Vampire Survivors #3 Review
Writer: David Hazan
Artist: Jimmy Kucaj
Colorist: Jão Canola
Letterer: Chas Pangburn
Cover Artists: Alex Shibao & Nacho Lazaro
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $4.99 US
Release Date: November 11, 2026
Imelda's disappearance filled Antonio with fear. When his sister returned, she believed she was cursed. Then, strange creatures invaded the rural chapel, and Imelda spoke about seeing a skeletal figure. Antonio risked the dangers of the Mad Forest for his former teacher's help. Gennaro and Imelda sought answers in the Inlaid Library as they awaited Antonio's return. But amid the dusty bookcases, the cloaked skeleton, visible only to Imelda, bespelled her brother so he could speak with her.
Will Antonio return with a strategy for safeguarding his sister? Or must the Belpaese siblings again turn to their family's rivals to escape the purple reaper? Let's grab some of Maestro Poe’s garlic, leap into Vampire Survivors #3, and see!
Story
As Imelda and Gennaro await Antonio’s return, a visitor arrives at Castle Benevento. Poppea Pecorina wants Antonio’s help in banishing intruders at the dairy plant. Given the importance of cheese to the local Italian community, Imelda believes that the problem cannot wait for Antonio’s return. But Gennaro remembers his brother’s orders to safeguard Imelda. And with his sister seeing a skeletal phantom in a purple cloak, Gennaro wants to play it safe. If they’re going to repulse the invasion at the milk plant, Gennaro and Imelda need backup. Unfortunately, that means traveling to the Ladonna Estate, begging bowl in hand.
As Vampire Survivors #3 follows Gennaro and Imelda's attempts to safeguard the region's cheese supply, it also folds in Antonio's journey. Imelda begged him not to risk the Mad Forest's dangers to talk with a crazy old hermit. Yet when he returns to Castle Benevento, Antonio finds Imelda has ventured into danger again.
While peppering the wacky family drama with humorous dialogue, David Hazan tackles the rivalry between the region's two vampire-hunting families. Arca dismisses the Belpaese siblings. Yet her sister Lama seems supportive of their desire to protect their community. Once again, Imelda struggles to comprehend the Purple Reaper’s interest in her. But while Imelda falters in her belief that she can discover the answers to any question and master any ability through study, Gennaro faces an even greater crisis in Vampire Survivors #3.
Art
As if carved from a mountain, the elegant Castle Benevento rises before a glowing moon (not moonglow or Moongolow). When Imelda releases all the locks and chains on the thick wooden door, she sees Poppea with her milk-stained skirt. Gennaro regards their visitor with wide eyes. Imelda crosses her arms and spares Antonio’s ex sidelong glances.
Jimmy Kucaj employs a downshot as Imelda stalks around the sitting room. But when Poppea smiles as she reclines before the fireplace, an upshot reveals Gennaro’s discomfort as he sits on a trunk. The camera focuses on Imelda’s eyes as she realizes the implications of Poppea’s words. Yet a note affixed to the door with Gennaro’s knife receives as much joy as the 95 Theses nailed to a church door.
As Jão Canola adorns the action-packed, dramatic art in Vampire Survivors #3 with a vibrant palette, the red trim on Gennaro’s clothes links him with Poppea’s red hair. Yet Arca Ladonna shares the same taste in clothing colors as the insecure monster-slayer. Imelda and the Trickster both wear purple, while Antonio’s green tunic links him with Poppea’s milk-stained skirt. Orange flames seem to end the fighting. Instead, the tension in the milk plant boils over.
Chas Pangburn fills white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes with black uppercase letters. Gray letters help readers hear a whispered conversation. Dialogue enlarges and changes color while balloons change shape amid heightened emotions. Beige banners proclaim locations and suggest the reason for the interfamily rivalry. As doorknockers bang against creaking wooden doors, sound effects accompany magic, healthy competition, and Antonio’s willingness to try something he dislikes. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Imelda hungers for knowledge and achievements. At the milk plant, Imelda battles characters from a realm she dreamed about when she collapsed at her brothers' feet in the chapel. Yet, as Antonio fears, the greatest danger Imelda faces may be her desperation to prove herself in Vampire Survivors #3.
Rating 9.8/10
For Antonio's reunion with Maestro Poe, see Vampire Survivors #2 Review.
For all the chaos in the chapel, see Vampire Survivors #1 Review.
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