Spike Set To Take On The Lord of Vampires

San Diego, CA (November 30, 2005) First, Angel successfully returned to comics in the form of the sold-out Angel: The Curse. Then, IDW Publishing and New York Times best-selling writer Peter David brought Spike back to the fold as well in the 48-page one-shot, Spike: Old Friends. And now, David is poised to throw the blonde-haired, snarky vampire his biggest challenge yet: getting back the 11 quid he’s long been owed by the Lord of the Undead, Dracula himself.

In Spike vs. Dracula #1, the first issue of a five-part, 32-page comic book miniseries illustrated by artist Joe Corroney, Peter David (Spike: Old Friends, Fallen Angel) lays out the long history between these two willful vamps, beginning in 1890, where a tribe of gypsies inflicted a terrible curse upon the vampire known as Angelus... a curse that brought a terrible vengeance upon the tribe in the form of Angelus's family: Darla, Drusilla, and most notably, William the Bloody, a.k.a. "Spike." But the gypsy clan has a dark and powerful supporter: Count Dracula. Outraged over the slaughter of the gypsies, Dracula seeks revenge upon the three vampires... and thus begins a rivalry between Spike and Dracula that will cover decades. A rivalry steeped in blood... honor... and eleven quid.

Noting the differences in their personalities, Peter David had this to say about Spike versus Dracula, “Throughout the series, to Dracula there's great emotional weight in his resentment toward Spike, whereas Spike pretty much just wants his money back.”

The miniseries spans centuries, and sees the rivalry between Spike and Vlad the Impaler take place across many lands, including 1930s Hollywood, 1940s Germany, 1950s Rome, and even modern day. Along the way, some very familiar guest-stars will be showing up as well. Will Spike ever get back the money he’s owed? Will there be a clear-cut winner in this long rivalry? Starting in February, to coin an old refrain, all will be revealed.

Spike vs. Dracula #1, the first part of a monthly five-issue miniseries launches in February as a 32-page, full-color comic book. All five issues will feature covers from interior artist Corroney, as well as Zach Howard, Sean Murphy and Eric Wight. According to Michael Peikoff,Vice President Domestic Licensing, at 20th Century Fox Licensing&Merchandising, ‘We are genuinely excited about this multi-series release and are proud partners with IDW Publishing on the launch title, Spike vs.Dracula—IDW will deliver to it’s fans the rich, authentic storylines and interior artistry they have come to expect—and they won’t be disappointed.

To preview the first five pages of issue 1, click here.

Spike: Old Friends, by Peter David and Fernando Goni, is available here.

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