Count Dracula (Marvel Comics): three deaths of the most immortal character

It's hard to believe, but the one who was destined to become the "Vampire Lord", the one who had to lead the army of darkness through the ages and millennia, someone who can not do much harm almost any weapon, still died. And not once.

For reference

Dracula first appeared in Bram Stoker's novel in 1895. And Dracula's debut in Marvel Comics took place much later, in 1972. The image of this character was partly taken from a real historical personality - Vlad Tepes III, a veteran of the war against Turkey, who lived in the 15th century. There are rumors that he was cruel and unyielding towards his enemies, for which he received his nickname.

At first, Dracula (Marvel Comics) was an ordinary commander from Transylvania. But when he began to dream of a devastating victory over the Turks, he decided that they were prophetic, and, having gathered a large army, went to seize enemy lands. But it turned out that dreams are not able to change what the oldest vampire in the world - Varnae has already planned for a long time. He had very different plans for Vlad, because he had been looking for a receiver for a long time.

According to the results of the first battles, luck was on his side, and the enemy had to constantly retreat. But very quickly all the troops were destroyed by the unexpectedly appeared Apocalypse and its horsemen. Vlad himself was seriously injured, but the Turkish military leader Turk decided to save his life. He asked his man to take Vlad to the healer Lianda, who, being a vampire, not only healed, but also turned him.

For a while Vlad III Tepes (Dracula) was with Turok as a slave. And, despite the fact that his vampire abilities developed, he did not use them until the Turk did not kill his wife. Angered by this, Vlad brutally dealt with the commander and his people, and then fled. But he was tracked by Nimrod, another vampire lord whom Varnae sent to arrange his final check on his receiver. Killing him, Dracula proved that he was ready to occupy a high post.

Abilities

The bite of Lianda with the assistance of Varnae greatly changed Vlad, giving him certain abilities:

• Force. Dracula is capable of lifting weights of several tons. In this respect, he is no different from his predecessor. Although he is much stronger than ordinary vampires.
• Healing. His ability to regenerate works perfectly. And what difference does it make if a bloodsucker is considered immortal.
• Fangs. The most important and dangerous tool of any vampire. With the help of his fangs, Dracula eats, and also replenishes his army with new fighters.
• Hypnosis. The character is able to control people and different creatures. He has the gift of suggestion, and only a few can withstand his influence.
• Transformation. In dangerous situations, he, like a ninja, can disappear, becoming a fog. Practices turning into animals, especially a bat.

Death number 1

For his life, Dracula (Marvel Comics) drew many people with impunity, but in the case of Rosella Carson, he had problems. Vlad drew the girl and left to live in his castle, unaware that in her wake was an English Puritan - Solomon Kane. Vlad met him when he fought off a wolf pack. He helped him, but when Kane found out about Rosella, a fight ensued between them. Solomon almost won, but remembering that Dracula had saved him, he decided to retreat.

In less than six months, the vampire went hunting again. He seduced and subordinated his daughter to the daughter of the priest. The father decided to kill the bloodsucker, but he dealt with him, and then with his wife. The rumor about this reached Kane, who decided to return and finish the case. Armed with a wooden sword and a bunch of garlic, he appeared on the threshold of the castle of Dracula.

The count decided not to hurry, but to play a little with a daredevil. First he deprived him of his sword, and then of garlic. Solomon had no choice but to pray. And it played a role. Suddenly, a wind appeared, lifting a dead body from the earth, which formed a flaming cross. This trick for a second weakened Dracula, but it was enough to pierce it with a sharpened cross. Then Solomon burned his body, and the cross remained in his skeleton.

This was a mistake, because a couple of hours after that a group of travelers passed by, who liked the stones that adorned the cross. After taking the crucifix, they brought Dracula back to life.

Death number 2

After the events that occurred in the comic series Tomb of Dracula # 1, the count had to meet a really strong opponent - a mutant named Apocalypse.

This began when the Vampire Lord began to convert and kill members of the London clan of Accaba, which he had recently learned about. The case was then dealt with by policeman Jack Starsmor. One member of the clan - Hamilton Slade - went to look for the killer, but was converted by Dracula. Realizing what was happening, Abraham Van Helsing found Starsmor and told him who was behind all the murders. When the clan learned about who was opposing it, the remaining members decided on a desperate act - to awaken the Apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Slade showed Dracula the place where the clan was based. The vampire drew almost everyone except Starsmor and the apocalyptic minion Frederick Ferguson. There were so many converts, that when the Apocalypse appeared, Ferguson had to teleport him from there. True, he still got a bite.

After collecting the remains of the clan, Van Helsing and the Apocalypse came to the castle of Dracula. The vampire felt it and dropped his army onto them. During the battle, the Apocalypse found Vlada, but he could not harm him, because he became his subordinate because of the bite. Dracula (Marvel Comics) already wanted to turn the Apocalypse, but Van Helsing intervened, which splashed holy water in his face, which allowed the mutant to wrest the vampire's heart.

A wooden stake was hammered into his body and then hidden in a cave, closing the entrance to it with a huge stone. But just a year later, one gypsy, with the help of his assistant - the monster of Frankenstein - opened the cave and took out the stake, thus enlivening Dracula.

Death №3

The time has passed, and Dracula (Marvel Comics) has long since changed his residence, moving to the moon. There he found a new castle, settled in it and began to think about the capture of Britain. When everything was ready, he sent his numerous troops to fight. But, despite the grandiose plan, Pete Wisdom - British intelligence agent and director of MI-13 - was able to outwit him.

Eventually, the army of Dracula was defeated. And the vampire himself was seriously wounded by Fayza Hussein, armed with an escalibur. The sacred weapon of King Arthur did his job, and Dracula turned into ashes. But for a little while, since the servants loyal to him immediately collected everything that was left of him, and returned the master to life.

Outside the comics

In general, the character, the creation of which tried to Jerry Conway and Jean Colan, is still rarely where you can meet. As for the projects of the studio "Marvel", the vampire appeared in one episode of the animated series "Superheroes", where he confronted the Night Werewolf and the Iron Man. With Blade, he appeared on the series "The Great Spider-Man." And with the Avengers engaged in fights in the animated series "Avengers, the general collection!".