Vengeance of Vampirella: 1994-1996
Issue 1 (April 1994)
Red Foil Cover - Quesada / Palmiotti $2.95
Signed (Buzz) Red Foil Cover - Quesada / Palmiotti (2,000 copies) $?
Signed (Buzz, Palmiotti, Quesada) Red Foil Cover - Joe Quesada / Jimmy Palmiotti (500 copies) $?
Aquamarine Foil Cover - Joe Quesada / Jimmy Palmiotti $2.95
Gold Foil Cover - Joe Quesada / Jimmy Palmiotti (500 copies) $2.95
Signed (Palmiotti, Quesada) Gold Foil Cover - Joe Quesada / Jimmy Palmiotti (500 copies) $?
Royal Blue Foil Cover - Joe Quesada / Jimmy Palmiotti (100 copies) $24.95
Bloodshed: Part One [Artist - Buzz / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella is on the prowl, killing the various monsters that inhabit the night one by one. The Unseelie Congress are not to happy so they hire a specialist assassin - Hemorrhage. Passing the Congress' test of his abilities to manipulate blood, he proceeds to take on Vampirella. Concerned about her growing savagery, Vampirella is about to leave Adam and Pendragon to seek out answers about her origins when Hemorrhage attacks ...
This is definitely not a comic for younger viewers as the violence levels are a bit higher than your average X-Men comic! We meet Hemorrhage, who is presented as a completely ruthless and cold hearted sociopath. Humans being killed is one thing, but the pace is set when Hemorrhage kills a dog (cruelty to animals is always a risky venture in a comic book).
Nevertheless, a new story and a new direction ... albeit heading in the vague general direction of Vampirella's true origins.
This edition certainly sold well, so much so that in June 1994 Harris produced a second printing, and very cleverly the second print run had a different coloured cover - the Aquamarine cover.
TRIVIA: The Royal Blue Foil edition is the first Royal Blue Foil comic made. If you look at the inside of the Royal Blue edition it is dated June 1994 and is stated as being a second printing. This is because it was supposed to be a Gold Foil edition and the printers ran out of gold so they did a hundred with Blue Foil. Mike Grace of Vampirella Revealed queried this with Bon Alimagno of Harris who replied ...
Now that I think about it, I do recall Yoshi Aino telling me the very first Blue Edition was one done by accident, and that it was part of a second printing. Something about extras were printed and they didn't have a gold foil at the printing press for it so they used blue foil on a hundred of them. I remember Yoshi telling me he was surprised at the interest in it since it was unintentionally printed. I believe these were the only blue foils unintentionally created.
Bon
--
Bon Alimagno
Editorial Director
Issue 2 (May 1994)
Regular Cover - Buzz $2.95
Signed Regular Cover - Buzz $?
Signed (Buzz) Gold Seal Cover - Buzz $?
Bloodshed: Part Two [Artists - Buzz, Joe Weems / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella fights Hemorrhage's blood construct and manages to destroy his control on it and faces Hemorrhage direct.
Elsewhere, we are introduced to the Danse Macabre, one of those secret "agencies" that seem to proliferate just outside of public knowledge. Hemorrhage was a potential agent of the Danse who escaped, so the Danse sends an operative (Whirling Dervish) to recover him.
Vampirella and Adam van Helsing barely defeat Hemorrhage as Dervish arrives on the scene. Dervish takes the body of Hemorrhage and shoots Vampirella and Adam.
A quick paced edition and another introduction to new characters, the Danse Macabre - though yet another secret agency seems a bit of a cliché. A nice cliff hanger ending shows promise for the series, and you just know that we haven't seenthe last of Hemorrhage and the Danse Macabre.
I have included the gold seal cover as an alternative cover, though I have no idea what the seal refers to. The seal states "Seal of Authenticity - Comic Book Extravaganza", and the comic is signed by Buzz - it did not come with a COA. I bought these two "gold seal" issues (Vengeance #2 and #3) from Germany, which confounds and confuses even more ...
I assume it was a Convention Special. If you can supply me with any other info I would be most grateful.
Issue 3 (June 1994)
Regular Cover - Walter McDaniel $2.95
Signed (Caesar) Gold Seal Cover - Walter McDaniel $?
Bloodshed: Part Three [Artists -Caesar Antomattei, Joe Weems / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
The Unseelie Congress are having a field day with Vampirella out the way. What they don't know is that when Dervish shot her and Adam he used tranquilliser darts. As the sun sets a now refreshed Vampirella dons a leather jacket and fingerless leather gloves and sets out to track down the Unseelie members.
In a frenzy of unbridled savagery Vampirella destroys the Congress members one by one.
Vampirella's costume has had a variety of subtle and not-so-subtle changes over the years. The "leather jacket and gloves" are the stamp of savagery in the Vengeance series.
Another "gold seal" issue here - signed by Caesar.
Issue 4 (July 1994)
Regular Cover - Buzz $2.95
Wake the Undead [Artists -Steve Crespo, Jason Minor, Joe Weems / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella and Adam van Helsing take out another Chaos' cult as three "recruits" to the Danse Macabre escape the research facility they are held in. The Danse fail to recover them so in the middle of the night they drop in to recruitVampirella.
Meanwhile, Pendragon is visiting an old friend as it seems that his conjuring skills are evolving into real magic.
This is more of a Danse issue than a Vampirella one, but it still has sufficient mayhem and action to keep the fans happy. It's issue four and the plot is still under development, with a few more hints and suggestions of what is yet to come.
Issue 5 (August 1994)
Regular Cover - John K. Snyder III $2.95
Danse with the Undead [Artists - Kirk Van Wormer, Art Nichols / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella agrees to help the Danse Macabre recover the escaped recruits, as the recruits are teenagers who are part vampire.
In the ensuing battle Mazarin - a Vampire High Lord - is set free and he retreats with his "children" in tow.
The Danse is exposed as being not exactly on the side of the angels, and Vampirella isn't sure if she has sided with the right group (if there is such a thing!).
Another new character, Mazarin and his three children.
Issue 6 (September 1994)
Regular Cover - Adam Hughes $2.95
Signed "Sticker" Cover - Adam Hughes (3,000 copies) $?
Up Close and Personal [Artist - Hearn Cho, Art Nichols / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
While Vampirella practices in the Danse Macabre's facility, an old friend comes to visit Adam van Helsing. A wild and angry Chelsea is repulsed by Adam and Pendragon, who follow her to the school she (and Vampirella - as Ella Normandy in Morning in America) once attended.
Vampirella joins the fray and she and Chelsea fight to the death.
It's nice when a loose end from the past is tidied up. I always wondered what happened to Chelsea.
The "Sticker" issue was issued as a promotional item for a blood drive and the centrefold was signed by Cathy Christian as "Vampi".
Issue 7 (October 1994)
Regular Cover - Adam Hughes $2.95
Evil from the Head of a Pin [Artists - John Stinsman, Bobby Rae / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Returning from Chelsea's funeral, Vampirella finds the house full of strangers who turn out to be Gregori - fallen angels. They are being hunted by Seraphim, who at that moment are attacking Walker (Cain of the Old Testament story of Cain and Able, cursed to walk the Earth forever) who guards a demonic weapon, the Hell Worm.
Walker repulses them and denies them access to the Hell Worm. Vampirella and the Gregori are talking when the Seraphim attack ...
This issue takes a very Biblical/ Old Testament turn. Involving Vampirella with Christian mythology doesn't seem to make much sense at the moment, but it will ...
Issue 8 (November 1994)
Regular Cover - Buzz $2.95
Though the Brightest Fell [Artists -Kevin Sharpe, Kez / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella manages to stall the Seraphim, and she and the Gregori make good their escape, teleporting to the desert to meet Walker. The Seraphim aren't far behind and battle resumes, with casualties on both sides. In the end the Seraphim and Gregori destroy themselves leaving Vampirella, Pendragon and Walker the sole survivors.
Walker takes the Hell Worm and leaves, promising Vampirella that she will learn about her origins soon enough.
Elsewhere, Adam van Helsing and a crack team have taken on a nest of werewolves and fare badly. Adam is the only survivor and is bitten in the process.
There is a very strong hint as to Vampirella's origins in this issue - the Seraphim know all about her and her mother. Pendragon's magic powers are growing and saves the day. Adam is brought down a peg by a new breed of werewolf.
This issue originally came poly-bagged with a Topps Preview card (P2). Obviously most copies had the bag opened to read the comic, and the Topps Trading Card added to the card collection (or lost). You can still get copies which are still in the original bag, though they are getting more and more rare.
Issue 9 (December 1994)
Regular Cover - Buzz $2.95
To be more than Human! [Artists - Buzz, Kevin Sharpe, Rod Ramos / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Smarting from his defeat at the hands of the werewolves, Adam van Helsing tracks down a source of the deadly drug Hyde-25 which gives him superhuman abilities. The new Adam, renamed Bad Jack, crosses paths with Jackass. Jackass is the descendent of the man who created Hyde-25 a century beforehand is dedicated to eradicating all traces of the drug (and any other drugs he comes across).
Not realising that Adam has changed, Vampirella joins in the battle between Bad Jack and Jackass.
Another pivotal point in Vampirella's history as Adam van Helsing becomes the more powerful and much meaner Bad Jack. You get the feeling that all these loose threads are going to come together into one big climax sometime soon. Is it me or is there a hint of Ash from the Evil Dead films in Bad Jack?
Issue 10 (January 1995)
Regular Cover - Adam Hughes $2.95
Bad Jack Rising [Artists - David Perrin, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Jackass turns out to be Special Agent Bishop, and Bad Jack is definitely not Adam van Helsing anymore! Bad Jack shoots Bishop and turns on Vampirella before fleeing. Bishop survives and independently they seek out Dr. Montie, who changed Adam to Bad Jack.
Vampirella uncovers a secret Danse Macabre facility protecting a nest of Slashmar werewolves in exchange for possible alien technology/ knowledge and gets attacked by both the Danse agents and the werewolves.
Agent Bishop finds and deals with Dr. Montie and heads for the Danse facility only to find bad Jack there already. Bad Jack and the werewolves try to kill everyone, Vampirella tries to protect the werewolves and in the melee Bad Jack/ Adam van Helsing is killed.
A bit of a chaotic story line that ties up a few loose ends yet manages to leave yet more questions unanswered! Is the death of Adam van Helsing "permanent"? Are other members of the "traditional" Vampirella supporting cast due to be whittled down?
Issue 11 (February 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
The Pitz [Artists - Kirk Van Wormer, Buzz, Saw Nan / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Adam van Helsing is still alive ... barely. The medical team of the Danse Macabre agree to try and save/ heal him in exchange for Vampirella's services. Her first mission is to check out a Danse facility that has gone "off line". On arrival with Danser Wilde, they find a charnel house and are attacked by an alien creature. They discover that it was brought through an experimental dimensional rift, has slaughtered just about everyone and is breeding.
Vampirella and Wilde take on the creatures and are aided by a second team of Dansers who turn the tide. The facility, the creatures and the portal are all destroyed, but one of the staff of the has an alien egg inside her ...
Another fast paced story, and a complete, stand alone story. Vampirella seems to have moved from supernatural seeker of vengeance to an agent of the Danse Macabre - who aren't quite the good guys they make out to be.
This issue came with a Topps Promo card (Visions of Vampirella; P00).
Issue 12 (March 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Passion Play: Part One [Artists - Kirk Van Wormer, Buzz, Saw Nan / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
A silver skinned woman is hunting down and killing werewolves. Vampirella agrees to help the local police track her down. Vampirella tries to get information at a "safe bar" for various supernatural creatures, and steps outside with Squashonly to be faced with the silver skinned woman.
A new and interesting character is introduced, and the idea that there are registered "creatures of the night" who are being helped by the police and special agencies.
Adam van Helsing is healing nicely, and Pendragon is coming to terms with his growing real mystical abilities.
There is a strong feeling that all the loose threads and subplots will come into their own in the not too distant future.
TRIVIA - the date stamp on this issue should be "March", but instead it states "February".
Issue 13 (April 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Passion Play: Part Two. The Poison of Loss [Artists - Kirk Van Wormer, Buzz, Saw Nan / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Passion, the silver skinned woman, and Vampirella fight but Passion is defeated. Vampirella and the police track down the creator of Passion, a mother who lost her son and grandchildren to a werewolf. When confronted her heart gives out and she dies, but passes her life essence into the Passion construct who leaves.
Meanwhile, Pendragon is attacked by some demons and fights them off with the aid of another demon and his own magical powers. The small demon announces that he is to be Pendragon's apprentice.
Passion is quite an interesting character, and one I hope we will see again. As we will see more of Pendragon and his new apprentice.
Issue 14 (May 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Signed (Sniegoski) Cover - Chris Berkeley (750 copies) $4.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $14.95
The Mystery Walk, Part One: Prelude to the Walk [Artist - Kevin Sharpe, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Lilith, the mother of all demons and first to be ejected from Eden, returns to Eden to make her penance. While trying to recall her origins via a holographic projection of Drakulon at the Danse Macabre headquarters Vampirella has a flashback of Lilith sending her to Earth to atone for her (Lilith's) sins.
Elsewhere, we see a bit more of Pendragon, a cameo of Walker/Cain and are introduced to a female demon who is out to get Vampirella. The issue ends with Vampirella being attacked in the shower.
Again, another tale with lots of subplots and threads.
This issue also has the first part of Buzz' six piece Vampirella Universe poster. Each of the issues 14-20 has a double spread section of the poster, but to see the whole poster you need to remove the centrefold from six issues of Vampirella and tape them together - with each section having staple marks and a crease in the middle of it!
Not what I'd call a good idea. What would have been a good idea would be too issue the Mystery Walk Poster as a complete item and separate from the comic book ... but they never did.
Issue 15 (June 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $2.95
The Mystery Walk, Part Two: First Steps [Artist - Kevin Sharpe, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Flashback to Eden - Lilith has returned and produced a son and a daughter, all powerful vampires who she sends to Earth to rid the world of the other vampires to gain her redemption in the eyes of God. Vampirella fights off her attacker who speaks of her sister. Walker burst in and shoots him before he says any more. Vampirella and Walker travel to Boston for more information but are attacked on the way.
Lots of hints about brothers and sisters, the Progeny (a very old demonic creature or creatures), and Vampirella's "family". Irving, Pendragon's new apprentice gets a name.
Issue 16 (July 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $2.95
The Mystery Walk, Part Three: Pursuit [Artist - Kevin Sharpe, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella dispatches the Progeny assassins and meets Samantha, a friend of Walker's.
Elsewhere, the twins, Madek and Magdalene meet and it turns out that they are the son and daughter of Lilith. Vampirella and Walker meet Adam (the original from Eden) and his crew of supernatural soldiers, the Outcasts. Progeny assassins attack the Outcasts and Vampirella but fail in their assault, however a random factor in the place of an unknown swords woman enters the fray and she impales Vampirella.
Every issue seems to be more confusing than the last, with more and more new characters and threads being introduced and very few issues/ story lines being resolved ...
Issue 17 (August 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $2.95
The Mystery Walk, Part Four: Light Dawns [Artist - Kevin Sharpe, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella's childhood in Eden is shown, with her receiving her distinctive costume - spun for her by two spiders in Eden (Satyr and Circe) - and being sent to Earth to deal with Lilith's previous offspring, Madek and Magdalene. Vampirella's wounds are healed by one of Adam's Outcasts and we see Magdalene's latest children, the Black Seraphim.
Finally we are getting the pieces of Vampirella's origin, albeit in Jigsaw fashion. Lots of small pieces that are now begging to show a vague picture ...
Issue 18 (September 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $2.95
The Mystery Walk, Part Five: Into the Breach [Artist - Kevin Sharpe, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
The lines are drawn between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Magdalene and her progeny army open a portal to Eden and prepare to invade.
Snippets of origins of the various characters abound and sides are taken for the impending conflict. Vampirella, Adam van Helsing, the Danse macabre, Adam and the Outcasts on one side, Madek, Magdalene and Eve (Adam's wife) aided by the Progeny on the other.
Issue 19 (October 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley, Joe Weems $2.95
Alternative Cover - Buzz $2.95
Signed (Sniegoski) Regular cover - Chris Berkeley, Joe Weems (500 copies) $9.95
The Mystery Walk, Part Six: Paradise Found [Artist - David Perrin, Nathan Massengill / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
In a flashback we learn that on arriving on Earth Vampirella confronts Madek and Magdalene who defeat the inexperienced Vampirella. Rather than kill her and alert Lilith to their plans, Madek implants false memories about her origins on Drakulon and sends her out to destroy the cult of Chaos.
Magdalene et al. rampage through Eden looking for the tree of knowledge, but the garden and Lilith fight back. Vampirella and her clan appear and a battle royal transpires in the garden. Magdalene tastes of the forbidden fruit and the skies open ...
Mayhem in the Garden of Eden and the truth about Drakulon revealed. What more could you want?
Issue 0 (November 1995)
Regular Cover - Caesar Antomattei $2.95
Signed (Caesar) Cover - Caesar Antomattei (2,000 copies) $?
Mystery walk: Zero [Artist - Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Leaving the house where they had been holding an interrogation Walker and Vampirella are set upon by a triad of demons, Kitt, Flage and Thick. In the melee Vampirella is stunned and memories arise of her mother, Lilith ...
In Eden, Lilith explains her origin; how God created her as the first woman but she refused to have anything to do with Adam. For her defiance she was expelled from Eden and condemned to the darkness where her hatred grew and out took on a form of it's own, the Lilin.
After millennia of the Lilin plaguing the Earth, Lilith returns to Eden to find it abandoned and in decay. She tenders the garden causing it to return to life and creates the twins Magdalene and Madek as part of her plan to gain redemption from God. Their mission was to rid the world of Lilith's demon spawn, the Lilin, but they succumbed to the dark side and are now part of the problem. Vampirella is charged with taking over their mission ... At the moment of defeat Vampirella reverts to her vampire persona and sinks her fangs into her assailant. She and Walker dispatch the other two demons, and Vampirella feeds before they leave.
A relatively weak story as far as the fight with the demons go, but that is not the crux of this issue. Rather it is the telling of Lilith's tale that is the core message.
Lots of demons, fangs and bloodshed make this a graphic feast.
Issue 20 (November 1995)
Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley $2.95
The Mystery Walk, Epilogue: Walk's End [Artist - David Perrin, Nathan Massengill / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Eden is full of bloodshed, the skies are full of the heavenly hosts and Magdalene is becoming a goddess through eating the fruit of knowledge. Vampirella fights her and in an epic battle Magdalene is beaten and the heavenly hosts (seemingly) destroy Eden and all remaining in it.
Adam and Eve both die in Eden, and it seems that Lilith is also destroyed. Vampirella nd her remaining allies manage to teleport away before the destruction.
The end of a long, tortuous and frustrating tale, and the start of a new direction?
Issues 14-19 Signed set (December 1995)
[14] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley
[15] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley
[16] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley
[17] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley
[18] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley
[19] Signed Regular Cover - Chris Berkeley, Joe Weems
Contents as issues 14 to 19 above. Price $19.95
A collected set of the six Mystery Walk issues all signed by Chris Berkeley.
Limited to 1,000 copies - that's 6,000 signatures, and each issue is individually numbered. Chris must have had cramp by the time he finished that lot!!!!
NOTE: some of the collections have signed alternate covers instead of regular covers.
Issue 21 (December 1995)
Regular Cover - Zina Saunders $2.95
A Troll's Tale: [Artist - Ed McGuiness, Nathan Messengill / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
The tale of the demise of Gristlethick Moondark, a troll, at the hands of Vampirella as told by his wife to their young troll children.
An entertaining, albeit unusual, tale. The fact it is told from the point of view of the trolls is quite novel, and the slightly more down to Earth story is a welcome relief from the intensity of the previous twenty issues.
A lull before the storm perhaps?
Issue 22 (January 1996)
Regular Cover - Zina Saunders $2.95
Here There Be Dragons [Artists - Chris Batista, Caesar Antomattei / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
In the sewers people are dying. Something is killing city workers and the homeless, tearing them to shreds. The Police' Department of Paranormal Affairs ask Vampirella to investigate as they have heard that it is a dragon ... Vampirella tracks down the dragon, which turns out to be a Chaosaur from the alternate universe that Vampirella visited in the Chains of Chaos story arc.
Abandoned on Earth by the Chaos Child, the Chaosaur knows he cannot defeat Vampirella but she gives him the one thing he wants most. Release from his torments ...
An interesting, one off story with a change of pace from her more recent activities. A short bit of "tidying up loose ends" and a reminder of a previous story line. An enjoyable read.
Issue 23 (February 1996)
Regular Cover - Glan Fabry $2.95
Strange Days Coming [Artists - Ed McGuinness, Nathan Massengill / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Vampirella is having some rest and recuperation at the Danse Macabre headquarters. In the Medical section, Hemorrhage awakes and escapes.
Vampirella meets Squash in the Black Cauldron Tavern in Salem who gives her a dire warning. Elsewhere a werewolf is disturbed by a shadowy female figure ...
A very "bitty" issue, with a whole raft of new sub plots and stories introduced, as well as a new character. As a teaser it works well ...
Wizard Mini Comic 5 (February 1996)
Regular Cover - Amanda Conner $free
Platinum Cover - Amanda Conner $5.00
Signed (Conner, Palmiotti) Platinum Cover - Amanda Conner (375 copies) $5.00
Vampirella's Doom: What the Cards hold... [Artists - Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Disturbed by shapeless nightmares Vampirella cannot sleep. Pendragon gets out his Tarot cards to pas the time and reassure her ... But the cards predict a dark and deadly future.
Issued as a supplement to Wizard #55 this is another teaser of a major story line coming up. We see Trolls in the cards, and the Devil is shown as a female form - the first view of who we will come to know as Mistress Nyx.
Issue 1/2 [Wizard] (March 1996)
Regular Cover - Rudy Nebres $5.00
Platinum Cover - Rudy Nebres $19.95
Signed (Nebres) Cover - Rudy Nebres (350 copies) $?
Vampirella's Doom: Welcome to my Nightmare! [Artist - Rudy Nebres / Writer - Tom Sniegoski<]
Mistress Nyx, heir to Chaos, becomes aware of Vampirella as a future threat so she attacks her in her dreams. Transported to Castle Mordante (where Vampirella destroyed one of the largest Cult of Chaos groups in Vampirella: ...and be a Bride of Chaos in Warren Vampirella #16).Vampirella learns that when she avoided being the Chaos bride another was chosen, and bore a daughter, the Chaos Child - Nyx.
Mistress Nyx transports Vampirella to a future where Vampirella has been destroyed and the Earth is under the rule of Chaos and Nyx. Vampirella tries to fight Nyx, but is powerless to do so ... And the she awakens in her own bed with a sense of dread.
Presumably this occurs moments before story in the Wizard Mini Comic 5 above.
Rudy Nebres' art is stunning and the whole story is just so dark and ominous! Now you know that there isn't going to be your standard fare "super hero in tights beats bad guy" story coming up in future issues.
It is nice when current story lines link back to events from the past, such as the very early Archie Goodwin/José Gonzalez Warren stories.
Issue 24 (March 1996)
Regular Cover - Mike Deodato $2.95
Hell in a Hand basket [Artists - Ed McGuinness, Nathan Massengill / Writer - Tom Sniegoski]
Things just aren't going right for Vampirella. Squash tells her of an impending slaughter at a mall, but when she gets there it is the wrong mall! In his escape Hemorrhage kills Danser Porter and directed by a voice in his head he tracks down and kills Danser Dervish. In castle Mordante the Chaos Child, Nyx, returns home and tells her human guardians that she is now "of age".
Vampirella meets Pendragon and his new apprentice, Irving, who tells Vampirella that he has had a vision of her death.
Another issue trying to cover several storylines at the same time. For the casual reader this could be confusing, but not so for the Vampirella faithful who had read the previous few issues and the Wizard 5 and ½ issues. Again, the timeline seems to be a bit mixed up. The correct sequence should be Vengeance of Vampirella 24, Wizard 1/2 then Wizard Mini Comic #5.
Issue 25 Preview Ash Can (March 1996)
Regular Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (3,000 copies) $5.00
Signed (Conner/Palmiotti) - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (1,500 copies) $?
Signed (Conner/Palmiotti/Quesada) Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (250 copies) $?
Preview of... 'The End!' [Artists - Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti / Writers - Tom Sniegoski, Christopher Golden]
Two thirds the size, a black and white taster version of the first 15 pages of Vengeance of Vampirella #25.
Not a bad "taster" for an impending crucial issue. You get just enough of the story to know what's going on and to appreciate the hectic pace of the story but are left hovering on the cusp of the grand finale ... so you have to go and buy the full comic to complete the story, in full size and glorious colour.
Issue 25 (April 1996)
Regular Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti $2.95
Signed (Conner, Palmiotti, Quesada, Sniegoski) Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (2,500 copies) $?
Platinum Foil Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (900 copies) $24.95
Gold Foil Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (750 copies) $24.95
Signed (Conner, Palmiotti, Quesada) Gold Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (1,000 copies) $24.95
Royal Blue Foil Cover - Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti (100 copies) $59.95
Limited Edition Cover - Jae Lee $14.95
Signed (Lee) Limited Edition Cover - Jae Lee (1,500 copies) $?
Signed (Lee/Sniegoski) Limited Edition Cover - Jae Lee (1,500 copies) $?
The beginning of... 'The End' [Artists - Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti / Writers - Tom Sniegoski, Christopher Golden]
Mistress Nyx walks in on a meeting of the Unseelie Congress and takes command. Elsewhere Vampirella wakes to the sound of humming. The sun is blotted out by a horde of insects as Nyx and her hordes attack. In the melee both Vampirella and Adam Van Helsing are taken prisoner, Vampirella by Nyx and Adam by Hemorrhage.
In a mock trial Vampirella is found guilty of crimes against the shadow creatures. Adam is given a chance to join Nyx but refuses and is killed by Nyx. A defeated, chained and helpless Vampirella vows vengeance.
25 pages of solid action, and some of the best artwork I have ever seen from Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti. Every page is a gem and there are some stunning full page "splashes".
The showdown between Vampirella and Mistress Nyx has tobe one of the best "bitch fights" to date. At the end of this issue you are left breathless and stunned, and waiting for the first issue of Death and Destruction!