MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS: BEFORE WOLVERINE THERE WAS WEAPON X
RUMANIAN RUMBLE Through issues 77-79
Rude Awakening-Part 1of 3
Writer–Doug Murray
Penciler–Tom Lyle
Inkers–Joe Rubinstein/Art Nichols
Letterer–Mike Heisler
Colorist–Steve Mattsson
So you thought you were getting a review on Barry Windsor-Smith’s phenomenal story/art, did you? Sorry…what I bring to the forefront is one of the coolest and overlooked stories in the series! Sgt. Nick Fury & Dracula VS Nazis!!!
Why would anyone want to go back and read old comics? Especially a sub-series for that matter? It goes back to quality & quanity. “Marvel Comics presents” titles more than often suck. The Weapon X story was one of the most amazing back-stories created for a character ever (with superb art). At the time of this run, its hard to believe that anything being stuck in or around the story would establish the same buzz. Enter Doug Murray…
Doug Murray did a great job grabbing two seemingly opposite characters and combining them for a common goal: kickin’ Nazi ass. He also keeps true to the vampire mythos as well as Fury’s cigar (damn thing never burns out!). Tom and company are superb at character faces/expressions: you see a great deal of emotion regardless of how comedic the story gets.
The story opens with Vlad (Dracula) awakening to find that his gypsy community has been overtaken by the Nazis. With his brethren dying in his arms, they tell Dracula that they “put up a good fight” but it was not enough against this powerful force. Drac goes to investigate the concentration camp and watches his people get tormented/killed. One of whom gets shot in his head! He can’t jump to his aid because their insignia is a holy symbol & he must be invited into their dwelling to enter. You still with me?
Fury gets assigned to mark an oil refinery so his Air Force comrades can blow it up, and it just so happens to be the same night Dracula is at the Nazi camp. Nick drops – cigar in mouth and cut-off sleeves – into a Nazi ambush. Of course, he starts blazin’ up shit upon his landing. To begin the next issue, Dracula is flying overhead to lend a helping hand because they are by an oil refinery and not a camp. When Vlad lands he starts chocking bitches!!!
I really would like to give a complete overview on this but it would take the excitement out of reading a classic story & enjoying the ageless art work. Check it out. You will laugh, cry, & start smoking cigars with the undead!?