UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3, by Image Comics on 12/27/23, escalates the fear when Dr. Seward admits he’s unable to stop people from dying due to mysterious blood loss.
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: December 27, 2023
Is UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3 Good?
James Tynion IV’s homage to cinematic horror takes a grisly turn in UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3. Deviating enough from the original film to stand on its own, yet close enough to be familiar, Tynion IV leans into the growing atmosphere of panic as Dracula’s appetites leave a pile of bodies in his wake.
When last we left Mina, John, and Dr. Seward, Lucy Western fell victim to the Count’s bloodlust and died a horrible death. Now, Mina and John mourn Lucy’s passing as Dr. Seward searches for a cure to what he believes is a plague, forcing him to consult an unorthodox source. Meanwhile, Mina makes a risky move to search for answers.
More than the previous two issues, UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3 deviates the most from the source material in a way that some may view as an improvement. Rather than keeping Dracula’s exploits centered on Mina and Lucy, we learn that the Count drains people from the entire area, which shows how powerful the Count’s influence has become among London’s citizens.
What’s great about UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3? Tynion IV crafts a chapter that expands the moody atmosphere in scale and scope significantly beyond the film this series homages. We’re not quite ready to say Tynion IV improves on the original, but a case could be made.
What’s not so great about UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3? As moody and atmospheric as this series is, we still get precious little Dracula beyond a force working in the background. There’s not one word of dialog uttered by the Count, and he only has one character interaction in the entire comic. With one issue left to go, Tynion IV leaves precious little time to give the Count a voice, which would be a hugely missed opportunity.
How’s the art? Martin Simmonds breathes the supernatural life of the undead into this comic, and it’s a frightful joy to read. Simonds cast a dingy gloom over the entire comic, interrupted only by an impactful shock of red. In every way, Simmonds was a brilliant choice for this story.
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What’s UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #2 review to find out how Lucy met a tragic end.
We begin with Mina and John attending Lucy’s funeral as they discuss the growing feeling of dread permeating their lives. Mina wishes Dr. Seward could attend, but John reminds her that more people are dying in the same manner as Lucy, and the Doctor is trying everything he can to save lives and find a cure.
Dr. Seward meets with the Sanitorium’s administrator because the Doctor’s life-saving experiments keep failing. The administrator orders Seward to consult with Van Helsing. Grudgingly, Dr. Seward agrees.
Later, Mina steals her father’s keys and pays a nighttime visit to Renfield, hoping he will shed light on Lucy’s death. We conclude the issue with glowing, red eyes, pleading, and the next victim.
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Final Thoughts
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UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: DRACULA #3 expands the Count’s dreadful influence over London as the body count climbs and hope fades. Tynion IV crafts a respectful homage to the classic film while possibly improving upon its plot, and Simmonds’s artwork is gloriously creepy.
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