The first thing I need to tell you about The Death of Dracula one-shot is that it is not a one-shot at all. This issue is not a stand-alone story but is, in fact, the starting point for another big event storyline. Please note, that I called it a big event and not mega event because while this storyline will involve Blade, Namor, the X-Men and others it does not involve the whole Marvel universe. Right away, that means if you don’t want to get involved in a storyline that crosses over into half a dozen different series then don’t read this issue. If that prospect does not bother you then go right ahead and pick-up The Death of Dracula. While, this one-shot may seem slow paced or may not have enough action in it for some people that really is not the case. Given, the fact, that this is just the beginning of the storyline it moves along at a good clip and has plenty of action.
SPOILER WARNING In this issue Dracula’s youngest son, Xarus, kills his father with the help of others and stages a coup d’etat. Not everyone is happy about this development and a power struggle for control of vampire society ensues. In the end Xarus crushes all his opponents except his brother Janus who escapes to fight another day. This leaves Xarus in position to put his plan to make vampirekind the dominant force on Earth into motion. Needless, to say this is not good news for any non-vampires. END SPOILER WARNING In the end how good this issue really is will be determined by how good the overall storyline is; unfortunately we will not know that for some time. The Death of Dracula is a solid beginning and, who knows, maybe this will mark the return of classic horror characters to greater prominence in the Marvel universe.
Keith Forney