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Elvira #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) Comic Review
Released by: Dynamite Entertainment
Released on: January 16th, 2019.
Written by: David Avallone
Illustrated by: Dave Acosta
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Where we last left our favorite voluptuous Mistress Of The Dark, she'd just finished up an encounter with none other than Bram Stoker and, of course, Vlad The Impaler, the grumpy godfather of the vampires out to do away with our favorite horror hostess and the time travelling coffin that got her into this mess in the first place.
This fourth chapter, Fauster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill! (I love Avallone's sense of humor) sees Elvira pop into a lab inhabited by none other than the Frankenstein Monster and his blushing bride. Or so it seems - it's actually a film set lorded over by a director named Baleen. He's not happy that Elvira has ruined his take but she's clever, she tells him wardrobe sent her over to show off some potential duds for the bride! He doesn't take her up on the offer but he does give her permission to 'hang out' on the set so long as she's careful and doesn't get in the way.
A short time later, Elvira gets a visit on set from a certain doctor named Faust, and she's not that impressed even if he did introduce her to the real Dracula - and of course, Vlad isn't far behind. He shows up with his trademark 'GAAAHHHRR,' confusing everyone on set - particularly when he sets his sights on the monster's bride. When the monster steps in, Baleen lets the camera's roll but Elvira knows that actors are in real danger. Of course, she steps in to save them by providing a distraction and then makes a run for it, taking us across the studio through a western, a murder mystery, a musical and then, finally, a pirate film.
With a script clearly informed by an honest love of B-movies and horror pictures, some sly and well-aimed political jokes, and a load of double-entendres and bad puns, this issue rewards those with a knowledge of old movies but will also entertain anyone who appreciates a good gag and a girl in a tight dress. This final issue of the first storyline in the series ties together some loose ends nicely while leaving the door open for further adventures with some of the characters that have been established here - it's quality stuff, a good time in comic book form, particularly if you have an interest in the source material that Avallone is drawing from here (and if you're a regular reader of this website then the odds are pretty good you do). The writing has been strong since the start and only gotten better, never once asking us to take things any more seriously than we need to and always quick with a good joke and a pertinent pop culture reference.
Dave Acosta's artwork continues to shine. Aided by strong coloring work from Andrew Covalt and quality lettering from Taylor Esposito, Acosta once again does a great job in capturing Ms. Peterson's beautiful likeness not just with her comic book doppelganger's figure but with her facial expressions and eye movements too. It works really well in conjunction with the writing, giving things a slightly cartoonish bent that suits the tone of the story perfectly. Panel layouts are good, the action moves nicely from one page to the next, and there's a lot of good background detail here to take in, especially on the 'Mrs. Frankenstein' set where the issue begins. Serious bonus points for drawing Jack Pierce into this issue.
Oh, and once again we get a cover piece from Joseph Michael Linsner that's suitable for framing. Damn! These guys are doing Elvira's legacy proud - bring on the next storyline.