"Who are you talking about, Mr. Renfield?... Who is this master of yours?"
— John Seward
Universal Monsters: Dracula is a 2023 four issue miniseries, the first in a partnership between Skybound Comics and Universal Studios in adapting their classic Monsters catalogue. It is written by James Tynion IV and art by Martin Simmonds.
A retelling the events of the seminal 1931 film, when Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible…his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted Count Dracula!
Universal Monsters: Dracula contains examples of;
- Adaptational Protagonist: Dr. Seward, a minor supporting character in both the original book and film, is the main lead and P.O.V. of the book.
- Ascended Extra: Seward, a minor character in most versions of Dracula, is the co-lead here alongside Van Helsing and Renfield.
- Because You Were Nice to Me: Renfield begins to regret his actions, and even contemplates rebelling against the Count, when Dracula goes after Mina. Entirely because Mina was one of the only people to show him genuine kindness and empathy.
- Darker and Edgier: The story depicts fare more graphic violence and imagery than would have been permissible in the 1930s.
- In Medias Res: The story starts with Dracula having already arrived in England, with Dr. Seward interviewing a mad Reinfeld.
- Interquel: All of Sewards scene are set mostly in between or to the side of scenes from the film.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Dracula only has one speaking line and none of the events of the story are depicted from his point of view. Nevertheless, he is the driving force of the book and his presence looms large even when not on page.
- Truer to the Text: Much like in the original Bram Stroker novel, we never get a perspective of the story from Dracula's view.
