Dynamite Debuts Paperback Editions of Classic Archives!
January 23, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce an ambitious reprint program, to bring historic comics classics back into print and now available in a brand new format perfect for all kinds of readers and collectors. Starting this April, the Vampirella Archives volumes will start release in paperbacks.
In the revolutionary year of 1969, one of the many hallmark happenings in the world included the grand debut of the original Vampirella magazine. Originally published by Warren Publishing as a complement to two other legendary comics magazines, it quickly established its own unique legacy.
Published in magazine format and largely featuring black and white interiors, the publication was able to sidestep the then dominant Comics Code Authority. This allowed the ever-evolving stable of brilliant writers and artists to push the boundaries of mature, sophisticated content underneath its jaw-dropping painted covers.
Warren’s other titles were much like Vampirella, anthology titles with “horror host” characters. But the genius twist of this new title being hosted by a beautiful vampiress, courtesy of early character contributors Jim Warren, Forrest J. Ackerman, Frank Frazetta, Trina Robbins, and Tom Sutton, made it stand out and steadily evolve to feature the continuing serial adventures of one of the medium’s biggest stars to this day!
The Warren era of Vampirella ran a whopping 112 issues from 1969 through 1983. Across multiple eras, editors like Archie Goodwin, Louise Simonson, and Bill DuBay brought in top established creators, rising stars, and astonishing talents from all around the world. The magazine was prominent for featuring crops of stylistic standouts from regions like Spain and the Phillipines.
Creators involved in the first Archives volume reprinting Vampirella #1-7 include the aforementioned Ackerman, Sutton, in addition to Neal Adams, Doug Moench, Reed Crandall, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Gardner Fox, Ernie Colon, Billy Graham, and more all shining in a mix of horror, science fiction, and fantasy fables. While painted covers from Frazetta, Jones, Vaughn Bodé, Bill Hughes, and Ken Kelly stun the senses.
The titular heroine and her mythos starts in this very first volume. The first issue starts with an instantly iconic painting by Frazetta, followed by Ackerman and Sutton’s influential short origin story that has been remade and referenced countless times. The second issue is a one-two punch with the introduction of Vampi’s blonde sister Draculina, as well as the witch Evily who is at times known as her cousin.
This first volume brings a lot of unforgettable stories and creators, and the following books in the projected 15 volume line will only continue to astound. Fans can look forward to the Vampirella starring stories ramping up in the second book, as Archie Goodwin takes on editing the title and writing the character with the introductions of Conrad and Adam Van Helsing, Mordecai Pendragon, the Cult of Chaos, Crimson Chronicles — and the entry of the character’s definitive Warren era artist Jose Gonzalez.
With volumes all through the run featuring multi-part Vampirella story arcs, major additions to her cast and lore, and an endless list of standout anthology stories from diverse and beloved creators, each volume is a can’t-miss addition to anyone’s shelf who doesn’t have the hardcover editions.
VAMPIRELLA ARCHIVES PAPERBACK VOL 1 is solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ February 2025 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in April 2025. Comic book fans are encouraged to preorder copies of the book with their local comic book retailers.
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