Resigned to a fate that’s darker than imagined.
Creative Staff:
Story: Cullen Bunn
Art: Mirko Colak
Colors: Maria Santaolalla
Letterer: Simon Bowland
What They Say:
Vlad Dracul and his brother Radu are prisoners of the Ottoman Empire. As royalty, though, they are treated with great respect. They are trained in art, music, archery, horseback riding…even vampire hunting! Herein the sorrow-filled truth of Vlad’s descent to the role of the Impaler is revealed!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening installment of this series definitely delivered well for me. While I’ve struggled over the last few years with some of Cullen Bunn’s superhero works his original works like this and Dark Ark are just some of my favorite things ever. This series also doesn’t hurt in the art department as Mirko Colak’s style is ideal for this in really nailing a rough and raw look while capturing the age of the characters in a way that a lot of books never seem to get quite right. This feels of the time and, in some ways, of the artwork of the time itself. That gives it a greater authenticity for me that lets it feel more lived in, particularly with some fantastic color work coming from Maria Santaolalla. There’s a real richness to it that works.
Vlad and Radu’s being set as the shield men for Mehmed revealed to us the mission that the son of the Sultan had to engage in by dealing with the vampir that exist. They’re not a constant threat but rather that one comes in irregular cycles as we learn through the work that the brothers’ father had to deal with in the past in the same role. Almost the first half of the book deals with the brothers grappling with what they’re facing and then the fight itself, which is beautifully brutal, particularly with the color design and heavy use of blues in contrast with the bloody reds. But this plays out with the kind of resigned approach in that they know they have to deal with this – and this are some really rotted and terrible looking vampir further in – because Mehmed is going to be able to.
And what’s worse is that Mehmed gets all the credit for it because of his position. Which is fine with Vlad since he doesn’t want to have anything to do with being praised by the sultan or anyone else in this land. It’s an interesting series of conversations that occur here as we get a little more of the backstory of events and that there’s a lot more of this in the brothers future in their service to Mehmed. The quieter moments are interesting as well, such as Vlad’s bath and the realization that others know the truth simply because of how bloody his clothes are while there’s nary a drop of blood on Mehmed’s. These little moments all build together well and showcases how both brothers are dealing with this disturbing situation and what it means.
In Summary:
Brothers Dracul definitely got my attention in the first because there are lots of interesting things to do with vampire stories going back to Vlad himself. Cullen Bunn’s interpretation here is definitely intriguing to watch and it’s put together in such a way with the artwork to really come across as something unique and engaging. I’m digging this interpretation a whole lot and can’t wait to see what else is in store for all involved. It’s definitely great in single issue form and I suspect will read great in collected form.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: AfterShock Comics
Release Date: May 23rd, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
