Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by David Avallone
Illustrated by Dave Acosta
Coloured by Andrew Covalt
Lettered by Taylor Esposito
The Mistress of the Dark has become unstuck in time! Elvira crashes Mary Shelley’s monster weekend, beginning an epic journey through horror history, stalked by the most terrifying nightmare to ever walk the Earth.
Well now I want a Svengoolie book! I mean if Elvira can get one he should have one where he ends up in the films that he makes fun of. So now that that’s out of the way lets get on with the book at hand. Over the years we’ve seen Elvira pop up at various companies in various roles from hostess of the macabre to participant and all the while our love for the Mistress of the Dark has never really waned. She has achieved cultural icon status and as such instantly recognisable to millions worldwide.
I have praised Dynamite and their decision in putting out books with characters that were once lost to the annuls of history now I sing their praises once more for having the opportunity to bring this to the masses. David is very obviously a fan of Elvira’s and knows her character extremely well. The characterisation and use of language is so utterly familiar, fun and makes this one of the experiences that helps you feel at home. That this is more humorous than it it is scary is exceptionally well done here and I have to give major props to David for that.
The way that the book is structured is fantastic, the whole ebb & flow of the story flows like an old black & white “B” horror film. The opening does exactly what it’s supposed to do in that it’s incredibly eye catching and makes the reader want to see more. It also sets the tone for the book in its comic style and that just kind of makes you feel good. There really is nothing more iconic than her hair and breasts as seen in that outfit and with the eye make-up well it all has this very over the top feel to it like you’d see in a drag show and I got news for ya that’s exactly what this is a show where she gets to put on a persona and become a character. Though if I am going to be honest I could have done without the whole breaking the fourth wall bit.
The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off Dave’s naturally strong eye for storytelling. That he can make Elvira campy and yet serious at the same time is superb to see. You have to pay attention to her eyes because those express so much here and that he is able to do this for us shows why he’s among the artists I am always willing to follow. Andrew’s colours, like the warp, really pop and stand out in some great ways. Plus that he maintains that whiteness of her skin tone is amazing. When we see backgrounds being utilised here they really expand the scene, the moment and the feel we’re supposed to have so Dave more of them please!
As for how the story really gets under way well unless I miss my guess there is either another version of her or someone trying to be her that ensures Elvira will be taking quite the trip. The introduction of Mary Shelley and those she’s with in this first issue is well done and oddly enough interesting in ways that you have to see to understand. Somehow the wires got crossed, the tables were turned, Elvira never knew she had a lesson to learn,. Well I don’t know exactly about that but whatever forces are at play here have sent her inside her coffin through time to meet the people behind the worlds most recognisable horror stories.
Fun, flirty and fantastically delicious this is what having fun should be all about. This embraces and embodies everything about Elvira that has made her the woman she is.