For the purposes of this book The Shape of Water doesn’t exist in Elvira’s world and a fancy-pants director decides she’d be perfect for the starring role in his version of that movie opposite a really committed actor in a really convincing outfit. Yeah, definitely not an actual Abe Sapien-type! But Elvira soon finds out that the movie is just a pretence for what the director’s really shooting for…
Dynamite gave away a buncha first issues for free on Comixology a while back and I read each one, with The Shape of Elvira being one of the few that stood out to me. Other than through free tasters, there’s no way I’d know to pick up a book like this! I only know about Elvira via cultural osmosis from appearing in and being referenced in shows and movies I do watch, rather than having seen any of the movies about the character. It’s definitely no must-read but The Shape of Elvira’s also not bad.
I’m guessing Elvira’s movies had a light, knowing, witty tone to them that writer David Avallone captures well here. The banter is amusing for the most part and Avallone Mary-Sues himself as the writer of the movie and Elvira’s love interest in a playfully intentional way (if you look up his picture, he’s a dead ringer for the writer character in the book).
The writing definitely goes a long way towards making up for the predictable and forgettable story which unapologetically goes in a full hammy B-movie direction in the final act. Fran Strukan and Pasquale Qualano’s art is serviceable but also quite plain and not particularly standout either.
The Shape of Elvira is a surprisingly engaging and not too shabby comic - worth a look whether or not you’re a fan of the character.
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