Savage Tales: Vampirella #1
Written by Erik Burnham, Doug Murray
Art by Anthony Marques, J. Bone, Fernando Ruiz, Daniel HDR, Lui Antonio
Colors by Mohan, Inlight Studio
Letters by Tom Napolitano, Simon Bowland
Cover by Robert Hack
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: May 9, 2018
Cover Price: $4.99

So here’s the deal, I am a Vampirella fan. I have been for years and I doubt that will ever change. But after several decades, the stories are starting to blend together. Not to say that I didn’t like Savage Tales: Vampirella #1 but it has some predictable plot points to it.

Vampirella: Southern Gothic #1
Written by Nate Cosby
Pencils by Jose Luis
Inks by Nelson Pereira
Color by Inlight Studio
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Johnny Desjardins
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 14, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Everyone’s favorite skimpily-clad, sexpot vampire is back in a brand new comic book entitled Vampirella: Southern Gothic #1! She’s gone through a myriad of changes over the decades, but one thing always remains the same, Vampi continuously manages to kick the crap out of whatever she faces. And now, after so many adventures on this world and others, she finds herself in the deep south. Mississippi, to be exact…

Following a pretty awesome battle with a few dozen shoe-stealing demons, our heroine decides to take a break to heal from an especially nasty wound. As sleep becomes her primary focus, she is roused from her impending slumber by a call on her mobile phone. After a bit of a flashback, the reader is able to identify the caller as Jacob, a former lover who is in a bit of a pickle. Traveling by train (who travels by train these days? Badass vampires, that’s who), Vampirella arrives in Mississippi to find Jacob awaiting her with a story about a woman who has died under different names a total of 37 times (insert funny Kevin Smith/Clerks reference here). While making a pit stop for some breakfast, we finally find out the connection between Jacob and the multiple resurrected woman. I’m not going to spoil the story but he is definitely dedicated to the lady in question.

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #2
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Jose Luis
Colors by Inlight Studio
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Sean Chen & Jonathan Lau
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #2 is more of the same if you read the first issue. And that is – AWESOME!!! When you picture team-ups in your head, THIS is the kind of book that you picture. A well-told story that makes sense and brings together two of your favorite comic books into one epic masterpiece!!!

I said it last month, and I’ll say it again – writer Keith Champagne should be writing the monthly series for BOTH Bionic Man and The Bionic Woman!!! Champagne does an incredible job at portraying everyone in the “Bionic” universe with dead-on accuracy. Not only that, but he makes the audience believe, in this super-powered day and age, that having bionic ears, eyes, legs, and arms IS a legitimate super power. He’s done the incredible and updated a television series successfully into a fantastic comic. That is truly rare.

The Bionic Man vs. The Bionic Woman #1
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Jose Luis
Colors by Inlight Studio
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Sean Chen, Adrian Syaf, Jonathan Lau, and Jack Herbert
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: January 16, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

WHY are you reading this review instead of reading The Bionic Man vs The Bionic Woman #1? Seriously. You might just be thinking “Oh, who cares about another crossover?” Really? Because THIS crossover makes SENSE! That’s why you should care!

I will say this right now: Keith Champagne should be made the regular writer of The Bionic Man monthly series as soon as bionically possible! Good Lord, this issue is incredible! This takes place before the current Bionic Woman series, and is a REALLY great take on both characters. There’s a lot going on, but not too much that you can’t follow or you get confused by too many characters. In fact, that’s one of the book’s strengths, Champagne doesn’t introduce a dozen new characters into the mix, he uses the main characters, their supporting casts, and a villain. Let’s be honest, that’s all you need. There’s some terrific stuff in this issue, including the classic Oscar having to talk Steve into going on the mission debriefing. And treadmill running. The book starts off really intensely, slows down in the middle to develop the story, then revs right back up again at the end to leave you hanging with a breathtaking cliffhanger. Nicely done!