Comic Review: Elvira: Mistress of the Dark #3

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark #3

Dynamite Entertainment

Writer: David Avallone

Artist: Dave Acosta

The premise of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a fun one: Elvira travels through time meeting various famous horror authors while being chased by Dracula. It’s silly, but it is unique and has so far been entertaining, especially if you are a fan of these authors. So far we have met Lord Byron and Edgar Allan Poe. So what icon do we meet this month?

No surprise, it is Bram Stoker and his wife in this issue. Vlad the Impaler is in tow, as usual, and keeps providing the plot since he is determined to kill Elvira. The twist in this issue is Vlad’s newfound obsession with Byron’s wife. This issue also finally reveals who is behind the teleporting coffin that Elvira is utilizing. Not to worry, the premise stays on track going into the next issue, and it appears the next meeting is not an author. We should be thankful the story is staying on track because the issue-to-issue premise is what makes Elvira: Mistress of the Dark worth it’s pull every month. In my review of the last issue, I mentioned Elvira’s schtick was already starting to wear thin. Fortunately, she is toned down here and it works much better.

David Avallone is handling the material as well as can be expected. Elvira continually breaks the fourth wall and even references Avallone by name. It is all in fun, and it all fits Elvira’s personality. The best thing in this issue is the limiting of Elvira’s innuendo and quips, and it proves that it works better.

Dave Acosta has been very solid and continues to be here. He isn’t asked to do much more than draw tame action scenes, old writers, and a curvy Elvira, but it is all done well.

I know the plot of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark seems goofy and possibly uninteresting, but it is surprisingly good. It knows what it is and continues to follow the set path. Elvira is her usual self, and for those of you who like that, then you will find more substance here. Unless you despise the Elvira brand, I think you should give this series a try. Issue #3 is another favorable issue in the series.