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The Curse Of Dracula
In the 1970s, writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan created 70 issues of terrifying tales in the classic Marvel series The Tomb of Dracula. Now, Wolfman and Colan are together again, offering a fresh take on the most enduring character in horror fiction and catapulting the Lord of the Dead back into comics stardom.
A mysterious and persuasive figure is moving amongst the circles of San Francisco's political elite. When Jonathan Van Helsing and his team of vampire hunters come to town investigating a string of grisly murders and stumble into a virtual pit of blood-soaked horrors, they know it's only a matter of time before they come face to face with the master of the dark!
A mysterious and persuasive figure is moving amongst the circles of San Francisco's political elite. When Jonathan Van Helsing and his team of vampire hunters come to town investigating a string of grisly murders and stumble into a virtual pit of blood-soaked horrors, they know it's only a matter of time before they come face to face with the master of the dark!
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 2005
About the author
Marv Wolfman
2,287 books309 followersMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 19, 2013
Great monster stories never unfold directly from the point-of-view of the monster. Rather, great monster stories are almost always told by the people surrounding the monster – its victims or its hunters. That’s because those people – humans, mostly – have a greater stake in the story’s outcome; if they fail to bring the fiend under control or to some greater justice, then they’re responsible for the inevitable deaths or atrocities. Because the audience can identify with them, their stories are more riveting and impactful than, perhaps, any told by the vampire, creature, or wolf-man. Their risks are greater, their motivations are more personal, and their chances for success are looking pretty grim, indeed.
(NOTE: the following review will contain minor spoilers necessary for the discussion of plot and characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I suggest you skim down to the final two paragraphs for the final assessment. If, however, you’re inclined to accept a few hints of ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
The story of Dracula – the definitive charmer of the undead – began with Bram Stoker’s tale, but what would a contemporary take on the bloodsucking vampire look like? Necessarily, it could involve persons of power being drawn into a modern web of intrigue … and what better stomping ground than that of politics? After all, politicians – the evil, seedy type – are the ultimate parasites feeding off an entire civilization (or voting constituency, at least). Using Stoker’s tale as an inspiration, it would also involve a vampire hunter – or, even better, an entire team committed to putting the final stake in the Count’s unbeating heart, freeing humanity of his machinations once and for all.
Senator Waterson seeks his party’s nomination toward America’s highest elected office – the Presidency of the United States – but who knew how far the man would go to hypnotize an entire nation? Waterson’s taken up in league with Dracula, and, with the help of the count’s legion of the undead, he’s about to secure the nomination. But can he keep his own house in order when his lovely wife has fallen under the vampire’s spell? And can he do it in time to keep the descendants of the original Van Helsing and his teammates from thwarting the nefarious scheme?
THE CURSE OF DRACULA takes the saga of the world’s best known vampire in an all-new direction, bringing him successfully into the modern age. With some wonderfully dreamy artwork by (the late) Gene Colan along with some craft panel breakdowns not normally etched in comics, CURSE starts out with some great action, maintains a consistent pace throughout the three installments, and wraps up successfully at a political rally that looks like a bizarre ritual gone awry.
Additionally, as this is not the first printing for this previously collected tale, the reader is treated to not one but two “introductions” by writer Marv Wolfman himself – the foreword is dated from 2012 while the introduction to the earlier release of 2005. Reading them back-to-back is terrific because it gives Wolfman the chance to chronologically place the book in context for the times in which it was written. Also, it gives the creator the unique chance to pay homage to horror (in general) and to the ongoing work with his long-time collaborator (Cowan) who had recently passed. Plus, it’s always a plus to get a little insider’s history of the medium of comic books, and Wolfman (having been a part of it for several decades) is a great weaver of graphic dreams, not just nightmares.
The biggest detriment to a tale like THE CURSE OF DRACULA is that, sadly, it’s an incomplete journey. Oh, it has a discernible beginning, middle, and end, but, so far as I’m concerned, it’s very clear that this was only the very first ‘chapter’ in another ongoing vampire saga that Wolfman clearly had planned. How can I be so sure? Well, it ends with a virtual cliffhanger – a clear set-up for events that undoubtedly he intended to follow – and who knows? Maybe someday it’s a history that’ll be discovered. For now, it’s great to have another peek into a compelling vision at some quality horror-mythmaking. Sure, I’d love to see it finished … but, in the meantime, I’ll leave it all in the realm of my own imagination.
THE CURSE OF DRACULA is published by Dark Horse Comics. The story is written by Marv Wolfman; art is by Gene Colan; colors are by Dave Stewart; and lettering is by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. The release is a compilation of a three-issue series previously released. The volumn bears a cover price of $14.99 (US).
RECOMMENDED.
Marv Wolfman, by his own admission, knows more than a thing or two about great monster stories. Specifically as his resume relates to vampires, he’s had a hand in the creation of the Blade, the Vampire Hunter (a comic book creation), played by Wesley Snipes in the popular series of films. Under his direction, THE CURSE OF VAMPIRE is a modern-day adventure featuring a troupe of hunters dedicated to ridding their world of the undead. Dracula’s still around, and he has his sights set on one of the most dangerous games afoot today: American politics!
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with an advance digital copy of THE CURSE OF DRACULA for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
(NOTE: the following review will contain minor spoilers necessary for the discussion of plot and characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I suggest you skim down to the final two paragraphs for the final assessment. If, however, you’re inclined to accept a few hints of ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
The story of Dracula – the definitive charmer of the undead – began with Bram Stoker’s tale, but what would a contemporary take on the bloodsucking vampire look like? Necessarily, it could involve persons of power being drawn into a modern web of intrigue … and what better stomping ground than that of politics? After all, politicians – the evil, seedy type – are the ultimate parasites feeding off an entire civilization (or voting constituency, at least). Using Stoker’s tale as an inspiration, it would also involve a vampire hunter – or, even better, an entire team committed to putting the final stake in the Count’s unbeating heart, freeing humanity of his machinations once and for all.
Senator Waterson seeks his party’s nomination toward America’s highest elected office – the Presidency of the United States – but who knew how far the man would go to hypnotize an entire nation? Waterson’s taken up in league with Dracula, and, with the help of the count’s legion of the undead, he’s about to secure the nomination. But can he keep his own house in order when his lovely wife has fallen under the vampire’s spell? And can he do it in time to keep the descendants of the original Van Helsing and his teammates from thwarting the nefarious scheme?
THE CURSE OF DRACULA takes the saga of the world’s best known vampire in an all-new direction, bringing him successfully into the modern age. With some wonderfully dreamy artwork by (the late) Gene Colan along with some craft panel breakdowns not normally etched in comics, CURSE starts out with some great action, maintains a consistent pace throughout the three installments, and wraps up successfully at a political rally that looks like a bizarre ritual gone awry.
Additionally, as this is not the first printing for this previously collected tale, the reader is treated to not one but two “introductions” by writer Marv Wolfman himself – the foreword is dated from 2012 while the introduction to the earlier release of 2005. Reading them back-to-back is terrific because it gives Wolfman the chance to chronologically place the book in context for the times in which it was written. Also, it gives the creator the unique chance to pay homage to horror (in general) and to the ongoing work with his long-time collaborator (Cowan) who had recently passed. Plus, it’s always a plus to get a little insider’s history of the medium of comic books, and Wolfman (having been a part of it for several decades) is a great weaver of graphic dreams, not just nightmares.
The biggest detriment to a tale like THE CURSE OF DRACULA is that, sadly, it’s an incomplete journey. Oh, it has a discernible beginning, middle, and end, but, so far as I’m concerned, it’s very clear that this was only the very first ‘chapter’ in another ongoing vampire saga that Wolfman clearly had planned. How can I be so sure? Well, it ends with a virtual cliffhanger – a clear set-up for events that undoubtedly he intended to follow – and who knows? Maybe someday it’s a history that’ll be discovered. For now, it’s great to have another peek into a compelling vision at some quality horror-mythmaking. Sure, I’d love to see it finished … but, in the meantime, I’ll leave it all in the realm of my own imagination.
THE CURSE OF DRACULA is published by Dark Horse Comics. The story is written by Marv Wolfman; art is by Gene Colan; colors are by Dave Stewart; and lettering is by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. The release is a compilation of a three-issue series previously released. The volumn bears a cover price of $14.99 (US).
RECOMMENDED.
Marv Wolfman, by his own admission, knows more than a thing or two about great monster stories. Specifically as his resume relates to vampires, he’s had a hand in the creation of the Blade, the Vampire Hunter (a comic book creation), played by Wesley Snipes in the popular series of films. Under his direction, THE CURSE OF VAMPIRE is a modern-day adventure featuring a troupe of hunters dedicated to ridding their world of the undead. Dracula’s still around, and he has his sights set on one of the most dangerous games afoot today: American politics!
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with an advance digital copy of THE CURSE OF DRACULA for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
August 28, 2023
Soo I can assume since it’s been about 20 years since this came out that they did not continue the story, which while it was kinda campy and dumb was also sexy and kinda fun! Very middle of the road and I’m not happy with the ending at all.
January 2, 2013
Can I blame dial-up for this? Does that make me sound like a time traveler? I requested The Curse of Dracula from NetGalley because HELLO, I LOVE DRACULA, as in the old-timey book. Stoker's classic spooked me deliciously and unexpectedly, so I saw that Dark Horse Comics was offering a collection of a series that involved a more modern Dracula story, and figured it would be fun.
HOWEVER. My dial-up was acting up so I didn't see the cover before requesting the book; if I had seen it, I would have known it wasn't my cup of tea, based on the artwork alone. Once I downloaded it, though, I figured I might as well read it anyway -- I mean, I like comics, and I like supernatural stories, so it's not terribly out of my range.
I'll just be upfront here: I didn't like The Curse of Dracula. The story felt incomplete, and I like my TPBs to feel more contained within themselves. The artwork was okay, but came off as dated, and I found it confusing at times, although part of the difficulty might have been that I was viewing it on a computer screen.
I also had a problem connecting with the characters. The story is essentially this: a gang of vampire hunters are . . . hunting vampires. Also Dracula is involved in a presidential race. Don't look for a conclusion to either storyline, though, because it all just kind of STOPS at the end of the book. Maybe the series was never completed? The good guys were the vampire hunters, but they were just sketches, for the most part, and when one of their number was seriously injured, I honestly had to go back to the beginning of the book to remember who he was. The plot isn't cohesive and it's hard to be properly horrified when you're trying to figure out if you've heard of "the sanitarium" before.
It's disappointing, too, because I really, really wanted to like The Curse of Dracula after I read the foreword and introduction by Wolfman -- the foreword is from the reissue, and the introduction is from the 2005 edition -- who obviously has affection for his series and for Gene Colan, the artist behind The Curse of Dracula and Wolfman's previous series, Tomb of Dracula. Unfortunately, I enjoyed reading those bits of text way more than I enjoyed the story itself.
Maybe hardcore horror fans who are into comics would get more of a kick out of The Curse of Dracula than I did; I might just be the wrong audience for it. Anyway, it was interesting to go outside my comfort zone, but I think I'll scamper back home for a while.
(one-and-a-half stars)
HOWEVER. My dial-up was acting up so I didn't see the cover before requesting the book; if I had seen it, I would have known it wasn't my cup of tea, based on the artwork alone. Once I downloaded it, though, I figured I might as well read it anyway -- I mean, I like comics, and I like supernatural stories, so it's not terribly out of my range.
I'll just be upfront here: I didn't like The Curse of Dracula. The story felt incomplete, and I like my TPBs to feel more contained within themselves. The artwork was okay, but came off as dated, and I found it confusing at times, although part of the difficulty might have been that I was viewing it on a computer screen.
I also had a problem connecting with the characters. The story is essentially this: a gang of vampire hunters are . . . hunting vampires. Also Dracula is involved in a presidential race. Don't look for a conclusion to either storyline, though, because it all just kind of STOPS at the end of the book. Maybe the series was never completed? The good guys were the vampire hunters, but they were just sketches, for the most part, and when one of their number was seriously injured, I honestly had to go back to the beginning of the book to remember who he was. The plot isn't cohesive and it's hard to be properly horrified when you're trying to figure out if you've heard of "the sanitarium" before.
It's disappointing, too, because I really, really wanted to like The Curse of Dracula after I read the foreword and introduction by Wolfman -- the foreword is from the reissue, and the introduction is from the 2005 edition -- who obviously has affection for his series and for Gene Colan, the artist behind The Curse of Dracula and Wolfman's previous series, Tomb of Dracula. Unfortunately, I enjoyed reading those bits of text way more than I enjoyed the story itself.
Maybe hardcore horror fans who are into comics would get more of a kick out of The Curse of Dracula than I did; I might just be the wrong audience for it. Anyway, it was interesting to go outside my comfort zone, but I think I'll scamper back home for a while.
(one-and-a-half stars)
September 24, 2019
Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan are known for their classic run on Marve’s Tomb of Dracula in the 1970’s. They worked together on other books, and reunited for a Prestige Tomb of Dracula mini-series at Marvel in the early 90’s. A few years after that, they completed a 3 issue mini-series for Dark Horse called “The Curse of Dracula” that was a sort fo pilot for a new series.
It didn’t take off, sadly. Dark Horse collected the three issues into a trade paperback, and again it didn’t light up the sales charts, so this slim book is all we have for this new version of Dracula.
Tomb of Dracula had a classic interpretation of the character, a gothic mix of the Hammer Films Dracula (which were still being made when the comics series ran in the 70’s) and the literary version. Wolfman and Colan portrayed Dracula as a relic of the late 19th Century in both look and personality. The Dracula in Curse is a much more modern version, one who dressed with the times, and is involved in politics. Wolfman creates a new group of vampire hunters for us to follow, all of whom have intriguing back stories. The plot involves Dracula manipulating people in order to gain political power. We also have a action sequence that shows how the vampires use humans for food that is well done and creepy, giving a good B plot to the book.
The reason to pick this up, however, is Gene Colon’s art. The art is shot and colored directly from his pencil work, and while this was done in previous books, the advances in computer scanning, coloring and printing bring Colan’s art to life in a way that hasn’t been done before. His use of shadow lifts this story from melodramatic set up to atmospheric horror that lingers in the mind. Colan distorts perspective to higher mood, and seeing it in his pencil work gives you a level of depth in his shading that no inker was ever able to capture.
Plot-wise, the story is nothing memorable, but combined with Colan’s mastery of both the look of the art, and his pacing of the story, this becomes as joy to read.
It didn’t take off, sadly. Dark Horse collected the three issues into a trade paperback, and again it didn’t light up the sales charts, so this slim book is all we have for this new version of Dracula.
Tomb of Dracula had a classic interpretation of the character, a gothic mix of the Hammer Films Dracula (which were still being made when the comics series ran in the 70’s) and the literary version. Wolfman and Colan portrayed Dracula as a relic of the late 19th Century in both look and personality. The Dracula in Curse is a much more modern version, one who dressed with the times, and is involved in politics. Wolfman creates a new group of vampire hunters for us to follow, all of whom have intriguing back stories. The plot involves Dracula manipulating people in order to gain political power. We also have a action sequence that shows how the vampires use humans for food that is well done and creepy, giving a good B plot to the book.
The reason to pick this up, however, is Gene Colon’s art. The art is shot and colored directly from his pencil work, and while this was done in previous books, the advances in computer scanning, coloring and printing bring Colan’s art to life in a way that hasn’t been done before. His use of shadow lifts this story from melodramatic set up to atmospheric horror that lingers in the mind. Colan distorts perspective to higher mood, and seeing it in his pencil work gives you a level of depth in his shading that no inker was ever able to capture.
Plot-wise, the story is nothing memorable, but combined with Colan’s mastery of both the look of the art, and his pacing of the story, this becomes as joy to read.
July 19, 2016
Set in San Francisco, Jonathan Van Helsing, CEO of Sunlight Industries, leads a dream team of vampire hunters against Count Dracula, the historical devil who’s been slinking through the centuries using deceit and guile. Presently, the Count is investing his time in politics, lending support to Charles Waterson, a slimy senator who’s signed over his soul in exchange for a chance at the White House. While it has some potential, Curse ultimately proves to be disappointing, being lean on both substance and character. Recommended for mature readers for language, violence, and sex.
January 16, 2016
An interesting presentation of gory colours. I'd have preferred Gene Colan's pencils with no colour - the sketches at the back are so much nicer, but the story is the thing. This is a political Dracula who controls his vampire hoards but also politicians. In such a short space of time I'm not sure I care about the characters, so this didn't really hit the spot for me
January 13, 2019
The Gene Colan artwork is marvelous, of course. But the magic is missing from TOD because the supporting cast is not as nuanced or compelling.
February 18, 2013
Can't review a book I can barely read
September 21, 2023
Siendo una de las sagas comiqueras Marvelitas más valoradas de la década de los 70, y con ese mismo año la película de uno de los personajes desprendidos de esas historietas haciendo su inesperado (y exitosísimo) debut con la presencia de Weasley Snipes estrenándose ese mismo año. No extrañaba que los talentos de Marv Wolfman y Gene Coleman volviesen al universo oscuro de La Tumba de Drácula... Aunque para este proyecto era fuera de La Casa de las Ideas, en Dark Horse. Por lo que aún teniendo gran amparo del dominio público de Drácula, era cierto que debían distanciarse y descartar muchos personajes y elementos con los que trabajaron tantos años en La Tumba de Drácula. Pero aún con todo, esta inesperada extensión de esa historia se hermanó bastante. Mostrándonos un nuevo grupo de cazavampiros con sucesores de los clanes Van Helsing y Seward y la nueva encarnación del Príncipe de las Tinieblas. Dispuestos a encauzar una nueva aventura cíclica en los misterios de la Noche al más puro estilo Castlevania... ¿El problema? Como se puede apreciar, La Maldición de Drácula solo consta de 3 números desde los años 90. Por lo cual, si no estamos ante una historia planteada de entrada como una miniserie de esa extensión, lo que nos encontraremos en estas páginas es con un frustrado intento de nueva colección que apenas presenta sus personajes y elementos. Y aunque algunos como el nuevo grupo de cazavampiros, pueden no antojarse totalmente interesantes de entrada, sí que se vislumbraba que podían sorprender en futuras entregas cuando la trama les permitiese desarrollar esos trasfondos y personalidades que el guionista relata de pasada en la presentación in media res y algunos otros momentos del trío de entregas. Al igual que esta nueva iteración de Drácula. Quien se presenta con un nuevo look que incluso hacen pensar de entrada que estamos ante un sucesor directo de su línea de sangre, que comprende a la perfección el funcionamiento de este mundo algo más actual que la realidad 70" de "La Tumba de Drácula". Pero si resultaba que es cierto mi suposición, y este Drácula no es el "original" en una atrevida revelación... Al menos en estas páginas no se deja nada claro. Se manifiesta que estamos ante el Drácula que tantos problemas ha dado desde su primera visita al nuevo mundo en el S. XIX. Pero en La Maldición de Drácula, el señor de los vampiros muestra unas ambiciones más enfocadas que antaño, al extender su insidiosa telaraña al ambiente político. Y la sensualidad inherente al personaje se muestra más pasional y erótica que en aquellos cómics 70" que aún tenían encontronazos con el Comic Code Authority.
La Maldición de Drácula bien podría haber sido una colección equiparable a "La Tumba"... Pero finalmente queda como una anécdota para completistas de esta revisión comiquera del clásico de Bram Stoker. Cobrando gran relevancia el empeño en los lápices de Gean Coleman, que en estos números se puede mostrar de forma más nítida.
La Maldición de Drácula bien podría haber sido una colección equiparable a "La Tumba"... Pero finalmente queda como una anécdota para completistas de esta revisión comiquera del clásico de Bram Stoker. Cobrando gran relevancia el empeño en los lápices de Gean Coleman, que en estos números se puede mostrar de forma más nítida.
November 20, 2023
Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan are best known as the creative team behind Marvel's long running Tomb of Dracula, a macabre soap opera with a backdrop of revenge and retribution. Dark Horse's The Curse of Dracula revisits this formula but uses it as a springboard for something slightly different. There is a team of vampire hunters all with their own reason for joining this crew, and this vampire has a different motive. The only thing about this book that is disappointing is that it ends rather suddenly and with a cliffhanger ending.
Some artists' work looks better in color while others, like Colan, provide so much shading with their pencils that color strips the atmosphere away. Colan is a true master of the artform. Marv Wolfman is among the top Bronze Age comic book writers. I love his splash page writing, where he sets the tone of the scene with words as much as the picture does. So many modern writers avoid this, claiming that it is “outdated”. My gut feeling is that they don't have Wolfman's ability for foreshadowing.
Colan passed away a few years ago, so now there is no way that we'll see more of this series. Those looking for more of the Wolfman/Colan collaboration are in luck, though. Marvel has issued Wolfman/ Colan's Tomb of Dracula in 3 Omnibus hardcovers, 4 Essential black and white phonebooks (long out of print), and there are also three full color trade paperbacks out there. They did not collect the full series in that format, though.
Some artists' work looks better in color while others, like Colan, provide so much shading with their pencils that color strips the atmosphere away. Colan is a true master of the artform. Marv Wolfman is among the top Bronze Age comic book writers. I love his splash page writing, where he sets the tone of the scene with words as much as the picture does. So many modern writers avoid this, claiming that it is “outdated”. My gut feeling is that they don't have Wolfman's ability for foreshadowing.
Colan passed away a few years ago, so now there is no way that we'll see more of this series. Those looking for more of the Wolfman/Colan collaboration are in luck, though. Marvel has issued Wolfman/ Colan's Tomb of Dracula in 3 Omnibus hardcovers, 4 Essential black and white phonebooks (long out of print), and there are also three full color trade paperbacks out there. They did not collect the full series in that format, though.
October 28, 2018
I'll be upfront - this wasn't my cup of tea. For me, it was a little more "horror" Dracula than I'd anticipated and, also, surprisingly less about Dracula than I would have liked.
I didn't know anything about this comic before starting it - someone gave it to me, because it was Dracula related, so I can't blame the book/blurb/cover for any misrepresentation. I just didn't bother to look it up before reading.
However, despite not really being my cup of tea - the illustrations were stunning but felt dated, and the text was difficult to read, I had to zoom in multiple times just to see what was being said, and I didn't feel like there was a complete story-arc throughout - I think fans of retro, horror comics would love it. It had that feel to it. Personally, I didn't get the answers I wanted - such as how the first character we see (I forgot his name!) is got involved, why everyone trusted him so easily, and how he knew that Dracula hadn't been killed by the Van Helsing ancestors, and why he never did anything about it before now. I have a lot of unanswered questions, but I'm sorry to say I won't be looking for anything more related to this comic in hopes of finding them.
I didn't know anything about this comic before starting it - someone gave it to me, because it was Dracula related, so I can't blame the book/blurb/cover for any misrepresentation. I just didn't bother to look it up before reading.
However, despite not really being my cup of tea - the illustrations were stunning but felt dated, and the text was difficult to read, I had to zoom in multiple times just to see what was being said, and I didn't feel like there was a complete story-arc throughout - I think fans of retro, horror comics would love it. It had that feel to it. Personally, I didn't get the answers I wanted - such as how the first character we see (I forgot his name!) is got involved, why everyone trusted him so easily, and how he knew that Dracula hadn't been killed by the Van Helsing ancestors, and why he never did anything about it before now. I have a lot of unanswered questions, but I'm sorry to say I won't be looking for anything more related to this comic in hopes of finding them.
March 19, 2020
Marv Wolfman comes through with a strong sequel to Marvel's 70's Dracula series. I didn't care for the art, though. Gene Colan chose to go with a sort of scratchy, frantic style, and I found that at times the art made the story difficult to follow. I liked the story's premise --Dracula makes a bid for political power by secretly backing a US presidential candidate-- but the art let down the story's potential, dragging it down to just "okay" rather than great.
May 29, 2024
What I really like about this is art by Gene Colan reproduced from his pencils without inking, like certain projects, both with writer Don McGregor, first of all Ragamuffins for Eclipse, then Nathaniel Dusk for DC, did in 1980s.
Colan's art shines, but story by frequent collaborator Wolfman is just ok.
Those of you who like vampire stories - here you are.
Those of us who love Colan stories - this is the stuff.
Colan's art shines, but story by frequent collaborator Wolfman is just ok.
Those of you who like vampire stories - here you are.
Those of us who love Colan stories - this is the stuff.
April 30, 2018
I enjoyed this three issue collection written and illustrated by two of the masters of comic horror. Together, they bring Dracula into the present(first published in 1998), pitting him against descendants of his nemesis, Van Helsing. Dracula is bent on being the influence behind a powerful politician running for president. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
I love Dracula and all the different variations of lore around the classic character. This story is rough. characters are quickly introduced with little to no explanation and there is zero growth or development. Plot is convoluted and barely cobbled together. Artwork made me think of old cheesy 70s - 80's tv movies. All around rough read.
October 1, 2023
I really enjoy Marv Wolfman the majority of the time. This short graphic novel was far too quick to develop any kind of reasonable story, let alone dread or basic pacing. It just seems to rush, stagnate, rush. Dracula is just paper thin.
November 20, 2024
Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan are an unmatched combination.
February 22, 2021
It was pretty good. I'd read it again.
March 5, 2013
I quite enjoyed this book. I've heard of the 70s "Tomb of Dracula" but never read it. This is a sequel to that series written and illustrated by the same team in 2005 with this being a new "deluxe" re-print since the illustrator has recently passed away. The story was good but never seemed to really hit its potential. I think this is because it is so short, only a 3-issue mini-series that really hit its stride in the second issue but wrapped up way too quickly in the last issue, not giving the reader enough time to mourn the loss of a major character, deal with the sudden twist and the hanging "there's more to come" ending that we know never came to fruition. Still a decent enough story, worth the read if you are into this type of thing. The art on the other hand is excellent! I was mesmerized from the beginning and enjoyed every single page. First of all I was happy with the unusual layout of the pages, no grid-like panels here. Very quirky off-set panel designs for every page made them visually delightful, the art is wonderful to behold and some of the imagery is simply disturbing to view. This one is iffy for an age range but rather than say 18+, I'm confident with 16+ as though there is language, sex and nudity; the language is minimal, there are only a couple of sex scenes and they don't show anything, and the nudity involves a few breasts, nothing you wouldn't see in a PG-13 movie but the violence and imagery does put it up there between 16/18. Having read this I am very interested in reading the "Tomb of Dracula" omnibus now. Unfortunately the huge Essential editions are out of print and I'll have to go with the smaller colour omnibus but I've added Vol. 1 to my collection already!
May 13, 2021
This eBook was given to me for an honest review by Net Galley
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616550643
ISBN-13: 978-1616550646
At least once a week I find myself cruising through Net Galley looking for new reads and since I luuurve paranormal and eroticism, the cover art of The Curse of Dracula caught my eye right away. After downloading it, I discovered, had I read the fine print (which is actually the same size as the regular print) that this is a graphic novel.
Since I've committed to the download, I begin to read and found that I could not put this eBook down! In one sitting, I read through this graphic novel, cover to cover, twice. Then went back through a third time, focusing on the artwork alone, which is deliciously grotesque and speaks to the freak in me. The action is non-stop and the story, from this vampire fan, is both twisted and bent, right up my alley, yum!, keeping me surprised, delighted and entertained all the way to the very last page!
While, I will probably not venture in to the realm of graphic novels unknowingly in the future, this has been a fabulous ride for me. Author Marv Wolfman, Editor Brendan Wright and Color Artist Gene Colan have brought forth a horror graphic novel that will delight all who venture in to this genre.The Curse of Dracula
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse (March 5, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616550643
ISBN-13: 978-1616550646
At least once a week I find myself cruising through Net Galley looking for new reads and since I luuurve paranormal and eroticism, the cover art of The Curse of Dracula caught my eye right away. After downloading it, I discovered, had I read the fine print (which is actually the same size as the regular print) that this is a graphic novel.
Since I've committed to the download, I begin to read and found that I could not put this eBook down! In one sitting, I read through this graphic novel, cover to cover, twice. Then went back through a third time, focusing on the artwork alone, which is deliciously grotesque and speaks to the freak in me. The action is non-stop and the story, from this vampire fan, is both twisted and bent, right up my alley, yum!, keeping me surprised, delighted and entertained all the way to the very last page!
While, I will probably not venture in to the realm of graphic novels unknowingly in the future, this has been a fabulous ride for me. Author Marv Wolfman, Editor Brendan Wright and Color Artist Gene Colan have brought forth a horror graphic novel that will delight all who venture in to this genre.The Curse of Dracula
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2013
I didn’t realize when I requested to review this one that it was a reissue of a classic. I don’t like reviewing ‘classics’. I’ve found they already have a steady standing of fans that dislike any review that isn’t exactly what they want to hear. That being said I did say I would review it. So here goes.
The artwork is good and solid, it’s not my favorite style, but it is well done. The darkness and the horror of the story itself comes across clearly in the panels. There is gore and there is nudity, but both are part of the story itself, not just there for shock value or to get sales.
As for the story itself, it is a fresh change of pace from the current vampire hero that has saturated today’s culture. Dracula is Dracula again, not worrying about any of the humans, or anything else, that happens to get in his way. But he isn’t just a stupid animal driven by bloodlust. He is intelligent and plans his every move in advance.
It is good work, classic work. Do I think you will like it if your tastes run towards some of the more modern graphic artwork and comic fare? Maybe. I think you would definitely be able to appreciate it. Will you like it if you are vampire obsessed? Possibly…if you prefer you vampires non-sparkly and bloodthirsty.
The artwork is good and solid, it’s not my favorite style, but it is well done. The darkness and the horror of the story itself comes across clearly in the panels. There is gore and there is nudity, but both are part of the story itself, not just there for shock value or to get sales.
As for the story itself, it is a fresh change of pace from the current vampire hero that has saturated today’s culture. Dracula is Dracula again, not worrying about any of the humans, or anything else, that happens to get in his way. But he isn’t just a stupid animal driven by bloodlust. He is intelligent and plans his every move in advance.
It is good work, classic work. Do I think you will like it if your tastes run towards some of the more modern graphic artwork and comic fare? Maybe. I think you would definitely be able to appreciate it. Will you like it if you are vampire obsessed? Possibly…if you prefer you vampires non-sparkly and bloodthirsty.
May 18, 2013
Um revisitar de The Tomb of Dracula, um comic clássico de terror da Marvel. O argumentista Marv Wolfman e o ilustrador Gene Colan juntam esforços para nos mergulhar num terror de época, replicando o estilismo conceptual do comic original com a sua incessante caça ao monstro vampírico. O argumento mantém nos parâmetros esperados, com um grupo de caçadores em eterna luta contra uma presa sempre elusiva a conseguir travar uma conspiração mas sem conseguir o objectivo final de aniquilar a criatura. O traço do lendário Gene Colan traz-nos de regresso à golden age dos comics, com o estilismo deslumbrante que o caracteriza a fluir pelas páginas.
March 10, 2017
Voi kreivi parkaa, kun joudut osaksi ties minkälaisia kauhuviritelmiä! Marv Wolfmanilla on vuosikymmenien kokemus alalta - ja epäilemättä kauhusarjakuvabisneksen hienoin nimi - mutta sekään ei pelasta tätä kliseistä ja henkilöhahmoiltaan ohutta albumia, jota ehkä parhaiten kuvaa ilmaus "yritys hyvä kymmenen".
May 8, 2015
I love vampires, but, I found this story very confusing, I never get to catch the plot, if there is any, as I think it would be. The art is good, 90's comic style, a bit more realistic.
I really wanted to like it, but, I don't, I just couldn't get the plot and I did not really care about the characters ...
... Sorry Dracula ...
I really wanted to like it, but, I don't, I just couldn't get the plot and I did not really care about the characters ...
... Sorry Dracula ...
May 4, 2016
I feel like I am missing some important back story to truly get into this, but it was entertaining for the most part. Feels like something that could work well on the small screen.
April 28, 2019
So boring!! Could not get into this. It was like a wannabe Blade ish type story, but with no Blade. So weird!
May 2, 2017
Meh
Some cool artwork,but not the best story or characters. All of them feel too disposable. And as always, sexy Dracula makes me want to yack all over the writers.
Some cool artwork,but not the best story or characters. All of them feel too disposable. And as always, sexy Dracula makes me want to yack all over the writers.
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