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#DRCL midnight children #1
#DRCL midnight children, Vol. 1
In this beautiful, evocative, and often surreal retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula, a fearsome enemy arrives from the east, bringing with it horrors the likes of which have never been seen in the British Empire. Standing opposed are Wilhelmina “Mina” Murray and her stalwart companions, united in a cabal that eclipses gender, nationality, and station until the day that they can achieve victory.
As Mina struggles to find her place as Whitby School’s first and only female student, a devilish horror is unleashed upon the academy and its unsuspecting students: Count Dracula. However, when this unspeakable evil lays claim to her beloved Lucy Westenra, Mina stands ready to join forces with her fellow students and fight against it with everything she has.
As Mina struggles to find her place as Whitby School’s first and only female student, a devilish horror is unleashed upon the academy and its unsuspecting students: Count Dracula. However, when this unspeakable evil lays claim to her beloved Lucy Westenra, Mina stands ready to join forces with her fellow students and fight against it with everything she has.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2022
94 people are currently reading
2061 people want to read
About the author
Shin'ichi Sakamoto
76 books261 followersSakamoto Shin'ichi (坂本眞一) is a Japanese mangaka.
He is mostly famous for his series Innocent and Innocent Rouge.
He is currently working on #DRCL midnight children based on the classic by Bram Stoker.
He is mostly famous for his series Innocent and Innocent Rouge.
He is currently working on #DRCL midnight children based on the classic by Bram Stoker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
October 4, 2024
A manga based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula?! Honestly one of the most perfect choices for my Halloween reads today !! 🎃🧛🏻♀️🖤
The illustrations are gorgeous, there’s some great body horror imagery here - think Jordy Verrill vibes!
My one critique is Luke/Lucy being portrayed as a “trap character” (given the age) 😅🤢 But that is, of course, typical of some manga/anime…! I hope continuing on with the series, the characterisation is developed further to match the gorgeous art style!
The illustrations are gorgeous, there’s some great body horror imagery here - think Jordy Verrill vibes!
My one critique is Luke/Lucy being portrayed as a “trap character” (given the age) 😅🤢 But that is, of course, typical of some manga/anime…! I hope continuing on with the series, the characterisation is developed further to match the gorgeous art style!
November 4, 2023
It’s a shame that the narrative structure is so messy, because I think Shin-ichi Sakamoto’s art is really interesting - if also extremely overwrought. It’s feels like if Tsukiji Nao in ~2005 or whatever drew those really boring on-going one panel comics that were always in the Sunday funnies about a man starving to death on a desert island. Moment to moment character interactions fall flat, but I LOVE the gorgeous, dramatic double page spreads.
Retelling Dracula as an explicitly queer boys’ boarding school story, where Mina is the first female student and also she loves to wrestle????? will surely appeal to a lot of gay Dracula fans, but also Sakamoto’s attempts at tackling racism and sexism, while honorable, aren’t like. Suuuuuuper literary or advanced. Spread illustrations of women’s corsets with text like “TOOLS OF WOMEN’S OPPRESSION!!!” splashed across the page, etc etc. That kind of thing. Also Dracula is so transparently modeled off of Michael Jackson that this may or may not impact your experience.
As of November 2023, there’s only three volumes available to read, and I would GUESS that it’s about 1/3rd of the way through the story? I probably wouldn’t keep up with this month to month, but I would check back up on it in a couple years.
Retelling Dracula as an explicitly queer boys’ boarding school story, where Mina is the first female student and also she loves to wrestle????? will surely appeal to a lot of gay Dracula fans, but also Sakamoto’s attempts at tackling racism and sexism, while honorable, aren’t like. Suuuuuuper literary or advanced. Spread illustrations of women’s corsets with text like “TOOLS OF WOMEN’S OPPRESSION!!!” splashed across the page, etc etc. That kind of thing. Also Dracula is so transparently modeled off of Michael Jackson that this may or may not impact your experience.
As of November 2023, there’s only three volumes available to read, and I would GUESS that it’s about 1/3rd of the way through the story? I probably wouldn’t keep up with this month to month, but I would check back up on it in a couple years.
July 5, 2024
the art is perfection & this DELIVERED on the dracula vibes😍
October 19, 2023
i'm so confused but slay i guess??
October 28, 2024
Dracula retelling told in a pretty unique way. Lots of body horror and gave me Junji Ito vibes on occasion. The story was a little bit all over the place, but overall, I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
October 20, 2024
Wow.
La narration, le dessin, les personnages, j’ai adhéré à tout, du début à la fin.
Une revisite du mythe de Dracula, emprunt d’enjeux identitaires très liés à notre époque, et des planches à couper le souffle, que demander de plus ?
Vite vite la suite !
La narration, le dessin, les personnages, j’ai adhéré à tout, du début à la fin.
Une revisite du mythe de Dracula, emprunt d’enjeux identitaires très liés à notre époque, et des planches à couper le souffle, que demander de plus ?
Vite vite la suite !
March 22, 2024
My booktube: https://youtube.com/@_stateofmind_?si...
#DRCL Midnight Children bursts onto the scene with its first volume, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a new world built upon the foundation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Fresh Faces, Familiar Tale: This volume sets the stage, introducing Mina Murray, a woman unlike any seen in Dracula before. Here, Mina is a scholar and a wrestler, defying the constraints of Victorian society. We meet other familiar characters, but hints are dropped that their roles might be more complex than in the original story.
Intriguing Mysteries: The story lays the groundwork for a thrilling mystery. This volume is all about building atmosphere and suspense, leaving you eager to unravel the secrets that lurk beneath the surface.
Art Deco Delight: The artwork is captivating, with clean lines and a distinct style. The first volume establishes a world that feels both familiar and new, thanks in part to its unique visual presentation.
A Dark Promise: Be aware that even in this first volume, the story leans into its mature themes. There's a darkness present, a promise of horror to come.
Overall, the first volume of #DRCL Midnight Children is a thrilling introduction to a reimagined Dracula tale. With its strong female lead, intriguing mysteries, and captivating art style, it offers a fresh bite for fans of gothic horror and classic literature.
#DRCL Midnight Children bursts onto the scene with its first volume, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a new world built upon the foundation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Fresh Faces, Familiar Tale: This volume sets the stage, introducing Mina Murray, a woman unlike any seen in Dracula before. Here, Mina is a scholar and a wrestler, defying the constraints of Victorian society. We meet other familiar characters, but hints are dropped that their roles might be more complex than in the original story.
Intriguing Mysteries: The story lays the groundwork for a thrilling mystery. This volume is all about building atmosphere and suspense, leaving you eager to unravel the secrets that lurk beneath the surface.
Art Deco Delight: The artwork is captivating, with clean lines and a distinct style. The first volume establishes a world that feels both familiar and new, thanks in part to its unique visual presentation.
A Dark Promise: Be aware that even in this first volume, the story leans into its mature themes. There's a darkness present, a promise of horror to come.
Overall, the first volume of #DRCL Midnight Children is a thrilling introduction to a reimagined Dracula tale. With its strong female lead, intriguing mysteries, and captivating art style, it offers a fresh bite for fans of gothic horror and classic literature.
August 18, 2023
"My flesh feels so light and free this night."
Dracula is one of my favorite books. I love that intense feeling of how that story flowed and how the Count slowly slid into our lives. Nothing finer than a blood-sucking gentleman who wants all of your attention and that delicious sweetness flowing through your veins.
To have someone turn such an adored classic into a manga takes a lot of spirit. Bravo. You know that you are going to be judged a little harsher than others. I was all in for this twist of a classic and it was ok. The art sometimes got overwhelming but the story was decent. The entire time I was reading this it made me think of the one quote from Dracula. “Children of the night. What music they make!”
DRCL Midnight Children was worth the read and leaves you excited to read the next installment.
Dracula is one of my favorite books. I love that intense feeling of how that story flowed and how the Count slowly slid into our lives. Nothing finer than a blood-sucking gentleman who wants all of your attention and that delicious sweetness flowing through your veins.
To have someone turn such an adored classic into a manga takes a lot of spirit. Bravo. You know that you are going to be judged a little harsher than others. I was all in for this twist of a classic and it was ok. The art sometimes got overwhelming but the story was decent. The entire time I was reading this it made me think of the one quote from Dracula. “Children of the night. What music they make!”
DRCL Midnight Children was worth the read and leaves you excited to read the next installment.
January 15, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
So. This is basically a reimagining of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" that takes place at a boarding school. I was so excited to read this because the cover art is gorgeous. Shinichi Sakamoto's art is stunning and the detail is just so beautiful. That said...the way that Viz Media watermarks their graphic novels really takes away from the art. I understand why they do the watermark the way that they do, but my god, it really messes with the reading experience, About 99% of the pages were difficult to read, even on my larger iPad, because of the watermark. On top of that, the actual file sent out as the netgalley seems to be really low quality because so many panels are so faint and blurry that it really hurts and strains the eyes. And this is just my issues with the art. I haven't even started in on the storytelling issues.
Sakamoto's storytelling is incredibly jarring and difficult to follow. Because we're not following Jonathan Harker's perspective but multiple different characters, the storytelling is very jumbled and disorganized. I am not sure if this is an issue with the translation but it's just so messy. The characters and the narrative just feels so incomplete, like there is a sense that Sakamoto is picking and choosing what to include in the story but what they're choosing is just a mess.
Super disappointed. The two star rating is purely for the gorgeous art. At least, what I could make out. Viz Media has seriously got to come up with a better way to protect their netgalleys because the hideous and intrusive watermark really messes with the reading experience.
So. This is basically a reimagining of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" that takes place at a boarding school. I was so excited to read this because the cover art is gorgeous. Shinichi Sakamoto's art is stunning and the detail is just so beautiful. That said...the way that Viz Media watermarks their graphic novels really takes away from the art. I understand why they do the watermark the way that they do, but my god, it really messes with the reading experience, About 99% of the pages were difficult to read, even on my larger iPad, because of the watermark. On top of that, the actual file sent out as the netgalley seems to be really low quality because so many panels are so faint and blurry that it really hurts and strains the eyes. And this is just my issues with the art. I haven't even started in on the storytelling issues.
Sakamoto's storytelling is incredibly jarring and difficult to follow. Because we're not following Jonathan Harker's perspective but multiple different characters, the storytelling is very jumbled and disorganized. I am not sure if this is an issue with the translation but it's just so messy. The characters and the narrative just feels so incomplete, like there is a sense that Sakamoto is picking and choosing what to include in the story but what they're choosing is just a mess.
Super disappointed. The two star rating is purely for the gorgeous art. At least, what I could make out. Viz Media has seriously got to come up with a better way to protect their netgalleys because the hideous and intrusive watermark really messes with the reading experience.
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March 8, 2024I'm gonna be honest, the only reason I keep reading Sakamoto's works is because of the artstyle, It is gorgeous. But this story is as weird as Innocent was, and I'm not sure if I enjoy this level of horror.
October 31, 2024
3.5/5. C'est joli mais j'ai pas tout suivi.
October 4, 2023
Enamorada del dibujo😍
Me temo que será un manga de unos cuantos tomos así q me tocará rezar para que lo traigan a la biblioteca 😂.
Leyéndolo me entran ganas de releer Drácula
Me temo que será un manga de unos cuantos tomos así q me tocará rezar para que lo traigan a la biblioteca 😂.
Leyéndolo me entran ganas de releer Drácula
January 25, 2024
the artwork in this is genuinely to die for... the ultimate queer gothic manga?!
November 1, 2023
This might be my favorite horror manga read of the year!
In this first volume, we are introduced to quite an unsettling and truly disturbing reimagining of Dracula. There’s much about the original horror of the classic that is preserved—the mystery, the unknown, the eeriness—but, there’s also so much that is not just retold but, truly, reimagined.
In particular, I’m so appreciative of how much diversity has been brought to the main cast of characters. There’s a much wider range of gender, race, and sexuality now represented. Further, a lot of the art and story seeks to bring awareness to the lack of diversity otherwise in the literature. There are several panels of nothing but white, male faces looking back at you judgmentally. It’s quite spooky—and sharp.
The formatting of this story as well does much to emphasize and heighten the horror. There are some brilliantly illustrated panels and delightfully terrifyingly page turns throughout this story. Several panels really made my skin crawl—there’s lots of skin turning to moss and connective tissue where there shouldn’t be any. It’s both gross and horrifying.
I’m also a big fan on nonlinear narratives and this first volume underscores how this series is certainly not going to be linear in any fashion. In addition to feeling unsettled, I also felt disoriented at several points while reading this book—not in a confusing manner so much as in a “I’m not sure if I’m awake or dreaming” type of way. There’s such a dreamy, nightmare atmosphere to so much of this story.
Definitely recommend this one, especially for horror fans or readers looking for a unique take on such a quintessential tale like Dracula. I’m so very impressed by what this story is doing so far~
In this first volume, we are introduced to quite an unsettling and truly disturbing reimagining of Dracula. There’s much about the original horror of the classic that is preserved—the mystery, the unknown, the eeriness—but, there’s also so much that is not just retold but, truly, reimagined.
In particular, I’m so appreciative of how much diversity has been brought to the main cast of characters. There’s a much wider range of gender, race, and sexuality now represented. Further, a lot of the art and story seeks to bring awareness to the lack of diversity otherwise in the literature. There are several panels of nothing but white, male faces looking back at you judgmentally. It’s quite spooky—and sharp.
The formatting of this story as well does much to emphasize and heighten the horror. There are some brilliantly illustrated panels and delightfully terrifyingly page turns throughout this story. Several panels really made my skin crawl—there’s lots of skin turning to moss and connective tissue where there shouldn’t be any. It’s both gross and horrifying.
I’m also a big fan on nonlinear narratives and this first volume underscores how this series is certainly not going to be linear in any fashion. In addition to feeling unsettled, I also felt disoriented at several points while reading this book—not in a confusing manner so much as in a “I’m not sure if I’m awake or dreaming” type of way. There’s such a dreamy, nightmare atmosphere to so much of this story.
Definitely recommend this one, especially for horror fans or readers looking for a unique take on such a quintessential tale like Dracula. I’m so very impressed by what this story is doing so far~
March 2, 2024
¡Buenaaaas! 🙋🏼♀️
Hoy vengo a comentaros mis impresiones tras la lectura del primer tomo de la obra manga “DRCL: Dracula Midnight Children”, seinen actualmente en publicación en Japón con un total de 4 tomos de Shin’ichi Sakamoto (conocido anteriormente por sus obras Innocent e Innocent Rouge) 📚
Pero antes de nada, ¿de qué va este manga? 👉🏻 básicamente cuenta la historia de Drácula (1897) de Bram Stoker pero desde la propia perspectiva del autor. Es decir, una nueva reinterpretación de uno de los clásicos de la literatura gótica plasmada por Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Mi opinión👇🏻
🍜 Tras tan sólo la lectura de este primer tomo, me parece unaobra arriesgada, diferente y aterradora
🍜 Llamadme loca, pero a mí me ha dado 𝚟𝚒𝚋𝚎���� a Ana de las Tejas Verdes Sí, al menos para mí, nuestra protagonista, Mina Murray se parece muchísimo a Ana, tanto por sus facciones como carácter
🍜 Un contraste con Lucy, un personaje no binario que desconcierta y maravilla a todo el mundo a su paso
🍜 Todo ello acompañado con un dibujo fabuloso✨
💬 Y vosotrxs, ¿le habéis dado una oportunidad a esta obra manga? ¿Qué os ha parecido? ¡Os leo!👇🏻
Hoy vengo a comentaros mis impresiones tras la lectura del primer tomo de la obra manga “DRCL: Dracula Midnight Children”, seinen actualmente en publicación en Japón con un total de 4 tomos de Shin’ichi Sakamoto (conocido anteriormente por sus obras Innocent e Innocent Rouge) 📚
Pero antes de nada, ¿de qué va este manga? 👉🏻 básicamente cuenta la historia de Drácula (1897) de Bram Stoker pero desde la propia perspectiva del autor. Es decir, una nueva reinterpretación de uno de los clásicos de la literatura gótica plasmada por Shin’ichi Sakamoto
Mi opinión👇🏻
🍜 Tras tan sólo la lectura de este primer tomo, me parece unaobra arriesgada, diferente y aterradora
🍜 Llamadme loca, pero a mí me ha dado 𝚟𝚒𝚋𝚎���� a Ana de las Tejas Verdes Sí, al menos para mí, nuestra protagonista, Mina Murray se parece muchísimo a Ana, tanto por sus facciones como carácter
🍜 Un contraste con Lucy, un personaje no binario que desconcierta y maravilla a todo el mundo a su paso
🍜 Todo ello acompañado con un dibujo fabuloso✨
💬 Y vosotrxs, ¿le habéis dado una oportunidad a esta obra manga? ¿Qué os ha parecido? ¡Os leo!👇🏻
February 5, 2024
Impulse bought having never heard of it. The art was just too gorgeous to pass up! It’s not as much of a Dracula retelling as the synopsis implied, but its a detailed gothic horror with some of the prettiest art I've seen in a manga. The plot is all over the place, but the characters are solid. I’m especially intrigued by the queer themes (never seen a character that does yaoi by day and yuri by night before)! This is a solid horror manga where the art is the main selling point, but there’s admirable aspects of the writing as well.
November 3, 2023
This artist is very talented but the way he renders the shine on lips always makes it look like the characters have severe blisters.
March 7, 2024
3.5 Art is amazing but story was a little hard to follow at times. Felt like it jumped around a bit. The premise is good and I’ll continue the series. Good one for Dracula fans
June 20, 2024
Les planches sont sublimes mais j’ai trouvé ce tome d’introduction hyper brouillon. Je ne sais pas encore si je continue.
May 27, 2024
Intriguant mais très particulier tant au niveau des dessins que de l'histoire. A voir par la suite comment cela évolue pour voir si j'y adhère ou non
October 2, 2024
4.5 Stars!
October 7, 2023
A Bram Stoker's Dracula-inspired Gothic horror manga with absolutely stunning atmospheric art that reminded me more of the delicate engravings of Dürer than any manga art I've seen. All the classic tropes are introduced in this volume, but it never felt predictable. Again, mainly because of Shin'ichi's art. His incredible renderings of the primal shape-shifting demonic force and its various incarnations (rotting earth, wind, bats, a hellhound) are pretty unsettling.
This is a nicely constructed HC with nice thick paper, but the art really deserves the trim size of the Dark Horse Deluxe series.
This is a nicely constructed HC with nice thick paper, but the art really deserves the trim size of the Dark Horse Deluxe series.
December 23, 2022
È incredibile come il magnifico stile di Sakamoto si adatti tanto alla grazia quanto al macabro diventando la mano ideale per raccontare una storia inspirata alle atmosfere gotiche di Bram Stoker. Un primo volume già intriso di atmosfera orrorifica, inquietante e a tratti disgustosa, ma anche promettente di fascino e magnificenza. Non vedo l'ora di seguire la pubblicazione italiana, è un'opera che nelle sue premesse merita supporto a palate.
January 7, 2026
*รีรันรอบ 2 หลังจากอ่านแดร็กคิวล่าฉบับของ Bram Stoker จบแล้ว กลับมาอ่านเล่มนี้ ชอบมากกว่าเดิมอีก ตีความและดัดแปลงใหม่ได้สุดยอดมาก! ชอบ!*
ภาพสวยมาก ส่วนเนื้อเรื่องต้องมีสติตอนอ่าน ด้วยวิธีการเล่าจะมีเอกลักษณ์พอสมควร ถ้าอ่านได้รู้เรื่องคือเป็นเรื่องที่น่าสนใจมาก
ภาพสวยมาก ส่วนเนื้อเรื่องต้องมีสติตอนอ่าน ด้วยวิธีการเล่าจะมีเอกลักษณ์พอสมควร ถ้าอ่านได้รู้เรื่องคือเป็นเรื่องที่น่าสนใจมาก
January 15, 2024
El dibujo es impresionante y la historia al estar basada en la novela de Drácula tiene una trama super interesante que engancha bastante. Me está gustando mucho.
December 20, 2025
Która postać literacka jest według was najczęściej powracającą w popkulturze? Niezależnie od waszego wyboru nie da się zaprzeczyć, że Hrabia Dracula jest jedną z takich powracających postaci. Dziś skończyłam czytać 1 tom mangi #DRCL - midnight children [współpraca reklamowa @wydawnictwokotori @mangastore_pl ], która jest przedziwną historią, enigmą, która po 1 tomie pozostawia więcej pytań i odpowiedzi. Przede wszystkim komiks ten jest małym dziełem sztuki, a każdy kadr mógłby zostać zawieszony w galerii jako pełnoprawny obraz.
Do dziewiętnastowiecznej Brytanii dobija statek, na którym cała załoga jest martwa. Na początek dostajemy jednak pare wskazówek na temat tego co przewozili ze Wschodu i jakie dziwne wizje mieli marynarze przed śmiercią. Niedaleko miejsca, do którego przybija statek znajduje się szkoła, do której chodzi Mina - prześladowana za bycie pierwszą i jedyną dziewczyną w całej szkole, a dodatkowo świetną zarówno w sporcie jak i w nauce. Mina ma jednak jedną przyjaciółkę Lucy, z którą po nocach spędza czas na spacerach i rozmowach. Tylko, że za dnia Lucy nie dość, że nie pamięta tych spotkań, to jeszcze jest jednym z chłopców w szkole - Lukiem, który nienawidzi kobiet. Luke otoczony jest zapatrzonymi w niego kolegami - Artura pochodzącego z arystokracji, Joe - Japończyka zainteresowanego fotografią, który mieszka z niezrównoważoną psychicznie zakonnicą oraz Quincey - Afroamerykanin z Teksasu. Każdy z nich posiada imie i nazwisko nawiązujące do oryginalnej powieści Brama Strokera, więc nie będzie zaskoczeniem, jeśli wam powiem, że w książce zaczynają pojawiać się różne cienie, nietoperze, ugryzienia... Choć na tę chwilę wiem, że nic nie wiem. Nie mam pojęcia jakie rozwiązania fabularne nam się szykują, w która stronę płynie historia. Wiem tylko, że mamy absolutnie fenomenalnie namalowany horror, od kreski przez kompozycje po przekaz. Niektóre kadry są takie, że czytelnika ciary przechodzą!
Nie mogę się doczekać kolejnych tomów, bo mam wrażenie, że trafiłam na coś bardzo wyjątkowego i pięknego! Chociaż na razie jest całkiem... złowieszczo i enigmatycznie.
Do dziewiętnastowiecznej Brytanii dobija statek, na którym cała załoga jest martwa. Na początek dostajemy jednak pare wskazówek na temat tego co przewozili ze Wschodu i jakie dziwne wizje mieli marynarze przed śmiercią. Niedaleko miejsca, do którego przybija statek znajduje się szkoła, do której chodzi Mina - prześladowana za bycie pierwszą i jedyną dziewczyną w całej szkole, a dodatkowo świetną zarówno w sporcie jak i w nauce. Mina ma jednak jedną przyjaciółkę Lucy, z którą po nocach spędza czas na spacerach i rozmowach. Tylko, że za dnia Lucy nie dość, że nie pamięta tych spotkań, to jeszcze jest jednym z chłopców w szkole - Lukiem, który nienawidzi kobiet. Luke otoczony jest zapatrzonymi w niego kolegami - Artura pochodzącego z arystokracji, Joe - Japończyka zainteresowanego fotografią, który mieszka z niezrównoważoną psychicznie zakonnicą oraz Quincey - Afroamerykanin z Teksasu. Każdy z nich posiada imie i nazwisko nawiązujące do oryginalnej powieści Brama Strokera, więc nie będzie zaskoczeniem, jeśli wam powiem, że w książce zaczynają pojawiać się różne cienie, nietoperze, ugryzienia... Choć na tę chwilę wiem, że nic nie wiem. Nie mam pojęcia jakie rozwiązania fabularne nam się szykują, w która stronę płynie historia. Wiem tylko, że mamy absolutnie fenomenalnie namalowany horror, od kreski przez kompozycje po przekaz. Niektóre kadry są takie, że czytelnika ciary przechodzą!
Nie mogę się doczekać kolejnych tomów, bo mam wrażenie, że trafiłam na coś bardzo wyjątkowego i pięknego! Chociaż na razie jest całkiem... złowieszczo i enigmatycznie.
December 23, 2024
The truth is hidden behind the shroud of darkness.
4.5 stars. Omg... I'm kind of obsessed? And I did not expect that. I liked Dracula when I read it, but it's not really a favourite classic or anything. I was super intrigued when I heard about this queer manga that reimagined it, and I'm SO happy that I got to it. This story is set at a school, which is one thing I'm not super into, (I really wish they were adults) but the story still managed to really grip me.
- The art style is GORGEOUS. Very realistic, but also uncanny and slightly... idk, off, in a way that really suits the horror of it. Characters will often have these intense facial expressions, moments where the emotion is very visceral, rising to the surface, and the way it's conveyed on page is sooooo appealing. Beautiful and grotesque. And all of the horror and monstrous aspects as well. I'm thinking of the bat imagery especially.
- I liked Mina in the original, but this Mina? OBSESSED. Feral, headstrong whirlwind of a human being who doesn't take shit from the boys, gets teased and bullied but won't back down, and still has this golden heart at her centre. I'm already so enamoured with her relationship with Lucy, and their dynamic is everything to me. I can't wait to see it develop more.
- Lucy being a trans woman? I'm a little nervous as to how it's going to be treated, and what commentary we might get, but I'm so delighted with it. Same with Quincey being black and Jo (John) being Japanese. I like what it adds to the friend group dynamic, especially with Arthur being such a privileged entitled prick. I'm tentatively optimistic at where the mangaka will take things.
- So many weird and grotesque moments in this volume that I loved. That Renfield reveal? What the fuck, haha. And I loooooooved that spread with Lucy and Dracula; scary, but so gorgeously rendered. I just can't get over the art, and how great it is at expressing emotional. Every single time Mina is on page, I'm entranced. I love the way he draws her weird little scrunched up determined face.
Really glad to have gotten such an unexpected win. Gonna continue this right away!!
October 31, 2023
DRCL, una rivisitazione in chiave manga del classico dell'orrore Dracula, è a mani basse una delle migliori letture in fatto di manga che potrete fare quest'anno.
Ambientato nel Diciannovesimo secolo in una scuola inglese, vede per protagonisti un gruppetto di ragazzi che fotografano per caso l'arrivo di una nave al porto.
Sulla nave, ora deserta, sembra essere successo qualcosa di terrificante, legato al carico di casse di legno che la nave trasportava. Qualcuno o qualcosa è arrivato nella cittadina, e l'orrore che si porterà appresso è senza fine.
Seppure questo primo volume sia una sorta di "prologo" alle oscure vicende che vedremo nei volumi successivi, non manca di azione e di una carica di inquietudine massiccia.
Essendo una sorta di rivisitazione del classico Dracula, DRCL Midnight Children ci propone alcuni dei personaggi (principali e non) dell'opera originaria, modificandone però svariati aspetti.
Lessi Dracula tanti anni fa e, seppure conservi un bel ricordo del romanzo, ammetto di aver dimenticato molti dettagli e avvenimenti. Di una cosa sono sicura: questo manga sa rievocare perfettamente, seppure con tutti i cambiamenti fatti, le atmosfere inquietanti e cariche di orrore del romanzo originale!
Il cast di protagonisti è eterogeneo e ben rappresentato e lascia spazio a numerosi misteri, riguardanti specialmente due di essi, che non vedo l'ora di vedere svelati!
Parliamo adesso del tratto grafico: penso di aver visto raramente qualcosa di più bello. Ritengo infatti che i disegni siano MERAVIGLIOSI a dir poco, capaci di rappresentare al meglio l'orrore che si nasconde tra le pagine, esprimere le angosce e i torbidi segreti dei personaggi.
Una storia gotica che, già dalle premesse, sembrava interessante e che ha addirittura superato le mie aspettative. Da appassionata di retelling, storie dell'orrore e atmosfere dark academia non potevo certo farmelo scappare!
Leggetelo assolutamente, non ve ne pentirete!
Personalmente, non vedo l'ora che esca il secondo volume: mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine, meravigliandomi e incuriosendomi tantissimo. Voglio assolutamente vedere cosa l'autore si inventerà per "deviare" o meno dalla storia originale e quali meravigliose tavole ci aspettano nei prossimi numeri!
Ambientato nel Diciannovesimo secolo in una scuola inglese, vede per protagonisti un gruppetto di ragazzi che fotografano per caso l'arrivo di una nave al porto.
Sulla nave, ora deserta, sembra essere successo qualcosa di terrificante, legato al carico di casse di legno che la nave trasportava. Qualcuno o qualcosa è arrivato nella cittadina, e l'orrore che si porterà appresso è senza fine.
Seppure questo primo volume sia una sorta di "prologo" alle oscure vicende che vedremo nei volumi successivi, non manca di azione e di una carica di inquietudine massiccia.
Essendo una sorta di rivisitazione del classico Dracula, DRCL Midnight Children ci propone alcuni dei personaggi (principali e non) dell'opera originaria, modificandone però svariati aspetti.
Lessi Dracula tanti anni fa e, seppure conservi un bel ricordo del romanzo, ammetto di aver dimenticato molti dettagli e avvenimenti. Di una cosa sono sicura: questo manga sa rievocare perfettamente, seppure con tutti i cambiamenti fatti, le atmosfere inquietanti e cariche di orrore del romanzo originale!
Il cast di protagonisti è eterogeneo e ben rappresentato e lascia spazio a numerosi misteri, riguardanti specialmente due di essi, che non vedo l'ora di vedere svelati!
Parliamo adesso del tratto grafico: penso di aver visto raramente qualcosa di più bello. Ritengo infatti che i disegni siano MERAVIGLIOSI a dir poco, capaci di rappresentare al meglio l'orrore che si nasconde tra le pagine, esprimere le angosce e i torbidi segreti dei personaggi.
Una storia gotica che, già dalle premesse, sembrava interessante e che ha addirittura superato le mie aspettative. Da appassionata di retelling, storie dell'orrore e atmosfere dark academia non potevo certo farmelo scappare!
Leggetelo assolutamente, non ve ne pentirete!
Personalmente, non vedo l'ora che esca il secondo volume: mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine, meravigliandomi e incuriosendomi tantissimo. Voglio assolutamente vedere cosa l'autore si inventerà per "deviare" o meno dalla storia originale e quali meravigliose tavole ci aspettano nei prossimi numeri!
June 19, 2024
Je n'ai pas pu arrêter de lire, quel délice c'était !! C'est sombre, brut, et sublimement effrayant~ J'ai encore plus apprécié connaissant l'histoire de originelle. On se demande comment les persos que nous connaissons vont être, s'ils vont réagir de manière différente et comment l'angle narratif different influence notre vision. L'ambiance est bien placé dans le manga, dès le premier de chapitre (qui est incroyable je ne m'attendais pas un début si fort). Il y a un moment dans l'histoire que j'ai trouvé drôle et m'a un peu sortie de l'histoire, mais pour vraiment pas longtemps et ça n'a pas ruiné mon plaisir de lecture. Maintenant je dois attendre à me procurer le prochain tome, quelle souffrance xD
June 2, 2024
Cute little Dracula reimagining with queer rep & absolutely stunning art
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