REVIEW: Dracula #2

The Prince of Darkness returns to comics in Dracula #2. The mystery deepens as Dracula is on the prowl for a new victim.

Count Dracula has taken the London social scene my storm. Money, charm, looks and his infamous je ne sais quoi have the elite eating out of the palm of his hand. One in particular, Lucy is especially intrigued while another, Doctor Seward is weary. And Dracula, he is always watching. This is the set-up for this issue. It’s all classic Dracula storytelling but executed to perfection by writer James Tynion IV. Sharp dialogue, tense moments, and near misses keep the issue moving briskly and the reader highly invested. Van Helsing himself even joins the fray. In this iteration he’s an eccentric old drunk trying to warn everyone of the darkness about to besiege them. And of course, it’s only a matter of time before the Count strikes.

The art of this series is simply gorgeous. Part water color painting, part Victorian gothic mural, the style of this comic instantly grabs one’s attention. It’s dream-like and horror-filled at the same time. The colors are awash as if it’s something out of the 1800s and characters look like portraits painted during that same period. The Count is not visually featured in every panel but his presence is always felt. Dracula’s late-night rendezvous with Lucy is beautiful and haunting. It’s a nearly perfect page of art. The creativity here is truly top-notch. The vibe of a character like this, in a setting like this, transcends traditional comic book art. A fact recognized by artist and colorist Marin Simmonds who knocks it out of the park with his bold and beautiful artistic choices.

The return of one of the classic characters in all of popular culture to the comic book space is a welcomed one. And it’s exciting to see this new version is off to such a good start. The mood is dark and ominous and doesn’t let up for a page. It hits all the traditional Dracula beats, but in an intriguing new way. What is Van Helsing’s true aim? Can Dr. Seward figure out what’s really going on before it’s too late? What’s Dracula’s master plan? And what will be Lucy’s fate? Dracula isn’t even the only “monster” in these pages. Those questions and more look to be explored as this series continues. As for now, Dracula #2 is a must-read for comic, horror, and Universal Monster fans alike.

Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; James Tynion IV
Art by; Martin Simmonds
Colors by; Marin Simmonds
Letters by; Rus Wooten
Published by; Image Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.