Dawn Vampirella

Joseph Michael Linsner is best known as the creator of Dawn, but he has also worked on Dark Ivory, Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws and Claws 2, and covers for numerous books including Conan the Cimmerian, Damsels, and more. This September, he teams up Dawn with the sexy vampire, Vampirella, in Dawn/Vampirella from Dynamite. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Linsner to learn more.

Westfield: This is the first crossover for Dawn. What makes Vampirella the right character for the crossover?

Joesph Michael Linsner: Vampirella is the Queen — she is the original! She has inspired anyone who has ever drawn a sexy yet strong female lead comic character. Wonder Woman predates her but Vampi brought everything up to a whole new level of sophisticated sensuality. Plus my hero Frank Frazetta designed her, so I’ve always had my eye on her. I feel lucky that Nick Barrucci of Dynamite has given me the opportunity to bring Dawn and Vampi together.

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Westfield: What can you tell us about the story?

Linsner: Dawn and Vampirella are both captured by a demon who is searching for a bride. At first he wants them to fight it out to see who will be his mate, but Dawn suggests a storytelling contest — something which will challenge their minds. The demon agrees and our ladies start telling tales to save their skins.

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Westfield: You’re going against what many would expect in a Dawn and Vampirella crossover by having them engage in a storytelling competition. Why did you decide to go in this direction?

Linsner: They both started out as horror hostesses introducing short stories — Vampi in Warren’s Vampirella and Dawn in my self-published book Cry For Dawn. I think that facet of their characters is essential to who they are — they are both very striking visually and they both address the reader directly. That directness gives them a different level of accessibility.

But they are both strong, dynamic ladies who demand action, so the series will have plenty of thrills and spills. There might even be a clash of these two comic book titans — all I can say is stay tuned.

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Westfield: Who are some of the other characters we’ll be meeting?

Linsner: Aside from the demon Masodik, I might throw in one or two of my other guys, like Esque, the star of my book The Vampire’s Christmas. Dracula or some of Vampi’s other supporting cast may pop up. We’ll see, I don’t want to give too much away.

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Linsner: I am having a great time writing and drawing this book. December 2014 celebrates Dawn’s 25th year in print, and Vampirella’s 45th. I know that this book is important so I am giving it my all. It’s gonna be great.

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Dawn/Vampirella #1