In comics, Dracula ranges from spooky to silly
Vampires are as hot as ever in popular fiction, with movies such as “Twilight” and shows such as “The Vampire Diaries.” Vampires have been big in comics, too, and none more so than Dracula.
While the word “vampire” dates from the 1700s, the 1897 novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker popularized the vampire. The book’s main character could have been partly based on former Transylvanian governor Vlad the Impaler.
IDW Publishing has created a new version of Stoker’s book (now in public domain) illustrated by Eisner-winning artist Ben Templesmith. Templesmith, who with Steve Niles created “30 Days of Night,” provides full-color illustrations for all 27 chapters of the novel.
Multiple movies have made Dracula the world’s most famous vampire. The 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi is a horror classic selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Longtime “Dracula” fan Mike Mignola (“Hellboy”) brought his take on Dracula to Topps Comics in the 1990s, with an adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” the film by Francis Ford Coppola. Mignola also was an illustrator for the film.
The most famous adaptation of Dracula in comics is the long-running “The Tomb of Dracula” series. Gene Colan was the artist for the series’ entire run, beginning in 1972. Marv Wolfman took over as writer with issue No. 7 and stayed on through the series’ conclusion in 1979.
This series introduced Blade the vampire hunter and is one of the longest-running horror series in Marvel Comics’ history. The entire run of “Tomb of Dracula” as well as the stories from “Dracula Lives” and the black-and-white “Tomb of Dracula” magazine have been reprinted by Marvel as “The Essential Tomb of Dracula” Vols. 1-4.
DC Comics also has its version of Dracula, which faced off against Batman in the story “Batman/Dracula: Red Rain,” by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones. “Red Rain” along with the two sequels, “Batman: Bloodstorm” and “Batman: Crimson Mist,” are collected in the “Batman: Vampire” trade paperback.
In “Red Rain,” Dracula comes to Gotham City. When Batman tries to stop him, he himself is bitten, becoming a vampire.
The silliest version of a comic-book Dracula came from Dell Comics in the 1960s. In 1962, Dell adapted the Lugosi feature into a comic book, but four years later, perhaps inspired by the “Batman” TV show, Dell made Dracula into a superhero.
This Dracula was a descendant of the original Dracula, who conducts medical experiments on bats, according to Don Markstein’s “Toonopedia.” When he accidentally ingests his own chemical, he gains the power of turning himself into a bat and vows to fight crime and injustice.
Columnist Chris Sims at comicsalliance.com describes the ridiculousness of the series.
“Once in America, he sets up a ‘Dracula Cave,’ adopts the secret identity of — wait for it — Al U. Card, dedicates himself to battling the rampant scourge of zeppelin crime (which actually does sound awesome, but trust us, it’s not) and even manages to rustle up a sidekick, Fleeta, whose name is short for ‘fleidermaus,’” Sims writes. “Unsurprisingly, it lasted for only three issues before it was given the ax, though his series went for another three issues of reprints that gave the world a second chance at his mind-numbing adventures. They probably shouldn’t have bothered.”
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
RIP George Tuska
The successful Golden and Silver Age artist George Tuska has died at age 93. Tuska’s career spanned from the early days of the Chesler studio to the 199os “World’s Greatest Heroes” comic strip. He may be best-known for his work on “Iron Man.” Both The Beat and the Comics Reporter have writeups on his career.
- Matt Price
Rembering Mark Gruenwald, Mike Wieringo
Marvel’s Tom Brevoort points out today is the day that two comic-book luminaries passed away: Marvel writer/editor Mark Gruenwald (1953-1996) and “Fantastic Four” and “Tellos” artist Mike Wieringo (1963-2007).
Both of these guys were among my favorites. Their work is top-notch, and those who knew them say that they were personally great guys as well.
Gruenwald, longtime writer of “Captain America,” was my favorite writer growing up, and a big part of why Cap is my favorite Marvel character. 
I’ve written about Gruenwald before; you can read my take on his “President Fires Cap” storyline at the end of this article, and some about how it compares to the modern Brubaker run in this article.
Sadly, not much of his work is in print, though Marvel has brought the first 2/3 of his “Fighting Chance” storyline in Captain America — his final storyline — back into print, with plans for all of it. There’s also a recent hardcover collection available of his “Hawkeye” storyline. There are also collections of his first issues on the New Universe title “D.P. 7,” and the work many consider his best, “Squadron Supreme.”
Wieringo was a guy I first noticed on “Flash” with Mark Waid, where he also introduced the character of Bart Allen, aka Impulse. Wieringo was a great fit for the fleet-footed Flash team, and he had a 12-issue run on the title. 
His next major project was “Tellos” for Image Comics, with writer Todd DeZago. This fantasy epic — now collected in one compendium — was possibly the high point of Wieringo’s career, and it’s unfortunate that the falling fortunes of the industry in the late 90s forced Wieringo away from it.
Wieringo is also remembered for his classic collaboration with Waid on “Fantastic Four,” a run that many consider among the most classic adventures of the team.
Some of the last work completed by Wieringo before his death of a heart attack was “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” with writer Peter David and “Fantastic Four and Spider-Man” with writer Jeff Parker.
- Matt Price
Comics Q&A: Captain America
Have a great Fourth of July weekend. Feel free to celebrate with classic Steve Rogers storylines. As the original Captain America returns, Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss classic Cap storylines, including “Secret Empire,” “Nomad,” “War and Remembrance” and “President Fires Cap.”
Want to help Len Wein?
“Wolverine” co-creator Len Wein recently lost his home in a fire. While he is fortunately fine, he lost most of his belongings in the fire. Mark Evanier is spearheading a drive to help Len Wein re-create his files of comic books that Wein created.
More info, from http://www.povonline.com/weinproject.htm
On April 6, 2009, a fire destroyed most of the home he was sharing with his wife Chris and their son Michael. As Len tells us, Chris was out when it happened. The men were home and asleep. He awoke to find the world in flames around him and he managed to get himself out and to save Michael, as well. Sadly, their beloved dog Sheba perished that day.
So did Len’s collection of books and toys and games and artwork and those things we accumulate that help define and enrich our lives. You have stuff. He had stuff. Insurance will fix the house but many things, including his comics, were not covered. Some of us thought it would be grand if his friends and fans pitched in to help him recreate those shelves of the comic books he’s worked on.
Here’s the plan: We’ve compiled a list of the comics Len needs to reacquire. We’re updating it from time to time as comics are pledged or received. You can view or download it from the link at the top of this page.
If you have some comics for the well-regarded creator, there’s even more info on how to help at the site.
Comics Q&A: Watchmen
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss the “Watchmen” graphic novel in this week’s Comics Q&A.
Browse the history of “Comics Buyers Guide”
Over at the Comics Buyers Guide Web site, cbgxtra.com, the staff is archiving the covers of the publication, as well as some notes about each individual issue. It’s a great way to see some classic fanzine art and follow some of the debates and issues of the time. It doesn’t archive all the articles – that would be pretty great – but it still is a good resource. I’m planning to eventually read through all the recaps.
Check out CBG founder Alan Light’s flickr set for some photos from the early days of the publication, which makes a nice companion to the archive.
– Matt Price
TwoMorrows makes Comic-Con appearance
If you’re into comics history, you’re likely reading some magazines, books or both from TwoMorrows Publishing, the publishers of “The Jack Kirby Collector” and the “Modern Masters” line of books. I’ve read nearly every one of the “Modern Masters” line to date, spotlighting artists including John Byrne, Michael Golden and more. Check out TwoMorrows’ plans for San Diego Comic-Con after the break.
Recognizing Bill Finger’s role in Batman’s creation
From Friday’s The Oklahoman:
By Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor
WORD BALLOONS
In every “Batman” comic book, in the credits to the 1960s TV show, even in the credits to this weekend’s “The Dark Knight” are the words “Batman created by Bob Kane.” While Kane is the only one officially credited with the character, writer Bill Finger is considered by most to have had a large input in bringing Batman to life.
Writer Alan J. Porter contributed the essay “The Dubious Origins of Batman” to the nonfiction book “Batman Unauthorized,” featuring essays about the Dark Knight. Porter is at work on a biography of Kane and Finger.
Batman didn’t come in a flash of inspiration, Porter said, but was developed when an editor asked Kane to come up with “another Superman.” The success of the Man of Steel in the 1930s had publishers eager to exploit this new idea.
“Bill Finger was a friend of cartoonist Bob Kane’s and often helped Bob by writing stories for the various comic strips he produced,” Porter said. “When Bob presented his first sketch of what would become Batman to his editor, the editor mentioned it needed a story to go with the visual. Bob naturally turned to his writer friend Bill Finger for help.”
Finger suggested changes to Bob Kane’s original design, adding the cowl mask and the cape resembling bat wings. Finger named the characters of Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon in the original Batman story. Finger created more of the elements of the Batman legend as Batman continued, including naming
But Finger never received credit. Part of that had to do with the system in place — in newspaper strips at the time, comic strips were often produced by a studio, but appeared with only the original creator’s name. The nascent art of comic books didn’t have procedures in place for recognizing creative talent.
“Simply put, Bob Kane’s editor asked him to come up with a character and a story to go with it, and that’s what Bob Kane did,” Porter said. “The editor was seemingly unaware that Bob had help. The comic book company came up with a contract for Bob to continue producing Batman stories, and that’s what Bob continued to do – using an increasing roster of ghost writers and artists.”
Meanwhile, Finger today receives more credit than he ever did in life. (Finger died in 1974.) Comic-Con International, the largest comic book and popular arts event in the
And while Finger’s name never appeared on his Batman stories while he was alive, he now receives writing credit when his stories are reprinted by DC Comics.
Tulsan Archie Goodwin wins posthumous Bill Finger Award
This is an expanded version of the article from today’s The Oklahoman:
Comic-Con International, the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States, has announced that Archie Goodwin will receive the 2008 Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. The choice was made unanimously by a committee chaired by writer and historian Mark Evanier.
Goodwin attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, and considered himself a Tulsan, though he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Goodwin was an influential comic-book writer and editor. He was briefly Marvel Comics’ editor-in-chief in 1976. As an editor at DC Comics, he shepherded James Robinson’s acclaimed “Starman” and the award-winning “Batman: The Long Halloween.” As a writer, he created the Paul Kirk “Manhunter” character with artist Walter Simonson. He was named best writer (dramatic division) in the industry in 1973 and 1974 by the Academy of Comic Book Arts. Goodwin died in 1998.
Tulsa writer R.A. Jones, who also attended Will Rogers High School, shared some thoughts about Goodwin with The Oklahoman:
”I was delighted to hear about the award Archie will be receiving. One of the great things about working in comics today is that the creators receive at least a portion of the credit they are due for their work — something that, as I’m sure you well know, was not the case in poor Bill Finger’s day,” he said.
”I first discovered Archie’s writing in the 1960s, first in such magazines as Creepy and Eerie, where he helped keep alive the tradition of the venerable EC style of storytelling, and later in the pages of such Marvel comics as Iron Man. Professionally, I never knew Archie to deliver anything less than stellar scripting. Personally, he was always friendly and a true gentleman, a pleasure to sit and have a chat with.”
The Bill Finger Award was instituted in 2005 under the supervision of comic book legend Jerry Robinson. The awards committee is charged each year with selecting two recipients, one living and one deceased.
“With all the writers who seem worthy of this award, you’d think it would be an impossible decision,” Evanier said in a release. “But this year, two names just jumped off the list of candidates. Much like the late Bill Finger, Larry Lieber and Archie Goodwin did important, groundbreaking work in our field that has not received the recognition it deserves. We’re hoping to rectify that a little with these awards.”
Archie Goodwin began in comics in the late 1950s, writing mystery comics for Harvey and assisting Leonard Starr on the newspaper strip “On Stage.” Later, he was the writer/editor of “Creepy” and “Eerie,” and is credited with creating the backstory for Vampirella.
In addition to Evanier, the selection committee consists of Charles Kochman (executive editor at Harry N. Abrams), comics and animation writer Paul Dini, writer Tony Isabella, and writer/editor Marv Wolfman.
The Bill Finger Award will be presented during the 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony at this summer’s Comic-Con International on Friday, July 25.
For more information on the Finger Award, visit www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_finger.shtml.
– Matt Price
