Bram Stoker's Magic: A Guide to Crimson Vow's Dracula Promos

If we ignore Dominaria, which contains a large number of disparate inspirations and has never been especially focused on the horror genre, Magic has only three settings that feature Vampires in a tribal capacity: Zendikar, Innistrad, and Ixalan. (Another one is technically Ulgrotha, the adoptive plane of and , where the Homelands story took place, but we haven't heard from it in 26 years and probably won't ever again.)

The Zendikari Vampires are savage warriors or shamanic mystics who roam the land with their exposed skin covered in war paint and sprouting horns. They're one of Magic's most original creations, sporting the kind of disturbing yet eye-catching aesthetic we can see in the art of cards like or . Ixalan's Vampires are based on the real-life Spanish and Portuguese conquistadores of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They're imperial soldiers colonizing a foreign territory carrying themselves in shiny armor and iron discipline. Both these visions are quite far from the kind of imagery that was popularized through the Gothic novels of the Victorian era.

That's where Innistrad comes to the rescue, as a setting that routinely enacts the more traditional vision of the vampire as a wealthy, decadent aristocrat who lives in a luxurious castle and drinks blood from an ornate gold chalice. So when the opportunity presented itself to make a new series of box toppers with a "skin treatment" inspired by Dracula, Innistrad was the natural place for it. After all, its vampires already look like they exist in the late nineteenth-century Europe of Bram Stoker's novel.

Where the Godzilla cards felt more jarring with their depiction of fighter jets and skyscrapers, the cards from the Dracula series elicit less of a cringe. Maybe the stark contrast was part of the point back when Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths first introduced these Universes Beyond-like crossovers. (They aren't actually part of Universes Beyond, since these cards are mere reprints with alternate art and a flavor name superimposed onto the original name.)

But for those of us who prefer softer promo art that doesn't take them out of the experience, the Dracula cards might be more their speed. Also, their artwork is just absolutely gorgeous. Plus, in this case, it's not even cross-promotion, since the references are taken entirely from the 1897 book, which is in the public domain, and not from any of the many adaptations and reinventions it engendered in all kinds of media over its 124 years of cultural relevance.

Let's review all eighteen Dracula cards—seventeen box toppers acquired by purchasing a booster box or Collector Boosters, plus the Buy-a-Box promo, which is the Castle Dracula reskin of —and see how well they fit the Magic cards of which they're the designated counterparts.

Count Dracula

This is the first of four cards in the series that portray the novel's titular character. Dracula is commonly thought to be inspired by the historical figure of Vlad III of Wallachia, a bloodthirsty fifteenth-century prince who was known in his time as Vlad Țepeș ("Vlad the Impaler") or Vlad Drăculea ("Vlad, Son of the Dragon," a title inherit from his father Vlad II). Bram Stoker's character shares most of his back story with the real Vlad, but he's reimagined as an immortal vampire who lives in a decrepit old castle in Transylvania, before moving to England following the events of the story.

Everything about Dracula has become so iconic that it's hard not to immediately think of him when the very concept of a vampire is evoked. Yet, at the time of the book's publication, Dracula embodied a radical disconnect from the vampires of Eastern European folklore, usually described as hideous monsters. In contrast, Dracula was handsome, refined, charismatic, a figure of magnetic allure and sex appeal that would change forever the way vampires were going to be conceived in pop culture from that point on. The card's artwork recaptures this sinister charm, while hinting at an ancestry farther east.

As the primary Vampire in the game, Sorin Markov gets to dress up as Dracula, namely in his latest incarnation. The presence of Sorin's name in the type line is a bit distracting, but for the rest, the planeswalker card does a pretty good job at summarizing Dracula's own talents: he gives great power at a price; he creates the most formidable minions; and he drains blood with a prowess unmatched by any other creature in his universe.

Dracula, Blood Immortal

This outdoor Dracula is haunting the Carpathian Mountains where his castle is located, so we're still in the first part of the novel. The fur-lined cape and leather clothes suggest his ancient nobleness (Dracula claims to be a direct descendent of Attila the Hun) as well as his past role as a "voivode"—a warlord who spent most of his days fighting the Turks in the middle of gory battlefields, far from the comfort of palatial halls. Like in the previous card, bats are established as Dracula's signature animal companions, even if the novel sees him turn into a large black wolf as well.

is not the most impressive Vampire, but it sucks blood from the opponent and uses it to revive itself, which tracks with Dracula's customs.

Dracula, Lord of Blood // Dracula, Lord of Bats

We see here Dracula inside his castle, an arresting if decaying architecture. The long flowing cape is the more traditional centerpiece of the character's wardrobe. The epithet reminds us of Dracula's main preoccupation (and apparently his own Blood tokens take the form of red candles rather than petals) while the back face has him as the Lord of the Bats, reinforcing his bond with the little flying mammals.

has a subordinate role in Olivia's staff, but it's a strong creature nonetheless and gives us the first of Dracula's transformations.

The flavor text is what an incredulous Dr. Seward asks Van Helsing, as reported in the former's diary in chapter fourteen of the novel.

Dracula the Voyager // Casket of Native Earth

The first portion of the novel culminates in Dracula boarding a Russian ship headed to Whitby, a coastal town in Northern England. He carries with him several boxes of earth from his castle's soil, which is key to his survival and rest. Another crucial factor is the presence of the ship's crew and the blood running through their veins. By the time the Demeter reaches her destination, Dracula is alone onboard.

Edgar Markov is the closest Innistrad has to a direct Dracula reference. (Baron Sengir is the more obvious homage, but he's from Ulgrotha.) After all, he's the oldest of his kind, not to mention responsible for the creation of vampirism itself. His form is meant to tie into the whole wedding plot of Crimson Vow, but the mechanical function of the card perfectly represents Dracula getting in and out of his casket.

The flavor text is from chapter seven, part of the Demeter's log.

Jonathan Harker // Harker's Obsessive Inquiry

Arguably the male protagonist of Bram Stoker's book (of which the titular character is, of course, the antagonist). He's an inexperienced English solicitor who is sent by his employer to meet Dracula in his castle, in order to assist with the acquisition of various properties the Count is planning to purchase throughout England. The trip doesn't go too well for young Jonathan, who's almost turned into a vampire by Dracula's unruly "brides." When he finally manages to get back to England, he becomes one of the main members of the gang of improvised vampire hunters who join Abraham Van Helsing on his quest to destroy Dracula.

is a slam-dunk foundation for Jonathan, as it most likely was already partially referencing the character to begin with, starting at the similar-sounding name. Advisor is even the correct creature type for Jonathan, and both he and Jacob perform a lot of book research, ultimately descending into the obsessive behavior displayed on the card's back face.

Mina Harker

Born Mina Murray, she's the female protagonist of the story—Jonathan's fiancée and, later, wife. She's a young schoolteacher, but the fierce demeanor portrayed on the card's art by Magali Villeneuve is not unfounded, as she travels alone to Budapest to retrieve an ill Jonathan after his Transylvanian misadventure. They marry there before returning to England and enrolling into Van Helsing's vampire-hunting club, in which Mina takes active part until the very end. At some point, Dracula turns his attention on Mina, bites her, and feeds her his own blood, with the intention of making another creature of the night out of her. This leaves Mina with the ability to connect telepathically with the vampire, which the hunters use to track Dracula's movements.

doesn't have very much to do with any of this, but she's herself a strong woman with an unassailable moral compass, so she can get the part. One can also see the static ability as Mina "taxing" Dracula once the two are psychically bonded.

The flavor text is from an extract of Mina's journal that appears near the end of the book, in chapter 26. She's reporting what Van Helsing said in preparation of their final strike against Dracula.

Lucy Westenra // Lucy, Arisen Vampire

Lucy is Mina's best friend and the first English victim of Dracula. She's a spunky nineteen-year-old socialite from a wealthy family. All three men who would go on to become secondary members of the Van Helsing gang—Dr. John Seward, Lord Arthur Holmwood, and Quincey Morris—ask her hand in marriage during the same day. She accepts Arthur's proposal. But not long after that, Dracula gets to her in wolf form, and Lucy quickly gets sick and dies, only to return to un-life as a vampire who preys on children. Her three suitors, under Van Helsing's guidance, ultimately have to suffer the heartbreak of being forced to stake and behead their beloved.

Lucy wasn't much of an . But her transformation from regular Human into vicious Vampire is on point, as is the fact that nobody was really willing to sacrifice themselves for her sake, until it was too late.

The flavor text on the front is an extract of Mina's journal from chapter eight, referencing the first warning signs of Lucy's fate. The back is from Dr. Seward's diary in chapter sixteen.

Abraham Van Helsing

The most archetypical vampire hunter in literature, Van Helsing is a Dutch professor with a vast knowledge of science, medicine, history, and the occult. Soured by the death of his son and the descent into insanity of his wife, he's called to consult on Lucy's mysterious illness by Dr. Seward, to whom he's a friend and mentor. Van Helsing immediately recognizes that the problem troubling his protégé and his friends is vampiric in nature and leads all the other characters in a crusade against Dracula, chasing him back to Transylvania.

While 's exiling might work as a substitute for Van Helsing's accomplished vampire slaying, the other elements of this card don't really jibe with the character, aside perhaps from its color. (Though one could argue that Van Helsing has some red in him and definitely some blue.) Or do we want to read training as his research and the return from exile as the result of a wooden stake removed from a vampire's heart? But old Abraham shouldn't fall for that trick so easily. You must cut their head!

Renfield, Delusional Minion

One of the most memorable presences in the book and in many of its adaptations, R.M. Renfield is a mental patient at the asylum where Dr. Seward works. His diagnosis is "zoophagous maniac," as he's prone to eat flies, spiders, and birds, in the delusion of gaining their life force by ingestion. Seward notes Renfield's age as 59 and his temperament as "sanguine" and "morbidly excitable" with "periods of gloom." (Modern psychology has used Renfield as a case study for a mental disorder that got the name of "Renfield Syndrome.")

After falling under the influence of Dracula, Renfield becomes his main henchman, thus allowing the vampire free access to the hospital, which is used as the gang's sanctuary and base of operations. Renfield strongly desires to be turned into a vampire, but instead ends up casually murdered by Dracula for a perceived betrayal. His role in the novel is extremely important, as it allows Stoker to underline the psychological hold of the vampire on his victims and to describe the nature of vampirism in scientific terms.

It's unlikely was originally meant as a Renfield's stand-in, since the card seems to reference the larger horror trope of a mystic haunted by their visions. Regardless, it at least suits the fundamental mood of the character.

The flavor text is, predictably, a transcription of Renfield's delirious ramblings made by Dr. Seward in his diary. It appears in chapter eleven.

Dr. John Seward

Along with English Lord Arthur Holmwood and American frontiersman Quincey Morris, Dr. Seward is part of the trio of Lucy's suitors who form the backbone of the Van Helsing gang. Out of the three, he's the only one to get a card, possibly because he's the one who links the most to other threads: He's Van Helsing's former pupil, Renfield's psychiatrist, as well as the administrator of the insane asylum that functions as headquarters for the group, located in close proximity to Dracula's main English lair of Carfax Abbey.

is not a very fitting counterpart for Dr. Seward. The good doctor has no reason to be green, or a religious figure, or someone who's able to attract a crowd, or in training.

The flavor text is taken from a letter of Lucy to Mina in chapter five.

Sisters of the Undead

These are the three overly sexual female vampires who assault Jonathan in Dracula's castle, then are killed by Van Helsing in the last part of the novel. They're usually referred to as the Brides of Dracula. It's odd that Wizards didn't choose to go with that expression, considering it's what the reskinned Magic card's already using.

In fact, mostly works as a representation of the trio because of its epithet. The Sisters don't really have the power level implied by the card, although they can certainly create more vampires, considering it's what they almost did to Jonathan.

The Three Weird Sisters // Fiends of Darkest Night

The Brides again, not called Brides again. Although, the expression "weird sisters" is actually utilized by Jonathan in his diary in chapter four, from which the flavor text on the back face also comes. The title "Fiends of Darkest Night" is not from the book.

All in all, the Brides are among the most colorful and unsettling characters in the novel. is a good look for them, even featuring a triptych of different abilities to match their number. While sad, it wasn't likely for Crimson Vow to contain a card depicting a group of three separate characters. Not every set can have or a . But wait— is right there!

Castle Dracula

Dracula's home, described by Stoker as located near "Borgo Pass" (whose proper name is Tihuța Pass) in the Bârgău Mountains in the Eastern Carpathian region. Since 1989, there's a hotel called "Castel Dracula" on the pass.

In the context of Crimson Vow, is the place where the story's main vampire lives and schemes, so it has exactly the same narrative weight.

Harker's Journal

In all likeness, this reskin directly derives from the set already including a card called . The opportunity was just hanging too low to ignore. At the very least, it nicely ties back to the book being an epistolary novel.

Van Helsing's Holy Ward

In the book, Van Helsing employs a series of protective measures against vampires, most of which have become highly iconic, like garlic and crucifixes. One that's less represented in later adaptations but very crucial in the story is the crushed holy wafer sprinkled in a circle. None of these seem to be what the artwork on this card went for, which looks more like sealing wax of some sort.

Regardless of the actual form of the tools, is a solid choice for Van Helsing's warding, Vampire clause and all. Near the end of the novel, he specifically uses the communion bread to repel the Brides, and they might well have mana value three or less, individually.

Mysterious Blood Illness

This is what Lucy contracts after having been bitten by Dracula.

The instant mass damage aspect of is a bit sketchy, as the spread of vampirism is more like a slow-moving infection. But for the rest it's an effective representation of something that affects those that haven't been turned yet, while extracting blood in the process.

The flavor text describing Lucy's dire state is from Dr. Seward's diary in chapter ten.

Search the Count's Castle

This is what Jonathan does when Dracula has left the castle for England at the beginning of the novel, abandoning him at the mercy of the Brides. For some reason, the art is also sort of reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (which Drew Tucker already paid ample homage to when illustrating from Ice Age).

implies searching for something. As such, it's pretty adequate. It might be another case where the pre-existing card influenced the reskin, since the moment depicted is not particularly essential in the book's narrative.

The flavor text is taken from chapter three, and it's obviously quoting Jonathan's journal.

Quincey Harker

This is the quirkiest inclusion in the entire series. Quincey is Jonathan and Mina's son, named after Quincey Morris, the only character in the Van Helsing gang who died during the story's events (but, to be fair, also the one who got to stake Dracula through the heart). The only mention of Quincey Harker in Stoker's novel comes from a note by Jonathan on the very last page. It has the function of a sort of epilogue dated seven years later, in which Jonathan reveals he and Mina had a son who they called Quincey.

Fast forward to 2009, when Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew Dacre Stoker, along with screenwriter Ian Holt, published an official sequel to the original novel, titled Dracula the Un-dead. In this follow-up, set 25 years after the events of the first book and centered around Quincey, the young Harker ultimately finds out the revived Dracula is his real father and then witnesses a brutal duel between him and Elizabeth Báthory. It is a very weird book.

So maybe it's correct to depict Quincey as a . Why not? After all, in Quincey's new Edwardian setting, Van Helsing has become a vampire and Mina a half-vampire. Also, almost everyone dies a horrible death.

At least the card's flavor text is not from Dacre Stoker's controversial "masterpiece." Those are actually some of the very last lines of Bram Stoker's seminal novel. What better way to end this examination? Aside from going to scatter a few holy wafer crumbles around the windows. You never know.

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