Comics
‘Vampirella’ Gets Relaunched By Renowned Horror Author Nancy A. Collins
Dynamite will be releasing a new “Vampirella” series in June to be penned by Nancy A. Collins, with art from Patrick Berkenkotter. Vampirella is in dire need of a modernization because, let’s face it, there’s not much going on other than blood sucking and thongs. Collins might be just what the character needs (though the covers haven’t changed) and I’m actually pumped to see where the series goes. Check out all the details below.
March 5, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite is proud to announce that Nancy A. Collins, the author of Sunglasses After Dark and Vamps, will revive the iconic horror series Vampirella with a #1 issue in June. Collins will be joined by talented artist Patrick Berkenkotter (Avengers/Invaders) for the new ongoing series. Superstar illustrator Terry Dodson will provide the main cover, while a veritable who’s who of industry talent will provide variant collectible covers.
“I’m very excited about taking over the reins on Vampirella,” says Nancy Collins. “I’ve really been enjoying myself so far. In celebration of her 45th anniversary, I’m returning the book’s focus to its horror roots and giving Vampirella a slightly darker edge. Dynamite has been wonderful to work with, and have given me a great deal of support. It’s been some time since I last wrote for comics, and it feels great to be back!”
As the debut “Our Lady of Shadows” story arc begins, supernatural heroine Vampirella is sent by the Vatican to investigate the kidnapping of a little girl by the Cult of Chaos… only to become the centerpiece of a ritual invoking Lady Umbra, the sister-bride of Chaos. Of the fateful repercussions, Collins says, “Vampirella’s life is turned completely upside down, and she finds herself having to team up with the strangest bedfellow imaginable in order to battle both a demonic threat and an elite Vatican hit-squad.”
Nancy A. Collins has spent the last twenty years writing novels, short stories, and comic books for fans of the supernatural, paranormal, and fantastical. Her prose works include Sunglasses After Dark, featuring punk vampire slayer Sonja Blue, the YA series Vamps, a collection of Weird Western tales called Dead Man’s Hand, and a collection of Southern Gothic stories entitled Knuckles & Tales. Her comic book work includes Swamp Thing, Jason vs. Leatherface, Machina Jones, and Predator: Hell Come A’Walkin.
Artist Patrick Berkenkotter is a staple of Dynamite Entertainment, having contributed artwork to such titles as Red Sonja, Dark Shadows/Vampirella, Project: Superpowers, and two Dynamite/Marvel crossovers, Avengers/Invaders and The Torch. “I cannot sing Vampirella artist Patrick Berkenkotter’s praises loudly of often enough,” says Collins. “His pencils are spectacular, and he’s able to make her sexy, menacing, and bad-ass all at the same time. I think the fans are going to be pleased with his work when they pick up Vampirella #1, and I hope they take me to heart as well.”
“My first exposure to Nancy’s writing was in the pages of Swamp Thing, and I’ve always remembered her run. When Gail (Simone) suggested Nancy to write one of the anniversary stories in Legends of Red Sonja, it was a great reminder of how good of a writer Nancy is. As we were prepping for Vampirella’s relaunch, and were discussing potential writers, Joe (Rybandt, Sr. Editor) commented that since we all liked Nancy’s Red Sonja story, why not approach her. The rest, as they say, is history. Patrick illustrating Nancy’s story, and Terry Dodson coming on board as the main cover artist really compliment the series as we go in to Vampirella’s 45th Anniversary. I’m confident that fans are going to love Nancy’s take on Vampirella, and be in it for the long haul. It’s that damn good.” States Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci.
Dynamite will celebrate the new Vampirella series with a variety of cover options, including a Main cover by Terry Dodson (X-Men, Wonder Woman), Retailer Incentive covers by Jenny Frison, Sergio Fernandez Davila, Jack Jadson, Mimi Yoon, Ken Haeser, and a Subscription cover by Stephanie Buscema dedicated to those hardcore fans who place preorders with their local comic retailers. Sergio Fernandez Davila (Legenderry: A Steampunk Adventure) has also created a Retailer Exclusive Variant image that can be tailored to promote individual comic shops.
Vampirella #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ April Previews catalog, the premiere source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in June 2014. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Vampirella with their local comic book retailers. Vampirella will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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