After the long and choppy first story arc and plot from this new series, the second has taken on a different tone.  Although there is still some degree of supernatural action, the story is seemingly directed towards a different focus, one of world building for Vampirella.  As a cult character from the 1960s that has morphed in one that is mainstream enough, the one thing lacking from the character is continuity as well as a decent repertoire of villains.  There are always the denizens of Hell or vampires for her to fight, but in the history of her publication there has never really been one consistent adversary (other than Dracula who doubles as an adversary for lots of people.)  Over the previous few issue, the story has included a lot of exposition as to the backgrounds of other characters, some of whom are to presumably become constant allies and others that will become recurring foes.

The problem with this approach has been one of a false starts, as often when it seems that it is time to move the plot along, that the story jumps back into some other character’s origin.  This has resulted in some less exciting issues, even while it fills out the necessary background for what are mostly brand new characters (or at least repurposed characters).  This issue takes the same approach, except this time focuses much more on a single origin, that of Cain, and tells of his link to Vampirella and Draculina.

This issue ends up being the most entertaining in this run as it decides to put its focus mainly on one story instead of several.  Equally though, it is not a pulse pounding issue where readers will turn the pages.  At the very least this issue should contain the last of these origins and should allow the series to proceed at a somewhat normal pace moving forward. There is potential here now for a stronger universe of characters for Vampirella to interact with, and if that was the sole goal of the previous issue then it was successful, and now it is left for the creative team to use what they have for some engaging stories as they move forward.

Story: Nancy A. Collins Art: Patrick Berkenkotter
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Read

Dynamite provided Graphic Policy with a free copy for review.