Dracula permeates everything. Before we're five years old, we know his story. It's baked into the cultural imagination. However, if you were to hold that story up to the light, you'd immediately notice a lot of holes. In Bram Stoker's iconic work, Dracula appears less frequently than you would think, and his backstory is referenced in short bursts and shrouded in mystery. His tale is perfect fodder for artists Kelley Jones and Matt Wagner to sink their teeth into.

Last year, they published Dracula - Book One: The Impaler through Orlok Press via Kickstarter. The hardcover has spent months in the hands of readers (ours included), and its trade paperback release from Dark Horse Comics is set for October 22nd. With the first chapter complete, exploring Dracula's pre-vampire days, set primarily during his time at the Scholomance, aka his unpaid internship with the devil, Jones and Wagner are ready to unleash volume two, Dracula: The Brides.

Their latest entry covers centuries, focusing on how Dracula came into contact with the iconic trio, who get pages in Stoker's book but have seared their way into every adaptation. Who are they? What do they mean to Dracula? What happened to the fourth Bride?

Dracula: The Brides will take Kelley Jones and Matt Wagner right up until the moment Bram Stoker's novel begins. This means their next chapter dissects the classic and exposes what the Impaler was up to when the other characters were not paying attention.

We happily dig into Dracula with Kelley Jones and Matt Wagner on the podcast. We discuss the title character's relationship with romance, women, and blood. We uncover Jones and Wagner's compulsion to tell this story and why comics were always the best fit for it.

Dracula: The Brides has fifteen days left on its Kickstarter campaign. Please visit the crowdfunding project by clicking HERE. You can continue the conversation with Kelley Jones by visiting his Twitter and Instagram. You can follow Matt Wagner on Twitter and Instagram.

Other Relevant Links:

Pots and Panels: A Comic Cook Book Anthology Kickstarter Page

The Comics Courier Kickstarter Page

Brad and Lisa on Off Panel

Brad and Lisa on Comic Book Yeti's Cryptid Creator Corner

Brad and Lisa Interview on ComicsXF

Brad and Lisa on BIf Bam Pow

Brad and Lisa on Derby Comics

Brad and Lisa on Joe Talks Comics

Pots and Panels Press Release on AiPT

Final Round of Plugs (PHEW):

Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY

Watch the latest episode of The B&B Show, where Brad and Bryan Review the Hottest Cinematic Releases.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.