|
|
Vampirella has proved an enduring creation. Created by Forrest J Ackerman for Warren Publishing and developed by Archie Goodwin with artists Frank Frazetta and Tom Sutton, she first appeared in Warren’s Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969). She lasted in that magazine until issue #112 (1983). Frank Frazetta drew the first cover (these were always high quality art work as on most Warren publications) and Tom Sutton drew the stories. Later the interior art would improve tremendously when Jose Gonzalez took over from issue #12.
The basic premise for Vampirella was that, although a vampire, she was a vampire with a difference. She hailed from the planet Drakulon, where they were all vampires. Fortunately they didn’t have to vamp each other as the rivers were made of blood. Unfortunately those rivers were drying up. Fortunately a survey team from Earth landed and made the mistake off killing (sort of) Vampi’s best friend. Having disposed of the Earthmen she drove the rocket to Earth. Fortunately she obtained a serum which, if taken regularly, removed the need to vamp people. Unfortunately she would at times forget or be so hormonal that she still flashed her fangs. She befriended an old alcoholic sideshow magician called Pendragon and the two of them presented a somewhat limited magic show where Vampi would turn into a bat.
She was at times pursued and befriended by Conrad van Helsing, a blind psychic and vampire hunter, descended from the original van Helsing. He makes the substitute blood serum that keeps Vampirella's thirst under control. His son Adam van Helsing was in love with Vampi. He was killed in Vengeance of Vampirella #25. Van Helsing at first tried to kill Vampirella and never entirely trusted her, always fearfull that she would one day kill his son. Incidentally a bite from Vampi may kill but being alien does not turn you into one of the undead, in the same way that the Earth model does. Curiously in the original stories Count Dracula is not himself from Earth, but Drakulon. He was a scientist who saw the fate awaiting his home planet and made a pact with the Gods of Chaos (another regular feature of the series) and had his vampirism changed so that he could render people undead.
Warren magazines are famous for their high quality black and white artwork washed with grey tones but they would on occasion introduce a note of garish colour to their stories. Warren went bankrupt and Harris Publications acquired the rights to Vampirella. Harris Comics tinkered with the original storylines and made her the daughter of Lilith. Lilith is the first wife of Adam (in Jewish lore – the age of which is disputed). She would not submit before Adam, insisting on being on top, and was cast out of Eden. She mated with demons in hell, giving birth to vampires who would kill the offspring of Adam and Eve on Earth. Later, she sought redemption from God and gave birth to Vampirella, whom she sent to Earth to kill all evil vampires. Drakulon was a part of Hell where Lilith lived and ruled.
The character was also used in a so so film, Vampirella (1996) starring Talisa Soto and Roger Daltrey, and directed by Jim Wynorski. Because of her scanty costume Vampi is also a favourite when photographers are looking for themes as an excuse to take pictures of half naked models.
This page has been accessed |
