Bronze Age Marvel Dracula Comic Book: 'The Tomb of Dracula' No. 17 (February 1974)
LANGUAGE UNLOCK
Glossary Roundup
Original Presentation Script
Today, we find ourselves entranced by what might initially seem a classic piece of pop culture ephemera: 'The Tomb of Dracula' Number 17, launched by Marvel Comics in February 1974. Here, a dynamic blend of horror and heroism unfolds, capturing readers in its ethereal embrace with a price tag of just 20 cents emblazoned for posterity.
As we delve into the Bronze Age of American comic books, this era is celebrated for its rich integration of the horror and supernatural genres amidst the realm of superheroes. Dracula himself menaces those aboard a train in this issue, a testament to the fusion of suspenseful storytelling and retrospective allure that defines the period and endears it to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The comic's very composition speaks of an era past—crafted from the brittle pages of newsprint within, cradled by the glossy sheen of its vibrant cover. Under the artistry of Gil Kane's pencils, embellished by Tom Palmer's inking, each panel sings the collaboration of craftspeople who made these stories leap off the page.
Reflecting its journey through time, the comic maintains strong color retention and exhibits only modest signs of age with minor edge wear and light toning. However, mild foxing graces the back cover, a common testament to decades past, ensuring faithfulness to its origin yet quietly affecting its pristine standing.
An authenticity score of 85% attests to the many period-specific markers present—the 20-cent pricing, notable absence of a barcode, and the timely Evel Knievel stunt cycle advertisement gracing its reverse. While some room for doubt remains, particularly amidst a marketplace laced with facsimiles, this piece distinctly echoes its intended 1974 origin. In today's market, its value perceptively falls between $40 and $100, yet for those hoping to secure an exceptional find, high-grade slabbed copies may command even loftier sums. In this comic extends a narrative thread, binding past to presence in the ever-themed tapestry of collectible lore.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Bronze Age Marvel Dracula Comic Book: 'The Tomb of Dracula' No. 17 (February 1974)
By:Marvel Comics; cover art attributed to Gil Kane (pencils) and Tom Palmer (inks); editor: Marv Wolfman
Style:Bronze Age American Comic Book (Supernatural/Horror)
Origin:United States
Materials:Paper (newsprint interior, glossy color cover), ink
Age:February 1974
Condition:Very Good+ (moderate back cover foxing, clean front, minor edge wear, not officially graded/slabbed)
Value:$40–$100 (raw/unslabbed, based on apparent condition and recent auction results; higher values possible for slabbed, high-grade copies)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Marvel Comics branding, '02143' issue code, Comics Code Authority stamp, date (Feb), price (20¢), cover text: 'A VAMPIRE RIDES THIS TRAIN' and speech bubbles: "See, mommy? There's the nice man I told you about!"
"He said he wanted to meet you!!"
Date:2025-06-29 22:09:46.874919
Description:
This is an original issue of 'The Tomb of Dracula' No. 17, published by Marvel Comics in February 1974. The front cover displays dynamic artwork featuring Count Dracula menacing a woman and child in a train setting, with bold, stylized lettering and the tagline 'A VAMPIRE RIDES THIS TRAIN.' The comic is priced at 20 cents and is part of the Bronze Age era of comics, recognized for its blend of horror, supernatural, and superhero genres. The back cover is a period toy advertisement for Evel Knievel and his stunt cycle from Ideal Toy Corporation, dating and authenticating the publication period. Story writing (Marv Wolfman) and artwork (Gene Colan, Tom Palmer) from this series are highly regarded among horror comics collectors.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A word about fakes... Reprints and counterfeit comics do exist, especially for key Marvel horror titles, but this example shows proper identifiers for an original 1974 Bronze Age issue including correct price, barcode absence, Comics Code Authority stamp, and a period-appropriate toy advertisement on the reverse. The cover and ad match original printings. Condition appears solid for a comic of this vintage: strong color retention, minor edge wear, and light toning on the back (common for newsprint). No visible major defects (tears, markings, or water damage), though the back cover shows mild foxing and some dirt, slightly lowering the grade. As a non-key but still sought-after mid-series Dracula comic, it is a collectible item, highly regarded for its art and story, and market values have risen in the horror comic segment. For maximum confirmation, interior page quality and completeness should be checked prior to sale. So sayeth Comics Lass!
Individual Images:
Second image shows the back cover advertisement for Ideal Toy Corporation's Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle (1973)—consistent with original issues from the timeframe and helpful for authenticity verification. Back cover also reveals mild foxing and surface dirt
but no apparent tears or structural damage. Corners are slightly blunted
minor creases at top corners
spine appears intact with no splitting visible.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided; item is visually assessed only.
Condition:
Very Good+ (moderate back cover foxing, clean front, minor edge wear, not officially graded/slabbed)
Identification Score: 99%
The comic's cover, publisher, title, and distinctive features (price, date, cover art, advertisement on rear) precisely match known specimens of 'The Tomb of Dracula' #17 from 1974. Virtually no doubt remains as to specific issue and print run.
Authenticity Score: 85%
Many period-correct details are present: vintage cover price, age-appropriate paper toning, absence of barcode (before direct market editions), and a 1973-4 toy ad. No obvious signs of reprint or reproduction. Some risk always remains due to the prevalence of facsimiles and unknown restoration without complete inspection/slabbing, but this example strongly suggests authenticity.
Image Memory Note
Front cover: 'THE TOMB OF DRACULA' No. 17, February (Feb) issue, 20¢ price, 'MARVEL COMICS GROUP' banner, Comics Code Authority stamp (upper right), cover art: Dracula menacing woman/child in a train setting, yellow and white speech bubbles, tagline 'A VAMPIRE RIDES THIS TRAIN.' Lower left: woman with green dress, child with blond hair/yellow jacket, interior shadowy corridor, Dracula in cape (purple/black with red lining). Top left: Dracula vignette. Code '02143.' Back cover: 1973 Ideal Toy Corporation ad for Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle—features blue, red, and yellow graphics; large central figure with removable helmet, star-spangled costume, motorcycle; small box advert for stunt van. Mild foxing/toning on back, minor top & bottom corner blunting, very slight edge crease on cover, spine generally intact; paper appears slightly yellowed with age. No visible tears, no writing, no subscription crease. No interior pages visible.
Keywords
The Tomb of Dracula #17, Marvel Comics, Bronze Age comic, Dracula, horror comic, 1974, Gil Kane, Tom Palmer, Marv Wolfman, vintage comic, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
Share: