As a companion piece to Christopher Sequeira/IFWC Publishing's alternate-reality curation, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not (wherein authors replaced Dr. John H. Watson with other investigative companions of varying prestige), Dracula Unfanged takes a similar, unique turn. In this instance, Sequeira hosts stories that depict the legendary parasite as something other than such, or at least characterized by diverse, biting twists.
The anthology includes material by Mr. Sequeira; Jacqueline Sequeira; Philip Cornell; Leverret Butts; Dacre Stoker; Ramsey Campbell; Leslie S. Klinger; I.A. Watson; Julie Ditrich; Christopher Fowler; Jason Franks; Nancy Holder; Jim Krueger; Brad Mengel; Lee Murray; Will Murray; Alan Philipson; Andrew Salmon; J. Scherpenhuizen; and my publisher pal, Ron Fortier, with the contents adorned by fanciful artwork from Vicky Adams and Dave Elsey.
For Fortier's tale, "Worlds of Wonder", Dracula bears the name George V. and isn't a bad bloke at all, but rather a romantic entrepreneur in 1934 New York. Drac's specialty--pulp publishing; how apt, coming from the man who helms Airship 27's many New Pulp titles!
As such, we're offered an eloquent, modernized tourist's view of Vlad's clandestine turf (and with all the ironic furnishings one might imagine); Satan as Drac's publicity agent; Drac as a revamped (pun intended), Lestat-ish celebrity; Lucy Westenra's documented lust for the womanizing Count (and Jonathan Harker's crusade to eradicate such); Drac struttin' his stuff about a hothouse and the peculiar emaciation that ensues; Drac's legacy bracketed within a high-profile television special; Drac's influence on a "dragon" inspired cult; Drac as a wee lad's "imaginary" friend; Drac's infiltration per a Lovecraftian fly; Drac as a bohemian pied piper accompanied by groupie brides (and a promoter named Renfield); Drac reborn through Mafioso carnage; Jonathan Harker as a war-torn captain pursuing his arch foe (with a special appearance by Bela Lugosi, no less); and Mina "Hawker" as a special-agent, Drac-hunting/Emma Peel-styled avenger, mentored by the always tenacious Van Helsing.
As one may infer, this volume brims with interesting angles and smart reinventions, which bring bold reinterpretations to an all-time favorite fiend and his complex, but malleable mythology. That makes Dracula Unfanged a extraordinary essential for all alternate-reality collections.
To order Dracula Unfanged, head to
https://www.amazon.com/Dracula-Unfanged-Christopher-Sequeira/dp/1922556831/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CE0MNXS7JBJM&keywords=dracula+unfanged&qid=1663709801&sprefix=dracula+unfange%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1
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