Finally! A comic book that features Count Dracula that goes back to the real roots of Vlad Tepes. This issue opens in Targoviste, 1462. And the brother in question is Radu, who, in my Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter universe would go on to become Karl’s arch-nemesis Sebastian Vasilis. But enough of self promotion, let’s get on with the review, lol. Radu has just arrived home after a leave of absence to discover a yard full of impaled victims of Vlad’s insanity. He asks what happened to which his guide responds that he hasn’t been to the voivode in a while and much has changed. After seeing his brother, Radu tells him he doesn’t look well. Vlad tells him that he’s fine, just tired. Then we jump to Gallipoli in 1442 and Vlad senior surrenders rather than watch the killing of his sons.
The Creative Team:
Cullen Bunn does it again. Incorporating real world history into the Dracula mythos. Not unlike Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stokers Dracula did for Cinema in 1992. Vlad and his sons are imprisoned for several years, then the Sultan finally set’s them free. Vlad the second is allowed to go home to Wallachia, but his sons, Vlad the third and Radu have to stay in Gallipoli. But they aren’t prisoners anymore. They are guests and are being trained in the country’s militia. Bunn does a great job of incorporating actual history into the pages of this comic book. Great stuff includes the willingness of Vlad the second to surrender in order to save his sons. And The training of the two brothers as Radu shows more interest in this training than Vlad does, who realizes that despite all the pleasantries they are still prisoners. Even though they aren’t behind bars anymore and, indeed are treated just as well as the Sultan’s son.
Mirko Colak does a great job with the visual. We feel like we’ve been taken back to medieval times. It’s similar to what Mel Ruby is doing with Clash of the Kings. The feeling is Ottoman style and the look is clearly inspired by the works of the architects of that day, as it should be. Highlights include the yard full of impaled bodies at the beginning of this issue and, of course the visuals of the battle that took place in that day. I highly recommend this issue.
In Conclusion:
A great replay of Turkish history during the 1400’s The pacing is good, the visuals are incredible and we get the feeling that we’re not even in a vampire comic at all. Everything in this issue is historical fact. So is this not a horror comic? maybe it’s just a history lesson. At least we get that feeling up until the time that the brothers are led into the village and see…to be continued. ****1/2 (9.4 rating)
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Writer – Cullen Bunn
Art – Mirko Colak
Colors – Maria Santaolalla
Letters – Simon Bowland
Publisher – Aftershock
Author Profile
- Kevin Given has studied with “ Longridge Writers Group †and “ Writer’s Boot Camp †a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the “ Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter †franchise which includes novels and comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of “ Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter †# 1 and “ Files of Karl Vincent †# 1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series “ Dracula Rising †(working title) and developing “ Foul Blood †into comic book form. Don't forget to check out the YouTube show " Comics: Let's Talk " hosted by Kevin Given
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