Dracula - Alternate Format, Graphic Novel

Author: Bram Stoker

Adapted by: Gary Reed
Illustrated by: Becky Cloonan

Title:  Dracula

Publication Date: 2006

Number of Pages: 176

Part of a Series:  No

Subject Heading(s):

• Comic books, strips, etc. -- Juvenile literature
• Counts and countesses -- Comic books, strips, etc
• Dracula -- Comic books, strips
• Fiances -- Comic books, strips, etc.
• Graphic novel
• Graphic novels -- United States -- Juvenile literature
• Horror comic books, strips, etc. -- Juvenile literature.
• Lawyers -- Comic books, strips, etc.
• Lust -- Comic books, strips, etc.
• Men/women relations -- Comic books, strips, etc.
• Stoker, Bram, 1847-1912. Dracula. Adaptations
• Vampires -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Geographical Setting/ Time Period: England and Transylvania, sometime in the past

Main Character(s):

• Jonathan Harker- a young lawyer; curious, brave and willing to risk his life for his loved ones.
• Mina- Jonathan’s fiancée; kind, practical, virtuous, and very smart- she is faithful to Jonathan.
• Lucy- Mina’s best friend; bright and vivacious, she is susceptible to darkness.
• Count Dracula- a vampire from Transylvania; he is mysterious, cunning, and powerful.
• Professor Van Helsing- an expert at science and medicine.

Plot:  Jonathan Harker is sent to Transylvania by his law firm to work for the mysterious Count Dracula. What he discovers there sends him fleeing for his life and afraid for his loved ones. When he finally makes it back to England, strange occurrences force Jonathan to admit that the worst possible nightmare is upon him: Dracula has found a way across the ocean to England

Special Features: Interview with the illustrator, short bio of Bram Stoker, and a section of sketches by the novel illustrator and cover creator.

Appeal: This is a graphic novel adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and is labeled a YA graphic novel. The tone is dark and suspenseful. The pace is fast, and the movement in the illustrations helps to push the plot along. The illustrations are in black and white and use darkness and shadows to reinforce the tone and subject of the story. This graphic novel is not text heavy, except for a few excerpts from Jonathan’s letters to his fiancée and a journal entry or two. Readers will rely upon the illustrations to tell the story, using text to give the major points of the plot and to fill in any gaps in information the images cannot convey. Because most violence takes place off stage or isn’t shown in graphic details and characters are not drawn with sexually exaggerated features, this novel is appropriate for most young adult readers.

Brief quote: “I have seen things that do not seem possible. Yet they are real. I heard a noise one night and looked out the window. And below me, I saw something that looked like a giant bat and then like a man.” P. 32

Prizes or Awards: none

Similar Works: Tales of the Slayer by Joss Whedon

Reviewer's Name: Lori Chatman

 

Form adapted from Saricks, Joyce G. and Nancy Brown. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library 2^nd.  Chicago: ALA, 1997.