From Renfield to The Last Voyage of the Demeter, we've recently seen some truly unique takes on Bram Stoker's iconic bloodsucking creation, and soon writer James Tynion IV and artist Martin Simmonds will introduce readers to their own eerie adaptation of Universal's 1931 film Dracula with their new comic book series Universal Monsters: Dracula. A partnership between Skybound and Universal Products & Experiences, Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 will be released in comic book shops on October 25th (just in time to read by candlelight on Halloween night), and following their exclusive reveal at Bloody Disgusting, we have a look at marvelously macabre preview pages featuring Renfield warning his doctor that "your blood belongs to the Master."
Press Release: LOS ANGELES 08/31/2023 — Today Skybound, in partnership with Universal Products & Experiences, revealed a first look at Universal Monsters: Dracula #1, the debut issue of a new extra-length four-part comic book limited series from the best-selling team of Eisner Award-winning writer James Tynion IV (Something is Killing the Children, The Nice House on the Lake) and artist Martin Simmonds (Swan Songs), who have earned multiple Eisner Award nominations for their hit series The Department of Truth. The issue will be available in comic book shops on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds re-team to tell a new tale of the monster who started it all and inspired by Universal Pictures’ 1931 film – Dracula! When Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible...his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted Count Dracula!
In addition to “Dracula” himself, this series features popular characters from the classic original film, including R.M. Renfield, Mina Seward, Doctor John Seward, Van Helsing, and more. Both long-time and new fans of the Universal Monsters movies can expect new twists, encounters, and a deep dive into the darkest corners of this timeless villain’s narrative.
Universal Monsters: Dracula will be followed by all-new limited series spotlighting iconic Universal Monsters from some of the biggest names in comics. Each series will feature variant covers from some of the best artists working in comics today—Joshua Middleton, Francis Manapul, Julian Totino-Tedesco, and Jenny Frison.
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 (Lunar Codes below | SRP: $4.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
The full list of covers is below:
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover A by Martin Simmonds (Lunar Code 0723IM809)
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton (Lunar Code 0723IM810)
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover C Blank Sketch Cover (Lunar Code 0723IM811)
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover A by Martin SimmondsABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT
Established in 2010, Skybound is a multiplatform content company that works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to create cool stuff and deliver one-of-a-kind experiences to fans. Skybound extends their stories across platforms including comics, television, film, video games, tabletop, books, digital content, audio programming, and beyond. The company is home to critically-acclaimed global franchises including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Superfight, and hit new podcast series Impact Winter.
Led by Skybound Entertainment co-founder Robert Kirkman, Skybound Comics is an award-winning imprint of Image Comics and promotes a shared vision to collaborate with top and emerging talent across the comics industry. The Skybound publishing slate includes acclaimed series such as The Walking Dead, Invincible, Ultramega, Stillwater, Fire Power, and Excellence, while also delivering powerful licensed comics, including a partnership with LEGO Books. It is also home to Skybound Comet, a new original graphic novel imprint aimed at Young Adult and Middle Grade audiences, launching in June 2022 with Clementine Book One, by award-winning writer/artist Tillie Walden and set in the world of The Walking Dead. Skybound has seen numerous comics series adapted for the screen, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur and Outcast, with more projects in development.
For the most up to date information on Skybound, please visit the company on Twitter (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment), Instagram (@skyboundent), Discord (Skybound), Reddit (Skybound), and at www.skybound.com.
Dracula© Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
During the golden age of Hollywood, Universal Pictures brought legends of the horror genre to life in its classic monster films. The legacies of Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Phantom of the Opera, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde endure to this day as the original icons whose stories symbolize the misunderstood, the outsider, and the misfit. This Universal Monsters capsule collection is proud to feature the artwork of renowned creature designer and art director Crash McCreery whose vision creates a contemporary spin on these classic characters.
ABOUT JAMES TYNION IV
James Tynion IV is an Eisner Award winning, New York Times bestselling writer and publisher of comic books. He is best known for co-creating hit horror comics series like Something is Killing the Children, The Nice House on the Lake, and the Department of Truth. He is also the writer of Young Adult adventure series, like 2022 GLAAD Media Award nominated Wynd, and the 2017 GLAAD Media Award winner The Woods. He spent ten years writing various Batman titles at DC Comics, where he co-created exciting new characters like Punchline and Ghost-Maker. He lives and works in Brooklyn.
ABOUT MARTIN SIMMONDS
Martin Simmonds is a comic artist, and co-creator of the Eisner nominated The Department of Truth (with James Tynion IV) for Image Comics, Dying is Easy (with Joe Hill) for IDW, Punks Not Dead (with David Barnett) for Black Crown/IDW, and Friendo (with Alex Paknadel) for Vault Comics. He is also one of six contributing artists on Image Comics’ Swan Songs, an anthology series written by W Maxwell Prince. Martin is also a cover artist with his work appearing on titles from Marvel, DC, Image, Boom!, Vault, and IDW.
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover A by Martin Simmonds:
Universal Monsters: Dracula #1 Cover B by Joshua Middleton:
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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