“To die, to truly be dead, that must be glorious,” Bela Lugosi’s eternal vampire once enthused on the silver screen. But true legendary antiheroes never attain the sweet reward of oblivion.
Before Universal Pictures’ classic 1931 film, Dracula was most famous in English speaking countries as the repellent vampire created by author Bram Stoker in a minor publishing novelty from 1897. Gruesome but not significant. Now, of course, he casts the largest shadow in horror, and it grows with every swing of his cape.
Historical Roots of Dracula’s Name
Stoker only took the name of “Dracula” from Vlad Dracul III, the original caped crusader. But the book’s titular inspiration got that name when The Holy Roman Empire named him to the chivalric Order of the Dragon. Dracula means Son of the Dragon. As the protector of Wallachia and Transylvania, he was a far more bloodthirsty ruler than the infamous Queen Mary I,...
Before Universal Pictures’ classic 1931 film, Dracula was most famous in English speaking countries as the repellent vampire created by author Bram Stoker in a minor publishing novelty from 1897. Gruesome but not significant. Now, of course, he casts the largest shadow in horror, and it grows with every swing of his cape.
Historical Roots of Dracula’s Name
Stoker only took the name of “Dracula” from Vlad Dracul III, the original caped crusader. But the book’s titular inspiration got that name when The Holy Roman Empire named him to the chivalric Order of the Dragon. Dracula means Son of the Dragon. As the protector of Wallachia and Transylvania, he was a far more bloodthirsty ruler than the infamous Queen Mary I,...
- 10/23/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
This Castlevania article contains spoilers.
While Netflix’s Castlevania has always ultimately been about the heroes’ eternal fight against Dracula, the fourth and final season does introduce a few new villains to the mix. One of those baddies is Varney of London, a two-bit vampire who was once one of Dracula’s generals and has now made it his mission to resurrect his master. The only problem is that the foul-mouthed bloodsucker is kind of a joke, a has-been who even his vampiric cohorts don’t respect.
Voiced by the legendary Malcolm McDowell, Varney is leading a gruesome siege in the city of Targoviste, which he’d hoped to conquer and gift to Dracula before the vampire lord’s untimely death. The city lies in ruins, with the human survivors slowly starving to death in the streets while the king and queen hide underground. Varney is winning but for whom?...
While Netflix’s Castlevania has always ultimately been about the heroes’ eternal fight against Dracula, the fourth and final season does introduce a few new villains to the mix. One of those baddies is Varney of London, a two-bit vampire who was once one of Dracula’s generals and has now made it his mission to resurrect his master. The only problem is that the foul-mouthed bloodsucker is kind of a joke, a has-been who even his vampiric cohorts don’t respect.
Voiced by the legendary Malcolm McDowell, Varney is leading a gruesome siege in the city of Targoviste, which he’d hoped to conquer and gift to Dracula before the vampire lord’s untimely death. The city lies in ruins, with the human survivors slowly starving to death in the streets while the king and queen hide underground. Varney is winning but for whom?...
- 5/14/2021
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
This Castlevania article contains spoilers.
The endgame is finally here in Castlevania season 4, which sees Trevor Belmont, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard face off against the forces of evil that wish to wipe out humanity. While the story takes a few interesting turns you’re not expecting, fans of the long-running Konami series will likely notice quite a few connections to the original video games.
As you’d expect, that all means that there are quite a few easter eggs and references to the games as well as real-world history in Castlevania season 4. Here are all of the easter eggs we’ve found so far:
Varney
Although Varney seems like a two-bit vampire thirsty for glory at first, he turns out to be the main villain of the season. It’s a surprise twist worthy of Malcolm McDowell, the legendary actor who brings the character to life.
While Varney doesn’t appear in the games,...
The endgame is finally here in Castlevania season 4, which sees Trevor Belmont, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard face off against the forces of evil that wish to wipe out humanity. While the story takes a few interesting turns you’re not expecting, fans of the long-running Konami series will likely notice quite a few connections to the original video games.
As you’d expect, that all means that there are quite a few easter eggs and references to the games as well as real-world history in Castlevania season 4. Here are all of the easter eggs we’ve found so far:
Varney
Although Varney seems like a two-bit vampire thirsty for glory at first, he turns out to be the main villain of the season. It’s a surprise twist worthy of Malcolm McDowell, the legendary actor who brings the character to life.
While Varney doesn’t appear in the games,...
- 5/14/2021
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Penny Dreadful's careful character work begins to pay off in this week's episode. Here's Becky's review...
Review
This review contains spoilers.
1.6 What Death Can Join Together
What Death Can Join Together continues from the events which occurred at the end of the fourth episode, Demimonde, and resumes the hunt for Mina. Vanessa uses her powers to narrow in on the Master’s location, but is invited out by Dorian Gray, a development Murray welcomes in order to keep Vanessa out of harm’s way. He assembles Chandler and Sembene for the hunt whilst Frankenstein finally learns what they are facing from Professor Van Helsing.
Swiftly snapping back into the show’s present day, the ongoing narrative picks up some pace in this episode, capitalising on the chilling atmosphere that has been steadily mounting throughout the season. It ensures the emotional beats were that bit more affecting, the shocks all...
Review
This review contains spoilers.
1.6 What Death Can Join Together
What Death Can Join Together continues from the events which occurred at the end of the fourth episode, Demimonde, and resumes the hunt for Mina. Vanessa uses her powers to narrow in on the Master’s location, but is invited out by Dorian Gray, a development Murray welcomes in order to keep Vanessa out of harm’s way. He assembles Chandler and Sembene for the hunt whilst Frankenstein finally learns what they are facing from Professor Van Helsing.
Swiftly snapping back into the show’s present day, the ongoing narrative picks up some pace in this episode, capitalising on the chilling atmosphere that has been steadily mounting throughout the season. It ensures the emotional beats were that bit more affecting, the shocks all...
- 6/25/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
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