The Comics Code Authority was an industry driven watchdog that approved the content of comic books. One of the rules they had prior to 1972 "was a virtual ban on vampires." With their relaxing standards in the 70s, many of the horror beasties were already shown on TV; the comics finally participated in these relaxed standards. Marvel after success with Morbius the Living Vampire had "tested the waters." Also, they knew that Dracula was part of the public domain and free to tap into. Hence The Tomb of Dracula a Marvel comic book series ran from April 1972 to August 1979.
The Tomb of Dracula ran for 70 issues and had Count Dracula take on and defeat most comers. He battled some heavy hitters too. Yes, there was the Van Helsing group, Blade the Vampire Slayer, Hannibal King (vampire that did not kill to survive), Taj Nital an Indian Muslim vampire hunter, Lilith Dracula's daughter, Deacon Frost (vampire leader), Hulk, Solomon Kane, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer (What! No Way!), Thor, Werewolf by Night, and even the X-Men. This character has taken on so many in the Marvel Universe they are too many to name here. Not bad for a series that started in the 70s. If you know of any matchups that I missed here please blog on FaceBook. Can this public domain character provide profit margins even today?
Jack Palance in City Slickers
The Backstory of Tomb of Dracula
The team-up that truly decided this extraordinary run on Tomb of Dracula was not made of superheroes but of two great artists. The team supreme: Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan. Colon lobbied for the assignment:
"When I heard Marvel was putting out a Dracula book, I confronted Stan Lee (editor) and asked him to let me do it. He didn't give me too much trouble but, then said he had promised it to Bill Everett. Well, right then and there I auditioned for it. Stan didn't know what I was up to, but I spent a day at home and worked up a sample, using Jack Palance as my inspiration and sent it to Stan. I got a call that very day: "It's yours" ( Source: Greenberger, Robert. "Inside the Tome of Dracula", Marvel Spotlight: Marvel Zombies Return (2009), p. 27).
The Tomb of Dracula #1Are these horror comics too corny for modern times? Is there value in horror speculation for 70s comics? I believe so, in fact, I originally started collecting them just for the covers which looked cool and very campy. Then when I looked a little closer at Bronze Age horror it was starting to come into its own. I thought that might happen. Glad to see it did, please check out these returns for The Tomb of Dracula #1:
Long-Term Returns
- Grade 9.8 $1750 FMV returns positive +10.3%
- Grade 9.6 $675 FMV returns positive +20.7%
- Grade 8.5 $200 FMV returns positive +24.2%
- Grade 6.5 $130 FMV returns positive +24.5%
- Grade 4.0 $85 FMV returns positive +52.8%
Short-Term returns (12-months of 2018-2019)
- Grade 9.8 $1750 FMV returns negative -23.2%
- Grade 9.6 $675 FMV returns positive +5.7%
- Grade 8.0 $150 FMV returns positive +14.4%
- Grade 4.0 $85 FMV returns positive 24.3%
The Lord of Vampires is sure sucking at the pool of speculative profit. These numbers show a strong comic quickly approaching its 50th year and still profitable today.
Long-Term Outlook: This key book is well on its way to one of the top horror titles to own from the Bronze Age. The average sale price (of grades reviewed here) of $568 for a +20-24% return. Buy and hold.
Short-Term Outlook: The last 12 months have been good to this book, want to stay in the lower grades for easy turnover and bigger returns. The average sale price (of grades reviewed here) $665 with between a +6%-14% return. Buy.
I believe the horror comics still have a ways to go to catch up with the superhero genre from the Bronze Age. I have purchased many in my personal collection and plan to sit on them for about the next decade. The Bronze Age is here to stay; don't put a stake through The Tomb of Dracula #1. Instead, buy a copy. You will thank me when that other bloodsucker Morbius hits the big screen in 2020.
