Dracula (1980 zine)

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Zine
Title: Dracula
Publisher: T'Kuhtian Press
Editor(s): Lori Chapek-Carleton
Date(s): February 1980
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: Dracula as well as other Draculas
Language: English
External Links:
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cover by Gordon Carleton
a 1979 flyer printed in Warped Space #42

Dracula is a gen Dracula 124-page anthology. While it focuses on the 1979 movie which stars Frank Langella, other versions of Dracula are represented as well.

The content is almost all fiction, art, and poetry, with a single essay by Jean Lorrah.

The cover is by Gordon Carleton.

Interior art is by Martynn, Michael Goodwin, Susan W. Perry, Kelly Hill, Jane Firmstone, James Odbert, Connie Faddis, Lisa Mason, Signe Landon, Miriam Amos, Deb Walsh, Edith Crowe, Tracy Taylor, Jeanne Sullivan, Bev Zuk, Terri Korthals, and Cory Correll.


Despite that the editorial notes that "issues are slated to appear annually at Halloween," only one issue was ever published.

From Warped Space #43 (February 1980):

My DRACULA 'zine will be in print shortly after WS and OB 4. While originally conceived as a one-shot, interest has been so high that I'll try making DRACULA a once-a-year publication. In 1980, how ever, DRACULA will appear twice, since I want to get the 'zine out every Halloween. I'm now accepting contributions for DRACULA II — the theme is vampirism in general, and Dracula stories are not restricted to the Langella version.

Cost of the Zine

"1st Class cover and mailing cost is $9.75; UPS cover and mailing cost is $8.73; 3rd Class cover and mailing cost $8.55. S.a.s.e. for overseas prices. Prices quoted are for this first issue only; s.a.s.e. for price information on the second issue. Cover price $7.50."

Art: Differing Venues, Differing Reproduction Quality

The art that fans saw a zine, despite being the "same," were often quite different due to how it was reproduced.

One example is this illo by Susan Perry-Lewis. There are at least four ways fans may have viewed it.

1) in the very first original print run of this zine, "Dracula" 2) in possible reprints of "Dracula" done by either the original publisher or an authorized agent; these copies were likely not as high-quality as the original first-run due to costs and fussiness (the publisher of "Dracula" talks about the higher cost of the art, silkscreened and otherwise, in the zine's editorial 3) as the illo was printed, with permission, in other venues such as another zine, or in the case of this illo, as it appeared in a MediaWest*Con publication/program book 4) a completely rogue, photocopied copy by fans who wanted to keep or share it with other fans

The fact that the original art, even in the best editor's hands, may not have been given the reproduction care, due to lack of ability and other reasons, that showed the art in the way the original artist intended is a completely different topic!

  • portrait by Susan Perry-Lewis, nominated for a 1981 Fan Q, reprinted in the book that MediaWest*Con put out for fans voting in the 1981 awards

  • the portrait as it appears in the zine itself; keep in mind this example is a photocopy, either authorized or unauthorized

Editorial

From "A Word of Explanation/Coming Attractions" at the end of the zine:

As you all know, this 'zine started out as a one-shot. You may not know that it started at the urging of Kelly Hill, when I was in mid-telephone conversation with her some five months or so ago. I idly mentioned that I felt almost inspired to do a DRACULA 'zine, after having seen the Langella version of the movie to the upteenth time, and she said something to the effect of, "Why don't you?". The result is in your hands.

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who contributed. Martynn, Bev Zuk, Mary Lee Cascio, and Anne Elizabeth Zeek in particular faced deadlines that, as Martynn said, were jokes, not deadlines. Barbara Wenk suggested that next time I might wait before all the material is in before setting a publication date. Sigh.

As I've said, the Langella version of DRACULA (both play and movie, now that I think about it) inspired this 'zine, but I've been a DRACULA (and vampire fan) since my elementary school days, when I saw a copy of Golden Comics (or whatever they were called) version of DRACULA. That inspired me to hunt down the book, which I immediately loved. Some time later, I got hooked on DARK SHADOWS, and at the time in my adolescence when I was heavily into the occult, I collected all sorts of neat books on vampires, werewolves, and the like. I've outgrown that phase, but not my taste for horror fiction.

Apparently, the Langella version(s) of DRACULA also inspired most of the contributors, as you might have noted after reading this 'zine. I don't mind at all, but it might make for some confusion on the occasional piece relating to another version, or to Bram Stoker's novel; especially since Mina's and Lucy's names were switched in the Langella movie.

When Anne Elizabeth Zeek mentioned her story idea to me at August Party last year, I sort of nodded my head, thought "uh-huh", and told her I'd be happy to look at the manuscript. Little did I know what sort or a block buster she had in mind! Some STAR WARS fans will be buying this 'zine because of Anne's story, much as some STARSKY & HUTCH fans have been buying SYNDIZINE.

Amy L. Manring appears courtesy of Vicki James, who brought her poems in THE CLIPPER TRADE SHIP to my attention. And I owe Amy thanks for sending duplicate copies at the last minute, because I'd lost the originals.

Susan Matthews sent me a heap of stuff; more will appear in the next issue.

Ronni Sacksteder, Jani Hicks, Beth Bowles, and Linda Stoops live in an enclave in Ohio — their work is of uniformly high quality, and if Jani hadn't broken her arm recently, she'd have been represented by more pages in this issue.

Carol Hansen has been a long-time subscriber to WARPED SPACE: I never knew she was into DRACULA until word of this 'zine spread.

Ditto for Jane Firmstone (and Kelly Hill). They're both long-time contributors, too.

Maggie S. Hart is a fairly new acquaintance and an outstanding writer.

Franny Moore-Kyle is a writer of repute. I haven't seen much from Robin Cloward, Tracy Taylor, or L. Jeanne Powers, but would like to. Kathy Esselman is a reluctant fan, and is heavily into STAR TREK fiction at the moment. Edith Louise Crowe, as you can see, is both artist and poet. Shirley Emerson, Amia Twytte, and Nan Helsing are pseudonyms behind which three famous fans are hiding. In the cases of Amia and Nan, you can see why! Jean Lorrah is well-known for her STAR TREK and other fiction; Barb Gompf has her fingers into just about everything, and Desi Bell is a new fan catching up with as much as she can as soon as she can. Valerie Piacentini is a wonderful, warm person and a STAR TREK writer.

Laurie Haldeman is another long-time WARPED SPACE subscriber and friend. Mary Lee Cascio I've known for years, but we've really renewed our acquaintanceship since DRACULA! Martynn's illos, as always, are lovely; in fact, all the artwork in this issue are outstanding, don't you think? My thanks to all the artists; I'm especially happy to have snagged Michael Goodwin and James Odbert, both of whom are pros. Susan Perry, of course, is amply represented in this issue, and Bev Zuk's idea to do a two-color illo was a stroke of genius. Cory Correll's was the first piece of DRACULA art I purchased; the second was a Susan Perry. My Martynn and Faddis were gifts (thank you!). Kudos, too, to Kelly, Jane, Lisa, Signe, Miriam, Deb, Tracy, Jeanne, and Terri.

I haven't much time or room, so would like to finish up with an explanation of the horrendous cover price of this issue (I was hoping for a $5 or $6 cover price) [1], and a taste of what's coming up. This is one of the few 'zines I've seen where almost every illustration was screened. Most of the work is pencil. The results are magnificent, but screens are expensive. So is two-color work. And my printer just raised his prices an average of 20%. But I think the results are worth it.

As for the next issue, I've already got the short story "Bat Out of Hell" by Susan Matthews (illustrated by Hans Dietrich), more illustrations by Susan Perry and Martynn and Linda Stoops and Dot Sasscer and Tracy Taylor that couldn't fit in this issue, more poetry by Amy L. Manring, and a short story concerning Dracula's return to Billerbeck Hall after the end of the movie. Unfortunately, I need a duplicate of the manuscript, and I've forgotten who sent the story to me -- both of which are the reason the story doesn't appear in this issue. There's a dance scene in the story. Will the author please contact me?

As before, I'd appreciate knowing as far in advance as possible of any lengthy submissions being planned for submission in the second issue. Since I'd like to get the next issue printed by mid-October, I'd like to set a first-draft deadline for July 31st and would very much like outlines and/or partial drafts ready as much before that deadline as possible for artists' reference. Artists interested in accepting illustration assignments are urged to let me know as soon as they can, and I'll keep them in mind for same, as submissions come in. Authors and poets are free to suggest possible artists for their submissions, as well.

Once again, thank you one and all for your interest and support. I hope you're looking forward to another issue as much as I am! The theme is the same as that of this issue — the vampire; not necessarily Dracula himself, and not necessarily the Langella version (though it is a popular favorite).

Contents

  • The Shadows are Many by Jani Hicks (56)
  • The Born-Again Vampire by Jani Hicks (58)
  • Do Not Think Me Dead by Franny Moore-Kyle (60)
  • Untitled, three poems by Kathy Esselman (63)
  • Requiem by Robin Cloward (65)
  • Night Vision by Tracy Taylor
  • Nightspirit by Linda Stoops (68)
  • Who's There by Maggie S. Hart (70)
  • Foreplay by Susan Matthews (72)
  • Nosferatu by Jane Firmstone (73) (reprinted from Warped Space #39)
  • Initiation Night by Shirley Emerson (77)
  • Ode to a Bat by Amia Twytte (85)
  • So Long, Blood Sucker by Nan Helsing (86)
  • Dracula Meets The New Woman, essay by Jean Lorrah (86)
  • St. Michael's Mount by Barb Gompf and Desiree Bell (90)
  • On Location by Valerie Piacentini (91)
  • Waiting on the Wings by Linda Stoops
  • I Never Drink... Wine by Laurie Haldeman (94)
  • It Die, to Sleep by Mary Lee Casico (96)
  • A Word of Explanation/Coming Attractions by Lori Chapek-Carleton (121)

Sample Interior

  • table of contents page, address redacted

  • sample text

  • Martynn for "Life-Line"

  • Martynn for "Life-Line"

  • Michael Goodwin

  • Dracula1979-6.jpg
  • Dracula1979-7.jpg

  • Kelly Hill

  • Jane Firmstone (reprinted from Warped Space #42)

  • James Odbert

  • James Odbert

  • Connie Faddis, reprinted from the back cover of Warped Space #39

  • Lisa Mason

  • Susan W. Perry

  • Susan W. Perry

  • Signe Landon

  • Dracula1979-27.jpg

  • Deb Walsh

  • Edith Crowe (reprinted from Warped Space #39)

  • Signe Landon

  • Susan W. Perry

  • Susan W. Perry

  • Susan W. Perry

  • Bev Zuk

  • Bev Zuk

  • Cory Correll

Reactions and Reviews

[Life-Line]: This short review of a two-year-old zine (1980) is being presented as a public service to those who were put off by its editor's flip dismissal of Anne Elizabeth Zeek's "Life-Line" as 'Han Solo Meets Dracula?.' This conjures up visions of a mixed universe and is totally misleading. However, Han Solo does meet a Zeek's story is the longest piece in Lori Chapek-Carleton's Dracula and it is the lead-off story as well. Inside a framing story of Han and Leia attempting to rescue Luke Skywalker from the impenetrable Imperial prison Rurlizar, Zeek tells the pre-ANH tale of Han Solo's first meeting with Count Alain Durlac, the mysterious adventurer whom Han believes can save Luke's life. "Life-Line" is an intelligent and subtle addition to the vampire mystique, one that does not lose the vampire his creature-of-the-night glamour while at the same time avoiding the overtones of Christian evil that would be inappropriate to a SW story. The plotting is tight and plausible, and the supernatural element is handled in a non-intrusive fashion. The characterizations indicate that the author has done her homework: not only is Leia Organa the sharp and canny sophisticate that one would expect a senator and princess of Alderaan to be, but Zeek also shows the constant war in Leia's mind, between the aristocrat and the freedom fighter. Zeek's Han Solo is a believable outlaw and space pilot, who in the course of the story pokes fun at many of the fan-created traditions concerning the life-style of an interstellar smuggler without turning "Life-Line" into a labored soapbox for the author's beliefs. The psychological tension that forms one of the major attractions of Zeek's corpus of work is present in full measure in this story. And then there is Alain Durlac. Alain is sensual, frightening, empathic, and incredibly his reactions to Han and Leia, and their reactions to him, do much to illuminate all of their characters. Alain is the most haunting creation to appear in fanfic since Black Andrej signed aboard the Ragnarok, and I look forward eagerly to his next appearance. Dracula should still be available, and a second issue is planned, which will contain the sequel to 'Life-Line.' [2]

[Life-Line]:

Leia Organa is the one character who has had more than her share of detractors. In some fanzines she is pictured as cold, manipulative, and heartless. Leia in reality is a very complicated character who changes throughout the

saga while staying essentially the same. She is loyal, dedicated, understanding, committed, and intelligent, but she is often depicted as one-dimensional and selfish. Even in the best of stories, "Life-Line" by Anne Elizabeth Zeek (Kessel Run 4) for example, Leia emerges as the most dangerous of the series' stars. In this story she would slag the Rurlizar Prison where Luke is held in order to prevent his revealing Alliance secrets to Vader. Later, only Han prevents her from murdering eight unconscious prison guards. Leia's pragmatism and relentless loyalty to the Rebellion earn her an eternal revenge in Zeek's sequel, "Blood-Line" (Kessel Run 4). [3]

[zine]: Talk about yer specialty zines... A hundred analysts more competent and long-winded than I have discoursed on the appeal of the Demon Lover, so lets get to the specifics herein offered. Dracula Meets Star Wars: Anne Elizabeth Zeen recounts a curious and disturbing alliance that deepened to friendship between Han Solo and his curious and disturbing passenger, Count Alain Durlac. Solo literally risked his neck to keep Alain alive; and now for the Rebel Allinance he calls in the favor. But this time, Leia succumbs to Durlac's power, and Han is left wondering why he feels jealous. The writing is uneven, with the best work appearing in the flashbacks, but there is thruout a power in this novelette that draws the reader on: 'Life-Line.' Dracula Meets Justice: There is equal strength and better literary ability shown in 'To Die, to Sleep.' Excepting the three toughs in the second part, all the characters are real, human even when vampiric, and mostly sympathetic. It gives a sufficiently credible biological origin for vampirism, as well as a possible biological out for the Count someday. "Dracula Meets the New Woman" is Jean Lorrah's analysis of the Bram Stoker novel, which she interprets according to a feminist point of view, with some justification, for Stoker, like H.G. Wells, G.B. Shaw, and others of the period, was in favor of women's freedom. These three stories constitute more than half the zine, which is fortunate, as the rest is several dozen rather forgettable poems of the Rod McKuen out-of-e.e. cummings school, and a few short shorts. But the artwork is unexceptionable -- in fact, uniformly gorgeous. Sue Perry's, Signe Landon's and Martynn's in particular. Rather a stiff cover price, but it is a pretty zine and probably worth it if you dig vampires. It's the only graveyard in town. [4]

References

  1. ^ Cover price was $7.50.
  2. ^ from Jundland Wastes #8
  3. ^ from From Star Wars to Jedi: The Fanzine Way (1985)
  4. ^ by Paula Smith, printed in both Datazine #7 and Universal Translator #3
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