REVIEW: Bram Stoker’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi
Synopsis:
This is so exciting! Just when I thought they couldn’t do anything more original with the origin story of Dracula, Legendary has outdone themselves with this publication. It’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula
with the Prince of Darkness illustrated to look like the late Bela Lugosi. You may ask “Well, hasn’t the Lugosi movie been adapted before?” and the answer is yes, but this isn’t an adaptation of the movie that came out in the ’30s. You see it was the great depression and Hollywood was reluctant to issue a huge budget for an untried genre horror vehicle, so, instead of adapting the novel itself, they simply adapted the hit Broadway play. And it was a success. But here, the comic book has done something truly unique.
The Creative Team:
Bram Stoker’s masterpiece. The most well-known work of his lifetime. He published several best-selling novels both before and after writing Dracula including the hugely successful Personal Reminiscences of Henry Irving. But his other works today are not so well remembered. This graphic novel faithfully brings the novel to life unlike no movie ever has, save for the silent Nosferatu. I don’t have to relate the story here, we all know how Jonathan Harker went to Transylvania and in selling property to Count Dracula unwittingly unleashed a monster to the world. This volume boasts introductions and an afterword by family members Lynne Lugosi Sparks, Bela G. Lugosi, and Dacre Stoker. A Dracula comic book lovers dream come true. Not since Marvel’s “Tomb of Dracula” have I been so excited to read a classic! Great stuff includes Harker’s first meeting with the peasants and Harker’s discovery in the basement.
Garing and Gammill capture the feel of the novel as well as the Lugosi movie with a love for the genre that is apparent on these pages. Their Lugosi is spot on to the actor that lived the character for more than 40 years on stage and screen. The pacing and build-up of suspense is incredible and very professional, each panel is a must-read as Stoker’s words are brought vividly to life. I must also say that this is the best comic book adaptation of the novel, including from Marvel. I have never enjoyed reading this tale anywhere near as much and the art is one of the reasons why. The story isn’t rushed as it has been in past adaptations. Highlights include the splash where Bela’s Dracula first appears and the splash on page 86 where Dracula feasts.
In Conclusion:
Any fan of Dracula must have this adaptation, even if you don’t normally read comic books. In addition, anyone who loves the Lugosi take on the character should appreciate this volume more than others. I literally had to read it twice in a row I was so blown away by the love and care this adaptation took to bring us, finally, Bela Lugosi in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, not just the Broadway play. A great job! ***** 9.7 rating from this comic book reviewer.
SCORE: 9.7/10
Creative team:
Adaptation and Editor: Robert Napton
Art: El Garing
Art Director/Co-Editor: Kerry Gammill
Letters – Richard Starkings, Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Executive Consultants: Lynne Lugosi Sparks and Bela G. Lugosi
Publisher – Legendary Comics
Pick up your copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula NOW!
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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