A new comic book range featuring characters from the original Dracula novel is being produced for 2021 and beyond, penned by Dacre Stoker and Chris McAuley with art from Jessicca Martin.

Dracula and Bram Stoker Comics are phase one of the new ‘AUK comic range’ to be released starting early 2021, part of a major deal between the global publisher Andrews UK Limited (AUK) and Stoker & McAuley Productions.

Writers Dacre Stoker and Chris McAuley are bringing origin stories of the Dracula characters to life. This unique series will feature background stories on the tortured servant Renfield, vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, and the truth behind the Count himself! These will be released in both physical and digital versions.

As part of this multiyear deal, the writing team are also bringing Bram Stoker’s original horror stories to graphic novel format as well as penning original horror narratives featuring favourite creatures. Mummies, werewolves and even vengeful cats are incoming over the coming months!

Stoker & McAuley recently penned a futuristic version of Dracula’s adventures entitled ‘Dracula: Lord of the Future’. This five page comic strip was featured in the anthology 13th Moon published by ‘123Go! Publications’. So far the short story has met with critical acclaim – even catching the eye of comic book alumni Neil Gaiman who recently tweeted his praise for it!

Dacre Stoker is the great grandnephew of Bram Stoker and has been the international bestselling co-author of several titles in the fiction and non-fiction range. In 2009, he penned the best seller ‘Dracula the Un-dead’ with Ian Holt. This was a sequel to the novel and was widely praised for its authenticity and contribution to the on-going lore of the character. In 2018, he released a prequel to Dracula with J.D. Barker entitled ‘Dracul’, the #1 bestselling hardcover novel in Horror and Supernatural in the UK and was a Finalist for ‘Superior Achievement for a novel’ by the Horror Writers Association, Paramount Studios has also purchased the option for film rights.

Chris McAuley rose to comic book fame through his colouring work on Judge Dredd (assisting John Charles) and Roy of the Rovers. He has worked on a total of 24 comics as lead colourist in the last two years including the acclaimed Lang Walk Hame (featured in the Glasgow Museum of Art) as well as working with William Shatner on his ‘Man O War’ series. He is also involved with Disney and DC, having created an exclusive Batman comic book which was illustrated by Legendary Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin. Terri has also mentored Chris over the last 12 months. She is also known for her work on films such as Ghostbusters (1984), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1- 3, The Men in Black Series and the Dinosaurs TV Show.

AUK is also delighted to welcome Jessica Martin as the first signed lead artist to the Stoker & McAuley comic and graphic novel range. Jessica is well known to cult TV fans for her portrayal as Mags, the punk alien werewolf in “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy” story for the classic Doctor Who series starring Sylvester McCoy, and her performances in the Big Finish Audio dramas.

Martin exclusively told Sci-Fi Bulletin, “I am over the moon in so many ways about being the first lead artist for the new Auk comics imprint of the Stoker McAuley Dracula series. Chris McAuley reviewed the Hill of Beans story featuring Mags by Richard Dinnick for Titan comics a couple of years ago. He thought my style of illustration would suit the character driven narrative of the Dracula stories. This will be a tremendous opportunity to stretch my imagination and artistic skills in what promises to be a thrilling line of graphic stories!”

Jessica emerged on the comics scene in 2013 with a one page strip for the 2013 Though Bubble anthology written by her and illustrated by her mentor, DC artist Mark Buckingham. This was followed by her first self-published comic “It Girl” about the life of silent movie star Clara Bow. The comic was selected as one of the Ten Must Own Comics of 2013 by Broken Frontier – the major website for indie creators.

Her recognition in the world of graphic novels continued for her work on “Vivacity”, a stunning comic about the enigmatic film star Vivien Leigh. This work was again selected in 2014, by Broken Frontier, as one of the Ten Must Own Comics. She has also been double Eisner award nominated, and her graphic novel “Elsie Harris Picture Palace” was shortlisted for the Myriad Editions First Graphic Novel prize in 2014.

She returned to the world of Doctor Who when she was commissioned by Titan Comics to illustrate Richard Dinnick’s story featuring her character, Mags from Doctor Who. She also was chosen to illustrate the Thirteenth Doctor cover for Titan comics Forbidden Planet, Free Comic Book edition.

Jessica and Chris McAuley recently contributed to a Doctor Who annual, once again featuring Mags. Jessica illustrated an image of herself with the seventh Doctor, which Chris coloured. Chris also wrote an origin story featuring Jessica’s character Mags, with the blessing of Stephen Wyatt, the author of “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy”.

Jessica is very excited to be joining forces with writers Chris McAuley and Dacre Stoker as well as publisher AUK to bring the works of Bram Stoker to a new audience thirsting for multi-layered tales of suspense.

 

Read our interview with Jessica Martin here

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