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Post by Calenture on Oct 22, 2007 17:06:23 GMT
Can't have a comic book thread without comic books. Pencils by Gene Colan (who else?); writer Marv Wolfman; letterer, John Costanza; colourists colorists, Tom Palmer issue 26, L Lessmann issue 18; Editor Roy Thomas. 1974 issues I thought these were great, really good reading, and I collected them in both US and English b/w reprints. Another huge favourite for me was Tales of the Zombie. The comic book where I first encountered him, he waded out of a swamp, snapped an alligator in half, then entered a house where it seemed they were re-enacting The Cat and the Canary, replete with a victim impaled by two swords through his eyes, driven through a painting. Anyone want to see a scan? Nah, didn't think so.  |
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Post by killercrab on Oct 23, 2007 16:41:16 GMT
Marvel's TOMB OF DRACULA started life as a quick cash in on the trendy horror boom of the early 70's and ran for an incredible 8 years - 70 issues *most* of which were created by the legendary team of Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan in the most historic run of any artist/writer team of the decade.
From #2 onwards , the Dracula masterplan emerged as initial writer Conway jettisoned the Universal approach and moved the series from Transylvania to 1970's swinging London - a direct result of his appreciation of Hammer films.
The initial premise of the book was the conflict between Dracula and Frank Drake his descendent - Drake joins up with vampire hunters Rachel Van Helsing , Quincy Harker and Taj Nital - a mute Indian - eventually this team join forces with Blade the Vampire Hunter - an uneasy alliance which ebbs and flows.
After Marv Wolfman took over the writing reins Dracula became even more fleshed out and instead of being a one dimensional villian - he becomes an obsessed and tragic figure - identifiable - and it was this that cemented the book in the hearts of it's fans.
Marvel have recently issued the ESSENTIAL Tomb of Dracula - books 1 and 2 , reprinting in glorious b/w issues 1-49 - at the economical price of around 11 quid each .
Essential is the word ...
ade
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Post by Calenture on Oct 23, 2007 17:38:30 GMT
Thanks, Ade. That's a hell of a lot more than I knew about them! I looked back at the original Vault thread and see you'd mentioned some controversy about Marvel censoring the nudity in this comic. Oddly enough, I don't remember any nudity in it!  |
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Post by killercrab on Oct 23, 2007 19:24:57 GMT
The nudity was seen in the original DRACULA LIVES b/w magazines not the comics. When Marvel came to reprint them last year ( after exhausting the color comics) - they censored the overt nudity by having things like hair drawn over the naughty bits.
It caused an uproar in collector circles.
Since then they've put an advisory notice on their latest *magazine* reprints to keep them uncensored , which is what they should of done for Dracula.It's a shame really but I think if you are a serious fan you'll probably get the original issues anyway. I think the Essentials are great cost saving device for newbies - but the lack of colour is a little detrimental , particularly when looking at Gene Colan's work which depends to a degree on colour holding the shapes adding clarity.
ade
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ghannah01
Crab On The Rampage
It's dark in here. Anyone have a match?
Posts: 28
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Post by ghannah01 on Jan 25, 2008 9:22:17 GMT
;D ;D ;D
I've read the odd issue over the years and coming across one again recently has given me a blood-lust to buy the Essential volumes.
Gene Colan's art is indeed stunning and I was always curious about the ongoing story.
Fangs for the review.
Glen
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Post by allthingshorror on Mar 31, 2008 8:09:22 GMT
I was always loved the way that Blade first arrived in Tomb of Dracula. He was so badass.
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Post by mattofthespurs on Sept 18, 2008 9:31:07 GMT
M Marvel have recently issued the ESSENTIAL Tomb of Dracula - books 1 and 2 , reprinting in glorious b/w issues 1-49 - at the economical price of around 11 quid each . Essential is the word ... ade The whole series is complete now with a total of 4 volumes including all the stuff from the B/W magazine. Also out is one volume of Werewolf By Midnight, Tales of The Zombie, and Monster Of Frankenstein. As you say, all essential. |
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Post by killercrab on Sept 18, 2008 13:40:57 GMT
Except that Essentials Tomb Of Dracula vol. 4 was censored - the nudity covered up. Caused quite a stir in the collecting community which is why any subsequent Essential horror books haven't been castrated by Marvel.
Just finished reading the final 20 issues of Tomb Of Dracula . Dracula gains a son and loses his powers before the final battle with wheelchair bound Quincy Harker. Brilliant stuff.
KC
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Post by mattofthespurs on Sept 18, 2008 14:58:09 GMT
Except that Essentials Tomb Of Dracula vol. 4 was censored - the nudity covered up. Caused quite a stir in the collecting community which is why any subsequent Essential horror books haven't been castrated by Marvel. KC Thats a shame. Can't say I have got that far as of yet. Luckily I have a complete run of all 3 Marvel titles. |
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Post by killercrab on Sept 18, 2008 15:12:43 GMT
Yeah it's the reprints from the magazine Tomb Of Dracula that were censored not the colour comic series. I like the handy aspect of these Essential archives - though I'll be taking a look at the Dracula colour archives that are coming!
KC
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Post by mattofthespurs on Sept 19, 2008 9:14:34 GMT
Definately looking forward to the colour archive sets.
I collect the EC ones too and also got the recent "Creepy" volume from Dark Horse. If they are anything like that then they'll be a treat.
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Post by killercrab on Sept 19, 2008 16:16:20 GMT
Matt - I'd love to pick up the E.C archives myself. I do have the large format b/w sets released with slipcases - the three horror series and Piracy! Persuading myself that I need the colour versions is a job since I learned to love these ghastly comics in b/w! I'll very likely be tempted though -lol
Great to see some action in the comics section - there's more to life than Pan ... heh
KC
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Post by mattofthespurs on Sept 20, 2008 9:21:56 GMT
I love the B/W EC archives and after 20 years since I started collecting them I have the whole she-bang I have the near entire collection. I have 16 slip cased volumes. Just missing the 'Panic' one. Might have to put up a pic later.
Bloody love those sets. ;D
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orlof
Crab On The Rampage
Posts: 27
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Post by orlof on Sept 22, 2008 12:05:32 GMT
I have all those essentials, but I could not resist the upcoming color volumes. I'm really looking forward to the second Omnibus edition personally, the series starts strong, but it really starts rocking as it gets weirder and weirder with each progressive issue. I guess the first omnibus has two covers, here is the variant.  |
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Post by killercrab on Sept 28, 2008 1:28:37 GMT
That's a stormin' color job! Just started the second Essentials volume myself. I love the serialised comic itself - the cast , the twists - the Annuals/Specials though not so much. They're okay but lack that the creative teamwork of Colan and Wolfman that is so important the it's success. I'm reading the Essentials in reverse order in a momento way - lol - don't ask why. Dunno - adds a weirdness . ;D
KC
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