Vampirella Annual: Prelude to Shadows Review


Is this a welcome addition or unnecessary distraction? Read on to find out.

The official description from Dynamite:

Before Vampirella was marked by the Cult of Chaos as a living sacrifice to Lady Umbra, Queen of Shadows, she worked as an field operative for Cestus Dei, the Vatican’s version of MI-6. In this one-shot, set before the “Our Lady of Shadows” story arc (from Vampirella #1-6), Vampirella must go undercover at a French convent to investigate a series of weird deaths and odd disappearances believed to be the work of a long-dead evil witch known as Metifa, Satan’s Mistress. That’s right – one of the classic Warren-era menaces makes her modern age debut, with bestselling horror author Nancy A. Collins at the helm!

Layout 1What eager fanboys and fangirls are bound to get from this release, is a journey that keeps the current level of quality associated with this franchise while digging up some old material in the process. From the first page to the final panel the entire package held my attention, especially as early seeds of descent took root in the world of our favored daughter of Lilith.

Nancy A. Collins writes a comic book like a novelist, and that right there is maybe perhaps the highest compliment I can pay the talented author. Each sequence oozes with narration, depth and purpose to the point that reading an adventure starring Vampirella almost feels like sipping a smooth glass of red wine. Dialogue is consistent with an atmosphere that invites terrors but never overplays its own demonic hand.

The soft pencil strokes of Cristhian Crizam Zamora build a visual atmosphere that fits within the confines of the text. Beautiful players and frightening revelations surround a convent which suits the illustrator. By the end of the annual we’re literally given piles of eye popping pages that carry only a few inconsistencies here or there that could have used more attention. Add in the colors by John Miele and any hiccups are forgotten.

Vampirella Annual: Prelude to Shadows knows exactly what it wants to be and the creative team right from the opening leaves little room for error. They understand the mechanics of the property, as they deliver a piece of fiction that feels mature and reminiscent of times that seem far away for our scantily clad heroine. And it’s within that scope that we find a comic book that easily comes highly recommended.

OUR RATING
9.5
  • + Beautiful visuals.
  • + The return of Metifa.
  • + Carries strong narration.
  • + Sets up the current volume.

S#!T Talking Central