February’s ‘Draculina: Blood Simple’ Sees A Hellish Family Feud Brewing
by Erik Amaya
The holidays may be a memory when Draculina: Blood Simple hits the stands in February, but the sort of acrimonious family gatherings many experience across the late part of the year will be Draculina’s latest challenge.
From writer Christoper Priest, artist Michael Sta. Maria, and colorist Ivan Nunes, the new series sees Vampirella’s evil sister acquiring a “grudging acceptance” of her preteen alter-ego, Vampirette (aka Katie), just as another sibling appears. As Dynamite puts it, “this mysterious new character is drawn out by the reemergence of the demon Belial, who fathered a legion of demons with Vampirella’s mother Lilith. Levi (short for “Leviathan”) is a powerful half-sea creature with his father’s temper and his sister’s sense of evil mischief – and like Draculina, he wants Belial dead.”
For his part, the demon is living a quiet life as a Beverly Hills retiree who dotes on Vampirette. But the new family tensions may push him back into business — much to the delight of Lilith, who wants the family feuding for her own reasons.
“Michael Sta. Maria and I have created an entirely new world apart from the Vampirella franchise titles and I’m really pleased that the success of our first run will enable us to further explore this literal family from hell,” Priest said in a statement. “Draculina and Katie, her literal better half, return with a plus one, a cantankerous, cigar-chomping sea creature with his own agenda (and his own tail!). I’m very excited the gang’s all here, back for a second round with Michael and Ivan, as we further explore our West Coast ‘bad girl’ twist on Vampirella (Draculina) as she struggles to come to terms with her own inner demons.”
Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci added, “It has been an incredible experience working alongside Christopher Priest as he leads the Vampirella franchise into expansive new territory with each issue he writes … He just wasn’t quite done with his ideas for everyone’s favorite black-costumed sister, so we can’t wait for fans to bite into this story!”
Supporting the debut issue will be variant covers from artists Jay Anacleto, Joseph Michael Linsner, Rafael Kayanan, Zoe Lacchei, Lucio Parrillo, and cosplayer Rachel Hollon.
Draculina: Blood Simple debuts in February 2023.
