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PRESS RELEASE SOURCE: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
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Legendary writer Christopher Priest has introduced so many layers and characters to the Vampirella mythos in his tenure at the helm. One of the biggest revelations has been the character of VICTORY. Once she was Vampi’s friend, and her erstwhile lover, then a complicated antagonist of sorts, manipulated by Lilith. Now with a new set of abilities and a backstory not yet fully revealed, Eisner-winning author David F. Walker is breaking her out into her first ever solo series! This essential title in the Vampi tapestry will both tell its own standalone story of drama and action, while adding to the larger whole for Vampirella fans new and old.
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The first issue is on “Final Order Cutoff” this weekend, so contact your Local Comic Shop ASAP to get in your final preorder and subscription to the series!
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WILL VAMPIRELLA’S FORMER LOVER TURNED FOE HAVE HER… VICTORY?
DAVID F. WALKER & BRETT WELDELE INTRODUCE HER FIRST-EVER SOLO SERIES
INTERVIEW
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Victoria Harris has been all over the place since she was first introduced at the beginning of Christopher Priest’s tenure with the Vampirella mythos. How much did you guys dig into those stories in preparing for kicking off the first dedicated solo spotlight on her?
David: I sat down and read every comic with Victory and tried to get to know her as much as possible. It helped that Priest also provided me with a lot of insights into the character, as he’s the one who brought her to life. I examined all the things that were interesting about her, as well as the stuff that was troubling, and then I started figuring out why she is the way she is. At some point, I struggled a bit with the character and the story, and I ended up picking the brain of another writer, Kelly Sue Milano (Hex11), who really helped me break through some of my blocks.
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Through the journey that Priest started her on, Victory has been a lover of Vampirella, an ally of sorts, and even a bit of a villain. What is your take on her as a character and how will she be channeled in this new series?
David: Victory is an interesting supporting character, but the thing to keep in mind is that she’s been a supporting character, and for me those characters are always more fun to write. When you take a successful supporting character
and elevate them to leading character status, it is important to remember that what you’re doing is adding to someone that already exists – it’s like adding spices, or even ingredients, to a meal that’s already been cooked. The key is to enhance what is already there, and in my mind the best way to do that is to explore previously unknown aspects of who they are, and then take them to places that challenge what they think of themselves.
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Now that Victory is in the spotlight, fans will get to see nuggets of both her past and present, such as her childhood and what she’s been up to with her new powers-imbuing demonic ring. Which parts of the story are you most looking forward to fans getting to experience?
David: I’m looking forward to people getting to know things about Victory that they didn’t know, which includes aspects of a very traumatic childhood. But more than anything, I’m looking forward to Victory herself discovering who she is. This story is about her becoming a hero, which is a difficult journey for
her because she’s convinced that she’s a bad person. In many ways, she’s embraced all the mistakes and bad choices and unfortunate situations of her past, and allowed those to define her, and now she’s about to have all of that turned upside down.
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Brett, there have been so many legendary artists who have made their mark on the Vampirella franchise, both with interior sequential artwork and some iconic covers. Are there any predecessors that you may have looked to for inspiration and direction in developing your approach to Victory? At the same time, because this is her first solo series, are there any special character elements or aspects of your own style that you’re employing in its creation?
Brett: It’s natural to want to make the definitive version of a character, especially one who has a lot of story left to be told. As a painter, I gravitate towards other painters…Frazetta, Sanjulian. I admire the linework and atmosphere of Jose Gonzalez. Big shoes for sure, but I think with my two decades in this industry I’m bringing something unique to the table. I want to explore that sense of atmosphere, but with a modern flair. It’s also fun to world-build around Victory and what her solo adventures entail. We’re imbuing Victory with the flavor of exploitation films that David and I love. It’s the secret sauce and a common theme in our collaborations.
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