Nosferatu: The Death Mass

(Venus, 1997-1998)
TM and (c) Venus Comics and the Antarctic Press

At first glance, it’s the same old story: a pair of young women arrive at a creepy castle and are instructed not to go out to the graveyard lest some terrible evil befall them. Naturally, the shadowy Nosferatu (vampire) is lurking about, and begins to exert his strange control over the women, causing them to do his bidding. The chief command: that a death mass be composed in his honor that he might be remembered for all ages.

But then, about four pages in, the adults-only nature of the series becomes clear as the women begin to fantasize about (and conduct) explicit sexual acts of every variety with themselves, a platoon of female vampires, and the risen dead. All of this is lavishly illustrated in woodcut style by Holden and Shelley Morris. It’s hard to know whether to condemn the series for its depravity, or praise it for the obvious effort and craftsmanship in which it renders its subject matter.

Jump to issue:

Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

December, 1997
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $49.98

Holden Morris

#3

February, 1998
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $99.98

Holden Morris