Vampirella vol 3 #2
(Written by Kate Leth, illustrated by Eman Casallos, published by Dynamite.)
The bikini is for Vampirella's public appearances, as she is now an Internet celebrity. The new outfit is for when she does not want to attract attention to herself. Last issue, our intrepid heroine hired a PR agent named Juliette to help with her image. Vampirella tries to explain who she is to Juliette; this provides new readers insight into her cosmic origins while poking fun at her backstory at the same time.
Kate Leth balances humor and story extremely well; the comic has levity, and at times it is clear the writer's tongue is firmly in her cheek. Be that as it may, faithful fans can rest assured: there is still horror amid the laughs. In just two issues, newly introduced character Juliette becomes an interesting mystery herself, and I look forward to learning more about her.
Casallos continues to provide top-notch art. I particularly enjoy that while we see a lot of skin in this issue, it never feels exploitative or objectifying. Vampirella strikes a pose now and then because she’s putting on a show. Casallos has done a great job of portraying a woman who is very comfortable when practically nude; Vampirella isn’t posing arbitrarily to titillate the reader.
Vampirella is strongly recommended for the vampire lovers out there. It is fun, cheeky, sexy, and surprisingly endearing.
Megan Crittenden
Miss Fury vol 2, #1
This issue of Vampirella is the second since the title's relaunch. Vampirella got a new costume as part of the relaunch, presumably to entice new readers; cosplayers will find the new outfit (complete with pockets!) easier to make and wear. Her bikini-clad days are not over; she appears in her original costume more often than in her new outfit in this issue.
The bikini is for Vampirella's public appearances, as she is now an Internet celebrity. The new outfit is for when she does not want to attract attention to herself. Last issue, our intrepid heroine hired a PR agent named Juliette to help with her image. Vampirella tries to explain who she is to Juliette; this provides new readers insight into her cosmic origins while poking fun at her backstory at the same time.
Kate Leth balances humor and story extremely well; the comic has levity, and at times it is clear the writer's tongue is firmly in her cheek. Be that as it may, faithful fans can rest assured: there is still horror amid the laughs. In just two issues, newly introduced character Juliette becomes an interesting mystery herself, and I look forward to learning more about her.
Casallos continues to provide top-notch art. I particularly enjoy that while we see a lot of skin in this issue, it never feels exploitative or objectifying. Vampirella strikes a pose now and then because she’s putting on a show. Casallos has done a great job of portraying a woman who is very comfortable when practically nude; Vampirella isn’t posing arbitrarily to titillate the reader.
Vampirella is strongly recommended for the vampire lovers out there. It is fun, cheeky, sexy, and surprisingly endearing.
Megan Crittenden
Miss Fury vol 2, #1
(Written by Corinna Bechko, art by Jonathan Lau, published by Dynamite)
Miss Fury #1 is the latest in Dynamite’s relaunch effort, attempting to update their heroines and shed the perception that their books are meant solely for men who like excessive amounts of cheesecake. Miss Fury is one of those heroines who is covered from head to toe, but in the past has had her vacuum-sealed clothes ripped up quite often. Her look will remind readers of Catwoman or Batwoman, but she has been rocking it since 1942. She is cat-like, but no copy cat.
Miss Fury is set in 1942, and our heroine is Marla Drake, marine engineer. Her firm is designing a new ship for the war effort (and to help the U.S. government build an alliance with Brazil). When the blueprints are stolen, Drake dons the costume of Miss Fury to investigate the theft and recover her plans.
Bechko gives her characters strong voices. I enjoyed greatly that many characters use time-specific slang, but it does not become overwhelming or cheesy—just another reminder that this is 1942! The mystery is intriguing, even if the clues Miss Fury follows are a little too conveniently set up.
Lau’s designs shy away from cheesecake, New York City feels genuine and gritty, and if you love 50s fashion, he delivers. Sometimes the characters’ proportions seem wrong, and some of the action confuses. Overall the art flows nicely, and only a few panels feel odd.
If you like Bombshells, miss Batwoman, or are just looking for a superhero outside the Big Two, Miss Fury might just be what you are looking for.
Miss Fury #1 is the latest in Dynamite’s relaunch effort, attempting to update their heroines and shed the perception that their books are meant solely for men who like excessive amounts of cheesecake. Miss Fury is one of those heroines who is covered from head to toe, but in the past has had her vacuum-sealed clothes ripped up quite often. Her look will remind readers of Catwoman or Batwoman, but she has been rocking it since 1942. She is cat-like, but no copy cat.
Miss Fury is set in 1942, and our heroine is Marla Drake, marine engineer. Her firm is designing a new ship for the war effort (and to help the U.S. government build an alliance with Brazil). When the blueprints are stolen, Drake dons the costume of Miss Fury to investigate the theft and recover her plans.
Bechko gives her characters strong voices. I enjoyed greatly that many characters use time-specific slang, but it does not become overwhelming or cheesy—just another reminder that this is 1942! The mystery is intriguing, even if the clues Miss Fury follows are a little too conveniently set up.
Lau’s designs shy away from cheesecake, New York City feels genuine and gritty, and if you love 50s fashion, he delivers. Sometimes the characters’ proportions seem wrong, and some of the action confuses. Overall the art flows nicely, and only a few panels feel odd.
If you like Bombshells, miss Batwoman, or are just looking for a superhero outside the Big Two, Miss Fury might just be what you are looking for.
Goldie Vance #1
(Written by Hope Larson, illustrated by Brittney Williams and Sarah Stern, published by Boom! Box)
Goldie is the 16-year old daughter of the manager of Crossed Palms Resort in St. Pascal, Florida, and one of its valets. In her spare time, she assists the hotel’s detective, Walter, in his duties; this translates to her solving all of his cases, to his continued amazement. The first issue gives us the case of a stolen necklace—and just might be the start of something bigger.
Goldie Vance #1 focuses mainly on introducing the main character and her supporting cast (the last major member of which is Goldie’s best friend and hotel receptionist Cheryl). Goldie herself is a a welcome addition to the pantheon of teen sleuths. A fun and enjoyable read, Hope Larson's story benefits greatly from the art provided by Brittney Williams, whom you may know from Kate Leth’s Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!. Williams’ art is cartoonish and endlessly adorable; Sarah Stern’s bright colors play to these strengths.
It’s a promising start to a joyful new miniseries. I hope it proves popular enough that it ends up continuing in some way.
Heartthrob #1
(Written by Christopher Sebela, illustrated by Robert Wilson IV and Nick Filardi, published by Oni Press)
Chris Sebela may not be the biggest name in comics, but he is certainly talented and experienced. With Heartthrob #1, he delivers a story set in the 70s, mixing heart transplants, heists, romance and Fleetwood Mac.
Our main character is Callie Boudreau, whose life sucks. She was born with a congenital heart defect that prevented her from living to the fullest and scared boyfriends away from any commitment. She’s stuck with a job she hates at Archway Insurance. And when she finally gets the heart transplant she dreamed about, nothing changes.
Until it does. She starts drinking more, becomes more confrontational – and more surprisingly, she starts exhibiting skills that she never learned. And then she meets a mysterious man named Mercer, who will change her world.
Heartthrob #1 is primarily focused on introducing us to our main character and her life – both her lives, in fact, prior to the surgery and after it. She’s a compelling character, and the story promises to be a thrilling ride.
Dominik Zine
