REBIRTH: Volume 1

Since the only way to enjoy this title is to refuse to take any aspect of it seriously, readers can relax and chortle gleefully as they appreciate how the story and art work together in perfectly awful absurdity. In 1641, Romanian sorcerer Kalutika Maybus went insane and turned on his friend, the vampire Deshwitat, whom he paralyzed and sealed inside the body of a monster. Now, a group of scientists arrives on the scene to investigate paranormal activity and, as most of them are being killed by the monster, one sacrifices his life to protect his teenaged daughter by freeing the vampire. Meanwhile, a beautiful blonde exorcist also arrives, too late to help the humans but just in time to battle the vampire. The sensuously glowering vampire intends to keep his oath to the dead man, but he also wants revenge on Kalutika, preferably before the latter finishes his scheme to destroy Earth. Complementing the story, the art is active but incoherent. Adolescent male readers may enjoy panels showing the buxom exorcist wielding a crucifix while wearing a costume that looks like a teddy with a cape; bondage fans may enjoy the panels that show the exorcist and the teenaged girl writhing in the monsters' grip. This scene seems to go on forever, page after page of the characters talking endlessly as they struggle to break loose. There are a few hints that Woo knows how silly the whole thing is, but not enough to make this work more than cult entertainment for the audience that hooted at Plan Nine from Outer Space. (Sept.)