A co-worker came by my desk to ask, “Seriously, an Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter movie? Is that for real?” in response my earlier post today about the film’s first screen shot.
The question inspired our discussion of vampire mash-ups and made me remember a novel I read years ago that would make an excellent graphic novel series or movie.
In Anno Dracula, Kim Newman created the mashup in 1992 long before the trend. Imagine a Victorian England where Dracula was never defeated. The Count enthralls the Queen. British socialites are willing to become a vampire to rise in social rank. Jack the Ripper is killing vampire prostitutes. A human detective and ancient vampiress team up to solve the mystery that could threaten Dracula’s dark reign.
Anno Dracula is daring feat of reimagination that is sexy, thrilling, dark and filled with figures from real and literary history. A bloody good fantasy that would be a great graphic novel and movie.
The great Neil Gaiman said it best, “Kim Newman’s Anno Dracula is back in print, and we must celebrate. It was the first mash-up of literature, history and vampires, and now, in a world in which vampires are everywhere, it’s still the best, and its bite is just as sharp. Compulsory reading, commentary, and mindgame: glorious.”