Evil, like a good story, never dies. Merely, it gets passed down and reshaped through generations, like a shadow over society. The horror genre always has been a safe outlet for that darker side. Yet, for every creation of the imagination, there is a greater seed of psychosis that served its origin: for every Hannibal Lecter, there is a Charles Manson; every Red State, a Jonestown. Hell, for Count Dracula, there is a real-world counterpart in Vlad the Impaler.
For debut comic-book writer Richard Davis, these marred legacies certainly left their impression on himimpressions he now aims to unleash on the comic-book reading masses. Cult of Dracula is an 18-issue mini-series, broken into three volumes. Based off of Davis original 2013 play Dracula Re-Imagined, the first issue hits store shelves nationwide on August 5, from independent comic publisher Second Sight Publishing. The company has full faith in the title and has placed an order of about 15,000 copies for the first issue. Insanely enough, were on track to sell out that first print run! Davis gleefully proclaims.
Set in a modern world, characters from the famed Bram Stoker novel are dropped into the meat grinder of a Jonestown-like compound and fronted by the maniacally mysterious R.M. Renfield, but led by something far older, far eviler. Readers will see myths meet maniacs as a human game of chess is waged by monstrous players. Davis script finds parallels between Manson and Dracula.
As a child, two things absolutely terrified me: Count Dracula and Charles Manson, Davis admits. Its something about the power they have over people. The things people would do for those two figures scare the hell out of me.
In 2014 the play won Best Original Production at the Star-News Wilmington Theater Awards. After the victory, Davis (who owned/ran the now-defunct Browncoat Pub & Theatre from 2007 to 2016) knew his story had lifeblood left in it. He set off to turn his adaption into a film throughout 2015. The best-laid plans of mice and men found the project lost in the limbo of development hell. Undeterred, Davis carried with him a journeyman spirit, the same he brought to his ragtag theatre venue.
Anyone can do it, but its not easy, he says. No one will open the door for you. Sometimes you have to kick the fucker down yourself.
Davis, who owns the comic book shop Nirvana Comics in Knoxville, TN, saw horror titles like The Walking Dead and Hellboy were filling up and selling off the shelves. He knew exactly what medium Cult of Dracula was primed for: graphic novels. It was when he paired with professional artist Henry Martinez (Ghost Rider, Spirits of Vengeance, Blaze) the title began to come to life. Davis found a true partner-in-crime with Martinez.
Henry and I work very well together, he says. Weve been in sync since we first began discussing the project. I didnt need to hold anything back. I knew Henry could recreate whatever insanity I put onto the page.
Rounding out the rest of the creative team is Trevor Richardson as the colorist and Ed Dukeshire, who handles lettering for the comic. Cult of Dracula will boast a number of impressive variant covers from the whos who of the comic-book industry. The likes of Carla Cohen (The Boys: Dear Becky), Gyula Nemeth (Criminal Macabre), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root) and Georges Jeanty (Buffy, Firefly, X-Men) are all producing a cover.
While Davis feels pressure to give readers the story theyre familiar with, he also promises many new surprises brought to the Dracula/vampire lore. I started researching mythologies from different cultures, he says, and started to notice a common character, La Llorona, Babaroga, Medusa, Lilith. Shes an outcast/cursed woman who steals children; she was Lucy in Bram Stokers Dracula.' The research led Davis to a simple yet radical change to the storyswitching the gender of the typically male Dracula to female.
It became a story about a woman seeking her birthright, pursuing her history and her legacy, Davis explains. Its been fun to challenge stereotypes and tropes. There are no damsels in distress in Cult of Dracula. There are no Mary Suescertainly, no refrigerators (a notorious reference to the bizarre death of DC Comics Green Lanterns girlfriend).
The story is stuffed to the brim with blood, guts, monsters and madmen. None of those things are what has Davis spooked, though. For him, its waiting on the comics release that keeps him up at night. My biggest fear is no one will read it, you know? he asks rhetorically. Its imposter syndrome. I dont even care if its liked, I just want it out there. To know I did something.
Cult of Dracula is available now for pre-order through corner-box.com.
See the original post here:
MYTHS MEET MANIACS: Richard Davis' new comic book combines the horror of Dracula with Charles Manson ILM's Alternative Weekly Voice - encore Online
- Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Review: Oshkosh troupes Dracula has a bit of bite [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold: One part horror to 20 parts fantasy [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold is the beginning of a Marvelesque Universal monsters reboot [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- How Universal Created a Living Trailer for 'Dracula Untold' at its Theme Parks [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- To sell 'Dracula Untold,' Universal asks you to add bats to your video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Luke Evans injured by over-sized fangs on Dracula Untold [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula's Dungeon Found in Turkey? Tale Gets Tangled [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Every Generation Gets The Dracula It Deserves: A Very Important Dracula Timeline [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- 'Dracula Untold': Luke Evans sinks teeth into Vlad Tepes for vampire epic [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker Audiobook - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Rome Press Conference: Luke Evans and Sarah Gadon - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Premiere in New York: Director Gary Shore - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Instant Chronique du Daron "Dracula Untold et Sex Tape" - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- principe de la oscuridad vlad dracula - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- OBT DRACULA VS THE MUMMY - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- 141005 Dracula and Nosferatu - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) - Movie Review - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold, Addicted - Guests: Steve Carell & Jennifer Garner | Weekend Ticket | FandangoMovies - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold In Theaters Friday TV Spot 8 HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold: What's the Fun of a Dracula Who Hates Neck-Biting? [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- The Dracula: Untold Cast Spills On More Universal Monster Movies [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- 'Dracula Untold' Stars Fete Their Historically-Based Vampire Tale Without "Forbidden Love" [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold: Luke Evans "Vlad" Movie Premiere Interview - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Special Screening: Actor Luke Evans (Full) - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Movie CLIP - Vlads son (2014) - Luke Evans HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Pro-Metheus - Bram Stokers Dracula (Hip Hop Instrumental Remix) - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold premiere: Sarah Gadon - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- HHN 24 - Dracula Untold - Reign of blood (no in house video) - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Alexander and Mina - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold - movie review - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold TV SPOT - In Theaters Friday (2014) - Luke Evans Movie HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Featurette - Vlad vs. 1000 (2014) - Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper Movie HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- Ghiznu - Dracula Cowboy (acoustic) - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- podcast 08, Angry Bird, Crepusculo, Dracula, etc. - Video [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2014]
- At the movies: Through Oct. 16 [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- The Weekend Warrior: Dracula Untold, Alexander's Bad Day, The Judge, Addicted [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Movie Review: Dracula Untold [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- 'Dracula Untold' review: Fangs for nothing [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- 6 Things to Do in Transylvania Other Than Becoming Undead [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold - Custom Trailer (HD) - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- LUKE EVANS Stars in Dracula Untold or Dracula On Toast? - The Graham Norton Show on BBC AMERICA - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Dracula part of movie universe? - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Halloween Drawings - How To Draw Cute Dracula by Garbi KW - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Trevor vs True Dracula (No Damage, No Spells) - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Dracula - Thug Notes Summary & Analysis - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Official Trailer (2014). Stars Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- FMA & GRWM - Social Movie Night "Dracula Untold" - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Movie Update: Dracula Untold - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- DRACULA (nueva version) - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- DAY 2 "ME ENAMORO DRACULA" | Lemonadelife - Video [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- "Dracula Untold" Flies to PH IMAX Theaters Oct 15 [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Luke Evans on biting into "Dracula Untold" role [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold has very little to say [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Dracula nothing to sink your teeth into [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- The Wild Evolution of Vampires, From Bram Stoker to Dracula Untold [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- 'Dracula Untold' proves vampire allure is hard to resist [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Movie Review (Schmoes Know) - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold Comic Trailer (2014) - Luke Evans Movie HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Get the Look | Junsu Dracula | - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Book Review Wednesdays #20: Dracula - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Movies in a Minute: 'The Judge', 'Dracula Untold' & More - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Chey Dracula. - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Sarah Gadon Interview - Dracula Untold (HD) 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- DRACULA BALANGI Trke Alt Yazl lk Fragman - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Luke Evans Interview - Dracula Untold (HD) 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold - Behind the scenes Interviews - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- The History of Dracula in Film - A Monster's Transformation HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- Sarah Gadon Talks Playing Mirena In 'Dracula Untold' - Video [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2014]
- 'Dracula Untold' sinks some fun into a muddled plot [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold nothing to sink your teeth into [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Dracula Untold review [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Box office: 'Dracula Untold' unearths $1.3 million Thursday night [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Happy Hour - #Oprah reaction, Worst Dracula Films, Paltrow gushes over Obama - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- DRACULA UNTOLD Interview - Sarah Gadon - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- The Judge, Dracula Untold movie review - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- Is Dracula Untold a Superhero Film? - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- DRACULA UNTOLD - Double Toasted Video Review - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]
- [NEW]Dracula Untold Trailer #2[1080p HD] - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2014]