Tomb of Dracula 41

Though the day dawns bright, it will quickly surrender to the darkness that blankets us earlier and earlier with the passing of each day. Soon, it will be Winter and time for other holidays, but there’s time enough for that.

Today is October 31. Today is Halloween. Tonight the Witching Hour will chime before midnight as young and old disguise themselves in horror and spectacle. Some for candy, some for their own amusement.

Just enjoy what comes and allow our host, the King of Vampires, to begin they day.

Tomb of Dracula 41

Still recovering from a bigger dread than any of the serialized monsters of old that would populate Marvel’s own magazines, the company moved from under the shadow of the Comic Code. First, in black and white magazines outside the authority of the Authority. Then, as the CCA’s hold weakened, into the pages of the four-color books it once neutered.

Werewolf by Night first howled in defiance under the banner of Marvel Spotlight issue two. Jack Russell would wolf out for three tryout issues before moving to his own title, but it was Tomb of Dracula that would outlast the full moon curse.

He would extend his stay on the spin rack for 70 issues; the longest tenure of any villain from any comic book company. Longer Than Dr. Frankenstein’s namesake – he only saw print for 15 issues.

Longer than The Living Mummy who remained a staple of Tales of Suspense, never earning his own title.

Dracula’s original story at the House of Ideas has been told many times. In a quick recap, the Lord of Vampires stumbled for several issues until Marv Wolfman began to shepherd his way with issue seven.

Gene Colan drew every issue of the main title. The journeyman penciler did break rank for a few issues midway through the book’s run, but quickly returned. Colan’s penchant for working several issues ahead allowed him to retire and unretire from the title without anyone outside the comic book field knowing.

For most of the decade the book remained within its gothic universe with the exception of guest star the Silver Surfer intruding for issue 50. Dracula ventured into the main stream Marvel Universe a few times; guesting in Giant-Size Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and the Uncanny X-Men.

Maybe his oddest cameo was in the Howard the Duck Magazine issue five.

While dated, the books still read well. To pay homage to the title here is the cover of issue 41, a true Halloween tale to celebrate the final day of October.

Enjoy and be safe.