Carmilla: The First Vampire – Experience the Story of the First Vampire Like Never Before

Carmilla: The First Vampire – Experience the Story of the First Vampire Like Never Before

Dark Horse Comics and Berger Books have announced a new graphic novel titled Carmilla: The First Vampire. Inspired by the genre-launching gothic novella, the new original graphic novel will be penned by Amy Chu with art by Soo Lee. In the streets of New York’s Chinatown, this tale will unravel a murder mystery entangled in family secrets.

Dark Horse Comic‘s description of the graphic novel reads:

“Set in 1996, the Year of the Rat and the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, an idealistic Chinese American social worker turns detective when she discovers young, homeless LGBTQ+ women are being murdered and no one, especially the police, seems to care. 

A series of clues points her to Carmilla’s, a new mysterious nightclub in the heart of Manhattan Chinatown. There she falls for Violet, the next likely target, landing her at the center of a real-life horror story—and face-to-face with questions about her own identity and murky past.”

Chu explains the true origin and inspiration of vampires, saying:

“Everyone is familiar with Dracula, but few know it was inspired by the vampire Carmilla who fell in love with the many young women who became her victims. Bringing the story to ’90s New York let me explore themes of cultural identity, gentrification, homophobia and racism. It’s definitely the darkest, most mature storyline I’ve ever written!”

Lee shared their excitement in bringing the ambiance and colors of old NYC back to life, saying:

“Goth, horror, and vampires make up the classic backdrop to 90’s New York. Bringing the story to ’90s New York let me explore themes of cultural identity, gentrification, homophobia and racism. It’s definitely the darkest, most mature storyline I’ve ever written!”

Carmilla: The First Vampire will be available at your local comic shop and digitally on January 11th, 2023, and everywhere books are sold on January 24th, 2023. Check out the cover below:

Source: Dark Horse Comics