King Dracula #1, by Zenescope on 11/5/25, is the start of a four-part saga that promises blood, betrayal, and a subway system full of hungry undead.
Credits:
- Writer: David Wohl
- Artist: Massimiliano La Manno
- Colorist: Jorge Cortes
- Letterer: Taylor Esposito
- Cover Artist: Caio Cacau (cover A)
- Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
- Release Date: November 5, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of KING DRACULA #1:
First Impressions:
The opening pages hit fast: cult ceremonies, vampire royalty, and a hail of gunfire take turns grabbing your attention, but the execution doesn’t always match the ambition. The stakes (pun intended) seem high, yet the delivery is more familiar than fresh. It’s dramatic, sure, but the lack of immediate wow-factor from the art or dialogue leaves the reader waiting for a standout moment.
Plot Analysis:
King Dracula, dethroned and hiding in New York’s underbelly, is out to reclaim his title from the Vampire Lords who now run the show. A failed loyalty ceremony, complete with betrayal and violence, sets the stage for the chaos that follows. Dracula relies on his long-time ally Lucy Westenra, only for her to reveal that she too has sided with the enemy, deepening the betrayal and pushing Dracula toward isolation.
The remainder of the story finds Dracula fighting through hired guns and resurfacing memories. Flashbacks explain his fall from grace, mentioning past run-ins with Van Helsing and the vampire king’s endless quest for power. The setting shifts rapidly from exclusive nightclubs to grimy sewer tunnels, with tension spiking as mercenaries close in on the wounded king.
Combat escalates: Dracula outsmarts and outmuscles mercenary teams, but his victories are pyrrhic. He loses allies and suffers new injuries. One by one, both friend and foe fall, and the lines between them blur as desperation creeps in. The hunt concludes with Dracula declaring his identity in defiance, vowing retribution against his betrayers as the chapter slams shut with a cliffhanger.
What stands out is the mood: darkness lingers, but the absence of backgrounds in many panels dulls the sense of place. No true moment of victory is handed out, just a lot of hungry glances, quick betrayals, and a world where survival is the only win left to be had.
Story
The pacing is brisk, sometimes tripping over itself to leap from revelation to battle without lingering on any emotional beat for long. Dialogue leans heavily on familiar vampire tropes, and while the structure aims for dramatic tension, many scenes are undercut by abrupt transitions that drain the narrative momentum. Exposition sometimes feels forced rather than earned.
Art
The art is competent but inconsistent. The clearest panels are reserved for action or close-ups, and the color work manages an occasional burst of mood; however, there’s a glaring lack of dramatic shadows that should have deepened the tone. Worse, several panels skip backgrounds altogether, turning vital scenes into bland, empty spaces and dampening the visual impact.
Characters
Dracula’s motivation is understandable: regain the throne. But his emotional arc is shallow. Supporting characters, from Lucy to mercenary antagonists, are mostly vehicles for betrayal, lacking depth or relatability. Characters act as needed for the plot but rarely feel consistent beyond their basic goals, making it hard to get invested in their struggles.
Originality & Concept Execution
While an exiled vampire king plotting revenge is promising, the comic doesn’t fully capitalize on the idea. Set pieces and lore are borrowed from genre staples, with no bold twists or subversions to set this apart. The club scene and sewer showdown offer a fun setup, but the story’s execution is safe; the premise is delivered, but not with memorable flair.
Positives
If you want a fast-paced read with dungeon escapes and high-stakes vampire power plays, King Dracula #1 delivers exactly what’s advertised. The brisk pacing ensures there’s no time wasted on slow build-up, and a colorful cast of characters ensures you’re never bored. When it comes to plot momentum and a glut of dramatic entrances, this comic gives readers plenty for their time.
Negatives
However, technical missteps sap the comic’s promise. The absence of backgrounds and dramatic lighting robs the art of mood and depth, making too many scenes visually forgettable. Dialogue skews generic, and betrayals land without enough emotional weight to make you care. Generic character motivations and recycled lore keep the comic from truly sinking its teeth into originality.
Art Samples:
The Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [2/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [2/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [1/2]
Final Thoughts:
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KING DRACULA #1 is proof that big ideas need big follow-through. The plot moves, the betrayals stack, but limp artwork and boilerplate dialogue make the reader wonder what could have been if the creative team had taken more risks. For budget-minded readers, only those desperately craving more vampire drama should commit. Everyone else might want to hold out for issue two before investing.
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