Essential Tomb of Dracula

    (Marvel, 2003-2005)
™ and © 1972-1974 and 2003 Marvel Entertainment Group

During the horror comics resurgence of the 1970s (which spawned such titles as Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing), The Tomb of Dracula, clocking in at 70 issues, had the longest and most successful run (at least for a Marvel title). Essential Tomb of Dracula Vol. 1 reprints the first 25 issues of the popular series and also includes Werewolf by Night #15 (Dracula vs. the werewolf!) and Giant-Size Chillers #1 (featuring “The Curse of Dracula”).

As with previous editions in the refreshingly affordable Essentials line, the stories here are reprinted in black and white (while the original issues were produced in color). However, unlike the super–hero stuff (such as Essential Marvel Team-Up), the lack of color doesn’t detract much from the enjoyment of the material. Gene Colan’s classic horror art, replete with shadows, bats, crosses, grimacing visages, and other staples of the genre, looks great in black and white. Fans of Creepy, Eerie, and other black-and-white horror mags of the past will feel right at home.

Format aside, Tomb of Dracula is fang–tastic. The stories are fast-paced and action-packed, and any given issue is at least as entertaining as most any Dracula movie (including those from Universal and Hammer). The vampire slayers (such as Rachel Van Helsing, the granddaughter of you–know–who) are heroic but decidedly human, and Wolfman and company’s twists (such as alternate dimensions) on the standard Dracula mythos only add to the fun. If that’s not enough, Tomb of Dracula #10 contains the first appearance of Blade, the most notable modern vampire slayer this side of Buffy.

— Brett Weiss
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Jan 2003
    Cover: $14.95
    W: Gerry Conway, Archie Goodwin, Gardner Fox, Marv Wolfman  ·  A: Gene Colan, Mike Ploog
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula #1-25, Werewolf by Night #15, and Giant-Size Chillers #1
    No copies available
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    2nd Printing Cover by Gene Colan
    Cover: $14.95
    W: Gerry Conway, Archie Goodwin, Gardner Fox, Marv Wolfman  ·  A: Gene Colan, Mike Ploog
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula #1-25, Werewolf by Night #15, and Giant-Size Chillers #1; ca. 2004
    No copies available
  • 1-3
    #1 - 3rd printing
    3rd Printing Cover by Gene Colan
    Cover: $14.95
    W: Gerry Conway, Archie Goodwin, Gardner Fox, Marv Wolfman  ·  A: Gene Colan, Mike Ploog
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula #1-25, Werewolf by Night #15, and Giant-Size Chillers #1; ca. 2004
    No copies available
  • 2
    #2
    Cover: $16.99
    W: Marv Wolfman, Steve Englehart, Chris Claremont, David Anthony Kraft  ·  A: Don Heck, Gene Colan, Nestor Redondo
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula #26-49, Giant-Size Dracula #2-5, Dr. Strange #14; ca. 2004
    No copies available
  • 3
    #3
    Cover: $16.99
    W: Marv Wolfman  ·  A: Gene Colan, Steve Ditko
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula #50-70, Tomb of Dracula Magazine #1-4
    No copies available
  • 4
    #4
    Cover: $16.99
    W: Roger McKenzie, Peter B. Gillis, Marv Wolfman, Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Roy Thomas, Gardner Fox, Tony Isabella, Mike Friedrich, Jim Shooter, Steve Gerber, Len Wein, Rich Margopoulos  ·  A: George Tuska, Alfredo P. Alcala, Frank Robbins, Vincente Alcázar, Tony DeZuniga, Gene Colan, Sonny Trinidad, John Buscema, Jim Starlin, Syd Shores, Mike Ploog, Paul Gulacy, Rich Buckler, Yong Montaño, Steve Gan, Dick Ayers, Alan Weiss, Frank Springer, George Evans, Peter B. Gillis
    Reprints Tomb of Dracula Magazine #2-6, Dracula Lives! #1-3, and Frankenstein Monster #7-9
    No copies available