The Artists of Vampirella: José González

Greetings, fellow night crawlers and connoisseurs of the crepuscular! Let’s dust off the cobwebs from the vault of comic lore and delve into the art of José “Pepe” González, a maestro whose ink breathed undead life into the iconic Vampirella. Ah, Vampirella – that femme fatale of the fang who’s both dazzled and dismayed through the decades. Few artists have captured her spirit and sensuality as evocatively as González. But before we stalk through the shadowed alleys of his Vampirella masterpieces, let’s peek into the crypt where it all began.

From Barcelona to the Big Time

It all started in the heart of Barcelona, 1939, where young Pepe, a mere sprout of 17, marched into the Selecciones Ilustradas agency with dreams as big as his talent. Armed with nothing but a pencil and a daydream, he was put to the test: replicate a Cisco Kid strip by Luis Salines. Not only did Pepe replicate it, but he did so with such eerie precision that even the original stains wept with envy! His photographic memory and knack for detail fast-tracked him onto S.I.’s roster.

Before long, Pepe’s pencils were sketching out heartaches and romances for the U.K.’s Fleetway Publications in magazines like Valentine and Blue Jeans. But it was his knack for drawing the divine female form that eventually conjured up a fateful call from Warren Publishing. They were on the hunt for someone who could give Vampirella a little more… bite.

Vampirella and the Vision of González

Now, let’s sink our teeth into the meat – or should I say blood? – of the matter. José González didn’t just draw Vampirella; he reimagined her. Starting with issue #12, González took over the artistic reins, and what a wild ride it was!

His covers, though numbering only three, are the stuff of legend. From the full-figure opus on issue #19, with Vampirella poised, bat in hand, against a moonlit sky, to the seductive close-ups that promised danger and allure in equal measure.

Each cover was a masterclass in mood, shadow, and the artful reveal of flesh and fantasy. González’s style was fluid, his women were ethereal, and every line he drew hummed with the quiet power of the night.

Beyond the Bite: González’s Other Ventures

While Vampirella might have been his most famous muse, González’s portfolio was no one-trick pony. He continued to dazzle with his work in romance and was a revered figure in the realm of fine arts, his talents stretching across pencil, charcoal, and oils. His legacy in the comic book world is a testament to his prowess, his ability to capture the complexities of human (and vampire) emotion with mere strokes of his brush.

A Legacy Written in Ink

Though the night eventually claimed José González, his art remains immortal, continuing to inspire awe and admiration from horror hounds and art aficionados alike. From eerie elegance to gothic glamour, González knew how to make the macabre mesmerizing. His vision of Vampirella remains, forever perched between shadow and light, a beacon for the bewitched and beguiled.

So here’s to José González, whose pen was mightier than the stake. May his art continue to haunt our dreams and grace our walls, as timeless as the vampire tales he told so well.

For those who wish to explore deeper into the dark, delightful world of González’s art, be sure to check out the Vampirella Art Collections by Dynamite Press. They are truly spectacular, and do the character proud.

Thanks for reading! Keep those torches burning and the pages ever turning, fear friends 💀