Essential Tomb of Dracula

    (Marvel, 2004-2005)
™ and © 1972-1974 and 2003 Marvel Entertainment Group

During the horror comics resurgence of the 1970s (which spawned such titles as Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing), The Tomb of Dracula, clocking in at 70 issues, had the longest and most successful run (at least for a Marvel title). Essential Tomb of Dracula Vol. 1 reprints the first 25 issues of the popular series and also includes Werewolf by Night #15 (Dracula vs. the werewolf!) and Giant-Size Chillers #1 (featuring “The Curse of Dracula”).

As with previous editions in the refreshingly affordable Essentials line, the stories here are reprinted in black and white (while the original issues were produced in color). However, unlike the super–hero stuff (such as Essential Marvel Team-Up), the lack of color doesn’t detract much from the enjoyment of the material. Gene Colan’s classic horror art, replete with shadows, bats, crosses, grimacing visages, and other staples of the genre, looks great in black and white. Fans of Creepy, Eerie, and other black-and-white horror mags of the past will feel right at home.

Format aside, Tomb of Dracula is fang–tastic. The stories are fast-paced and action-packed, and any given issue is at least as entertaining as most any Dracula movie (including those from Universal and Hammer). The vampire slayers (such as Rachel Van Helsing, the granddaughter of you–know–who) are heroic but decidedly human, and Wolfman and company’s twists (such as alternate dimensions) on the standard Dracula mythos only add to the fun. If that’s not enough, Tomb of Dracula #10 contains the first appearance of Blade, the most notable modern vampire slayer this side of Buffy.

— Brett Weiss
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