Dracula. One of the most recognizable figures in fictional history. Lord of the Vampires who was first chronicled way back in 1897. And yet, Stan Lee and Marvel Comics were able to place him smack dab in the middle of the Marvel Universe as one of the central new horror titles under the less strict comics code authority (which never would have allowed it before). The series, first penned by Gerry Conway before Marv Wolfman took over, proved to be a major success and was the lead horror story for Marvel, the others failing to match up.
The series was first meant to be adjunct to the main Marvel universe, none of the characters in this series interacting with the major heroes and villains and vice versa. However, the popularity of such a crossover grew too big and thus Dracula was properly introduced into the Marvel Universe in a giant-sized issue with none other than Spider-Man (cause who else?). After that, vampires just became another corner of the Marvel universe and have since played an essential role in many stories, earning their spot in Marvel history.
While this was the main horror title Marvel was publishing, it was also the longest running series that was centered around a villain. Attempts had been made before, mainly on Doctor Doom, but they didn't last long. This series lasted until issue 70 as well as several spin-offs in the more adult rated comics. In order to do that, both Conway and Wolfman understood that Dracula could not be a 2-dimensional villain or else the comic wouldn't last. Conway started off with Dracula's awakening and quick dispatch of many characters introduced, showing off his villainy from the forefront, while Conway brought in the major players who would be Dracula's adversaries like Frank Drake, Rachel Van Helsing, and old man Harker. Once Conway left, Wolfman continued where he left off, creating a myriad of different stories that forced all the characters to play cat and mouse with each other. Through it all, Wolfman showed Dracula's human side as well, making sure audiences knew he wasn't just a monster. He did many horrible acts throughout the series, but Wolfman made sure there were times readers rooted for him as well or at least liked him just a little bit. While the series had its missteps, it had plenty of highs as well that made readers come back for more. So, here are the highlights of the series that brought the infamous Dracula into Marvel Comics.
11. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 25: Night of the Blood-Stalker
This issue introduces private investigator Hannibal King, a man with deep knowledge of vampires. When a case opens up to him about a man’s death, King knows it involves vampires and thus begins his investigation, becoming embroiled with Dracula’s latest plot. In the end, he manages to solve the case and give the man’s widow some peace. The main takeaway is the revelation that King’s knowledge of vampires comes from the fact that he is one but keeps his sanity by refusing to drain someone else’s blood, taking blood from hospitals and donors instead. While this story isn’t as good as it could be, it does introduce readers to the one of very few good vampires in the world and a fascinating character.
10. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 19: Snowbound in Hell
Wolfman decides to change the game in this issue by trapping Dracula and Rachel van Helsing in the mountains during a storm, forcing them to work together in order to survive. Rachel because she can’t get off the mountain without him and Dracula because he may need to feed on her if his energy runs out. As they traverse the harsh geography, the two also analyze their relationship and their hatred for one another, leading to some interesting conversations until the inevitable final battle between them. Wolfman manages to shake up the villain here with the age-old trope here (though probably not as age-old then) and keep Dracula an interesting character.
9. Dracula Lives Vol 1 2: That Dracula May Live Again
The origin of Dracula, retold for readers in a more adult comic so that Marvel didn’t need to hold back. Count Dracula, Prince of Translyvania is captured by invading Turks, leading to his kingdom’s downfall. From here, he is thrown into the care of a Gypsy woman who is revealed as a vampire that bites him, converting him. But before he realizes that, his wife is killed in front of him. He then flies into a rage and unleashes his new powers on his enemies, decimating them. From the beginning, it is shown that Dracula is very brutal to his enemies and underlings, but to his family he is a true husband and father, showing there is more to him than one thinks. Not many villains get such an in-depth origin story, but writers Marv Wolfman and Archie Goodwin knew that with such a popular villain, they had to deliver something truly memorable and they nailed it. While some elements are a bit more fantastical to truly believe, the overall story makes up for it and gives Dracula the story he deserves.
8. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 9: Death From the Sea
The tale of when Dracula made a friend. Unexpected and out of the blue and yet Wolfman makes it work as Dracula arrives in a small town half-dead. There, moving from disaster to disaster, he comes across the path of couple David and Andrea who care for him. And while he doesn’t lose his list for blood, killing other people in the village, he decides to spare the couple as he grows close to them, especially David who shares how he longs for a life outside the village. Dracula sees himself in David and so, when they are attacked by vampires, he forces them away. And David returns the favor when the villagers come from Drac. A single moment where Dracula feels his lost humanity again before he flies off and returns to the monster he is.
7. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 10: His Name Is…Blade
The introduction to future MCU hero and previous movie star, Blade the Vampire Slayer. After introducing other vampire hunters, here Wolfman decides to include a more violent, hard-edged character. Enter: Blade whose whole existence revolves around the destruction of every vampire. Also including a turning point in Dracula’s story and an epic battle between the two characters on a cruise ship, this story is an important one, though Blade’s dialogue is a little off (something Wolfman acknowledges).
6. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 44, Doctor Strange Vol 2 14: The Tomb of Dr. Strange
At this time, artist Gene Colan was drawing both Doctor Strange and Tomb of Dracula and so it seemed natural that two such characters that operated in similar worlds would crossover. So, the Sorcerer Supreme faces off against the Prince of Darkness in a battle of mystery and illusion as Strange has to use all his tricks to get out of this one while Dracula finds himself fighting a foe unlike any he has seen before. The way both are thrown out of their comfort zone and it becomes a battle of minds as well as wills makes this duel unique and interesting among the others. While it does feel like it’s missing something, it makes up for it with the high stakes and deep thrilling mystery.
5. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 59-60: The Wrath of Dracula
For a while here, Wolfman has been building up the story of Dracula’s son, of his supposed happy ending with his new wife and his cult following. But for characters such as him, there is no happy ending and Wolfman makes it clear here by killing off Dracula’s baby boy in his arms after an attack by Drake, Rachel, and Harker alongside cult leader Anton. But Dracula gets his revenge on Anton in a truly brutal way before flying off. And here is one of the best monologues of the series as Dracula screams at the heavens for his miserable existence, begging for it to end. One of the more powerful moments in the series.
4. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 1-2: Dracula
The launch of the series based around one of fiction’s most notorious villains. Gerry Conway sets the scene in a predictable route and yet still manages to make it work and bring the infamous villain to Marvel comics where he has remained to this day. When Frank Drake learns he has inherited a family castle in Translyvania, he travels there with his friend and girlfriend Jean. And from there, it’s only a matter of time before Dracula’s coffin is opened and the villain is released, killing Drake’s Jean and turning her. He then plans his revenge but, in usual fashion, things go wrong and Dracula escapes while Jean burns in the sunlight in front of Drake. From the beginning, Conway and artist Gene Colan create the dark and tense atmosphere required by a horror comic and do not steer away from the darker elements, expertly bringing the character to life in all his glory. While still following predictable routes and plots, this story manages to launch the ongoing adventure surrounding the villain.
3. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 12-14: To Kill a Vampire
One of the darker moments of the series as everything that’s come before culminates in the battle between Dracula and the vampire hunters where Dracula kidnaps Edith, daughter of his hated enemy Harker, and threatens to kill her. And while the heroes plan to save her, they fail and watch as Harker is forced to destroy his daughter as a vampire, leading into a vicious battle between them and Dracula along with his mindless minions. Blade does manage to kill the Vampire Count in an intense scene but it does not last and Dracula returns greater than ever. Wolfman makes his mark here as he shows the cost of such a life, how you can lose your loved ones at any moment and how ruthless Dracula can be. While the story loses its way towards the end, the heavy tone and thrilling suspense and action in the early issues more than make up for it.
2. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 32-33: Blood on My Hands
The pinnacle of Wolfman’s run as here bitter enemies Harker and Dracula come together in a vicious battle that highlights their long-running hatred for each other over the years. Showing off all of Dracula’s powers and all of Harker’s tricks, this battle is intense from beginning to end, never letting up as both combatants fight to the death, Colan really showing off how much the two want to kill each other, the bitter emotions flying off the pages. And yet, in the end, there comes a twist that changes the outcome of the battle and lets the series continue. And while the action is most certainly the draw of the story, the history between the two characters placed front and center here contains some of the best character moments, especially from Harker. A single story that shows off the rivalry of two characters and the lengths they will go to destroy the other.
1. Tomb of Dracula Vol 1 69-70: Lords of the Undead
Ending a series like this can go either way but fortunately Wolfman and Colan manage to stick the landing in bringing a conclusion to the villain’s story. At least until the next writer comes along. Dracula, after losing his powers over the last few issues, has regained them but has lost his power over other vampires to a new master, being chased across the country by his former minions. After a quick storyline of Dracula forced to take refuge with some young children in a farmhouse, the final issue compacts what makes him such an iconic villain, attacking the new vampire master and showing him and everyone else who really is the most powerful. But then comes the true ending as he faces off against Harker, the two foes ready for the final conflict to the death that ends how their rivalry was always going to end. Wolfman nails the characters, staying true to who they are until the end and bringing his long-running saga to a true conclusion.
And that's Dracula. He didn't get as long a series after that but he continued to make his presence known from then on, continuing to be a major player in the Marvel Universe.
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