'Black Mass Rising' by Theo Prasidis with art by Jodie Muir is a graphic novel set in the year after the death of Dracula.

Dracula is dead and hope is returning after 100 years of darkness. When a strange man known only as Healer shows up in Aurelia's town, evil rises up again and everything is threatened. Aurelia goes with Healer to see if this new plague can be stopped. Along the way, they find a surprising ally, but is Dracula really gone?

I found many of the twists pretty early on. The art is a painted style but lacks fluditiy and motion, and yet I enjoyed this religious horror novel and the main character of Aurelia is written pretty well.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from TKO Presents and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This is a horror graphic novel that takes place after the fall of Dracula in Transylvania.

I like horror, vampires, Dracula, etc, but I could not get into/fully enjoy this one. It jumped around a lot between time frames and character perspectives and did not keep the fluidity of a cohesive story. I never felt like I knew or cared for the characters. This was more of a 2.5 star for me but I rounded up to a 3 star as I appreciated the artwork. It had a painterly quality and was overall beautiful even showing violence, gore, and pain.

Well, this started fine. A Transylvanian community has just got out of a seemingly endless black patch, and the evil taken from their lives; God can inject some kind of hope, if he's bothered. But a demon makes a return visit, offs a few people and proves darkness can always ruin our day. A healer called The Healer has a good line in prayer and can turn the balance a bit towards positivity, but there is clearly someone or something greater to be countered. And while who or what might be obvious, he moves on regardless on his quest. Until all the religious conviction the book's delivery might seem to share with its characters, and all the individual spirit it generates in what it brings to the table, gets royally shattered by Mina Murray turning up. So thud, we're in the world of dodgy Dracula spin-offs.

But hold on, for this isn't at all that dodgy. The art is great (beyond a liking for making two women near-identical), the dark iconography lively (one of said women held arms out as if crucified upside down in midair, skirts akimbo in mischievous ways), and the mood suitably relentless. Visually this has to count as the blackest book going, to the extent that seen digitally your eyes almost hurt with whiter flashback scenes.

And in the finish, with my admittedly limited experience, I do think this does something different with the Dracula story. Certainly it's no Hammer re-tread, or bog standard "who's necks, please?!" sequel. I can see positive responses and little else to the art, for the painterly craft is strong on atmosphere; I can see mixed thoughts as to the theology of the whole piece – while a lot of it felt right from my experience, a lot also came across like one of those death metal acts whose lyrics you start scoffing at once you stop having teenaged acne; but I feel the chutzpah it has in doing what it ultimately does deserves admiration. Purists might scorn its bluntness, and of course the sacrilege they feel writing such a sequel to be, but beyond that this is a success.

Hauntingly beautiful and poetic. It screams in sorrowful hushed voices the undeniable rise of evil.

My gratitude to TKO Studios and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I was actually a few days late, but this is still an arc copy so...

I'm not a Dracula fan and have never been interested to be one, but the cover was calling out to me when I first saw it while browsing through available books, and I just couldn't help myself but surrender to temptation. And I think, I might plan to read Dracula after consuming this gorgeous work of art.

This is marketed as a sequel to Dracula and takes places in Transylvania after Dracula has been defeated but another evil is rising. It reimages some of the classic Dracula tale, particularly his relationship with Mina. The focus though is on a mysterious healer, a young woman who seeks more to life than just marriage in a small village, and later a hunter who confront a big bad.

The illustrations are beautiful. Overall, the story is average. I found parts of it dragged and it was a little heavy on the religious references, though there are a number of attempts at exorcisms or prayers to fight against evil so it isn’t a surprise. There is nothing wrong with this graphic novel. It just didn’t wow me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Theo Prasidis is the author of The Doomster’s Monolithic Pocket Alphabet (Image Comics), Black Mass Rising (TKO Studios), and Swamp Dogs: House of Crows (Black Caravan). A fantasy devotee and cult media specialist by degree, he's a zealous propagator of the magical and the mystical, the nostalgic and the psychedelic, the pulp and the weird. He lives a rather undramatic life in his hometown Drama, Greece, with his wife and two sons, heirs to a kingdom of horror books, heavy metal vinyls, and more band t-shirts than any sane person should ever be allowed to own. Jodie Muir is a freelance illustrator, based in the UK. Having previously worked in comics (Marvel, TKO) and concepting, she is currently an illustrator on Magic : The Gathering. Their newest book is Black Mass Rising, a sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Black Mass Rising deals with a world a year after the death of Vlad Dracul. Hope is finally returning the land after almost one hundred years of terror. A young peasant woman, Aurelia, hopes of a better future, but when a child is murdered by a demon and comes back to life, she and a wandering healer hunt the cause of this living evil. They run into Wilhemina Murray who has taken up the sword against evil, or so they believe. However, as the chapters unfold, readers realize all is not as it seems, and the world becomes increasingly saturated with unbridled evil.
Black Mass Rising is a fascinating take on the Dracula legend. The bulk of the novel is set in the Carpathians and while 19th century London is alluded to, the book is primarily a rural nightmare in agricultural communities that technology hasn’t touched. This world is gorgeously illustrated by Jodie Muir, whose art takes on a soft, natural coloration, almost like watercolor paintings at times. Furthermore, Prasidis’s writing is layered and lush, and the parallels to Biblical tales and European legends are well thought out and developed. While some readers might get lost if they aren’t familiar with the original novel, this new sequel should work well enough as a stand alone book.
Dracula is officially 125 years old. There’s no more fitting way for readers to celebrate than by reading the original novel with a glass of heavy red wine as an accompaniment. Once they’re through with the original and thirsty for more, Black Mass Rising is the next logical choice. It’s a sequel set in the year after the original novel and it’s as layered and complicated as the original, if not more so. Prasadis has taken a classic horror monster and injected it with new life. Muir’s art only serves to drive this tale forward, and horror readers of all types will absolutely want to read this collection.

Scary with a cultural background. Thank you TKO Studios and NetGalley for the advanced digital review copy.

"My future there is already planned out. And I want no part in it."

I devoured this one in less than an hour. What a beautifully haunting, engrossing read.
I'm so glad I requested this one as it kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Some of the narrative did not flow as seamlessly as I would have liked, at times it felt as if I was reading only half the story, but this seemed to iron itself out towards the end. The artwork was simply stunning, and served to elevate the poetic nature of the writing (as disjointed as it was).

This is the first horror/gothic graphic novel I've read, but I think I've found a new favourite genre because this definitely left me wanting more.

A near-perfect retelling to fill my vampire-loving heart!

There were some parts of this that I liked! The art was phenomenal and gave a really creepy vibe throughout the whole story. The main issue I had was it felt very confusing and rushed in some places. I had difficulty keeping the story straight and understanding everything going on. I just think they need to be a little bit more exposition and explanation in some parts. I enjoyed the characters and the overall plot but I do think it needed more to explain the lore and give some more information.

Black Mass Rising is a stunner! I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the artwork.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

Black Mass Rising is described as a sequel and reimagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula and as I've just finished reading Dracula for the first time, I thought this would be a fun way to continue on from the book. I do think while it is most definitely a reimagining of Dracula, it would be a lie to call it a sequel. There is simply too much noncanonical storylines in this graphic novel compared to the novel.

That said, I did really enjoy this. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, the way the artist plays with light and darkness as a visual narrative works so well in a story that is exactly that: the (internal and external) fight between good and evil, light and dark. The art is not only beautiful, it's hauntingly beautiful with gory and bloody details - perfect for a vampire graphic novel. The story, and writing, in itself is also quite good. The story follows three characters, each with their own struggles, and you come to understand them while reading the graphic novel. The writer also seems to have been considerate of being authentic in describing the people and their culture, which brings more realism into the story and makes it worth reading.

I'm not sure if there'll be a continuation of the story and while I didn't like some aspects of the story (again, the noncanonical choices made) I still think it's worth reading and I would love to see where this story could be taken in the future!

The artwork in this graphic novel is absolutely stunning! It took me a little time to get into the story but once I was in, I was totally immersed. I loved the world-building, the use of local languages and the 'Dracula'. All in all, it was an innovative and engaging novel.

The cover was the first thing that attracted me to this story. And I'm glad that I got to read it because it's a great story with beautiful art. I am not a fan of Dracula. And still, I enjoyed this story. Loved the twist at the end. My only complaint is that it ended abruptly. I felt as if there should be more to this tale, and there might be. I'd definitely keep a lookout for a volume II.

Black Mass Rising takes place one year after the death of Dracula, and Translyvania is looking forward to hope returning where there was only fear. But of course, nothing goes as planned and a drifter, called the healer, comes to town and all the horror begins again. Is Dracula alive or is Transylvania destined to forever be under the thumb of the Devil?

I'm still not sure. I liked the artwork on this graphic novel and I loved the idea of the story, but the actual story left me a little confused and frustrated. One minute Dracul is sending his wife and lover away to save her, the next she kills herself thinking Dracul has fallen in battle. When some of the dead return, are they changed to vampires, are they zombies? Not clear on that point either.
I had a rough time telling who was who, and who was what sex; a minor point but it does make some things make sense and others confusing when you get that small fact wrong.

I don't want to say this graphic novel was bad, because it wasn't, it just wasn't for me. I felt like I came into the middle of a movie and the story of Dracula is not unknown to me. No reason a story that takes place a year later should leave me confused and frustrated. Too much religious rhetoric and just did not live up to the hype.

Thanks to @netgalley, TKP Presents, Theo Prasidis, and Jodie Muir, for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I’m still pretty new to graphic novels but this one was just calling my name!

I really enjoyed this! I’ve been on a gothic vampire kick lately so this was perfect for me. The art style was stunning and perfectly matched for the tone of the story. I thought the reveal towards the end was interesting and I didn’t see it coming. I definitely hope there will be more volumes in the future after that last panel!

I requested Black Mass Rising because I saw it mentioned Dracula and vampires. As a fan of both Dracula and the horror genre, I was very excited to read this graphic novel. The art of this graphic novel is incredible, not just the drawings but also the bright colors used create a great effect in contrast with the abundance of darkness. Unfortunately the story is not as good, as it failed to keep me interested until the end. The first half is pretty interesting, but then it becomes a bit confused and rushed, which is truly a pity. Although I didn't love Black Mass Rising, I don't think it's a bad book, simply not for me. I'm sure many will love it and appreciate its plot more than I did.

* I'd like to thank Theo Prasidis, TKO Presents and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

the drawings are very beautiful and realistic, in fact this is what prompted me to start reading. the story didn't thrill me very sincerely, I recently read Dracula and loved it, maybe I was expecting a similar story or an anthropomorphic vampire anyway. in short, it's a comic so I can't say much about writing.

Oh how beautiful it is!!
Beautiful illustrations, each panel is like a separate work of art, I am delighted
The story is great too, I really like religion weaving in it, it fits perfectly
Btw another part would be nice, I'd love to read more

The content is definitely for mature readers, I love the art, however I feel the whole depending on Christianity on the story was a major turn off for me. However it is a good horror story with a twist and a sad ending.

I was drawn to this graphic novel by the Dracula theme and the stunning artwork. The story picks up sometime after the death of Dracula (presumably Bram Stoker's version). It does an excellent job of conveying the darkness and fear that grips the countryside as new horrors emerge. The appearance of Mina Murray's character in this story throws off the narrative, however, with her modern demeanor and word choices. Unlike other reviewers, I do not mind the characterization of Mina or her inclusion in the story as much as these choices distracted me from the story as a whole. I would have enjoyed the entire book much more had Mina spoken and acted in a way better suited to the Victorian Era depicted at the time of Dracula's death. I would have even accepted her acting like a Victorian gentleman instead of her depiction here as a modern Vampire Hunter.