Universal Monsters: Dracula #1

Universal Monsters: Dracula

by James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds (Cover Art)

**MINISERIES PREMIERE**
THE BIGGEST NAMES IN COMICS RESURRECT THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS!
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH creators JAMES TYNION IV (**W0RLDTR33, _Something is Killing the Children_**) and **MARTIN SIMMONDS** reteam to tell a new tale of the monster who started it all! 
When Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible…his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted _Count Dracula_!

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Vampires, Comic Book

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2023

About the author

Prior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.

Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.

Reviews

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

2023 - 365 Days of Horror

Day 300: It’s Tynion, so of course I’m going to like it. The art, on the other hand…the jury is still out. What I can do without is a Renfield that looks like Marilyn Manson.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art work is stunning as if created by water colour.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean it’s hard for any author to find a new way of writing Dracula especially within the confines of Universal Monsters but this is elegant within expected parameters. What makes it stand out is the art by Martin Simmonds. Beautiful paintings with mixed media. I can’t wait for more, though I would say giving Renfield a nose would be a nice start, he’s a little too Joker...

[Bryan Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comic is something special. The artwork (and storytelling here) is absolutely stunning. I’ve read a lot of Dracula in my time, and a lot of the Count in graphic novel form, and the art is shockingly original, while playing with the images and world of the iconic Browning Universal film. How Reinfeild is drawn alone is absolutely brilliant. Every page is literally dripping with the knowledge and reverence these creatives have for the source material. Looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Trae Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar rendition of the Bram Stoker classic. The art is amazing.

[Rory C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not usually a fan of this style of art, but it works brilliantly at times here, especially with the depiction of Renfield. Story a little different from the novel (is Johnathan Harker not going to visit Dracula at his castle?) so intrigued in how this will develop.

[rand · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art style, the story telling, every aspect of this comic was captivating. i loved this new interpretation of dracula. i absolutely loved the inclusion of the characters we’ve seen in the original dracula film and I cannot wait for the new issues to drop!

[Elizabeth Braunworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it lacked teeth.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siendo uno de los guionistas más prolíficos (y exitosos) del mercado comiquero USA con buena cantidad de obras que lo avalan (no solo en terrenos de terror y suspense). La verdad es que la idea de que James Tynion IV tenga su oportunidad de aportar a la mitología del vampiro más famoso de todos los tiempos suena bien de entrada. Aunque las expectativas han ido viéndose comprometidas teniendo en cuenta que parece que la imagen más clásica de los chupasangres asociada a la figura del inmortal Conde de Bram Stoker se está desprestigiando por lo menos, en el ámbito cinematográfico. Entre El Último Viaje del Démeter y Renfield (esta película vinculada a Skybound, por cierto) siendo sonoros fracasos en taquilla. Por lo menos está bien descubrir que Drácula puede seguir perviviendo en otros medios como el comiquero. Porque este arranque no me ha podido dejar más fascinado con lo que han confeccionado James Tynion IV y Martin Simmonds.

Cierto que a priori puede que un retelling clásico en torno a la historia base de Drácula pueda sonar reiterativa de entrada. Pero gracias al apartado artístico de Simmonds (con quien el autor ya ha dejado un excelente trabajo previo con El Departamento de la Verdad), en unas composiciones y alardes visuales de estilo delirante y fantasmagórico. El reencontrarnos con el Londres decimonónico de la trama original ideada por Bram Stoker, no supone tanto chasco creativo. En lo argumental, parece que se dará más empaque al fondo racional y psicológico de los personajes humanos de la historia. Al menos en este primer número, el Dr. Seward parece gozar de un papel más protagonico del que ha gozado en la mayoría de adaptaciones de Drácula. Enfrentándose al caso de Renfield, ese ex letrado que vuelve de Transilvania en un barco en el que todo marinero ha sido masacrado de forma cruel y este asegura no haber sido responsable. Si no su amo que le ha instruido en los caminos de la sangre, por la cual ha cambiado su dieta por la que le suministra "esencia vital" de insectos y alimañas. En una interesante decisión gráfica, Renfield presenta un aspecto que espero que esté pensado para referenciar al pálido homicida hipnotizado del Gabinete del Dr. Caligari. También pareciendo que este personaje gozará de más protagonismo que en muchas adaptaciones. Hay unos buenos mimbres de poder jugar con lo iconoclasta de la novela y 1º gran adaptación fílmica de Drácula, que son lo que ha absorbido el inconsciente colectivo para reconocer cualquier cosa del Conde vampiro, para que esta lectura sea algo más que una sencilla anécdota o lectura "matarratos" a rebufo de esa necesidad de seguir teniendo presente a este personaje y su encarnación más reconocida.

En el horizonte se presentan compases conocidos como las jóvenes Lucy y Mina viéndose atraídas por la presencia del Conde Transilvano (en este número mostrándose como una PRESENCIA total que ronda las calles de Londres en bestiales formas y mantiene su forma humanoide aún menos encorsetada en las facciones "Lugosianas" que parece que veremos en los números restantes). Esa mención al conocido Dr. Van Helsing y su conocimiento del mundo oculto tras la ciencia y la razón. Y alguna referencia a otro monstruo del ciclo clásico de Universal (que este cómic viene con el sello oficial de la marca asociada a esta franquicia de Universal Pictures, pudiendo propiciar un 2º intento de "Dark Universe" más meditado que el plan de películas que iba a abrir La Momia de 2017).

La sangre es vida. Y la historia de Drácula puede seguir mostrándose seductoramente atractiva y terrorífica pasada ya centurias de su publicación original. Veremos sin esta miniserie alcanza un digno puesto en esta herencia inmortal de la ficción.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a kid under 10 years of age when my father allowed me to stay up late one night to watch a scary old movie called Dracula; the original from 1931 starring Bela Lugosi. The grainy-grayscale optics of this classic really zapped my young brain. I went to sleep that night pretending my bed was a coffin. Martin Simmonds artwork—although in color—has brought back that wonderful eerie feeling I experienced way back in the ancient 1960s. I'm anxiously looking forward to see where James Tynion IV takes this story.

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This issue serves as a strong opening to the Dracula mini-series. The artwork truly carries the book, ethereal, dreamlike, and hauntingly beautiful. The contrast of the vivid reds in the blood and the Nosferatus's eyes against the soft watercolor palette creates a stunning visual experience. The writing is engaging and atmospheric, though it could have benefited from more dialogue to deepen the character interactions. What’s here works well, but I found myself wanting just a bit more story and a few extra pages to let it breathe. Overall, a promising and visually mesmerizing start.
Grade: B

[b · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tod Browning is probably my favourite director, and his Drac has always been the best. I think this is a pretty well executed intro take drawing from that source material. I love the painterly smeary art, the weird muted and duotone moments. It reminds me quite strongly of the painted adaptation of Fritz Lang’s “M,” by Jon Muth.

[Hunter (bookswithbunnies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so dang good. The drawings are absolute perfection. Haunting and stunning. And I love seeing Dracula as a wolf. A piece of Dracula that I feel like is not mentioned often enough is their shape shifting. I'm so thrilled for the rest of this mini series. Tynion is such a fave of mine.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

Great art. Totally fits the atmosphere and setting in time. Very beautiful to look it. The artist is the star of the show here. The story is good as well. Its setting up a good amount of tension and mystique. Can't wait to read more!

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowowoeowow! James Tynion + Vampires = Incredible Comic. Not ONLY is the story great so far, Martin Simmonds art is incredibly creepy/scary/amazing! Damn. So good

[Nicole Geub · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art. It's so great. And I like that it's got Renfield as the main character. Gory without the gore

[Stephanie Molnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are so creepy! I really felt the terror and bloodlust from the characters.

[Kylesnooze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great first issue, hope the they don't fuck this series up, but I have faith in tynion

[ghoulkeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely gorgeous

[rotting charm · Rating 2 out of 5]

beautifully done but not interesting

[Dani V · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s James so of course I’m gonna give it 5 stars

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on the classic novel of Dracula. I feel like it's going to move quickly and have good development of characters. I am excited to continue on with the series and see where it goes.

[Dollzofmischief · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art Work is incredible

Loved this style and interpretation of Dracula. Art work is dark and beautiful. The story is very short. I'm not a comic book reader but its verry short.

[Kelley May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Simmonds is probably my favorite comic artist and I’m a huge fan of James Tynion IV. This was written well and beautifully illustrated, can’t wait to read the next one.

[Jennifer Spiliakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the art!

[Cosmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Tynion IV writes a horror comic, I read it. Simple as that.

[John Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start

The art really grew on me, and while this is only 1/4 of the story it instantly nails the gothic atmosphere I want from a Dracula book
Highly recommended

[Victoria Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ARTTTTTT

[Cameron Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite artwork and paintings.