by: Wayne Lackey

Following the relaxation of horror-related restrictions by the Comics Code Authority, Marvel launched their line of classic monster titles in the early 1970s, including The Tomb of Dracula (ToD), Werewolf by Night, and The Frankenstein Monster. Marvel’s version of Dracula was introduced in the first issue of ToD in 1972. The premise of ToD was a little different than typical comic book fare, given that the series’ protagonist was a villain; this was uncommon during the Bronze Age, and for a time ToD held the distinction of being the longest-running title with a villain as the main character at 70 issues. Each issue was penciled by the legendary Gene Colan, joined by an amalgamation of several writers during the first six issues. Marv Wolfman took over the writing chores on the seventh issue, and stayed on the book with Colan through the remainder of the series. Given the nature of the book, the mood and atmosphere were dark, but this allowed it a bit more maturity than most of Marvel’s comics published at that time. This made it an enjoyable book to read then and this is what allows it to remain very readable even in the context of today’s comics. The success of ToD compelled Marvel to publish a black-and-white companion magazine, Dracula Lives!, in 1973, which lasted for 13 issues. Marvel also published five giant-sized Dracula comics between 1974 and 1975; the first was Giant-Size Chillers, and the remaining four were re-titled Giant-Size Dracula (numbered 2 through 5, continuing from the numbering of Giant-Size Chillers).

One of the strengths of ToD was the supporting cast, which augmented the story threads within the comic and also established some continuity with Stoker’s novel. Quincy Harker, son of Mina and Jonathan Harker, leading his intrepid group of vampire hunters against Dracula: Rachel Van Helsing, who had become an orphan at the hands of Dracula; the mute Indian Taj Nital, who had lost a son to vampirism; Frank Drake, a descendant of the Lord of Vampires; and Blade the Vampire-Slayer, arguably the most recognizable figure of the entire series other than the titular character. Other characters like Hannibal King, Deacon Frost, Domini, and even Harold H. Harold and Aurora Rabinowitz, served to establish and expand the Dracula/vampire mythos in the Marvel Universe. Dracula not only had to contend with Harker and his hunters, but also the additional threats of other vampires, individuals, and organizations that wanted to subvert or control his powers to their wills, as well as the common human being who wished only to protect others and to stay alive. Inspector Chelm of Scotland Yard persistently hounded Dracula seemingly at every turn while he preyed on the citizens of London. Doctor Sun very nearly destroyed Dracula on two separate occasions through his duplicitous scheming and technological planning. Anton Lupeski sought to elevate both his satanic church and his own personal power by manipulating Dracula and martyring him in the name of his religion. Dracula’s own children, Janus and Lilith, fought their father on several occasions, usually ending in some sort of complicated stalemate. And “Satan” himself once stripped Dracula of his vampirism, reducing the Lord of Vampires to the lowly station of a human being as an appropriately cruel Hell.

Initially, the Dracula mythos stayed within its own dark corner of the Marvel Universe along with its accompanying monstrous inhabitants, but eventually became entwined with its surroundings. Dracula entered combat with his own monstrous contemporaries, fighting both the Werewolf and Frankenstein’s Monster on separate occasions. Sometime later, Doctor Strange fought Dracula in a cross-over between their two titles, their battle ultimately ending in a draw. Spider-Man had a run in with the good Count in the first issue of Giant-Size Spider-Man. The Silver Surfer also confronted the Lord of Vampires, albeit under the influence of Lupeski and members of his satanic church.

As in life, all good things must come to an end. ToD was cancelled after 70 issues in 1979, but was relaunched by Marvel as a black-and-white magazine of the same name. Wolfman and Colan collaborated with other creators on the title with mixed results, but were unable to duplicate the same success their comic had previously achieved; the magazine ran for only six issues. Following cancellation, Dracula was relegated to guest-star limbo, making appearances The Defenders, Thor, and The Uncanny X-Men. Shortly thereafter, however, Doctor Strange was able to use the Montesi Formula found in the Darkhold to successfully eradicate all vampires on Earth. And thus, the great vampire experiment was over at Marvel. Well… for a little while, anyway.

For a look at Marvel’s Dracula after 1983, check out Flash-Drac, Part 2, coming soon to an Internet browser near you…!

Abbreviated Bibliography (1972-1983)
Tomb of Dracula (1972) #1-70
Giant-Size Chillers (1974) #1
Giant-Size Dracula (1975) #2-5
Dracula Lives! (1973) #1-13
Tomb of Dracula (1979) #1-6
Dr. Strange (1974) #14, 59-62
Werewolf by Night (1972) #15
Frankenstein Monster (1973) #7-9
Defenders (1972) #95
Uncanny X-Men (1963) #159, Annual #6
Thor (1962) #332-333
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (1983) #3, 13, 14

Comment on this article on our forum.