Review: RUINS OF RAVENCROFT: DRACULA #1 Captures The Essence of 30s Horror – Monkeys Fighting Robots

Marvel Comics Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula #1 (on sale January 22) infuses a classic monster movie with the superhero genre. Writer Frank Tieri tells a fun standalone story that smoothly sets up the launch of the upcoming main series, Ravencroft, by ending the issue on a captivating cliffhanger

Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula #1

Writer: Frank Tieri

Artist (modern day): Angel Unzueta

Artist (flashback): Stefano Landini

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letter: VCs Travis Lanham

Tieri continues where the previous Ravencroft one-shots left off and maintains the same horror-based tone. Like its predecessors, this installment is primarily a period piece that takes us back to the 40s. Tieri chronologically jumps through time and the story feels dynamic because it shows how Ravencroft has deteriorated over the years.

Many famous characters have passed through Ravencrofts walls through the years, including Loki.

Whereas last issue showed Nathaniel Essexs mad science, this story villainizes the United States government, whos willing to do whatever it takes to win World War II. Naturally, this desperation leads to more evil experimentation. From there, the plot naturally connects to Captain America, the governments greatest success story. Tieri masterfully weaves various parts of Marvel history together and, even when he brings Dracula into the fold, he gets you to suspend your disbelief. In the Marvel Universe, its easy to buy into a world where the Count threatens to use his influence to sway the outcome of the war.

The art team brings the legendary vampire to life by paying tribute to the classic 1931 movie with Bela Lugosi. A few scenes feel like theyre ripped right from the film. When the Count attacks Cap and Bucky Barnes, he takes the form of fog. After Bucky questions the toxic cloud, Dracula ominously says, What mere fog can transform into death itself? Here, flashback artist Stefano Landini depicts the vampire as his natural self, with his dagger-like fangs. In an issue full of borderline campy moments, this one is the most cinematic.

Likewise, when Dracula and Captain America duke it out, the Count delivers another enjoyably cheesy line thats elevated by the art team. Dracula says that Cap is just a man, while he is very muchnot. The line is separated into two panels, and, at the ellipsis, Dracula transforms into a bat. Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg exquisitely leads the reader to associate the red on Caps shield with Draculas affinity for blood; the weapon serves as the Counts background during this transformation. The combination of the striking art and the entertaining dialogue delivers a story thats in the same vein as the classic horror movies we know and love.

With that being said, Draculas involvement is underwhelming. His fight with Cap ends anticlimactically, and it takes a backseat to other narrative threads, like Jonas Ravencrofts attempt to take his facility back from the government. The inconclusive battle leaves the reader wanting more, so theres room for a sequel someday. Still, its disappointing to see Dracula feel unimportant in a book where his name is in the title.

Like Arkham Asylum, Ravencroft always looks imposing, even from the outside.

As the last issue of Ruins of Ravencroft before the main series debut, Tieri clearly sought to earn the readers investment in the upcoming story. Mission accomplished. By the end of the issue, we see that Ravencroft is alive and well with a state-of-the-art-facility. Its new staff, led by John Jameson and Misty Knight, offers intriguing dynamics. Weve seen Jameson and Knight butt heads throughout these one-shots, so were left wondering how their relationship will progress from here. Plus, a shocking addition to the faculty at the end of the issue sets the stage for even more mayhem within the walls of Ravencroft.

Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula #1 doesnt quite deliver the covers promise of a thrilling fight between Cap and Dracula. But its still a fascinating tribute to the horror movies of old and it organically builds the world ahead of next weeks Ravencroft #1.

Whatd you think of Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula #1? Where do you hope to see Ravencroft go from here?

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Review: RUINS OF RAVENCROFT: DRACULA #1 Captures The Essence of 30s Horror - Monkeys Fighting Robots