Dracula 2

"Although there is evil enough in the world... I can't change anything until I am certain that I've done everything to assure myself of victory."

―Dracula

"The Origin of Dracula"
Dracula
Title:	"The Origin of Dracula"
Volume:	1
number:	2
Cover date:	November, 1966
Cover price:	.12
Publisher:	Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
Credits
Writers:	D.J. Arneson
Pencilers:	Bill Fraccio
Inkers:	Tony Tallarico
Cover artists:	Bill Fraccio
Cover inker:	Tony Tallarico
Cover letterer:	Ben Oda
Letterers:	Tony Tallarico
Editors:	D.J. Arneson
Navigation
Previous:	Dracula #1
Next:	Dracula #3

"The Origin of Dracula" is the title to the main story featured in issue #2 of the first Dracula comic book series, which is published by Dell Publishing. It was written by D.J. Arneson with artwork that was possibly rendered by Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico. The second feature is titled "Dracula's Pledge", which is likely produced by the same creative team. This issue shipped with a November, 1966 cover date and carries a cover price of .12 cents per copy.

"The Origin of Dracula"

Dracula is a clean-shaven scientist operating somewhere in the United States. By conducting experiments on bats, he has concocted a serum that he hopes can be used to serve humanity, and thus eradicate the blight to his name that has followed his family for centuries. Once his experiment concludes, he no longer requires his bat subjects, so he sets them free. One of them knocks the beaker containing his serum over, and some of it spills into Dracula's drinking water. Unaware of this, Dracula drinks the diluted serum, and develops enhanced physical skills, as well as the ability to transform into a bat. He decides to return to his homeland in Transylvania to begin his crusade to aid humanity.

When he arrives, he discovers that a foreigner named Boris Eval, has invaded his homeland with an army. He has a supply of rockets and intends on using Transylvania as his beachhead in an effort to plunge the world into nuclear Armageddon. Eval invades Castle Dracula and takes the returning hero prisoner. He forces him to remain in one of his own dungeons. Dracula turns into a bat, and sneaks out so he can spy on Eval from a distance.

Eval goes to a military conference at the Peace Palace, where he sabotages various pieces of equipment, which serves to accelerate his mad scheme. Dracula flies there, and warns the delegates of Eval's plans. Eval evades capture and returns to Transylvania in a helicopter. Dracula flies back to his homeland, and enters a cave filled with bats. Convincing the bats to follow him, they raid the site of Eval's rockets, knocking them over. Eval flees in a truck with the disarming device, but his vehicle veers off a cliff and Eval dies. Fortunately, the disarming device fell out of the truck before it went over the cliff. Dracula retrieves it and is able to disable the rockets. The world is safe once again - all thanks to Dracula.

Featured characters Dracula Supporting characters None Antagonists Boris Eval Minor characters Unnamed military personnel Unnamed scientists Organizations Eval's army Romanian Border Patrol Races & Animals Bats Humans Pseudo-vampires Locations Romania Carpathian Mountains Transylvania Castle Dracula United States Items Bayonet Missiles Rifles Vehicles Automobile Helicopter Trucks Powers Flight Superhuman strength Transformation Winged flight Miscellaneous Castle Dungeon Laboratory Military units Scientific experimentation Village

"Dracula's Pledge"

Taking stock of his new station in life, Dracula pledges to devote his power and resources to the cause of justice. He converts one of the dungeons in his castle into a gymnasium and works out until he is swoll. He also practices agility techniques while in bat form.

Dracula flies to a nearby town, where he commissions a local tailor to render an outfit for him. While he is waiting, he hears a nearby gunshot. Dracula learns that two muggers have just accosted a young woman, and stolen her life savings. Transforming into a bat, he pursues the criminals' vehicle. He forces the car off the road, and the muggers tries to shoot him. The bullets bounce harmlessly off Dracula's chest, however. He easily apprehends them and hands them over to a police officer.

The following day, Dracula returns to the tailor shop to pick up his new super-hero costume, which is purple in color with a red mask with an open face. He packs the costume away, then takes a train to return home to Transylvania. When he arrives, he finds that his castle is on fire. Although most of it is still standing, it reinforces Dracula's commitment to reconcile the dark reputation that has haunted him for so many years.

Featured characters Dracula Supporting characters Unidentified tailor Antagonists Unidentified mugger Minor characters Unidentified mugging victim Organizations None Races & Animals Bats Humans Pseudo-vampires Locations Romania Transylvania Castle Dracula Items Handguns Vehicles Automobile Train Truck Powers Echolocation Flight Invulnerability Superhuman agility Superhuman strength Transformation Winged flight Miscellaneous Castle Laboratory Village

Notes & Trivia

Dracula was created by Irish author Bram Stoker. He is the titular antagonist of Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, which was inspired by an actual Wallachian nobleman known as Vlad II, aka Vlad the Impaler. The character has since been imagined as a powerful vampire count in various forms of media and has been played by many notable actors such as Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Frank Langella, Gary Oldman, and even Leslie Nielsen. This issue is cover code 12-231-611, which may be ascribed to a "Movie Classic" numbering system. This issue shipped to retailers on June 2nd, 1966. The tagline to this issue is "The Origin of the New Dracula". Also, "The Secret of Dracula's Strange Super-Powers!" This series picks up after a four-year hiatus from Dracula #1, and is now published quarterly. The story from that issue is never resolved. Issue #2 takes the title into a new direction with Dracula being portrayed as a costumed super-hero. "The Origin of Dracula" is a one-page black and white feature showing a man drinking a serum, which turns him into a super-hero version of Dracula. This leads into the full story, which is divided into two chapters: "Dracula" and "The Peace Conference". As of late 2021, the value of a high grade version of this comic book is approximately $65.00 (US). It is implied that the Dracula that appears in this issue, is not the more well-known vampire, but rather a descendant, who is human and develops certain vampiric disciplines after consuming an experimental serum. Dracula brandishes his new super-hero costume on page 32 of the "Dracula's Pledge" story. Yes, Dracula actually does pull-ups and sit-ups in this issue. It should be noted that the only traditional vampire traits Dracula demonstrates in this issue are superhuman agility & strength, transformation into a bat, enhanced senses & flight (the latter two as a bat only). He does not appear to require blood for sustenance, and his activity is not restricted by the presence of sunlight.

Recommended Reading

Anno Dracula Dracula, Vol. 1 Dracula, Vol. 2 Dracula, Vol. 3 Dracula Lives! Dracula: Return of the Impaler Dracula: The Suicide Club Sword of Dracula Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 1 Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 2 Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 3 Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 4

See also

Dracula Dracula films Dracula characters Dracula appearances Dracula gallery Dracula category Dracula cast & crew Dracula miscellaneous

External Links

Dracula, Volume 1 #2 at Comics.org Dracula, Volume 1 #2 at Hip Comic Dracula, Volume 1 #2 at Comic Vine Dracula, Volume 1 #2 at Comic Book Realm