Broken Frontier

It’s surprising really that more comic publishers don’t create children’s books. I’m not for an instant suggesting that comics are naturally childish. Sadly, far from it, in fact. However, publishers do possess the resources and I’d imagine that today’s children’s books readers may boldly continue their reading habits and become future fanboys.

Dear Dracula is the latest offering from Image’s Silverline Books, the imprint responsible for PX! and the upcoming Bruce: The Little Blue Spruce. Dear Dracula is most definitely a book for the little ones, but I can see parents enjoying re-reads just as much. It seems to be the product of two kids-at-heart, in writer Joshua Williamson and Vincente Navarrete.

Dear Dracula is a hard cover 48 pager that centres on young Sam. After watching a vampire film he discovers a new focus for his youthful zeal and chooses a vamp costume for Halloween, as well as setting his heart on a vampire action figure for Christmas. Sam’s Grandma suggests that he write a letter to Santa asking for it, but as he begins he has an epiphany and writes to Dracula instead. His wish becomes greater than a toy however; now Sam wants to become a vampire himself, just like his idol. It’s a simple idea, but one that works well, especially as Dracula himself, presumably desperate for better PR, pays Sam a surprise visit. The two then discuss the pros and cons of the vampire lifestyle, ie, hanging upside down, having no reflection, etc.

Dear Dracula is a well presented book in its perfect square format and gleeful artwork. Navarrete excels here. His line work is exaggerated as are his expressions, which make it all the more fun to read. Big eyes and pointy chins are the flavour and it works well. Structured more like a comic, rather than most one-panel-per-page kids books, it flows nicely and would be a fitting choice for parents that want to share sequential art with their children, or nieces, or nephews, but find the shelves lacking in such books. Let’s face it, Marvel and DC have made a serious effort in creating kid-friendly titles, but these books still suffer from the same effects as their mature cousins.  It helps if you know the universe. Tiny Titans is funny, to be sure, but it’s funny to Gen X fanboys like myself, not to kids who don’t get the in-jokes.

So, bravo to Image and their all-ages line. Dear Dracula is a good example of this medium’s potential to attract new readers and entertain those unfamiliar with our sometimes insular ways. It also makes a great gift for Halloween, or Christmas, if you have youngens and only visit the comic shop. Now you can do your shopping all in one place!