Legendary comic creators Matt Wagner, Kelley Jones, and José Villarrubia present the secret history of Dracula
Latest Updates from Our Project:
ONLY TWO DAYS TO GO FOR THE BRIDES!
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Oct 30, 2024 at 10:36:03 AM
Hey gang…we’re down to the final few days of the campaign for DRACULA: BOOK II—THE BRIDES, so it’s time for a new update!
First off, once again, Kelley Jones and I want to express our sincerest thanks to you, our enthusiastic readers—both new and returning patrons—for the generous support you’ve continued to extend to our ongoing project about the secret histories of the world’s most famous literary character, the infamous vampire lord, DRACULA! We couldn’t have achieved what is a true labor of love for both Kell and myself without you behind us.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to make sure your pledges are finalized to your liking and to PLEASE fill out the Backerkit survey forms that will come your way after the campaign closes. These forms are extremely short and easy to fill out…and they’re our ONLY resource for your mailing addresses in regards to filling your backed orders. Again…we NEED these forms to send you books and merch!
Next up, check out this rollicking conversation we recently had with the hosts of the immensely popular podcast, The Real BBC. This show is usually a wild ride and Kelley and I always enjoy the hell outta talking about our inspirations and creative processes for DRACULA. Get a behind-the-scenes peek into the books you’re backing! Our segment covers the first hour-plus of the show.
I also recently wrote a piece for the immensely fun site, 13th Dimension, spotlighting my 13 favorite versions of Dracula. Some, you might be able to predict but some will certainly surprise you.
For all you true horror fans out there, I’d also like to recommend my favorite history of the genre by renowned (and, sadly, recently deceased) horror historian, David J. Skal. Skal has written a wide variety of books on various aspects of horror but this very scholarly overview is an insightful deep dive into why horror stories continue to delight, enthrall and terrify us.
And, as a special preview for you—our backers—here’s a first look at a pair of interior pages from BOOK II—THE BRIDES with phenomenal art by Kelley Jones and eerily evocative colors by José Villarrubia!
Lastly, I wanna again show off our incredible merch—a stunning collection of t-shirts and one incredibly cool Orlok Press hat!
Here’s a shot of me repping one of the prototypes. These shirts are beautifully printed and incredibly comfortable! Get your fave today!
And, as has been our habit, we’d also like to endorse another campaign. This one’s for a stunning art book from Clover Press featuring the Marvel Comics art of my longtime dear friend, Mike Allred, creator (of course) of MADMAN.
Michael Allred's illustrious career includes nearly 30 years of Marvel comics masterworks. His breathless output includes timeless takes on Spider-Man, the unparalleled zaniness of X-STATIX, epochal runs on Marvel's first family THE FANTASTIC FOUR, and the cosmic grandeur of a never-more-human SILVER SURFER. Now Clover Press and Marvel are teaming up for THE MARVEL ART OF MICHAEL ALLRED, a high-end coffee table book along with three limited edition portfolios that celebrate the career of the Eisner award-winning artist. The official Kickstarter campaign is now live and features an exclusive dustjacket and slipcase edition of the book, plus exclusive add-ons including a trading card set and 1,000-piece puzzle not available outside of this campaign. The book is the latest in a series of high-end, boutique artbooks that showcase legendary Marvel Comics artists, featuring iconic images alongside rare and never-before-seen artwork.
Thanks again, oh you children of the night. What sweet music you make!
MATT WAGNER~
BOOK I--THE IMPALER Dark Horse Comics edition!
over 1 year ago
– Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 03:41:17 PM
Hey gang…we’re coming at you with another update to announce the imminent release of the Dark Horse Comics tpb edition of DRACULA: BOOK 1—THE IMPALER, which is in stores tomorrow, Wednesday 10/23! Here’s a look at the slightly differently colored cover for this edition that comes with lovely French flaps.
For anyone who maybe hasn’t yet sunk their fangs into our ongoing epic about the notorious vampire lord, here’s your chance to pick up BOOK I direct from either your favorite LCS or online bookseller. Or, if you just want a reading or lending copy to pair up with your original hardcover edition, this is the perfect opportunity to add to your DRACULA by Wagner and Jones library!
The hardcover editions of our series of graphic novels—which include Kelley Jones’s beautifully rendered endpapers—are exclusive to the Kickstarter campaigns so, if hardcovers are your jam, we’ve still got some copies of BOOK I available during the live portion of our current part of the project, DRACULA: BOOK II—THE BRIDES.
And, I also wanna remind everyone of our incredibly collection of DRACULA BY WAGNER AND JONES merch we’ve got available this time around!
Here’s Kell and I proudly repping our seriously great Orlok Press hats! Kell was so excited to don his that he even forgot to peel the manufacturer’s label off the bill! He just HAD to get that puppy on his dome ASAP! Lookin' good, broheim!
Last but not least, we here at Orlok Press always like endorse other Kickstarted campaigns that we think deserve you attention. This one comes from Cosmic Lion Productions, brainchild of my dear friend and—and co-host of the Grendelverse podcast, THE DEVIL IN DETAIL—the always amazing Eli Schwab!
This book is an off-shoot of Cosmic Lion’s popular anthology series, GHOST AGENTS and features a solo adventure of Freya the Slaya by creator Ken Landgraf. Dazzling, psychotronic art and an action-packed storyline add up to make GHOST AGENTS: MINDMELT/OUTLAW TOWN a thrilling pair of books that deserve your attention. Back the campaign and reserve your copies today!
DRAC CHAT and new NIGHT STALKER series!
over 1 year ago
– Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 09:38:56 AM
Hey gang…things are going great with the campaign so we’re coming at you with another update! This one links to a recent interview with Kelley and me by the fine folks at DailyDead.com! Check out this spine-tingling chat as Kell and I discuss the sources, inspirations and creative processes for the next volume in our ongoing series of DRACULA graphic novels…BOOK II—THE BRIDES!
And, as hinted at earlier updates, today also marks the launch of a special project brought to you by our friends at Monstrous Books—KOLCHAK, THE NIGHT STALKER MEETS THE CLASSIC MONSTERS! Here’s the link for all you classic horror aficionados to sign up and back it now!
Also, here’s a sneak peek at my variant cover for issue #1, written by actor David Dastmalchian (Suicide Squad, Dune, Late Night With the Devil) and co-starring his horror hostess character, Count Crowley, with interior art by Lukas Ketner. Cover colors by Brennan Wagner. Hope you can help support this fun project in addition to ours!
Lastly, I’ll be a guest at the Cincinnati Comics Expo this weekend, 10/18-10/20. As per usual, I’ll have a variety of pre-done sketches available as well as a GRENDEL sketchbook and several art prints. Here’s a look at some of the original sketches I’ll have in my display folio. Hope to see you there!
And, if you enjoyed DRACULA: BOOK I—THE IMPALER, I know you’re going to love BOOK II—THE BRIDES! Please pass the word along to all of your scare-loving friends as word-of-mouth is one of the best advertising sources these campaigns enjoy.
Many thanks, oh children of the night!
—MATT WAGNER
MIKE MIGNOLA read our DRACULA. And guess what happened?!
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 09:56:55 AM
Hey gang…coming to you with a quick, all-new update and couple of cool things.
Yesterday, we received this glowing endorsement from our good friend and talented mega-star Mike Mignola, creator of HELLBOY! And, as he fully admits in the plug…this guy knows a thing or two about DRACULA!
Also, head on over to THE WRAP for another exclusive preview of THE BRIDES.
Annnd…I just thought I’d share a peek at this prototype of the ORLOK PRESS hat that was delivered yesterday. Looks absolutely bitchin’!!
Make sure to check out the merch section of the campaign for DRACULA: BOOK II-THE BRIDES for a cool assortment of t-shirts in addition to this beautiful topper!
MATT WAGNER~
Welcome to DRACULA: BOOK II--THE BRIDES!
over 1 year ago
– Wed, Oct 09, 2024 at 09:29:37 AM
Hey gang…welcome to the KS campaign for DRACULA: BOOK II—THE IMPALER! This is the first of our very regular updates on the project and both Kelly and I want to thank each and every one of you for backing this second volume in our ongoing series of graphic novels about the secret histories of the world’s most famous literary character…the vampire lord, Dracula!
It’s only been 24 hours since our launch and we already have over 1200 backers!! That’s an absolutely amazing response and, again, we’re incredibly grateful for your enthusiastic support.
If you’re joining us again after first backing and then (hopefully) enjoying BOOK I—THE IMPALER, then you know that this is a real labor of love for both Kelley and I and we’re incredibly proud of the results. BOOK I served as perfect introduction, not only to the sinister origins of Dracula himself, but also to our particular and—we hope—fresh approach to this well-trodden material. Our goal from the beginning has been to remain strictly faithful to the information and portrayals found in Bran Stoker’s original 1897 novel…without presenting yet another adaptation of that particular narrative. In this series, we’re bringing you the mysterious and hidden stories that lurk in the shadowy corners of that classic story.
In BOOK II, we’re exploring the backstories of the Dracula’s infamous Brides, whose brief appearance in the original novel presents such an entrancing dramatic scenario that, over the years, they’ve taken on almost as much legendary mystique as Dracula himself!
You can check out the first five pages of our latest volume in this exclusive reveal from the fine folks at IGN.
And, as has become the tradition for our Orlok Press updates, we’d like to give a shoutout and lend our support to another intriguing and deserving Kickstarter campaign!
For over two decades, the landmark DC Comics comic book series by acclaimed writer Mark Waid and renowned artist Alex Ross has enraptured the minds of superhero fans. Now comes THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME, a documentary film about the making of the legendary comic book series that explores how the artistic vision of Alex Ross reshaped comic art and redefined superheroes across generations. Now live onKickstarter, THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME documentary is an origin story about the iconic, best-selling 90s-era comic book series KINGDOM COME that goes behind-the-scenes and inside the mind of its co-creator, superstar artist: Alex Ross.
Directed by Remsy Atassi and produced by Ross’s art dealer and longtime friend Sal Abbinanti, THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME not only celebrates the groundbreaking work of Alex Ross but also traces the influence of comics through the present day, exploring the roots of pop culture's most vibrant medium in the 21st century. For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to hear directly from the creative team of Mark Waid and Alex Ross along with a wide range of comic luminaries including Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, Julie and Shawna Benson, Paul Dini, and more through exclusive interviews and original footage!
Orlok Press urges you to check out and, in you’re interested, lend your support to this awesome-sounding documentary!
