The Art of Vampirella

The Art of Vampirella

by Davide Barzi

For over 40 years Vampirella has been the muse for many artists in the comic industry and beyond. Dynamite Entertainment brings forth a veritable museum of fine art masterpieces collected in this hardcover volume! Featuring a spectacular cover by the legendary Milo Manara, this tome contains a retrospective of artists who have contributed the most memorable imagery of Vampirella with such names as Jose Gonzalez, Adam Hughes, Dave Stevens, Jim Silke, Jae Lee, Joe Jusko, Amanda Conner, Mark Texeira, Mike Mignola, Mike Mayhew, Joe Quesada, Bruce Timm, Arthur Suydam, Dan Brereton, Michael Golden, J. Scott Campbell, and many more.

Genres: Art, Comics, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Vampires

230 pages, Hardcover

First published January 11, 2011

Reviews

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of covers from Vampi’s post-Warren era, with some background information and interviews. Overall, it’s quite nice, though it lacks the magnificence of the painted covers from the 1970s by Gonzalez or Sanjulian. Some covers are even frankly disappointing, featuring pen-and-ink action scenes devoid of any conceptualisation or artistic flair.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of Vampirella covers and art and little bios and little interviews and it's funny that I haven't read many Vampirella books but first I saw some of her covers in Dynamite Covers book and then read the Jose Gonzalez book and he's best known for wonderful art done for Vampirella and now I read this one before reading the Vampi books that are waiting to be read but maybe I would read them now ah well what to do there are just so much to read and enjoy and I am happy to realize that there is so much to enjoy and I shall enjoy that and going to just Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I can and I have. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and I hope you will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Parka · Rating 4 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

First of all, the hardcover book is actually 232 pages instead of the 216 pages listed by the publisher. Nice little bonus.

The book starts with an interesting history of Vampirella before you're greeted with the gallery of art work, mostly full-page size. Unfortunately, there's a bias in favor of newer artists. The old covers from the Warran era and those drawn by Jose Gonzalez are relegated to sizes where you can print 8 to 16 per page. It's a pity to see some of those beautiful illustrations printed that small.

The rest of the art are pretty much from the 90s onwards, with work contributed by artists such as Adam Hughes, Jae Lee, Mike Mayhew, Mark Texeria and many more. The quality of art featured is a mixed bag, but a good mixed bag. Most of the illustrators are professional so the standard is still high, generally. There are lots of nice sexy illustrations. I like some of Mike Mayhew's pieces which are very beautifully painted. David Finch's ones are in his usual style, very detailed with good use of blacks. Julie Bell's piece is quite scary. At the end, there's even a short comic included.

Occasionally, some artists are picked to be featured with description but the selection is random. Seems like they are only included as an afterthought. The longer commentary and interviews are from Davide Barzi, Joe Jusko, Amanda Conner, Kurt Busiek and Alan Moore.

You won't get to see the full glory of old works but it's a still a good art book, and it's priced nicely. Recommended for Vampirella fans.

[Ruben]

Hot vampire

If you like boob and horror, then this is the book for you.(if not then go buy another art book)

[Teagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So camp. Essentially a drag persona.