VAMPIRELLA Monthly: 2001-2003
Preview Edition (March 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.95
Limited Edition cover - Mike Mayhew (1,500 only) $19.95
Limited Edition signed cover - Mike Mayhew (150 only) $19.95
Museum Edition cover - Mike Mayhew (25 only) $125.00
[Writer-Mark Millar: Art-Mike Mayhew, Michael Bair]
This preview edition features the work of Mike Mayhew from the impending Issue 1 of the new series (the "Nowheresville" story). Also there is an interview with mark Miller and has a feature on the 12 finalists in the Harris Model Search contest.
After a long period without Vampirella (while Harris launched Vampi), the Preview holds out the promise of something very special to come. The artwork of Mike Mayhew was stunning and generated a lot of excitement over the "new look" Vampirella.
Vampirella #1 - Ashcan (June 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew (1,500 only) $5.95
[Writer-Mike Mayhew: Art-Mike Mayhew]
This magazine sized ashcan previews Vampirella 1, and introduces the new series. Apart from samples of the stunning artwork there is also an interview with Mike Mayhew.
Unusually, there is only one cover by Mike Mayhew.
Vampirella 1 (July 2001)
Red Foil cover - Mike Mayhew $2.95
Platinum Foil cover - Mike Mayhew (2,500 copies) $5.>95
Platinum Foil Signed cover - Mike Mayhew (150 copies) $19.95
Gold Foil cover - Mike Mayhew (500 copies) $19.95
Royal Blue Foil cover - Mike Mayhew (100 copies) $59.95
Regular cover - Jae Lee $2.95
Regular cover - Jay Anacleto $2.95
Regular cover - J. Scott Campbell $2.95
Holofoil cover - J. Scott Campbell (5,000 copies) $19.95
Rainbow Holofoil cover - J. Scott Campbell (5,000 copies) $19.95
Museum Edition cover - J. Scott Campbell (25 copies) $125.00
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Nowheresville - Part One [Writer - Mark Millar : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella hears about a whole town of vampires, supposedly called "Nowheresville" (actually called Gentle Creek) and sets out to track it down. A vampire called Michigan Pike goes on a killing spree and ends up in jail, but is freed by two female vampires from Nowheresville. This issue introduces Mulligan and O'Hare, a couple of "unusual" federal agents specialising in occult and similar evil cases.
There are TWELVE variant covers for this issue!
Four are based on Mayhew art with different coloured foil Vampirella logos (Red, Platinum, Gold and Blue). The Red Foil issue was the regular issue, the Platinum Foil for Scarlet Legion members, the Gold a Limited Edition of 500 and the Royal Blue limited to only 100.
There are three Limited Editions with covers by alternative artists, Jay Lee, Jay Anacleto, and J. Scott Campbell - the Campbell cover is also available as a holofoil, a rainbow holofoil and a Museum edition.
Finally, there is a Model cover featuring the new Official Vampirella model, Maria Di Angelis.
Finally, the new series is launched and despite more variant covers than you can throw a stick at the promise is fulfilled! Vampirella has new look, almost a photo-realistic look. Mike Mayhew's art is so detailed that every crease and fold in Vampirella's costume is plain to see - which adds an extra dimension to her existence. It is almost as if Mike took photos of a young woman "doing the moves" and then drew from the photos.
The Vampirella look is a little younger and fresher than previously, and the writing of Mark Millar puts an indelible ADULT READING stamp on the series. The blood and gore is bloody and gory, and the language is not extreme or pornographic, but is definitely adult in nature.
At long last - great art, great story and aimed at a more mature audience.
That works for me!
Convention Issue (August 2001)
Convention Edition cover - Mike Mayhew (1,000 copies) $9.95
Convention Edition signed cover - Mike Mayhew (150 copies) $19.95
[Writer - Mark Millar : Art - Mike Mayhew]
The Convention Edition has a black and white interior which replicates the story from Issue 1.
Is it me or does $9.95 seem like a lot of money for a black and white version of a $2.95 comic book which was in full colour? I suppose it is a limited edition only available from a comic book convention so has a rarity value, but still...
I have never been to a comic book convention in my life, yet I managed to easily get hold of my copies so where is the exclusivity?
Vampirella 2 (September 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.95
Limited Edition cover - Joe Chiodo (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Nowheresville - Part Two [Writer - Mark Millar : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella arrives in "Nowheresville" and rescues Edgar Martin Eichmann form the meat locker (he is either a Major or a General depending on whether you believe the dialogue or the artwork!).
Vampirella then takes on the rest of the town and in the ruckus is shocked to see vampire children... She discovers that the town has been trying to exist as a haven for "good" vampires who want to live in peace and not prey on humans. Not all residents agree (such as Michigan Pike) and they take the occasional foray into the real world to hunt - endangering the rest of the community.
Michigan Pike and his cronies are exposed to sunlight for their "crimes" against Nowheresville.
There are three different covers (setting a trend for the rest of the series); the regular (Mayhew) cover, the Limited Edition Bruce Timm cover and the Maria Di Angelis model cover.
The story really picks up speed and the artwork just gets better and better.
Vampirella 3 (October 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Bruce Timm (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Nowheresville - Part Three [Writer - Mark Millar : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella decides to leave the commune of peaceful vampires, but as she leaves the army attacks. Using napalm and garlic gas they slaughter the locals. Vampirella returns and turns the tide, but too late. All that remains is the human sheriff and one child vampire.
One of my favourite bits of the whole Nowheresville story arc is when a soldier pokes his head out of his tank turret only to find Vampirella standing astride his head. Using her hypnotic abilities she states "Look into my eyes, little man, and do exactly what the lady with the enormous breasts tells you to do."
I could argue the point here that Mayhew's Vampirella does not have "enormous" breasts and that she is in fact quite well proportioned, but what the heck. It is obvious that the writer and artist are enjoying creating this comic book as much as I am enjoying reading it.
TRIVIA: The Mayor of Gentle Creek is drawn identical to Grandpa from the Munsters!
Vampirella 4 Ash Can (November 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
[Writer - John Smith : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Neat and simple. Black and white preview pages for the upcoming issue #4 and the Fear of Mirrors story.
Vampirella 4 (December 2001)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Greg Horn (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition Holochrome cover - Greg Horn (1,000 copies) $19.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Fear of Mirrors - Part One [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella tracks down and destroys a vampire drug ring. In the process she gets a message to go to Coogan's Bluff, the place where she originally "landed" on Earth.
Moving on from Nowheresville, the story continues in a more mature reader vein (pun intended). Not content with kicking people in the genitals and ripping heads in half, Vampirella sticks a handful of syringes into a vampire's eye!
Initially I thought this was a stand-alone story, but it is in fact a prelude to a theme that runs through the series.
For part of the story Vampirella is bare footed, and I'm sure many artists will agree with me that feet are as difficult to draw as hands. Mike Mayhew draws Vampirella's feet beautifully!
I was completely unaware of Mike Mayhew prior to this series of Vampirella, but now he is indisputably in my all-time, top ten Vampirella artists. His vision and portrayal of Vampirella puts him on a par with José Gonzalez.
Vampirella 5 (January 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - David Finch (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Fear of Mirrors - Part Two [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella hitches a lift to Coogan's Bluff in a lorry. The lorry is attacked by what initially looks like zombies, but are in fact Zelators. Zelators expose normal people to a magic mirror which turns them into more Zelators, but it didn't work on a woman who then escaped with her son. They join Vampirella and they then meet O'Hare and Mulligan, FBI agents who specialise in occult cases.
The FBI agents have been tracking astral energy from a mystic mirror, the one that was used to bring Vampirella into this world and the Zelators have it. Holed up in the local police station they are surrounded by Zelators. Arming herself with pistols and a shotgun Vampirella goes into the night to meet them ...
Action from the go. A thoroughly engaging story complimented by stunning artwork from Mike Mayhew (as usual).
I'm sure I have mentioned the incredible detail of Mike Mayhew's art before, but what strikes me is that all his characters look like real people. Each character is drawn complete with warts, wrinkles and other imperfections and a range of facial expressions which makes you believe in them as real people. The detail extends to background items such as clothes which have creases and folds as real clothes do - even Vampirella's costume looks like it made out of material and not "sprayed on".
Vampirella 6 (February 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - J. H. Williams (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Fear of Mirrors - Part Three [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Outside, Vampirella engages in bloody battle with Zelators; inside, the woman Vampirella rescued dies as a demonic being called a Hexxen erupts from her body. The Zelators are the midwives for the Hexxen and have been pursuing the woman for the Hexxen incubating inside her, which came from the mystic "black" mirror.
Vampirella and the crew destroy the Hexxen and the Zelators, but the black mirror is still out there somewhere.
It goes a bit against the grain to see Vampirella toting guns in favour of her more natural weapons, but (to give her her due) she certainly knows how to use them.
A great story with ac anticlimactic ending which was very reminiscent of a number of zombie films from the 1970s.
Vampirella 7 Ash Can (February 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew (1,500 copies) $5.95
[Writer - John Smith : Art - Dawn Brown]
A selection of black and white sample pages and cover from the impending Vampirella and Pantha stories starting in Vampirella Monthly 7.
Vampirella 7 (April 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Greg Hildebrandt (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Pantha 01 - Mark Texeira (1.500 copies) $9.95
Pantha 01 Holofoil - Mark Texeira (1,500 copies) $14.95
Hungry Ghosts - Part 1 [Writer - John Smith : Art - Dawn Brown]
Vampirella has found shelter in the traveling circus that covers for the FBI's ghost busting team. She meets Harry Krishna who tells her that all is not as it seems...Pantha - Part One [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mark Texiera]
We are reintroduced to Pantha - Vampirella's fellow shape shifter from the Warren era. Pantha is working in a show at Las Vegas and is visited by a member of Cult of the Cat who invites her to meet "Tongueman". Meanwhile a lorry of Nazi werewolves (frozen since 1945) has crashed, and the pack is loose.
Not the most action packed Vampirella story, but informative and it sets the stage for the issues to come.
The Pantha story is a bit strange, and the oddness of the story is set of perfectly by Mark Texeira's stunning oils. Connie, the one legged, prostitute, cat cult member is quite a unique character and more important than seems initially.
Cramming two stories into one comic book means something has to suffer (and it is rarely the advertising that is cut), so both the Vampirella and the Pantha stories aren't "full length" stories.
Vampirella 8 (May 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Pantha 02 - Mark Texeira (1,500 copies) $9.95
Hungry Ghosts - Part Two [Writer - John Smith : Art - Dawn Brown]
Vampirella visits a haunted house which is occupied by many strange phantasms...Pantha - Part Two [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mark Texiera]
The Nazi werewolves go on a rampage until they inevitably meet Pantha.
Hungry Ghosts starts to pick up pace as Vampirella gets drawn in to the haunted house which holds secrets of her first days on Earth.
Texeira must have had a field day with this story, the blood and guts are flying throughout. You just know this storyline isn't aimed at younger readers!
Vampirella 9 (June 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Dawn Brown (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Pantha 03 - Nelson (1,500 copies) $9.95
Hungry Ghosts - Part Three [Writer - John Smith : Art - Dawn Brown]
Vampirella "sees" some of the horrors that were perpetrated in the haunted house in the past and she picks up an ethereal stalker.Pantha - Part Three [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mark Texiera]
Pantha shifts to her Panther form to defeat the werewolf that attacks her, but the main pack are after Connie, the Cult of the Cat member.
Vampirella sees how she was conjured to this world, at the expense of thirty other women who were sacrificed for the rituals. How do you deal with the fact that you were "responsible" for the deaths of thirty innocent victims - albeit vicariously? There is a strong suggestion that she was abused when she first came to our world. The writer seems to piling on horror after horror. This is not a good day for Vampirella.
Pantha is well on form and the story continues apace. It isn't clear why the wolf pack are after Connie, but I suppose sometimes some things are lost between the story and the art....
Vampirella 10 (June 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Alex Horley (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Pantha 04 - Nelson (1,500 copies) $9.95
Hungry Ghosts - Part Four [Writer - John Smith : Art - Dawn Brown]
Vampirella remembers being dragged into this world via the Black Mirror and the spells of the local coven. But the spells weren't complete and a horde of other demons came into the world with Vampirella. Remembering her "birth" on Earth, Vampirella destroys the house and the "ghosts" it contains.Pantha - Part Four [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mark Texiera]
The werewolves meet their match in Pantha, but she is too late to save Connie.
As the Hungry Ghosts storyline ends, the next story line begins. The suggestion of sexual abuse is confirmed. Sexual abuse is always a tricky topic to cover, and Vampirella has always been considered a strong, independent woman who can handle herself. It makes you stop and think a moment. If abuse can happen to Vampirella, it can happen to anyone.
The Pantha story concludes in less than satisfactory fashion. The werewolves are defeated, Connie is a casualty of war, but it was never explained why the Wolf Pack were after her in particular... If anyone knows please get in touch!
TRIVIA: The Limited Edition (Alex Horley) comic book is numbered 09 on the back cover instead of 10, and the cover art is credited to Dawn Brown. I think they may have just cut and pasted the information from issue 9 and forgot to make all the relevant changes.
One thing I found irritating about this series was that there was no issue number on the cover (which may have contributed to the typo on the Horley edition). If you keep your comics bagged and boarded (which you should) then it is awkward trying to keep them in order if you have to take each comic out of the bag to check the issue number each time! Fortunately, Harris started putting the issue number on the front of the comic book again from issue 11 onwards.
Vampirella 11 (August 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Joe Chiodo (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Wilding Sanction - Part One [Writer - John Smith : Art - Mike Mayhew]
As the World's End Circus moves on they set a trap for Vampirella's ghostly stalker. He turns out to be a convict on death row who can astral project, but he is aware of the Hexxen and where they are. Next stop, Hong Kong.
There is a short piece where Vampirella is working out her frustrations on a punch bag. Having been involved in the martial arts for many years myself, I was quite pleased to note that Vampirella had a correct fist position, good guard and executed quite a good flying side kick.
It makes you wonder if Mike Mayhew has any martial arts experience or whether this was just good research on his part.
Vampirella 12 (September 2002)
Regular cover - Mike Mayhew $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Brian Stelfreeze (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Colour Foil cover - Ebas (500 copies) $15.00
Signed Colour Foil cover - Ebas (500 copies) $20.00
Virgin Colour cover - Ebas (500 copies) $20.00
Signed Virgin Colour cover - Ebas (500 copies) $23.00
Sketch Virgin cover - Ebas (100 copies) $20.00
The Wilding Sanction - Part Two [Writer - John Smith : Art - Manuel Garcia, Jimmy Palmiotti]
Arriving in Hong Kong, Vampirella swims to the island fortress of computer magnate Max Wilding. Wilding is aware that something is not right and has protected his island with the most sophisticated physical and mystical defences. 
He is unaware that what he fears is inside him - a gestating Hexxen.
Vampirella fights some half human, half animal ninjas and ends up surrounded by them.
Manuel Garcia and Jimmy Palmiotti had a very hard act to follow, taking over the artwork from Mike Mayhew. To their credit the art works well, but is obviously not Mayhew.
One thing I will give Garcia credit for is a new look Vampirella "costume". Actually, it is supposed to be a sort wet-suit over her normal outfit, but Vampirella in black (with just enough red so you can't mistake who she is) is quite fetching! Nicely done.
Any attempt at changing Vampirella's costume is tantamount to sacrilege, but this was done in context and looked good.
The Jay Company covers are the standard Mayhew cover with an extra cover on top of the regular one. Usually, Jay Company will "re-badge" a particular issue for a specific event such as a major comic convention. This issue was published for the November 2006 Wizard Texas convention.
Vampirella 13 (October 2002)
Regular cover - Manuel Garcia $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Gary Frank (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Wilding Sanction - Part Three [Writer - Benjamin Raab : Art - Mike Mayhew]
Vampirella continues her battle with the semi-human ninjas, as Harry Krishna and the crew try to break through the force field defences with disastrous effect. Vampirella and Harry are attacked by Zelators in the guise of dragon's, then discover that their local ally is in fact an demonic foe.
Mike Mayhew's take on the new costume is more obviously a wet-suit and the design is slightly different, but I will give some leeway here for artistic licence. It could be a continuity error, but I have to say she looks good in both of them.
I am very proud to say that I own the original Mike Mayhew artwork for page #1 of this issue. Though it doesn't feature Vampirella it is still a stunning piece of work. Unfortunately, I am not the only one to appreciate his work, which puts most of his original Vampirella pieces way out of my price range, but at least the comic books make his art available for all at a reasonable price.
Vampirella 14 (November 2002)
Regular cover - Manuel Garcia $2.99
Limited Edition cover - John McCrea (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Wilding Sanction - Part Four [Writer - Benjamin Raab : Art - Manuel Garcia, Jimmy Palmiotti]
The astral spirit of Felix Bruckner helps Vampirella and Harry defeat the demons, destroy the Hexxen in Wilding's body and finally smash the black mirror. In the process the Hexxen calls Vampirella "sister", and claims that they are both outcasts from Eden.
As one door shuts, another door opens.
There are lots of loose ends here. The astral body of Felix Bruckner permanently disconnected from his comatose body, the reptilian demon Wong Jing escaped into the night and another tantalising hint that Vampirella's knowledge of her origins and purpose is not as it seems.
Vampirella 15 (December 2002)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Tony Harris/Ray Snyder (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Pack - Part One [Writer - Jay Faerber : Art - Matthew Clarke, Ron Randall]
Two campers are torn to pieces in the woods and the police are at a dead end. A "profiler" dressed in a skimpy red costume appears out of nowhere and then vanishes just as mysteriously after inspecting the scene.
Vampirella hears of a gang of bikers nearby, who she feels may be a werewolf pack so she joins them for the evening. Meanwhile the real pack are turning under the light of the moon.
After the previous string of intellectually challenging issues with the Hexxen and their occult links to Vampirella's origins, it is a refreshing change to get back to something as mundane as hunting down a pack of werewolves.
Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall do a superb job with the artwork, presenting a stunning "new look" Vampirella - more sultry, statuesque and physically powerful. The first appearance of Vampirella is almost iconic, and instantly you know that this isn't quite the same Vampirella you have known in the past.
During the Warren era José Gonzalez created an iconic and ubiquitous image of Vampirella with a bat on her outstretched hand. I think Matthew Clarke has created the iconic image of Vampirella for the Harris run of Vampirella. It is certainly one of my favourite portrayals of her.
Vampirella 16 (January 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Tony Waller (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Pack - Part Two [Writer - Jay Faerber : Art - Matthew Clarke, Ron Randall]
Vampirella's party with the bikers is interrupted as the werewolves attack. Caught on the hop Vampirella only manages to kill two of them before the rest of the pack retreat into the night. The wolf pack turns out to be a group of businessmen on their monthly "retreat". The whole upper management of the company are werewolves which gives them an edge in their business affairs.
During the daylight hours Vampirella buys some guns and silver bullets but is interrupted by the police and taken in for questioning. Vampirella hypnotises the detective into letting her go, but when she tells him that she is there to stop the killers he is after he insists on tagging along.
"Big Business" requires a certain killer instinct and ruthlessness to succeed, but this is a novel and thought provoking idea - a company run by werewolves! I'm sure there are plenty of people in the cut-throat world of big business who will wryly admit that it could be so!
The artwork of Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall continues to impress, and I am really warming to their grim, yet feisty, Vampirella.
TRIVIA: If you look at the cover of the regular Conner/Palmiotti issue you will notice some reprobates accompanying her in the jail cell. This is an "in-joke" by Amanda Conner, and Vampirella's fellow cell mates are various Harris personalities.
From left to right they are ...
- Jonathan Rheingold (Executive Publisher),
- Yoshi Aino (ex-Associate Publisher),
- Nelson,
- Steve Bunch,
- Jimmy Palmiotti.
Vampirella 17 (February 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Matthew Clarke/Dexter Vines (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Pack - Part Three [Writer - Jay Faerber : Art - Matthew Clarke, Ron Randall]
In the woods, Vampirella and Detective Brewster are attacked by the werewolf pack. One by one she takes them out, but is hampered by trying to protect the detective at the same time. Sending him off on a fool's errand she takes on the remainder of the pack.
Vampirella destroys the pack but finds that one has escaped and attacked Detective Brewster and injured him, but is it a bite or a scratch?
A lot of pages for a relatively short time span in the story, but every page is a gem. The werewolves are not your usual rampaging beasts but cold, calculating and, most of all, ferocious.
Vampirella 18 (March 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Nelson (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
The Pack - Part Four [Writer - Jay Faerber : Art - Matthew Clarke, Ron Randall]
New York, and Vampirella and Detective Brewster are on the track of the remaining werewolf, who is on the track of his ex-wife. They meet on a subway train as the werewolf transforms. The fight spills out on to the track and the ex-wife is protected by a second werewolf who fights the first one. The first werewolf is destroyed and the second one escapes.
Dawn, and Detective Brewster awakes and, remembering the night before, realises that he is now a werewolf. Vampirella tells him that he may be able to use his werewolf abilities for good, if not....
Clarke and Randall certainly know how to portray action scenes, and Faerber's script gives them plenty of opportunity to do so. A great story with an opening for a future confrontation/ collaboration with Detective Brewster.
Vampirella 19 (April 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Christopher Shy (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Blood and Roses - Part One [Writer - John Smith : Art - Javier Pina, Jimmy Palmiotti]
At the secret FBI/ World's End Circus retreat in Alaska, Vampirella learns that an old friend has died. Traveling to Mexico she meets the widow and attends the funeral. All is not as it seems, the coffin contains a pig, the pall bearers are "walking dead" and her supposedly deceased friend helps to drug her.
Back on track with the World's End Circus for a few moments and then back into a solo adventure again. This series is nothing if not surprising.
Vampirella 20 (May 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Joyce Chin (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Blood and Roses - Part Two: [Writer - John Smith : Art - Javier Pina, Jimmy Palmiotti]
Vampirella awakes up, drugged and bound in Dr. Kessler's lab. He intends to use her blood as a cure for many ailments, and to restore youth to his wealthy clients as an extra to his current business selling organs. Vampirella's ex-friend is a drug addict and sold her out for drugs, but is killed himself for his body parts. Using hypnosis on her zombie nurse Vampirella escapes her bonds.
An intriguing story about the trade in human organs, and the sort of people who ply that trade. John Smith certainly seems to have a mission to provide a subtle moral message along with some quite scary tales.
Vampirella 21 (June 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Jason Alexander (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Jay Company Comics (published July 2006)
Gold Foil cover - Tyler Kirkham (500 copies) $15.00
Virgin cover - Tyler Kirkham (100 copies) $20.00
Sketch cover - Tyler Kirkham (100 copies) $15.00
Museum edition - Tyler Kirkham (25 copies) $100.00
Blood and Roses - Part Three [Writer - John Smith : Art - Javier Pina, Jimmy Palmiotti]
Vampirella sets free the zombies from the mind control of Dr. Kessler, who then track down and kill the Doctor and his cronies.
The action is similar to many zombie films from the 1970s/1980s, and the kicker is that most of the zombies regain a modicum of mental faculties and then go back to their previous homes. I'm sure their families will be very surprised to have their dead relatives return to the fold!
The Jay Company cover (by Tyler Kirkham) was released three years later as a special limited edition for the Wizard World Chicago and San Diego comic conventions. Intended as a convention special, Jay Company are re-badging an old comic with a new cover and selling it for five times the original price.
Vampirella 22 (August 2003)
Regular cover - Amanda Conner/Jimmy Palmiotti $2.99
Limited Edition cover - Joe Chiodo (1,500 copies) $9.95
Limited Edition cover - Maria Di Angelis (1,500 copies) $9.95
Choir in the Mist [Writer - Dan Jolley : Art - Stefan Caselli]
Jinks Magrath, the circus strongman, has family problems in his native Ireland and Vampirella tags along. Cousin Sam is being hunted by an assassin from a rival family, an assassin with a protection spell tattooed on his arm to protect him from the Banshees. Vampirella is also weakened by the tattoo, but she bites it off his arm and throws him to the waiting Banshees.
Adopted as a temporary member of the Magrath family, Vampirella, Jinks and Sam retire to the pub for a pint.
Not a bad story in principal, but it fell down a little in execution. What was the relationship between the Magrath family and the Banshees? Why were they hovering around Sam's house? Who created the protection spell? What happened next in the Irish family feuds?
Too many unexplained items. This would have been better as a two part story instead of a single tale - which didn't quite fit with any of the other story lines in the series. It doesn't quite gel with the other stories and this series ends not with a bang, but with a whimper.