REVIEW: 'Elvira: Mistress of the Dark' #1 by David Avallone, Dave Acosta, and Andrew Covalt

In this entertaining time-traveling limited series from Dynamite Entertainment, 'Elvira Mistress of the Dark' is characteristically charming and funny as she crosses path with literary horror royalty.

ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK #1   

Writer: David Avallone

Artist: Dave Acosta, Andrew Covalt

Letterer: Taylor Esposito

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Release Date: July 4, 2018

Cover Price: $3.99

Score:  ★★★★☆ (4/5)

As a fan who grew up watching Cassandra Peterson play the sarcastic, self-deprecating, gothic Valley girl unafraid to drop a double-entendre or two while hosting her nationally syndicated schlocky horror movie show, I was skeptical if writer David Avallone could capture the quirky charm of Elvira. Not only does Avallone nail her personality but artists Dave Acosta and Andrew Covalt capture her spirit. 

The issue begins with Elvira having a rough time on the set of a horror film before she is mysteriously transported via a time-traveling coffin to nineteenth-century Lake Geneva. There, she meets poets Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and Mary Shelley, who'll go on to write the gothic classic Frankenstein. There are some supernatural shenanigans going on and Elvira is on the case. 

What drives the story is Elvira's reaction to her new environment and being with these literary giants. Her fangirling of Mary is especially endearing. Mary doesn't quite understand what this time-traveling American is saying but seems flattered. Elvira in true fashion cracks wise delivers some racy innuendos and breaks the fourth wall. Elvira is the original Deadpool only sexier. Avallone has captured Elvira's humor and voice better than I thought was possible. If you've never seen or heard of Elvira, Avallone has delivered her in comic book form along with expressive facial expressions and body language by Acosta. 

'Elvira: Mistress of the Dark' is a delightful time-traveling horror comic led by the pop culture queen. It's just a fun adventure that's driven by Avallone's dead-on depiction of Elvira. If you want a good time with a comic that will put a smile on your face and cross paths with literary horror giants, 'Elvira' will whisk you away from the horrors of real life.