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Dracula: The Company of Monsters #3
Dracula: The Company of Monsters Vol. 3
The terrifying conclusion to the critically acclaimed series from comics legend Kurt Busiek! After a powerful, predatory corporation acquires Dracula as a valuable asset, they soon discover one terrifying truth: no one can own the Son of the Dragon! As the vampire armies of the corporation and Dracula face off against each other, our hero Evan must enter into an unlikely alliance with Marta and her team of vampire hunters. As Dracula and the corporation's fight reaches a fever pitch, can Evan and Marta work together long enough to rally a rebellion that will be able to withstand the onslaught? It's bloodsuckers vs. bloodsucker, as Busiek brings an incredibly modern spin to the Dracula mythos with award-winning author Daryl Gregrory (PANDEMONIUM, PLANET OF THE APES) and artists Scott Godlewski (CODEBREAKERS) and Damian Couceiro (NOLA).
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
26 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,858 books626 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 31, 2021
An excellent ending that ties everything up, but still leaves room for more stories somewhere down the road if Busiek wants to revisit someday.
Evan attempts to do the right thing while simultaneously getting away from his family's evil business practices, loose from Dracula's control, and out from under the watchful eye of the vampire hunters.
No easy feat.
The resolution was quite good and I enjoyed seeing him grow into himself as a strong character.
I honestly don't know if there will be any more stories set in this world, but I would definitely read them.
If you haven't found your way to reading this comic yet, you might want to take another look. It seems to be somewhat of a hidden gem for horror fans.
Recommended!
Evan attempts to do the right thing while simultaneously getting away from his family's evil business practices, loose from Dracula's control, and out from under the watchful eye of the vampire hunters.
No easy feat.
The resolution was quite good and I enjoyed seeing him grow into himself as a strong character.
I honestly don't know if there will be any more stories set in this world, but I would definitely read them.
If you haven't found your way to reading this comic yet, you might want to take another look. It seems to be somewhat of a hidden gem for horror fans.
Recommended!
December 27, 2021
This series was a ton of fun and I wish it had been longer. So, the opposite of a date with me.
October 28, 2021
A suitably back-stabby and macabre ending to the series, I suppose Busiek could revisit these characters and this scenario at some point in the future but it works perfectly well as a 12-issue stand alone as far as I'm concerned.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
September 6, 2024
Great trilogy!
This modern day Dracula story was fun! I definitely enjoyed it! Five stars and highly recommended! Hopefully there will be more stories in this universe!
This modern day Dracula story was fun! I definitely enjoyed it! Five stars and highly recommended! Hopefully there will be more stories in this universe!
October 25, 2021
This built to a pretty good ending. The whole Dracula in the corporate world didn't quite appeal to me, although I have to say it was very well done. Things built to a pretty logical conclusion and overall this was an underrated series.
January 15, 2022
Sorry, this bullet is spoken for.
It is the final volume and the dangers of Vlad Dracul surviving have come to an all new biblically dangerous light as young Evan gets the remaining pieces of the puzzle about Dracula as well as answers to his own past. However when facing not one but now two dangerous undead lords and an unknown number of undead allies for each of them Evan must use all he has learned to see his own goals come to fruition. In the end the decisions he chooses may yet get him killed unless he plays it smart and gets lucky while expert killers and supernatural menaces clash. After all in the end it is business as usual even if the price may yet cost your soul.
After reading the conclusion of the series I find myself wondering about the research and/or knowledge Kurt Busiek or possibly his team had been privy to for the story at hand. Of course any references and/or translations may be made up for the sake of story seeing as I didn't research the accuracy of anything basically but I like how Dracula himself becomes an increasing danger as pieces of the puzzle are revealed and the conflict between him and Evan's uncle Conrad escalates. Of course if you want to see who survives (if anyone) then I suggest you give this series a try and discover the truths for yourself. If you have Amazon's Kindle Unlimited seeing as you can even borrow all three volumes for free as of now. :)
It is the final volume and the dangers of Vlad Dracul surviving have come to an all new biblically dangerous light as young Evan gets the remaining pieces of the puzzle about Dracula as well as answers to his own past. However when facing not one but now two dangerous undead lords and an unknown number of undead allies for each of them Evan must use all he has learned to see his own goals come to fruition. In the end the decisions he chooses may yet get him killed unless he plays it smart and gets lucky while expert killers and supernatural menaces clash. After all in the end it is business as usual even if the price may yet cost your soul.
After reading the conclusion of the series I find myself wondering about the research and/or knowledge Kurt Busiek or possibly his team had been privy to for the story at hand. Of course any references and/or translations may be made up for the sake of story seeing as I didn't research the accuracy of anything basically but I like how Dracula himself becomes an increasing danger as pieces of the puzzle are revealed and the conflict between him and Evan's uncle Conrad escalates. Of course if you want to see who survives (if anyone) then I suggest you give this series a try and discover the truths for yourself. If you have Amazon's Kindle Unlimited seeing as you can even borrow all three volumes for free as of now. :)
April 25, 2018
*Book source ~ Library
Dracula is jockeying for more power by taking over Barrington Industries, but Conrad Barrington has something to say about that. The vampire hunters are hot on both their tails. And Evan finally steps up to the plate for a final showdown.
As with the first two volumes, the artwork in this one is gorgeous. The story picks up where Vol 2 left off and Evan really brings it in this one. He has gone through some major shit, but comes out on the other side more or less in one piece. An excellent ending to a wonderful series. Well, I’m assuming ending. I only see three volumes listed on Goodreads. I highly recommend this trilogy.
Dracula is jockeying for more power by taking over Barrington Industries, but Conrad Barrington has something to say about that. The vampire hunters are hot on both their tails. And Evan finally steps up to the plate for a final showdown.
As with the first two volumes, the artwork in this one is gorgeous. The story picks up where Vol 2 left off and Evan really brings it in this one. He has gone through some major shit, but comes out on the other side more or less in one piece. An excellent ending to a wonderful series. Well, I’m assuming ending. I only see three volumes listed on Goodreads. I highly recommend this trilogy.
August 15, 2015
3.5 stars
I was up and down with these, but the third volume was a satisfying conclusion.
There's room for more books, but I'm going to consider this the end of the story and move on.
I was up and down with these, but the third volume was a satisfying conclusion.
There's room for more books, but I'm going to consider this the end of the story and move on.
September 1, 2024
Strong Ending
Enjoyed this ending, even if the double-triple surprise nests were a little flat. While promising to be conclusive, it's inevitably still open for a sequel. That's both a good and bad thing.
Credit where its due: I REALLY liked how it dealt with the character of the "real" Dracula throughout, and the spin it put on his character.
Enjoyed this ending, even if the double-triple surprise nests were a little flat. While promising to be conclusive, it's inevitably still open for a sequel. That's both a good and bad thing.
Credit where its due: I REALLY liked how it dealt with the character of the "real" Dracula throughout, and the spin it put on his character.
August 27, 2013
This is the third book in the Dracula: Company of Monsters series. It was an excellent continuation of the series. I am not sure if there are going to be more books in this series or not. Things are fairly well tied up at the end of this book.
Evan is fed up with everyone trying to kill him or recruit him and has decided to play all the characters against each other. This is the novel where the vampire hunters, Dracula, and Evan’s uncle are all brought together by Evan and made to pay their dues.
You have got to admire Evan. He’s not really a good guy, more of an anti-hero. He is tough, smart, and darn it he is good at surviving.
There is some dark humor in here that had me laughing out loud. Of course there is a lot of gore and blood and violence just as in the previous books...so I would recommend for adult readers.
The artwork is spectacular. It’s full color and incredibly detailed. There wasn’t any jumping around between timeframe and characters in this book like in the last one, so it was easy to follow and not at all confusing.
Overall this is a very well done graphic novel that explores vampire mythology and Dracula mythology in an urban setting. I enjoyed the twisting and turning of the plot, the excellent artwork, and how things were fairly well wrapped up at the end of the book. If there are more books in this series I will definitely pick them up. Recommended to those who enjoy Dracula mythos and horror graphic novels.
Evan is fed up with everyone trying to kill him or recruit him and has decided to play all the characters against each other. This is the novel where the vampire hunters, Dracula, and Evan’s uncle are all brought together by Evan and made to pay their dues.
You have got to admire Evan. He’s not really a good guy, more of an anti-hero. He is tough, smart, and darn it he is good at surviving.
There is some dark humor in here that had me laughing out loud. Of course there is a lot of gore and blood and violence just as in the previous books...so I would recommend for adult readers.
The artwork is spectacular. It’s full color and incredibly detailed. There wasn’t any jumping around between timeframe and characters in this book like in the last one, so it was easy to follow and not at all confusing.
Overall this is a very well done graphic novel that explores vampire mythology and Dracula mythology in an urban setting. I enjoyed the twisting and turning of the plot, the excellent artwork, and how things were fairly well wrapped up at the end of the book. If there are more books in this series I will definitely pick them up. Recommended to those who enjoy Dracula mythos and horror graphic novels.
November 23, 2020
A really great ending to a very good series. Character development, plot threads paying off, loyalties shifting, and a final page that wraps it up in a satisfying way but also leaves room for more stories. The series had great art throughout, good dialogue, characters, etc.
Hey Kurt Busiek, how about continuing this story now, ten years later? Yeah!
Hey Kurt Busiek, how about continuing this story now, ten years later? Yeah!
October 30, 2022
After the mediocrity of volumes one and two volume three started promising. It looked like this series was finally building up into a good story. Evan had a plan and it looked intriguing, it caught my attention and the battle shifted from the boardroom to a vampire showdown. Most of this last volume is taken up with Evan’s plan and the final bloody battle. The battle is good, lots of action, and the plan is held back, piquing curiosity, it keeps you guessing and more importantly interested.
However…
Without giving anything away all that promise comes to nothing. The ending is disappointingly poor. Looking back at the whole series why would Dracula get involved in company take overs and boardroom squabbles? Why would he need to?
Dracula: The Company of Monsters as a series isn’t too bad, the artwork is also OK if a little uninspired. The story however struggles to hold water and is finally brought down by this last volume and its poor ending.
However…
Without giving anything away all that promise comes to nothing. The ending is disappointingly poor. Looking back at the whole series why would Dracula get involved in company take overs and boardroom squabbles? Why would he need to?
Dracula: The Company of Monsters as a series isn’t too bad, the artwork is also OK if a little uninspired. The story however struggles to hold water and is finally brought down by this last volume and its poor ending.
September 2, 2022
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January 25, 2023
This was the best wrap up!
I really liked the way this graphic novel played out. The last 50% of it was completely riveting. I adored the story & the art; specifically the art's ability to tell story without words. This was definitely the best of this Dracula series. Again it played with somewhat heavier themes than your usual vampire tales, with the juxtaposition of Dracula's honor against the money grubbing trust-no-one mentality of the present day corporate magnate. Overall, I just found the end of it to be very clever & the art left me with a good feeling. Recommended (start with volume 1 for beat enjoyment).
I really liked the way this graphic novel played out. The last 50% of it was completely riveting. I adored the story & the art; specifically the art's ability to tell story without words. This was definitely the best of this Dracula series. Again it played with somewhat heavier themes than your usual vampire tales, with the juxtaposition of Dracula's honor against the money grubbing trust-no-one mentality of the present day corporate magnate. Overall, I just found the end of it to be very clever & the art left me with a good feeling. Recommended (start with volume 1 for beat enjoyment).
April 11, 2024
This is solid stuff by Busiek and Gregory. They waste no effort in hiding what they think about corporate greed or the state of the economy. The moral of this story is that there are indeed monsters in this world, and the worst of them in this book don't have fangs. I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and feel that it has a satisfying ending. 12 issues over three modestly priced trade paperbacks.
My only gripe is that the covers are collected in the back of the book rather than as chapter marker pages. There are pages that say “Chapter 8”, etc., but I prefer to see the issue covers there. Your mileage may vary.
My only gripe is that the covers are collected in the back of the book rather than as chapter marker pages. There are pages that say “Chapter 8”, etc., but I prefer to see the issue covers there. Your mileage may vary.
October 13, 2020
Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine, l'azione raggiunge il suo acme, ma il tutto assume un tono leggermente insipido: vengono scoperchiati vasi senza far vedere l'interno, troppe cose accennate e non dette, una scelta a mio parere opinabile.
Un gran peccato, una bolla sapone conclusasi in modo relativamente mediocre.
Un gran peccato, una bolla sapone conclusasi in modo relativamente mediocre.
October 27, 2018
Ok, so volume was action packed! I loved it. I really want to find out more about Evan & his dealings with B.I. corporation. This volume pits Evan vs. His uncle turned vampire vs. Dracula.......who will win out in the end?
August 14, 2019
A really good ending
So it ends. There could be a sequel, but if there isn't, I'm fine with it. Other than it was a great ending, I'm not saying anything else.
So it ends. There could be a sequel, but if there isn't, I'm fine with it. Other than it was a great ending, I'm not saying anything else.
September 30, 2013
As the sides make moves and prepare to come to battle, Evan--the geeky scientist no one thinks of as capable yet is at the center of everything--, makes his final plays. Still hasn't fulfilled the promise of corporate satire, but not bad.
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March 16, 2018The best of the series as it involves an actual choice by the main character -- support Dracula, support his Uncle, or support the vampire hunters?
Of course, with that setup, he plays Last Man Standing, attempting to keep all the players at each other's throats.
What would have saved this series is more attention to the character's drives, making them clear. As it is, this story only invokes desire when characters bluntly discuss it after everything is said and done. Also there's a shocking twist where Dracula is in league with the devil to bring about the end of the world, but not much is made of that ultimately, so...
Of course, with that setup, he plays Last Man Standing, attempting to keep all the players at each other's throats.
What would have saved this series is more attention to the character's drives, making them clear. As it is, this story only invokes desire when characters bluntly discuss it after everything is said and done. Also there's a shocking twist where Dracula is in league with the devil to bring about the end of the world, but not much is made of that ultimately, so...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews