VAMPIRELLA Cover Prelim by Mark Texeira

Mark Texeira was a strong penciler right out of the gate after graduating from NYC’s School of Visual Arts. After scoring major assignments like Jonah Hex at DC and then the three top Marvel Comics characters: Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and Punisher, he bacame a massive fan favorite in an era that launched some of the biggest names in the industry.

Seeing his painted work, though, is an extra treat. This stellar Vampirella pin-up probably started as a pre-lim or composite for one of Dynamite‘s many series helmed by writer Tom Sniegoski. The color palette here really calls back to the orignal Frank Frazetta version of Vampy from the Warren Magazines of the 1960s and bears a strong resemblance to scream queen, Brinke Stevens, the former partner of the legenary Dave Stevens, and a frequent Vampirella cosplayer.