Vampirella

released OUT NOW! Publisher dynamite entertainment

Writer Paul Cornell Artist Jimmy Broxton

Paul Cornell has insisted that this new Vampirella isn’t a radical revamp, but more an update of the alien bloodsucker’s various incarnations over the years.

Quickly ditching her trademark skimpy costume in favour of a considerably classier outfit, Cornell subverts the usual status quo by making Vampirella the most restrained thing in a highly sexualised future society that’s hooked on constant gratification.

Issue zero begins with her waking after a 1000-year sleep, and the reader is initially as confused as Vampirella herself as she’s propelled headlong into a surreal dystopian city that’s part Blade Runner, part Brazil and part Clockwork Orange. Captured by sinister clown police, in issue three Vampirella incongruously finds herself in a WW2-esque prison camp inspired by the likes of The Great Escape and Colditz.

Somehow it all manages to gel – largely due to the vibrant artwork of Jimmy Broxton, who proves equally adept at illustrating Moebius-style futuristic cityscapes as he is depicting earthy horror scenes. Shame, then, that he won’t be working with Cornell again after the first five-issue arc, as the pair disagreed over a controversial variant cover. Vampirella is also Cornell’s final foray into work-for-hire as he dedicates himself fully to his own projects, so enjoy this delightfully bonkers series while you can. Stephen Jewell