"The Vampire's Curse" is the title to the main story featured in issue #1 of the first Dracula comic book series, which is published by Dell Publishing. It was written by Bernhardt J. Hurwood with artwork that was possibly rendered by Max Elkan and/or Bob Jenney. It was released with an October-December, 1962 cover date and carries a cover price of .12 cents per copy.
Sir Basil Shawcross drives desperately to the home of Janos Tesla on the outskirts of London. He is frantic to learn everything there is to know about vampires and needs Janos' expertise. Janos invites him into his library and tells him about the lore of vampire superstition, as well as the story of Dracula. Janos asks Basil why the sudden interest in vampirism, and Basil shows him a telegram detailing the death of his son, Bruce. He tells of him of letters that Bruce had written him prior to his "demise", which convinces Janos that he fell prey to a vampire seductress. Basil wants to travel to the Transylvanian village of Murszolzny to learn the truth, and asks Janos Tesla to accompany him.
When they arrive in Murszolzny, they consult with Mayor Miklos Sombolnok, who tells Basil of his son's passing, but that they have no record of his body being buried. An innkeeper named Bela Dragovnik invites them to stay at his inn - the same one that Bruce stayed at. Basil insists on sleeping in his son's room.
That evening, Basil is startled to find his son standing in his room. He looks ghastly and beckons his father to accompany him to meet his new bride - Irina. Sir Basil fails to notice that Bruce does not cast a reflection in the mirror. They get into a carriage where Basil meets Irina, who tells him that they are going to meet her uncle at Castle Dracula. Janos secretly spies on them, and hitches himself to the back of the carriage. He has brought along some wolfsbane for protection.
When they arrive, they are greeted by Dracula and his brides, and offer Sir Basil some refreshment. Janos bursts into the room and reveals them to be vampires, though Basil - being a man of science, is skeptical. Dracula wants to use Sir Basil's resources as a physician to procure them quantities of blood. When he refuses, Dracula sets a wolf upon him to threaten him. Basil collapses to the floor from fright. Janos keeps Dracula at bay with a handful of the wolfsbane he brought with him. As Basil lies dying, he makes Janos swear to protect his son. When the sun rises the following morning, Janos Tesla makes ready to keep good on his promise. [4]
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 tagline to this issue is "What evil things fill the night sky over musty towers of Count Dracula's castle? Too terrifying to believe!"
This issue is cover code 12-231-212, which may be ascribed to a "Movie Classic" numbering system.
This issue includes a one-page black and white story called "The Rusalki - Water Maidens of Doom". A Rusalka is a creature of from Slavic folklore. [5] It is presented in this issue as a water demon. When a maiden drowns, she becomes one of the Rusalki.
This issue includes a one-page black and white story called "The Hunters of the Forest". It features Leshies, who are guardian spirits of the forest in Slavic folklore. Singular form is Leshy. [6]
This issue includes a one-page colored story called "Witches' Sabbath".
The subject of catalepsy is discussed, which is a form of catatonia brought on by a nervous disorder. It is suggested that stories of vampire corpses are a form of catalepsy.
Sir Basil Shawcross's home address is 2 Maidenstone Mews in London.
Murszolzny, Transylvania appears to be a fictional location.
Sir Basil Shawcross makes reference to Walpurgis Night, which occurs on April 30th, on the eve of the Christian feast day known as Saint Walpurga. [7] In this issue, it is identified as the night of the witches' sabbath. This event is also referenced by a villager in the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Janos Tesla makes reference to wolves being the "children of the night". This line was also spoken by Dracula in the original novel, as well as the 1931Dracula feature film, as well as other adaptations.
↑ 2.02.1It is possible that Max Elkan may be an alias for Bob Jenney; or vice versa. This database entry is going to treat them as two separate individuals.
↑ 3.03.13.23.33.4GCD; Comics.org; Dracula #1 (Dell, Oct-December, 1962). No creator credits are supplied in the actual issue itself.
