These women ain’t nothing but trouble.
Creative Staff:
Story: Amy Chu
Art: Maria Sanapo
Colors: Vinicus Andrade
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
Things are getting weirder and weirder in Riverdale as Red Sonja and Vampirella investigate a string of grisly murders with the help of their new friends Betty and Veronica. But as the body count increases and the leads dry up, police suspicion turns to the outsiders who need to find the real murderer and FAST.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The nature of crossover books that Dynamite works with may seem a bit overdone at times with so many going on but I continue to enjoy the way we get so many different configurations. Amy Chu continues to have fun with this foursome while also giving us the first nod from Betty that this might not be their real universe. With other crossover books nudging these ideas into a “shared multiverse” idea that I like, it’s good for a little internal consistency. Maria Sanapo is also clearly having a lot of fun putting these characters in so many different situations that I love watching it play out, whether at school or at one of the residences. Or, in the case of this issue, a blood bank. There’s a lot to like with the interactions and dynamic and Sanapo brings it to life wonderfully.
The discovery the last time around of pictures from the late 60s that seem to show the four of them there isn’t given a lot of time here, though it’s on Betty’s mind. She sets Dilton, who thinks it’s just a coincidence, to look for more clues while she races off. Of course, with Dilton getting attacked in seemingly every timeline, he’s approached by someone who knows him and nearly kills him, sending him into a coma where he can’t be any help anymore. That puts the sights on Sonja and Vampirella as the new people in town and the powers that be are keeping a close eye on them. Detective Park just feels way too guilty with the way he’s so quick to accuse and eager to assign blame. That puts extra pressure on the group as a whole, especially since neither Vampi nor Sonja can find their way to stay out of trouble easily.
We do get some nice time with Sonja trying to train both Betty and Veronica to defend themselves but neither are fully into it, much to Sonja’s frustration. Her lack of sword use is getting to her and that’s making her act out even more, raising them in the view of Detective Park. The research side does come out nicely from the group and having Betty head down to the hospital to donate blood as there’s a run on it with so many people injured lately, but taking Vampi just felt like asking for trouble. She’s definitely struggling with a lack of good sustenance and it’s showing here in how she’s composing herself, but the temptation is so strong at that place that I’m nowhere near surprised. There’s a good “middle of the series” feeling to this installment where it’s setting up what’s to come and getting everyone into the right place for it.
In Summary:
With a main cast of four characters, Amy Chu handles the balance of them well, particularly sine they’re all such big personalities. I don’t think any of them gets more time than the others in a general sense but Vampi is a bit on the quieter side this time around which doesn’t work badly. The story moves forward well here, some of the players are gaining prominence, and it feels like we’re closer to some much needed reveals in order to be fully invested. Maria Sanapo again delivers a fantastic looking issue that has me wanting to work on all three of the books these characters are from to get a good extended run with her operating in their worlds. It’s a great looking release that delivers plenty of fun and great designs.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 15+
Released By: Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 7th, 2019
MSRP: $3.99
