Dracula: Son of the Dragon

A single-issue prestige one-shot from Dark Horse in 2021, Dracula: Son of the Dragon strips away supernatural trappings to reimagine the historical Vlad the Impaler, grounding his legend in the brutal politics of 15th-century Wallachia. The creative team explores the man before the monster, focusing on his harrowing youth as a hostage of the Ottoman Empire and the formative cruelties that would forge his fearsome reputation. This concise, character-driven take offers a stark, human origin for the figure who would become the iconic vampire, distinguishing itself by prioritizing historical drama over gothic horror.