Vampirella is entering the world of Golarion this October. Dynamite Entertainment and Paizo Inc. will continue their nearly 15-year collaboration with the new comic series Pathfinder / Vampirella: Blade of Darkness.
The crossover sends the Daughter of Drakulon into Pathfinder’s popular tabletop fantasy setting. The series combines Vampirella’s supernatural world with Pathfinder’s mix of swords, sorcery, monsters, and adventurers.
A Ritual Brings Vampirella to Golarion
Golarion is a world where adventurers tempt fate, monsters hide in the shadows, and powerful beings constantly seek greater power. Vampire lord Zaloch believes he has found a way to give his kind a new advantage over those who hunt them.
Zaloch performs a haunting ritual designed to summon a being capable of helping vampires fight their enemies. Instead of calling forth the raging demon he expects, the ritual summons Vampirella.
Her arrival quickly creates new problems. Monster hunters appear just as the raven-haired antiheroine enters the conflict, setting the stage for battles filled with dark magic and deadly consequences.
Pathfinder Heroes Join the Fight
Several familiar Pathfinder heroes will become caught up in the chaos. Kyra and Merisiel join the battle as events surrounding Vampirella and Zaloch escalate.
The pair are partners both on and off the battlefield. Merisiel is an elf rogue, while Kyra is a human Sarenite who has become one of Pathfinder’s recognizable heroes.
Their involvement expands the crossover beyond Vampirella’s unexpected arrival. The story will bring together characters from both franchises as they face monsters, magic, and threats that could cost them their lives.
Erik Burnham Makes His Pathfinder Debut
Writer Erik Burnham makes his Pathfinder debut with Blade of Darkness. He previously wrote Vampirella during her crossover with Dejah Thoris and has also worked on Red Sonja, Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and other titles.
Burnham is teaming with artist Federico Dallocchio for the new series. Dallocchio helped revive Suicide Squad at DC and has also contributed to properties including Star Wars and Starcraft.
“Golarion is a fantastic sandbox to play in, and the only complaint I’ve had so far is that I only have so many pages to explore it!,” said writer Erik Burnham. “Not only has introducing Vampirella into a new world full of gods, monsters, and heroes been a treat for me, so has getting to write those gods, monsters, and heroes for the first time — and knock on wood, not the last!”
Burnham’s comments point to the scale of the Pathfinder setting and the possibilities created by Vampirella’s arrival. The crossover gives the writer an opportunity to explore Golarion while bringing a familiar character into an entirely different fantasy world.
Artists Assemble for Variant Covers
Burnham and Dallocchio will be joined by several artists with ties to Pathfinder. Previous Pathfinder pencilers Steven Cummings and Andrew Huerta will contribute covers to the series.
Prolific RPG and gaming artist Wayne Reynolds will also create character sheet covers. His work adds another connection between the comic series and Pathfinder’s tabletop gaming roots.
Collectors will have another option through a premium mystery blind bag. The offering will give fans a chance to pursue rare Pathfinder collectibles tied to the crossover.
Pathfinder / Vampirella: Blade of Darkness launches from Dynamite Entertainment and Paizo Inc. this October. The series brings together two fantasy worlds for a story filled with vampires, heroes, monsters, and dark magic.
