Legendary comic creators Matt Wagner, Kelley Jones and José Villarrubia present the next installment in their secret history of Dracula
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Once again...WE HAVE RISEN!
about 6 hours ago
– Fri, Oct 02, 2026 at 09:01:01 AM
Hey gang…the campaign for DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD has officially launched and is already off to an incredibly stellar start!
As always, Kelley and I want to say a heartfelt thanks to you, our loyal readers. This project lives and breathes (and rises from the dead) due to your generous and ardent support. When we first started this project over five years ago, we certainly hope that our efforts might see grand success…but the response from our backers and the press and reviewers alike has been overwhelming. We just can’t say it enough…THANK YOU!
And, as a special exclusive for you, our patrons, here’s an exciting bit of news…in a stunning bit of synchronicity, Kelley finished the pencil art for all of BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD yesterday, just one day before the KS launch! There’s definitely an enticing air of kismet about that convergence of events. The extended results of this achievement being that this means BOOK IV will definitely ship to you on time…just like the preceding three volumes before it!
As a special treat to celebrate this milestone, here’s a peek at something you won’t get to see very often…an example of Kelley’s pencils. This is for a page two-thirds of the way through the book…where merely the proximity of Dracula’s supernatural malevolence is enough to make random women swoon!
If you’d like to hear Kelley and I talk more about our process and inspirations of this series of graphic novels, check out this online interview with our friends at Near Mint Condition. If you’ve ever seen one of interviews before, you’ll know that we both looooove talking about these books!
And, as per usual in our updates, we’d like to give a shout out to another fave project here on Kickstarter. This is one from Monstrous Books, which is headed by our dear friend and campaign manager, James Aquilone…without whom none of these projects would’ve run even a fraction as smoothly as they so effortlessly have done. We love you, James!
Monstrous launches a new Kickstarter series pitting the legendary comedy duo against the Night Stalker, the Morlocks and Cthulhu
Abbott and Costello are back in comics for the first time in more than half a century — and this time, they’re bringing the monsters with them.
Monstrous is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters, an all-new comic book series that reunites legendary comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello with the kind of monsters, madmen and supernatural mayhem that helped make some of their most beloved films classics.
The campaign will feature three full-length comics written by Bram Stoker Award winner James Aquilone, an array of variant covers from acclaimed comic book artists, and exclusive Abbott and Costello merchandise.
The new series, Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters, marks the first new comics starring the duo in more than 50 years.
The first issue, Abbott and Costello Meet the Night Stalker, throws Bud and Lou into the dark, supernatural world of Kolchak: The Night Stalker. The issue has interior art by DaveAcosta and covers by J.K. Woodward, Lukas Ketner, and Zac Atkinson.
That’s if for now…we’ll be coming back atcha with more updates as the campaign progresses.
Stay spooky, oh you Children of the Night!
MATT WAGNER~
THE UNDEAD shall rise!
7 days ago
– Fri, Sep 25, 2026 at 01:57:45 PM
Hey gang…here’s our latest update to remind you that the Kickstarter campaign for DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD launches next Thursday, 10/1, at 9am PST!
Artist Kelley Jones and I sincerely hope you’ll join us for this fourth and final volume of our epic DRACULA saga! This is the grand finale that I’d outlined to Kel when first spoke about the possibility of this collaboration over five years ago! To see it finally come to its blood-soaked fruition after that amount of time is a dream come true!
Our final tale is even bigger than its predecessors, clocking in at 122 pages of story and art! As per usual, we’ll be offering this volume in three different editions; one featuring Kelley’s main cover art, one featuring my variant cover art and one signed & numbered edition limited to our standard sinister 666 copies.
Also as per usual, we’ll be offering a special something extra to add to your purchases. We hope you’re in a psychedelic mood because our special extra for BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD is… a Black Light Poster! The full poster will be revealed Thursday when the campaign goes live.
Here's a tease!
We also have limited quantities of the extra features from our past campaigns as well as copies of the hardcover books as well. Again, quantities of these are limited so if you’re looking to fill out your set, make sure to sign and pledge early! The campaign page will also feature a five-page preview of pages from the actual book.
If you haven’t already done so, go to the pre-launch page for DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD and sign up to follow the campaign. This way, you’ll be immediately notified when the campaign goes live and get your orders for whatever you might be missing and still need to complete your DRACULA collection.
This volume of our saga looks incredible and both Kelley and I agree that this storyline is the most evil one yet. The perfect book with which to ring in midnight on Halloween! Sign up today!
Also as per usual, we like to endorse certain other projects here on Kickstarter. This time, it’s…ThePlanetoid Raiders!
Wandering Planets Toys' Gavin Hignight and Chris “Doc” Wyatt have created an out of this world line of retro-style action figures, featuring the coolest, quirkiest space travelers ever known to the universe: The Planetoid Raiders! Who are these intergalactic aliens? Inspired by Kenner Toys’ 1978 Star Wars action figures, and their off-the-wall competitor Tomland Toys’ Starroid Raiders – each PLANETOID RAIDER is a lovingly designed tribute to classic scifi toys and a striking piece of contemporary art. Fans can collect each limited edition, 5-point articulated, 1:18 Scale figure on Kickstarter, including brave Captain Oton, heroic Helmsman Ryot, WarLor the Mysterious Space Traveler, the trusty rusty robot Yogun, and the rest of the team. PLANETOID RAIDERS: Wave 1 are available on retro-inspired card backs or pre-packed in a metal lunchbox-style collector’s case. Wandering Planet Toys has even created an 8 page “Sloog Interlude” mini-comic titled written by Chris “Doc” Wyatt with art by Chris Anderson (American Caper).
We hope all of you sign up and join us for the final stage of Dracula’s journey as he truly becomes…The Undead!
Stay spooky, oh you Children of the Night!
MATT WAGNER~
HE'S COMING FOR YOU!
about 1 month ago
– Tue, Sep 01, 2026 at 03:13:34 PM
Hey gang…it’s time for another update to reveal my variant cover art for DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD!
You can also read about this cover at AIPT Comics.
By now, most of your should’ve received (or very soon) your copies of BOOK III—THE COUNT and are now excitedly awaiting for the campaign for BOOK IV to launch!
If you haven’t already done so, register now on the BOOK IV prelaunch page! You’ll be notified immediately once the campaign goes live!
Kelley and I are both super excited to premiere some preview pages from this, our fourth and final volume in our epic saga of the vampire lord, Dracula!
Lastly, we’d also like to endorse ANOTHER Dracula project featuring Kelley Jones! In this case…Marvel Masterworks: The Tomb of Dracula, Marvel Masterworks Vol. 6, for which the esteemed Mr. Jones wrote the introduction!
Here’s the link and information about this volume;
Marvel Comics’ longest-running, premier archival hardcover collection series is coming back in style! Clover Press will now publish the iconic Marvel Masterworks line, starting with four brand new editions that highlight four iconic eras of Marvel history and some of the industry’s greatest creators of all time.
The first wave of Clover Press’ Marvel Masterworksincludes four titles:
In Marvel Masterworks: The Uncanny X-Men, Vol. 18, Chris Claremont and Jim Lee begin their march towards X-Men #1, the Guiness Book of World Records top-selling comic book of all time—collecting THE UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) 256-268 & ANNUAL (1970) 14 and material from THE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL (1963) 23, X-FACTOR ANNUAL (1986) 5 and THE NEW MUTANTS ANNUAL (1984) 6.
Featuring an introduction by Chris Claremont
In Marvel Masterworks: Super-Villain Team-Up, Vol. 1, Doctor Doom and his notorious accomplices Namor and the Red Skull take the stage in this classic Marvel series which gives the bad guys full rein—collecting GIANT-SIZE SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP (1975) 1-2, SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP (1975) 1-17, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT (1971) 27, THE AVENGERS (1963) 154-156, THE CHAMPIONS (1975) 16 and material from MARVEL PREVIEW (1975) 21.
Featuring an introduction by Roy Thomas
In Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 25, Walter Simonson and Sal Buscema’s original art is faithfully restored and looking better than ever as The God of Thunder leads an army into Hel itself in this fan-favorite classic every Marvel fan should have in their library—collecting THE MIGHTY THOR (1966) 360-369 and BALDER THE BRAVE (1985) 1-4.
Featuring an introduction by Walter Simonson
In Marvel Masterworks: The Tomb of Dracula, Vol. 6, high-stakes storytelling pulls long-running characters like Quincy Harker, Rachel van Helsing and Blade into a final reckoning that leaves no one untouched from collaborators Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan and Tom Palmer—collecting THE TOMB OF DRACULA (1972) 56-70.
Featuring an introduction by Kelley Jones
That’s it for this update, oh you Children of the Night!
Until the BOOK IV launches…stay spooky! MATT WAGNER~
PS--OOPS! I forgot to mention that I'll be a guest at the 2026 Dragon Con in Atlanta this coming weekend. Hope to see some of you there!
Be afraid...THE COUNT is in the house!
about 2 months ago
– Wed, Aug 05, 2026 at 02:11:16 PM
Hey, gang…we’re incredibly thrilled to be bringing you this latest update to say that the printed copies of DRACULA: BOOK III—THE COUNT have arrived!
These beautiful volumes, which tell the behind-the-scenes tale of what the nefarious vampire lord is up to during his stay in London…events that are enticingly and frustratingly off-stage as recounted in author Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 novel…are every bit as gorgeous as their predecessors, BOOK I—THE IMPALER and BOOK II—THE BRIDES!
Artist Kelley Jones and I are incredibly proud of this chapter in our ongoing DRACULA epic as it had to precisely adhere to the well-documented and specific actions described in the original text…while also providing our own unique perspective on the infamous nosferatu! And we’re also gratified to say that our version of these events passed the exacting scrutiny of noted DRACULA scholar, Leslie S. Klinger. Professor Dracula gave us an “A”!
The books are being now processed and will soon be on their way to our fulfillment service, wherein they then be sent along to all of you…sometime within the next month. The same is true for those of you who purchased the beautiful art portfolio that consists of ten plates of new images featuring the first artistic collaboration between Kel and me!
Both of us are incredibly excited and anxious for all of you to finally read this crucial chapter in our ongoing saga. And, as always, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our backers and readers without whose generous support, this dream project could’ve never come to such sumptuous fruition. Thank you, backers!!
And, to celebrate this culmination of our third successful Kickstarter campaign, we’re giving all of you an exclusive look at Kelley’s cover art for our fourth and final volume in this saga…DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD! With colors provided, of course, by the amazing José Villarrubia! You can also see this cover's premiere at ThePopverse.com.
If you haven’t yet signed up to follow our upcoming campaign for BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD, now’s the time to get on board! You’ll be immediately notified once the campaign goes live this coming October.
Kelley and I agree that this final volume is the most evil one of all as we explore what came after the events of the original novel. Did Dracula survive his seeming destruction at the end of the book? And, if so, what would be his response be to the cadre of daring heroes who tracked him down and dismantled his sinister schemes?
The vampire lord’s vengeance awaits in…DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD!
And, as always, we like to promote other Kickstarter campaigns that we like. This time...it's a documentary about famed anime legend, Osamu Tezuka!
It’s hard to overstate Osamu Tezuka’s influence on manga and anime in Japan and comic book and animation storytelling around the world. Before there was Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Chainsaw Man, and Jujutsu Kaisen, there was Tezuka’s Astro Boy: the loveable, iconic, atomic-powered robot boy. Known in Japan as Tetsuwan Atom, this loveable hero sprang fully formed from the imagination of Tezuka-sensei, AKA the “God of Manga.” Tezuka broke new ground in 1963 when he introduced Astro Boy as Japan’s first weekly animated TV program. Now, Peabody Award-winning director Jason Andrew Cohn and the Bread & Butter Films production team (Camille Servan-Schreiber, Jinko Gotoh, Glen S. Fukushima, and Roland Kelts) — will spotlight Osamu Tezuka’s life and legacy with TEZUKA! God of Manga, an all-new, feature-length documentary. The film is headed to Kickstarter and will launch in the coming weeks.
TEZUKA! God of Manga will feature interviews with legendary manga and animecreators including Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira), Riyoko Ikeda (Rose of Versaille), Naoki Urasawa (Monster), Go Nagai (Devilman), Yoshiyuki Tomino (Gundam), MADHOUSE co-founder and anime producer Masao Maruyama (Tokyo Godfathers), anime director Rintaro (Metropolis), best-selling fantasy author Ada Palmer (Too Like the Lightning), Samuel Sattin (Unico Awakening), and Jorge R. Gutierrez (The Book of Life), to discuss how Tezuka’s trailblazing influenced their work and changed the mediums of manga, comics, and animation.
Until October, enjoy the bloody pageant of BOOK III—THE COUNT and, as always…
Stay spooky, oh you Children of the Night!
MATT WAGNER~
Time to share your address with us!
4 months ago
– Wed, Jun 03, 2026 at 10:53:07 AM
Hey, gang!
In the wake of World Dracula Day, it’s time for another update!
And for this one, we’ve got a special sneak peek at Kelley’s B&W art for the cover of DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD! This is only a teaser portion of the art and we’ll soon be unveiling the whole masterpiece in stunning color by Eisner-nominated José Villarrubia! It's a chilling depiction of the infamous vampire lord...the kind that only Kelley Jones can deliver!
And, as promised, the Backerkit surveys for DRACULA: BOOK III—THE COUNT are on their way to you!
The Smoke Test has started and after 24 hours the rest of the surveys will start to distribute over the next couple of days.
If you’ve previously backed our other DRACULA campaigns, then you already know the drill in regards to the surveys. But, if you’re fresh outta the coffin, these forms are our one and only way of obtaining your mailing address and eventually fulfilling your orders.
We urge you to please fill these surveys out as soon as you receive them and then you can absolutely forget about this process until your beautiful volumes arrive in the mail! Seriously, these forms only take a minute or so to complete; they’re just asking for your address and confirmation of your orders—they're definitely not full of a bunch of annoying “please rate us” sorts of questions. You'll also receive a link to download your digital books through the surveys. Digital Books I and II will be available after you fill out your survey. Book III will be coming when we're closer to shipping.
When you do fill out the surveys, you’ll also be able to add-on purchases to your existing order.
You can still purchase the lovely prestige portfolio for BOOK III—THE COUNT, which features 10 full-color plates printed on high-quality stock and showcasing a first time artistic collaboration between Kelley and myself, with Kelley drawing each image and me providing the painted color. These original pieces sold out in short order during the campaign but you can own gorgeous prints of the entire series! This set of prints is limited to only 100 copies and comes in a lovely card-stock envelope that includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed and numbered by both me and Kelley.
You can also still purchase limited copies of our first two volumes…BOOK I—THE IMPALER and BOOK II—THE BRIDES! If you missed out the first two times around, now's your chance to complete the series.
The surveys will list what products are still available (like t-shirts!) so please make sure to open those emails and process your information ASAP!
Lastly, as per usual, we like to promote various other crowd-funding projects in our updates and this one certainly fits in with the Orlok Press vibe. It’s also written by a former collaborator of Kelley’s, author Steve Niles. The campaign for this book is featured on Zoom.
Legendary writer Steve Niles and acclaimed artist Damien Worm are collaborating on an all-new graphic novel that puts a unique twist on a classic horror tradition: the holiday ghost story. Heartbreak Manoris an ambitious and artful horror story about a desperate young orphan who must uncover the deadly secret hidden that lurks within the walls of an old mansion. To bring this haunting, Gothic ghost story to life, Niles and Worm are headed to Zoop for the first time.
That’s it for now, our friends. As always, Kel and I want to say thanks for your generous and enthusiastic support of our epic DRACULA series. At this point, we’re hard at work unveiling the hidden terrors to be found in the fourth and final volume of our saga…DRACULA: BOOK IV—THE UNDEAD!
Follow the link to sign up and receive immediate notification once the campaign goes live this October!
Until then…stay blood-thirsty, oh Children of the Night!
Here’s the link and information about this volume;
