written by Adam Beranek and Christian Beranek
art by Chris Moreno
published by Silent
Devil Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-0979119200
reviewed by Adam Armstrong
12.28.08
I know the premise
sounds stupid but stick with me.
Vlad the Impaler is set to be overthrown by the Turks but he finds
that his only concern is for his lost wife. Making a deal with the devil, Vlad is transformed into a vampire, Dracula, and sent back
in time to disrupt and destroy King Arthur. Arthur begins to lose those close
to him including his wife and his best friend, not to mention Excalibur. He
fights back using his faith and good old fashion determination. The story of
King Arthur has the same unpleasant ending but how we get there is a little
different.
I received this
graphic novel along with many other items to review. Upon reading the title I
immediately stuck it on the bottom of the pile getting back to it a few weeks
later. Talk about judging a book by its cover. I was wrong. This was actually
quite good. There is a weird, and unhealthy, obsession I have with John Boonman’s Excalibur that really helped
grab my interest and wrap me in the story. The artwork is fantastic and the
battle scenes were really impressive (they show only small parts of the battle
though). I also loved the juxtaposing at the beginning with Vlad
and Arthur.
I think the title and
the premise are probably killing its sales but definitely something worth
looking at.
Buy it! 5 out
of 5