Why Dracula Is The Most Misjudged & Underestimated Marvel Villain
Dracula is a name that conjures extensive images of corruption, sexuality, and decadence. From the original novel that was written by Bram Stoker way back in 1897 to the time Bela Lugosi donned the opera cloak in 1931, Dracula has been quite an iconic horror staple.
Dracula has been quite the subject of more than 200 films, only second to the total number of movies starring Detective Sherlock Holmes. But novels, films, and TV aren’t the only genres to contain the bloodlust of Dracula. Even many Comic books have been a really compelling source for new Dracula material. Marvel Comics in particular have been a nice, happy hunting ground for Dracula over the years.
Was an Avengers Ally (1973)
Avengers #118
One of the first times Dracula was actually drawn into the events of Marvel, he did it to defend humanity itself! In the war between the Avengers/Defenders, Dormammu opened a dimensional gateway to the Earth. The Defenders and Avengers were stuck in his dimension so they could not defend humanity from an incursion by Mindless Ones, who are headless beings that thrive on mass destruction.
Yes, Dracula went on to fight the Mindless Ones, but while doing so, he made sure his food supply remained strong to Marvel readers about just how badass he actually was by fighting the Mindless Ones – the only creatures capable of going toe to toe with the Hulk!
Dracula vs. Doctor Strange (1976)
Tomb of Dracula #44
Dracula fed off Doctor Strange in Tomb of Dracula #44. In Strange’s own comic, Dracula locks Stephen Strange in a dungeon so he can watch the Doctor ascend as a vampire.
However, little did Dracula know that Strange had easily astral projected out of his human body before Dracula could even finish the bite. Strange then uses his astral form to take on Dracula who angrily furiously comes to the dungeon after days of being mocked by the wizard.
Dracula Joins The Defenders!
Yes, we are going to talk about The Defenders. A long time before they were just edgy TV stars, they were on their way to a parking place for incredibly odd Bronze Age characters.
This also marks the first time Marvel had used Dracula as somewhat an anti-hero, present in a super-hero title – making him look like an honorable villain who was comfortable as a defender of his people as he was a bloodsucking fiend. This union was brief, but out of his many roles in the Marvel Universe lore, Dracula will always be seen as a Defender.
Dracula vs. Thor (1983)
Thor #332
When he’s not satisfied with feeding off mutants and wizards, Dracula sets his sights on Lady Sif. In Thor #332, Dracula feeds and turns Sif. Now, Thor must face a Dracula empowered by god blood, and an embraced Sif.
This story shows what a powerhouse Dracula was, even establishing the idea that if Dracula goes on to feed a non-human being, he would be absolutely fueled by their blood. Thor eventually managed to free Sif, but not before it made fans realize that Dracula was a brutal threat to everyone – human, god, or mutant.
X-Men: Apocalypse vs. Dracula (2006)
The coolest part about this comic run is that it gave provided weight to the idea that Dracula has had quite an impact on the Marvel universe’s history and his ties to the mutants did not begin at that time when he tried to embrace Storm.
Dracula began embracing members of Apocalypse’s cult which ends up waking the legendary mutant to defend his followers.
