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Dracula: Vlad the Impaler
Dracula is one of the most well-known characters in the world. Now, read the story of the man who inspired the legend in this graphic novel available again for the first time in almost 30 years.
A prince of Wallachia and son of Vlad Dracul (The Dragon), Vlad Dracul the Younger (Vlad Dracula) is taken hostage as a young man by Sultan Mehmed I to ensure his father's loyalty. When his father is killed at the hands of traitorous nobles in his own land, he assumes the crown and wages a cruel war to regain his lands and avenge his father. Throughout his life, he continued the fight to retain his kingdom, committing acts that would later lead to the formation of the famous character created by Bram Stoker.
Originally published in the 1990s, it is now presented for the first time in black and white to showcase the beautiful art of Esteban Maroto.
A prince of Wallachia and son of Vlad Dracul (The Dragon), Vlad Dracul the Younger (Vlad Dracula) is taken hostage as a young man by Sultan Mehmed I to ensure his father's loyalty. When his father is killed at the hands of traitorous nobles in his own land, he assumes the crown and wages a cruel war to regain his lands and avenge his father. Throughout his life, he continued the fight to retain his kingdom, committing acts that would later lead to the formation of the famous character created by Bram Stoker.
Originally published in the 1990s, it is now presented for the first time in black and white to showcase the beautiful art of Esteban Maroto.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
10 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,477 books270 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 19, 2021
The life of Vlad the Impaler as drawn by the great Esteban Moroto. Vlad is presented as an utter monster throughout the book even before becoming Dracula.
August 25, 2022
When I set out to write the review for this comic book series, I thought it important to add the original edition, as I find quite unforgivable the fact that it was re-issued in paperback without the amazing coloring by Paul Mounts. Furthermore, as Maroto knew that the comic would be lusciously colored, he took care to account for it, so the uncolored version is a whole bunch of whiteness. This sort of coloring from the '90s (and hearkening back to the '70s and '80s) may not be to everyone's taste, but this is how this was how the comic was intended, and it absolutely works.
As for the story, the covers lure you into thinking this another fantasy / horror Dracula, but in fact, the first two issues are heavily researched and near as I can tell, completely historical, showcasing this extremely turbulent period for the Balkans and Europe in general, around the fall of Constantinople. The fantasy / horror element is Dracula himself being the narrator, centuries after the fact, and having risen as the undead monster we all know and love.
Roy Thomas does a wonderful thing, where Dracula succinctly demonstrates his path to committing the atrocities that he did, the reader is fully aware of the level of atrocity (where Maroto's art helps tremendously), but Dracula himself is unapologetic. He comments on how he is seen and remembered (both sides of it, as a hero of Christianity and a bloodthirsty warlord), but he manifestly doesn't care. especially for modern concerns.
In the third issue, where historical data becomes more scarce or uninteresting, Thomas introduces semi-fictional and entirely fictional elements of the Dracula mythos, in the tradition of R. E. Howard (the way he crafted his stories form elements of ancient history and mythology, not Conan per se).
In conclusion, this is the best Dracula I have read in American comics: the epic story of a monstrous, un-romantic villain (or hereo, depending on one's perception), who was shaped by one of the most violent periods in history.
As for the story, the covers lure you into thinking this another fantasy / horror Dracula, but in fact, the first two issues are heavily researched and near as I can tell, completely historical, showcasing this extremely turbulent period for the Balkans and Europe in general, around the fall of Constantinople. The fantasy / horror element is Dracula himself being the narrator, centuries after the fact, and having risen as the undead monster we all know and love.
Roy Thomas does a wonderful thing, where Dracula succinctly demonstrates his path to committing the atrocities that he did, the reader is fully aware of the level of atrocity (where Maroto's art helps tremendously), but Dracula himself is unapologetic. He comments on how he is seen and remembered (both sides of it, as a hero of Christianity and a bloodthirsty warlord), but he manifestly doesn't care. especially for modern concerns.
In the third issue, where historical data becomes more scarce or uninteresting, Thomas introduces semi-fictional and entirely fictional elements of the Dracula mythos, in the tradition of R. E. Howard (the way he crafted his stories form elements of ancient history and mythology, not Conan per se).
In conclusion, this is the best Dracula I have read in American comics: the epic story of a monstrous, un-romantic villain (or hereo, depending on one's perception), who was shaped by one of the most violent periods in history.
August 5, 2023
Vlad the Impaler: what a prick.
January 16, 2022
Um olhar para o clássico de Bram Stoker, que não segue os traços convencionais. O livro é sobre Drácula, o caudilho da Valáquia, e as suas guerras intermináveis contra turcos e príncipes rivais. Não esperem toques de sobrenatural e vampirismos, o livro é aventura de guerra medieval, sangrenta, violenta, sem quartel, sublinhando a lenda implacável de Vlad Tepes. Nem poderia ser de outra forma. O argumento é de Roy Thomas, nome excelso dos comics sword and sorcery, e aplica aqui o seu imaginário numa visão sobre a personagem histórica que deu alguma base a Stoker. A ilustrar, outro veterano, este livro é um profundo mergulho no traço barroco, luxuriante e sensual de Esteban Maroto.
November 28, 2023
don’t know why i was surprised to see so many illustrations of people impaled.
makes sense the illustrator is a horror guy.
anyway, story-wise this was passable.
i know that dracula and vlad the impaler are so tied together and blah blah blah but i was surprised that there really was like none of dracula here
makes sense the illustrator is a horror guy.
anyway, story-wise this was passable.
i know that dracula and vlad the impaler are so tied together and blah blah blah but i was surprised that there really was like none of dracula here
August 14, 2023
"I Am Dracula"", 1 of 3, February 1993
Roy Thomas with art by Esteban Maroto
From 1431 - 1456.
"Dark Legend A-Borning", 2 of 3, March 1993
From 1457 - 1462.
"To Rise Again!", 3 of 3, April 1993
From 1475 - 1476, then 150 additional years.
Roy Thomas with art by Esteban Maroto
From 1431 - 1456.
"Dark Legend A-Borning", 2 of 3, March 1993
From 1457 - 1462.
"To Rise Again!", 3 of 3, April 1993
From 1475 - 1476, then 150 additional years.
December 24, 2023
Комікс про Дракулу для тонких поціновувачів. Такий собі Дракула Оріджинс, де до реальної біографії Цепеша ще чогось додали, і вийшла історія про мудилу, що любив саджати людей на кілок. Бився на боці турків, проти турків, з родичами проти родичів, програв бій власному безумству (не історичний факт).
Тонкі поціновувачі мають орієнтуватися на малюнок Естебана Марото. Марото намалював багато історії про графа. Тут весь його арт чорно-білий, і через це в кадрах інколи відбувається місиво, оскільки малюнок був розрахований на нанесення фарби. Навіть характерні лінії для розділення світлішої фарби від темнішої так і залишилися, що ще більше збиває з пантелику.
В 1993-му році цей комікс вже видавався, і був він кольоровим, з колекційними картками. Перевидання не настільки щедре.
По сюжету: містична частина починається саме після смерті Дракули, і тільки її можна вважати горрором, як на мене. Все інше - це експлуатація ультранасильства, якого не було у фільмі Копполи, який теж вийшов у 1993-му. Того року Дракула взагалі побував у цілій купі коміксів. Може, комусь і подобається читати, як граф щоразу приймав просте рішення встромити в когось кілок, але мене це дуже швидко втомило. Історичний контекст цікавий, та коли знаєш, що ота боротьба за Валахію і Трансільванію закінчиться підвішеними трупами, то цікавість пропадає. Навіть романтична частина цієї історії - суцільне насильство. Спишемо це на спробу в достовірність, хоча…
От зараз будуть лише мої припущення. Базуючись на уявлення про те, як одягалися в ту епоху, наче претензій немає, та от румунські бояри аж дуже схожі на бояр московітських - якісь кафтани, високі шапки, оте усе, що зазвичай малюють в книжках про бородатих москалів пізнього середньовіччя або в казочках. В художника, мабуть, не було інших референсів.
Якщо ви шукали тут оповідку про стрігоя-кровопивцю, то помилилися адресою. Це не той випадок. Якщо шукали реальну біографію Цепеша - тут трохи є, скорочено, зі стрибками у часі, і часто ніхто не пояснює, чому старі союзники графа стають його ворогами. Мотивацію вчинків також обходять, типу, такий час, обіцянки-цяцянки, людське життя знецінене. Коротше, залишає цій твір по собі дивне відчуття: наче тобі і розповіли історію, яка би мала доповнити міф, та вона цього не робить і ні на що у сприйнятті і історичної особистості, і її художнього втілення не впливає.
Тонкі поціновувачі мають орієнтуватися на малюнок Естебана Марото. Марото намалював багато історії про графа. Тут весь його арт чорно-білий, і через це в кадрах інколи відбувається місиво, оскільки малюнок був розрахований на нанесення фарби. Навіть характерні лінії для розділення світлішої фарби від темнішої так і залишилися, що ще більше збиває з пантелику.
В 1993-му році цей комікс вже видавався, і був він кольоровим, з колекційними картками. Перевидання не настільки щедре.
По сюжету: містична частина починається саме після смерті Дракули, і тільки її можна вважати горрором, як на мене. Все інше - це експлуатація ультранасильства, якого не було у фільмі Копполи, який теж вийшов у 1993-му. Того року Дракула взагалі побував у цілій купі коміксів. Може, комусь і подобається читати, як граф щоразу приймав просте рішення встромити в когось кілок, але мене це дуже швидко втомило. Історичний контекст цікавий, та коли знаєш, що ота боротьба за Валахію і Трансільванію закінчиться підвішеними трупами, то цікавість пропадає. Навіть романтична частина цієї історії - суцільне насильство. Спишемо це на спробу в достовірність, хоча…
От зараз будуть лише мої припущення. Базуючись на уявлення про те, як одягалися в ту епоху, наче претензій немає, та от румунські бояри аж дуже схожі на бояр московітських - якісь кафтани, високі шапки, оте усе, що зазвичай малюють в книжках про бородатих москалів пізнього середньовіччя або в казочках. В художника, мабуть, не було інших референсів.
Якщо ви шукали тут оповідку про стрігоя-кровопивцю, то помилилися адресою. Це не той випадок. Якщо шукали реальну біографію Цепеша - тут трохи є, скорочено, зі стрибками у часі, і часто ніхто не пояснює, чому старі союзники графа стають його ворогами. Мотивацію вчинків також обходять, типу, такий час, обіцянки-цяцянки, людське життя знецінене. Коротше, залишає цій твір по собі дивне відчуття: наче тобі і розповіли історію, яка би мала доповнити міф, та вона цього не робить і ні на що у сприйнятті і історичної особистості, і її художнього втілення не впливає.
September 30, 2021
Quite an odd comic series. It doesn't know if it wants to preserve the historicity of Vlad the Impaler or to further build the myth of Dracula. Most of the series simply retells stories, attested by chroniclers or not, that every Wallachian kid has heard from their parents. But evem then, the story itself seems too rushed and doesnt pay attention to details as much as it should. If in some parts everything is painfully historically accurate, right after that a slip up occurs, completely ruining the immersion.
The fantasy/occult dimmension of the story is close to nonexistant, being resumed to a few pages towards the ending of the book, where everything becomes a blur between history, fiction and fantasy.
Personally, i dont feel too fond of the art style either, although it's obvious mr. Maroto put a lot of effort into details in many of the illustrated pannels. But, it's safe to say, the style didnt quite aged well, and the black and white inking style is not as well executed as it could've been, not bringing any aesthetical value to the comic.
This review might aound harsh, but as someone who actually lives in Targoviste and saw and heared these stories ever since I was kid, this rendition doesn't quite capture me. A simple retelling in secquential form of already established legends doesnt make a comic into a good comic and this is the perfect example.
The fantasy/occult dimmension of the story is close to nonexistant, being resumed to a few pages towards the ending of the book, where everything becomes a blur between history, fiction and fantasy.
Personally, i dont feel too fond of the art style either, although it's obvious mr. Maroto put a lot of effort into details in many of the illustrated pannels. But, it's safe to say, the style didnt quite aged well, and the black and white inking style is not as well executed as it could've been, not bringing any aesthetical value to the comic.
This review might aound harsh, but as someone who actually lives in Targoviste and saw and heared these stories ever since I was kid, this rendition doesn't quite capture me. A simple retelling in secquential form of already established legends doesnt make a comic into a good comic and this is the perfect example.
November 5, 2023
Drácula. Maroto. Thomas.
Não tem como dar errado, né?
Né?
Pois é gente, errado, não dá, mas é meio sem graça.
A arte do Maroto, surpreendendo um total de zero pessoas, é ótima, o cara manja dos paranauê místicos e medievais como poucos; já o texto do Thomas, que é um dos carregadores de pianos dos quadrinhos, deixa um pouco a desejar; pois é apenas o Drácula contanto quando ele matou fulano, quando ele trucidou beltrano, quando ele empalou ciclano e família, não há uma evolução ou mesmo a construção do personagem, não dá nem pra entender direito porque ele vira vampiro.
Funciona? Naquelas, o problema é que falta um motivo para as coisas acontecerem.
Acho que na promoção e se o cara é muito fã do Maroto, até vale, mas sem grandes expectativas.
Não tem como dar errado, né?
Né?
Pois é gente, errado, não dá, mas é meio sem graça.
A arte do Maroto, surpreendendo um total de zero pessoas, é ótima, o cara manja dos paranauê místicos e medievais como poucos; já o texto do Thomas, que é um dos carregadores de pianos dos quadrinhos, deixa um pouco a desejar; pois é apenas o Drácula contanto quando ele matou fulano, quando ele trucidou beltrano, quando ele empalou ciclano e família, não há uma evolução ou mesmo a construção do personagem, não dá nem pra entender direito porque ele vira vampiro.
Funciona? Naquelas, o problema é que falta um motivo para as coisas acontecerem.
Acho que na promoção e se o cara é muito fã do Maroto, até vale, mas sem grandes expectativas.
November 11, 2023
This book focuses on the real-life king which inspired the myth, Vlad Tepes (or Vlad the Impaler, as he's known in the English-speaking world). It's surprisingly accurate from a historical perspective, and paints a pretty good portrait of the late 1400s in the territory of Wallachia and the struggles against the Ottoman Empire. Of course, the book takes a few creative liberties along the way, and purposely exaggerates some of Vlad's behavior and actions, as well as eventually leading into the vampire part.
The art is beautiful for the most part, even though I think it may have benefited from at least splashes of colour, or maybe some heavier inks.
Overall, it's a captivating read for a history fan who wants something more than Bram Stoker's Dracula.
The art is beautiful for the most part, even though I think it may have benefited from at least splashes of colour, or maybe some heavier inks.
Overall, it's a captivating read for a history fan who wants something more than Bram Stoker's Dracula.
June 10, 2022
Not sure that I would call this graphic novel "Dracula" since the events take place prior to his undeath. The focus is on Vlad the Impaler's life before becoming Dracula.
In this story, Vlad is just as awful in life as he is in undeath. Illustrator Esteban Maroto does an excellent job putting detail into this work through his black-and-white artwork, but the story itself was lacking. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters since everyone was either dying or plotting against each other before the next conflict.
In this story, Vlad is just as awful in life as he is in undeath. Illustrator Esteban Maroto does an excellent job putting detail into this work through his black-and-white artwork, but the story itself was lacking. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters since everyone was either dying or plotting against each other before the next conflict.
January 7, 2025
Infelizmente falta um tempero para essa história, seja no texto do roy thomas que acaba não sendo um texto muito criativo, apenas Vlad contando sua história, seja na arte de esteban maroto, pois, fica claro a falta que a colorização original fez nessa edição. A junção desses dois pontos torna a leitura tediosa, infelizmente.
March 16, 2025
The art is alright, however everything else is painful to read. Is it supposed to be about the real story of Vlad III or is it just an origin of Count Dracula? It tries way too hard to mix both that it ends up becoming a confusing mess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
What a wonderful showcase for Esteban Moroto’s art!
May 17, 2021
Maybe because I’ve always enjoyed Dracula and vampires in general (also the amazing Roy Thomas) that I enjoyed the origins of Dracula in a way I’d never read or watched before.
December 26, 2021
Cringeworthily bad.
July 6, 2022
The black and white design is so busy I actually found this had to read.
July 8, 2022
Yuck
Did the first 80% of this book really happen??!! The forest??!!
Did the first 80% of this book really happen??!! The forest??!!
Read
July 30, 2022DNF at 30%. Hated the artwork and the story was boring too.
May 24, 2020
Grandi autori per un classico dei fumetti.
Great authors for a comic book classic.
Great authors for a comic book classic.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews