It’s the first week of the Spooky Season for 2021—we’re just 27 days away from horror fans’ (and the ’Warp Crew’s) favorite holiday: Halloween, of course! So what better time than now to remind you that StarWarp Concepts has a horror-comic heroine perfect for this time of year?
Last year we released From the Stars…a Vampiress: An Unauthorized Guide to Vampirella’s Classic Horror Adventures, a nonfiction examination by Steven A. Roman (that’s me!) of Vampirella, one of comics’ most enduring characters and the queen of the comic book bad girls. It covers the history of Vampi at her original publisher, Warren Publishing, from 1969 to the company’s closure in 1983; the bizarre stories behind the 1970s Hammer Films adaptation (meant to star Barbara Leigh and horror icon Peter Cushing) that never got past preproduction and the 1990s Showtime movie (starring Talisa Soto and rock-god Roger Daltrey) that did get made (and really shouldn’t have been); the six-book series of novelizations by pulp and sci-fi writer Ron Goulart; and provides extensive reviews and a checklist of every Vampi story published by Warren.
And with its release came renewed interest in our very own Lorelei, the fiery-maned, soul-stealing succubus created by Roman in the late 1980s. But, to be honest, that was the plan all along—when you promote From the Stars’ writer on the front cover as the “author of Lorelei: Sects and the City,” well, Vampirella fans are naturally going to be curious as to what that is, especially when she’s received the approval of two very important men in Vampirella’s life…
Lorelei: Sects and the City is a Mature Readers graphic novel in which she battles a cult of Elder God worshipers attempting to unleash hell on Earth.Basically a love letter to 1970s horror comics like Vampirella, Tomb of Dracula, and Ghost Rider, it’s written by yours truly, Steven A. Roman (X-Men: The Chaos Engine Trilogy), and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia (Stargate Universe,The Saga of Pandora Zwieback Annual #1), Steve Geiger (Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Kraven’s Last Hunt, Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Going Gray), and Neil Vokes (Flesh and Blood, Tom Holland’s Fright Night). It also features work by three Warren Publishing greats: a cover by legendary artist Esteban Maroto (Vampirella, Zatanna, Lady Rawhide), a frontispiece by original Vampirella artist Tom Sutton (Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night), and a one-page history of succubi illustrated by Ernie Colon (Vampirella, The Grim Ghost). And look at who were two of the book’s earliest fans:
“Lorelei, you’ve cast your spell o’er thisguy!”—Forrest J Ackerman, cocreator of Vampirella and original editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland
“You sure do pay Warren Publishing a nice tribute. I wish you good luck and good acceptance. I like the graphics, and the story is exciting!”—James Warren, cocreator of Vampirella and legendary publisher of Creepy, Eerie, The Rook, and Famous Monsters of Filmland
Other reviewers dug Sects and the City’s Vampirella-esque vibe as well:
“I can honestly say that I enjoyed the hell out of this book…. The art is solid, the story is full of lots of things that make the horror genre so great, and the overall quality of the book is top notch.”—Die-Screaming
“Kudos to Roman for capturing the essence of 1970s fare like Vampirella. Filled with ghouls, chicks, and some strong artwork, this is a title that might’ve piqued Hammer Studios’ interest back in the day.”—Dread Central
Sects and the City was followed by Lorelei Presents: House Macabre, Lori’s first outing as the hostess of a horror comic anthology. In this one-shot special that contains four tales of horror, behind eye-catching cover art by fan-favorite artist Louis Small Jr. (Vampirella, Vampirella Strikes) you’ll find:
• “The Old, Dark Manse” is written by me and illustrated by Uriel Caton (JSA Annual, The Ex-Mutants, Heartstopper: The Legend of La Bella Tenebrosa) and “Chainsaw” Chuck Majewski (Harvey Kurtzman’s New Two-Fisted Tales), and has Lori welcoming readers to this special.
• “All in Color for a Crime” is another tale from me, with art by Lou Manna (T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Young All-Stars). Two comic book collectors clash over a rare back issue—and only one of them will be adding it to their long boxes!
• “The Basilisk,” from me and artist John Pierard (Graphic Classics: Horror Classics, My Teacher Fried My Brains), is a “Lori’s Feary Tale” that examines the history of a supernatural creature that’s a cross between a deadly snake and a…chicken?!
• Wrapping up the special is “Requiem for Bravo 6,” by New York Times bestselling author and comic writer Dwight Jon Zimmerman (She-Hulk, Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool) and artist Juan Carlos Abraldes Rendo (Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror). A special-ops team goes on a life-or-death mission…but will they be prepared for what awaits them at mission’s end?
Critics enjoyed this one, too:
“This is like a cross between Elvira and House of Mystery, where you’ve got a very sexy hostess who loves the Macabre and tells you stories that are supposed to chill and thrill you…. This whole book is such a pleasant surprise, [and] something that should be sought out by everyone.”—Reading With a Flight Ring
“Any fans of the old-fashioned horror anthology comics (Eerie, Creepy, Tales From the Crypt, etc.) is gonna want to take a look at this one-shot from StarWarp Concepts…. If campy horror fun is your thing, this should be a hit for you.”—The Pullbox
And then there’s Lorelei: Genesis, a 24-page one-shot comic written and drawn by me. Sporting a new cover illustration (colored by Eliseu Gouveia), it’s a digital-exclusive flashback to Lori’s early days, with two stories: “Lorelei” is an 8-pager from 1991 in which Lori journeys through the streets of New York on an important mission: to pick up her dry-cleaning! It’s followed by “In the Midnight Hour,” the 1989 story that introduced horror-comic fans to our favorite redheaded succubus, who steps in to rescue a couple being menaced by a street gang.
“Roman obviously likes good-girl art, but the writing is quite good, too—the stories are interesting and intriguing. They move at a good clip and are injected with humor.”—Randy Reynaldo, creator/writer/artist of Rob Hanes Adventures
“Primo material here, folks. Super concept for an exotic succubus-type supernatural ‘superheroine.’ Good storytelling and art, great character.”—Comics F/X
Lorelei: Sects and the City and Lorelei Presents: House Macabre are available in print and digital formats; Lorelei: Genesis is a digital exclusive. Visit their respective product pages for ordering information, as well as sample pages. Order them today to get in the proper mood for this Spooky Season!
