Purgatori!
Comic book review
by Angie McKaig

 

She's a pretty violent creature, terrifying anyone who dares cross her and tearing them limb from limb. She's a savage vampire, with a heart of stone. But there's more to Purgatori than meets the eye, and there's more to her story than senseless violence and rampant vampirism.

Meet Purgatori, heroine of a new vampire comic by Chaos! Comics. In 1997, Chaos! readers voted Purgatori their number one choice for the character they most wanted to see in her own ongoing series. Their wish was heard - and starting this September 1998, she's starring in her own monthly series.

Each of the stories - except two - are single-issue plots, to make the series as reader-friendly as possible. The first issue, "Revelations", gives us a clue as to her background. She started life as a slave in Ancient Egypt, but soon became one of the "most fierce vampires in horror entertainment", according to Chaos! Comics.

"Throwing aside the life of a victim, she seized god-like power. But when she overstepped herself, tragically, she suffered the loss of most of her power. Since that 'fall from grace', Purgatori's been a raging force of vengeance. Proclaiming herself 'banished even from Hell', she lusts after all the power she can grab and doesn't let anything stand in her way."
        -Chaos! Comics press release

Although I'm far from an experienced comic reviewer, several things struck me about Purgatori, the first of which was the excellent artwork. Purgatori's compelling eyes, sweeping wings and demonic claws gave her considerable appeal, and the action is illustrated in a manner that really makes the story come to life. The story itself is intriguing - particularly as we are introduced to Metatron, Purgatori's arch enemy.

David Quinn, the author of the series, promises great storylines to come. "Expect darkly heroic tales of state of the art vampire terror, with a distinctly human point of view. Devils, Angels, and Vampires roam the Earth, living among us, engaging each other in clashes of mythological proportion behind the scenes of our struggles."

Purgatori promises a great deal - and if the first issue is any indication, she'll deliver in spades - and blood.