A near-naked space bloodsucker from the planet Drakulon, Vampirella was initially a horror host type character, similar to Tales from the Crypt’s Crypt Keeper; introducing horror tales and offering snarky commentary on them, mostly at the introduction and conclusion of each story.

She soon became the focus of her own stories, however, and since her creation in 1969 (she’s been around a very long time!), Vampirella comics have been published by a variety of publishers, with her original home, Warren Publishing, ceasing operations back in 1983.

I haven’t read very much Vampirella at all, but I am a sucker for oddball seasonal specials, and, being in a festive mood, picked up her Helliday 2024 Special while I waited for Santa to arrive.

In the Helliday 2024 Special, Santa has been turned into a vampire, and it’s up to Vampirella to stop him, by finding the vampire who turned him so he can get back to normal and resume delivering gifts across the world.

Though the jokes fall flat, relying on crude humour and language in place of actual wit, the story comes to a surprising, even amusing conclusion at least. The warning signs were there, unfortunately; I don’t mean to be unkind, but seeing writer Frank Tieri’s name on this one didn’t fill me with confidence that I’d enjoy it, and despite a clever denouement, the Vampirella Helliday 2024 Special really didn’t do it for me.

Still, Pasquale Qualano delivers some sexy (and gory, in parts) artwork which helps to salvage the comic somewhat, but honestly, I just kept wishing the writing had a bit more wit and spark to it.

Hopefully Vampirella can get herself on the nice list for next year; perhaps she can ask Santa for a better script for her next Christmas special.

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