we see the Bumblebee guy looking suspicious. After he accidently knocks over one of the tables at the party he gets chewed out by certain other guests. We learn that he isn’t wearing a costume when he suddenly takes flight and escapes from the crowd’s wrath below and we learn that he can’t speak English, nothing but gibberish. After Vampirella is done introducing the movie she investigates this strange little man. This issue may not be as action packed as the last five but Leth takes us on a thought-provoking little tale which makes us wonder if our first impressions are always right. Is the Bumble Bee Man a threat or a strange but harmless little guy?
Eman Casallos is fitting in nicely as the modern Vampirella artist and his skills get better with each issue. There’s that type of contrast that I love in horror comics, yet it’s subtle enough to let you know that this isn’t just a horror series it’s comedic too. Other horror comedy comics like Ghostbusters and Buffy the Vampire Slayer don’t always come through with the shadow and contrast and look a little more cartoony than they should. Just the right amount of horror blended with comedy here.
The Cover:
This cover shows us exactly what to expect from this issue as we see our protagonist standing outside of the movie theater with a scared look on her face. Her hands are lifted up to her cheeks while two clawed hands are reaching for her. Is the villain in this issue a werewolf? It certainly looks that way. The credits are displayed on the marquee and teases us with “The Final Show.” Leading the non-collector to think that this might be Vampi’s last issue.
In Conclusion:
The Bumble bee man shows fear when the crowd begins to react to his strange behavior. Out of desperation he grabs one of the movie goers and lifts him high in the air. When the person struggles Bumble bee man lets him go and we finally see Tristan wolf-out as he changes form and leaps into the air to catch him. Vampirella chases after the man and we have a bit of a heartwarming moment when Vampi realizes that he was just as scared as the man he grabbed earlier. Does the Bumble bee man pose a threat to the party guests? Will he do any damage to the building or harm any of the people inside? Can Vampirella convince him that he can fit in with the others despite being different? Gotta buy the issue to find out!
Vampirella, Vol. 3 #6
Writer: Kate Leth
Art: Eman Casallos
Colors: Valentina Pinto
Letters: Erica Schultz
Cover: Chrissie Zulo
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Publication date: 08/03/16
Synopsis:
About the Author
Richard Boom Richard is the driving force behind Comics for Sinners. His love and admiration for female comic book characters is virtually unparalleled, which immediately explains his biggest 'sin': his Hot Mummy fetish. This sketchbook theme is philogynistic in nature and even the source of his WIP comic book series "The Sisterhood".
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