Strukul presents an interesting take in this one: literature, both prose and graphic, is inundated with takes on Stoker’s Dracula; tales of Vlad Dracul, sans pointy teeth and presumably closer to reality? A bit less so. Instead of the vampire, we see the monster: blood-thirsty, selfish and impulsive—but passionate, fiercely independent and Wallachian-loyal even unto his death. And in terms of story, we get plots and sub-plots aplenty, and no shortage of character motivations left gestating for future harvest. (11/13)