Bram Stoker

January 1, 2008
Gr 10 Up-The first edition of this book had one glaring omission: an adaptation of Stoker's "Dracula". This edition corrects that error with a wonderful version written by SF author Rich Rainey and illustrated by Joe Ollman. While contemporary renditions of "Dracula" usually shoot for a balance between terror and gore, Rainey's narrative pulls faithfully from the original novel and works with Ollman's macabre art to create a tale that's both dark and subtle. The book reprints the strong pieces from the first edition, showcasing a wide variety of styles: from realistic (Gerry Alanguilan's "The Judges House") to silly (Hunt Emerson's "Vampire Hunter's Guide") to frighteningly surreal (J. B. Bonvert's "Bridal of Death"). While these selections are not as familiar as "Dracula", readers will find a nice set of Gothic tales that will still set the spine tingling. This volume also includes one-page illustrations by well-known indie comics artists like Spain Rodriguez and Maxon Crumb, each putting a unique spin on Stoker's tales. A must-read for fans of horror comics, this collection also works as a good introduction to Stoker's contributions to the traditions of Gothic horror."Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA"

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