UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2, by Image Comics on 11/22/23, brings the infamous Count to the halls of the Seward house when Dr. Seward crosses paths with Abraham Van Helsing, and young Lucy locks eyes with a captivating stranger.
The Details
- Written by: James Tynion IV
- Art by: Martin Simmonds
- Colors by: Martin Simmonds
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Martin Simmonds (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: November 22, 2023
Is UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 Good?
UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 continues James Tynion IV’s blood-soaked love letter to the original Universal film as Count Dracula makes his dominating presence known to Dr. Seward and his familial circle. Straying just enough from the original film to stand on its own, but close enough to feel familiar, Tynion’s take on the King of Universal Monsters is a treat for horror fans.
When last we left the cast of characters, all of London was left buzzing about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the shipwreck of the Demeter. The shadow of death stretched from the sea to the city as Dr. Seward became increasingly uneasy from the rantings of a recently admitted madman, Renfield. Now Lucy Westernra and Mina Seward revel in the gossip surrounding a mysterious Count Dracula who hails from the same port as the Demeter. Meanwhile, Dr. Seward encounters the eccentric Abraham Van Helsing, who claims to know more about Renfield’s condition than anyone suspects.
Readers wondering if this comic adaptation is a shot-for-shot remake of the original will be pleased to know it’s not. Most of the story elements and characters are effectively the same, but Tynion changes the perspectives and individual character moments to give the story a fresh countenance. This isn’t an “updated for modern audiences” update, simply a different point of view.
What’s great about UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2? Tynion’s reverence for the source material comes through loud and clear in an adaptation that treats the infamous Count as an indelible presence in every scene. Tynion creates a Count whose omnipresent influence catalyzes a growing atmosphere of dread.
What’s not so great about UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2? This point isn’t a criticism so much as it’s an observation about an oddity. UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 marks the halfway point of the series, and we’ve not met the Count or heard him speak once. Renfield, so far, has more character development. On the one hand, the lack of speaking time for the Count reinforces the Count’s status as a force of Nature, but his lack of presence on the page leaves little time for Tynion to give the Count a voice in the remaining two issues.
How’s the art? Phenomenal. Martin Simmonds makes wall-worthy artistic choices with panels and whole pages practically guaranteed to be collectors’ items. Whoever dreamed up the pairing of Tynion and Simmonds on this project deserves extra kudos.
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What’s UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #1 review to find out what happened after the Demeter ran aground.
We begin with an evening out with London’s elite and well-to-do in attendance. Lucy can’t help chattering away about the mysterious Count Dracula she met earlier in the evening. Dr. Seward is likewise preoccupied with thoughts of the Count, but his thoughts increasingly unsettle.
Later, Dr. Seward and Johnathan Harker enjoy a nightclub at the local pub, where they meet the boisterous and eccentric Abraham Van Helsing. Dr. Seward is unimpressed with Van Helsing’s superstitious ramblings, but Van Helsing is keen to get to know Dr. Seward, particularly when he receives news of his newest patient, Renfield.
We conclude the issue with off-putting advice, an open window, and a ghastly morning.
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Final Thoughts
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UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 is a gorgeously-rendered, faithfully yet creatively adapted take on the classic Universal film. Tynion’s respect for the source material is palpable, but his version feels fresh enough to stand on its own. And Simmonds’ gorgeous art is a collectors’ dream.
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