Marvel and DC Both Have Their Own Versions of Dracula and Frankenstein

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As a lifelong fan of gothic literature and horror comics, I must say that both versions of Frankenstein’s monster have left a lasting impression on me. The DC Universe’s Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., with his dark past and military prowess, resonates deeply with my love for gritty anti-heroes. On the other hand, Marvel’s version, while less known, has a certain charm that I can’t help but appreciate – a classic monster trying to find its place in a modern world filled with superhumans.

In the realm of horror, Dracula and Frankenstein‘s Monster stand as timeless icons, tracing their roots to the gothic literature of the 19th century, the golden era of Hollywood, and even the DC and Marvel Comics universes. Since these characters are part of the public domain and have been for a considerable time, it was an irresistible opportunity for the two leading comic book companies worldwide to include them in their interconnected storylines. However, one publishing house embraced these characters more extensively than the other, shaping the DC and Marvel histories of Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster.

The DC Universe Dracula

In the DC comic book world, characters portrayed as Dracula showed up in multiple series, but the most notable instance was when he and Frankenstein’s Monster clashed with Superman. However, this version of Dracula wasn’t a real character from fiction; instead, magic brought him to life. This story unfolded in Superman #344, published in 1980 by Paul Levitz and illustrated by Curt Swan. This was many years after Marvel Comics had given Dracula his own comic book series. The authentic Count Dracula from Transylvania didn’t emerge in the DC universe until following the Crisis on Infinite Earths reboot.

Superman Fights Count Rominoff, DC’s Dracula

In the year 2002, the authentic Dracula squared off against Superman for the very first time. This extraordinary encounter unfolded in “Superman” volume 2 issue #180, written by Jeph Loeb and Geoff Johns, and illustrated by Ian Churchill. The narrative plays off the initial scenes of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, as Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen find themselves at Count Rominoff’s Transylvanian castle. This count sported pale skin, a long dark cloak, and an attire reminiscent of a vampire. Although it’s hard to imagine Superman not detecting the supernatural element right away, we’ll roll with it for now.

In due course, the Metropolis trio uncovers that Count Rominoff is none other than the infamous Count Dracula. Using his hypnotic abilities, Dracula managed to subdue Superman, who, besides Kryptonite, is susceptible to magic. Unfortunately, Dracula’s blunder occurred when he attempted to bite Superman and drain his alien blood. Given that Superman’s cells absorb solar energy, biting him was akin to feeding on sunlight, causing Dracula to disintegrate instantly. Regrettably, we haven’t seen Dracula in the DC universe since then. However, it seems only fitting for someone to resurrect this iconic character, as history tells us he always returns.

Batman vs. Dracula of Earth-43

In an alternate universe of the DC multiverse, I found myself face to face with Dracula, a far more dominant figure than in my familiar world. On Earth-43, I crossed swords with Vlad the Impaler, not in the traditional sense of history, but in a trilogy of Elseworlds tales penned by Doug Moench and illustrated by Kelley Jones.

The Marvel Universe Dracula

In contrast to DC Comics, Dracula has had a more prominent role in Marvel’s primary universe. After the Comics Code Authority lifted its long-standing ban on vampires in comics, Marvel introduced a series dedicated to Dracula, titled “Tomb of Dracula“. This series, primarily written by future “New Teen Titans” writer Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Gene Colan for its entire 70-issue span, was an immediate success. The storyline featured a ruthless Count Dracula who clashed with a band of vampire hunters, one of whom later became a superstar, Blade.

Dracula vs. the X-Men and Doctor Strange

Following the conclusion of “Tomb of Dracula” in 1979, the character had a brief hiatus. However, as we all know, Dracula never stays down for long. In the early ’80s, he attempted to turn Storm of the X-Men into his undead bride and engaged in battles with Thor, the Silver Surfer, and even the Avengers. He tried to feed on Spider-Man, but found his radioactive blood unpalatable. Yet, among the Marvel heroes, Dracula’s most significant adversary was Doctor Strange. On multiple occasions, the Lord of Vampires clashed with the Sorcerer Supreme who managed to devise a method to eliminate vampires using the Montesi Formula. Once again, Dracula was seemingly removed from the Marvel universe for a while, but as history has shown, that’s never a permanent solution.

In the 21st century, Dracula returned as a significant menace to the Marvel Universe’s 616 reality. In the comic series “X-Men: Curse of the Mutants – X-Men vs. Vampires” from 2010, Dracula’s son, Xarus, emerged as an even greater danger than his father. First, he employed his vampire forces to eliminate his father. Then, he aimed to conquer San Francisco, a city inhabited by the X-Men at that time. During this period, the X-Man Jubilee was turned into a vampire. To vanquish Xarus, the X-Men had to revive their old adversary, thereby restoring Dracula as the ruler of the Vampires. Coincidentally, around the same time, Dracula also sought dominion over the United Kingdom, leading to confrontations with Captain Britain.

Dracula Creates the Nation of Vampyrsk and the Events of Blood Hunt

In his latest schemes against Marvel’s champions, Dracula aimed to harm nearly everyone, including engaging in a battle with Deadpool and biting him. However, he discovered that Deadpool’s tainted blood was toxic to him, prompting him to vow never to hear the name of the Merc with the Mouth again. Over time, Dracula played a role in forming a vampire nation called Vampyrsk within the radioactive aftermath of Chernobyl, Russia. During the 2024 event known as Bloodhunt, the vampires blocked out the sun, establishing their rule. Interestingly, during this event, Dracula assisted the good guys. The series concludes with Dracula and other vampires becoming resistant to sunlight.

The DC Universe Version of Frankenstein

In this discussion, let’s concentrate on the original Frankenstein Monster from Mary Shelley’s “Modern Prometheus,” not any characters who share similarities or references to him. Characters such as the Patchwork Man and others may have borrowed elements from Victor Frankenstein’s creation, but they are not the same character as the original Frankenstein Monster.

The Spawn of Frankenstein Emerges in the ’70s

Initially, the distinctive DC portrayal of the creature was named “The Spawn of Frankenstein.” This interpretation debuted in the 1973 issue of ‘Phantom Stranger.’ The creators behind this version were Marv Wolfman (writer) and Mike Kaluta (artist) from ‘Tomb of Dracula.’ Unlike most other depictions, this Spawn bore a striking resemblance to the descriptions in Mary Shelley’s novel rather than Boris Karloff. He made recurring appearances in various DC series during the Bronze Age before being omitted from continuity following the ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ reboot.

The Modern DC Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E

In the 21st century, the contemporary version of Frankenstein in DC Comics was brought to life by writer Grant Morrison and artist Doug Mahnke. This new iteration made his debut in issue #1 of Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein. Unlike his original story by Mary Shelley, this Frankenstein survived the novel’s events and swam across the ocean to America. Given that he’s undead, this seems plausible! His appearance is much more monstrous and green than his pre-Crisis counterpart, and he boasts an impressive physique with near Superman levels of strength. In essence, Frankenstein transforms into an immortal soldier. After numerous adventures, he joined Morrison’s Seven Soldiers of Victory and eventually became an agent for the government organization S.H.A.D.E. (Super-Human Advanced Defense Executive).

In 2011, DC underwent another universe restart, this time called The New 52. During this period, a monster gained a fresh ongoing series titled “Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E“. This version was similar to the one in the “Seven Soldiers ” storyline, but with minor changes. The series spanned 16 issues, primarily penned by Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt, with Alberto Ponticelli handling the artwork. Once the series concluded, Frankenstein joined the Justice League Dark for a while, then worked alongside both Batman and Superman. Later, he became the head of the Creature Commandos, a role that will soon be recognized in the DCU in an upcoming animated show.

The Marvel Universe Version of Frankenstein

At Marvel Comics, the Frankenstein Monster was reintroduced at approximately the same period as Dracula. However, the Frankenstein series didn’t last as long or have the same influence. After _Tomb of Dracula_ and _Ghost Rider_ became popular as if they were selling demonic pancakes, Marvel editors decided to explore the Creature. He made a sort of debut in a 1960s issue of _Uncanny X-Men_, but that incarnation was a robot. The genuine version didn’t appear until 1973 in _The Monster of Frankenstein_ #1, which was penned by writer Mike Friedrich and illustrated by Mike Ploog. During the initial issues, they adapted Mary Shelley’s novel before moving the Monster into contemporary times.

The Monster of Frankenstein Is One of Marvel’s Lesser Known Horror Titles

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve followed the tales of many iconic comic book characters over the years, and one that truly captured my imagination was the Monster of Frankenstein. This guy ran for 18 issues, which wasn’t too shabby, but when you compare it to other monster books like Tomb of Dracula and Ghost Rider, it pales in comparison. Despite this, Frankenstein’s monster managed to make appearances in various Marvel Comics of the time, such as Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers, and Iron Man. He even joined forces with other Marvel monsters for a brief stint in the Legion of Monsters series. However, by the ’80s and ’90s, he seemed to disappear from the pages of Marvel Comics almost entirely.

Lately, the Frankenstein Monster reappeared, this time under the employ of Phil Coulson for S.H.I.E.L.D.’s supernatural task force, known as the Howling Commandos. Reminiscent of his DC counterpart, the contemporary Marvel Frankenstein has found a significant role in a covert special forces unit, serving as an undead soldier. Although he may not hold the same prominence within the Marvel universe as Dracula (with whom he’s had numerous encounters), Frankenstein lingers in the background. He continues to defy death and is certain to resurface again. Neither Frankenstein nor Dracula are ever gone for long from their comic book worlds.

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2024-10-26 01:33