RISE OF DRACULA #1 – Review

RISE OF DRACULA #1, from Source Point Press on December 29th, 2021, begins a new era after the events of Cult of Dracula where Mina and her loyal bloodsuckers commence a campaign to take over the world.

The Details

• Written By: Rich Davis
• Art By: Puis Calzada
• Colors By: Alex Zief
• Letters By: Dave Lentz
• Cover Art By: Keyla Valerio (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: December 29, 2021

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Was It Good?

It’s no secret we’re big fans of horror, especially monster horror. Cult of Dracula was a big hit with our readers last year, and with good reason. Source Point delivered a fresh take on the legendary figure with a modern twist, and we enjoyed (nearly) every single page. Now, the creators are back with a sequel that imagines what happens when Mina, Lucy, and the rest are not content to hide in the shadows. Does it hold up against the first series? So far, maybe.

RISE OF DRACULA #1 keeps some parts of the previous series the same, jettisons other elements, and adds in a new theme for good measure.

What stays the same is the reverent and frequent display of shocking gore. It makes sense in this new context, and you can almost feel the creators relishing the new and creative ways they’ve dreamed up to kill people. In this emerging world, vampires see humans as cattle. Cattle which only exists to satisfy every sadistic, profane indulgence. For example, you’ll never look at the rain effects in a rave party the same way again.

What’s not present (so far) is the heavy feeling of tragedy and sadness. The series is tonally different right from the first page, feeling closer to an apocalyptic nightmare ala Dawn of the Dead. The previous series layered on pure emotion through grief, which made the series so memorable. The emotional weight is not present here… yet.

What’s new is the scale and scope of the story. The Army of Dracula, as we’re calling it for now, appears to be an indomitable force. Most of the issue comes rapid-fire, so there’s not much room to breathe and absorb what’s happening, but you get a clear vision that Washington D.C. has fallen very hard and very fast, and this shift builds tons of curiosity.

Before we talk about art, a quick word about politics. Before you get your panties in a twist, yes, there are a lot of political buzzwords in this issue, many of which sound like they’re ripped from the controversy of the daily headlines on Twitter or CNN. We here don’t ascribe to the “comics have always been political” argument. That’s a low I.Q. argument. That said, there’s nothing wrong with putting politics in a comic IF it fits the context of the story. In this issue, it fits the context of the story. You may be sick of hearing phrases like “peaceful protest” and “insurgence”, but the way it’s used in this issue makes sense, is organic to the theme, and ensures the narrative is evergreen long after Twitter is no more.

As for the art, Puis Calzada is back and has turned in a better performance over the last issue. The linework looks a little cleaner, more polished, and more detailed. Calzada’s pencils/inks are elevated further by phenomenal coloring from Alex Zief. From nearly every angle, the art team, including the excellent lettering from Dave Lentz, has upped its game. Visually this is a superior book to the previous series overall.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

We pick up some time later after the events of Cult of Dracula. Washington D.C. has fallen under a paramilitary force of human collaborators and vampires, led by Mina. Through the opening scenes, we see how resistance is quashed, communication with the world is carefully regulated for maximum propaganda effect, and non-collaborators are rounded up like cattle to be drained for bloodstock. Those who fight back are brutally murdered, and bodies litter the streets like trash.

Among the chaos and carnage, we find Arthur Holmwood moving with stealth from one location to the next, occasionally picking up refugees along the way. Not all vampires are in favor of the grand plan, and we find out Lucy is secretly aiding Arthur’s escape from Washington.

While there’s a spark of hope, we’re also introduced to equally powerful darkness – the Ruthven sisters. Ellie, Babs, and Lara Ruthven are vampires who kill and party with equal ferocity. We see how the sisters, particularly Ellie, break even the rules of their new regime to indulge their whims. The issue concludes with a bloody, wild rave party, Lucy saying a bloody goodbye, and the introduction of holy resistance.

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