Forget Dracula because Blade could introduce Lilith Drake instead.
Originally written as Dracula’s daughter, Lilith was part of the massive wave of horror characters introduced to Marvel readers in the 1970s. Under the iron fist of the Comics Code Authority, classic monsters were not allowed if a publisher wanted the all-mighty CCA stamp of approval. By the Bronze Age, the reins began to loosen, and literary characters were permitted, thus opening the door for Stan Lee and friends to include their versions of vampires, zombies, werewolves, and the lot.
After debuting Dracula in 1972, the House of Ideas decided to give the vampire of vampires a daughter, appropriately named after the Biblical mother of monsters, Lilith. Eventually, she would become an antihero who could not kill Dracula but is bent on thwarting him at every turn.
Since the MCU Blade reboot was announced, there’s been speculation that Dracula would be the primary antagonist. Then again, he was also rumored for Moon Knight, and that clearly didn’t pan out. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marvel steer clear of Dracula in favor of a character with fewer fan expectations. Then again, we could see her join Blade to fight the creatures of the night. In either case, you’ll want to roll the dice on her keys.
VAMPIRE TALES #4
The first time readers met Lilith was in the pages of the aptly titled Vampire Tales #4. Two years after Marvel’s version of Dracula was introduced to the masses, fans met his daughter. She only appears in a cameo, but it remains her first appearance all the same. How much can you expect to pay?
There hasn’t been a graded 9.8 to trade hands online since 2019 when a copy brought $550. However, last year saw a 9.4 sell for $807, so the next 9.8 should have quite the inflation.
GIANT-SIZE CHILLERS: DRACULA #1
So far, this has been the top of the food chain in terms of Lilith keys. Although not her first appearance, she is front and center on the cover in her full comic debut. Last year, a graded 9.8 sold for $2,880. More recently, a 9.6 brought $875 earlier this month, which was a noticeable drop compared to 2022’s average of $1,082.
LEGION OF MONSTERS #1
This is more of an indirect link, but it’s worth noting all the same. Although Lilith was not a founding member of the Legion of Monsters, she did have a stint with the group in 2007. She also has ties with Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Paranormal Unit.
With so many monsters being added to the MCU in the coming years, there’s a good chance that Blade could lay the groundwork for one or more of these groups hitting the big or small screens. That makes Legion of Monsters #1 an issue worth a roll of the dice. A year ago, a graded 9.8 sold for $750. The highest grade to trade hands this year has been the 9.0, which earned $184 in March.
THE TIME IS NOW
With Elsa Bloodstone having been introduced in Werewolf By Night, adding Lilith to the mix would be a nice counterweight to Elsa in terms of story. At some point, I imagine we’ll see the various monsters from across the MCU come together, and that could be when they face off with Dracula. Having Lilith established ahead of that big Thanos-style introduction would make for a smooth transition to that moment.
2 comments
Vampire Tales #4 is Lilith from the Judeo/Christian history or one of the original forces of evil that survived from Atlantis (Cameo and first appearance). This Lilith (Mother of demons), would later appear in Ghost Rider #28 (1990 series)(her next appearance, technically her 2nd appearance, and first full appearance after Vampire Tales#4). The Ghost Rider Midnight Sons storyline.
Dracula’s Daughter Lilith first appeared in Giant Size Chillers #1 (1974). They are often confused as the same being. I assume Dracula named his daughter after the most ancient evil, the Lilith from the pre-flood world. Thank you for a great post.
Dracula Lives #10 is the first solo story featuring Lilith, the daughter of Dracula. It’s written by Steve Gerber and illustrated by Bob Brown & Crusty Bunkers, running from pages 39-54. Marv Wolfman includes an editorial note on page 47 about Martin Gold. This is the character’s second appearance and Marv’s note references events from Vampire Tales #6 (Martin’s 1st appearance, Lilith’s 2nd appearance, and a great Lilith cover). The “Mother of Demons” Lilith from Vampire Tales #4 was never again referenced –whether with regard to Dracula’s daughter or not, which leads me to concur with Joe that it’s a different character, potentially the biblical inspiration for Dracula’s Daughter’s name.
Lilith showcases three manifestations in this issue, a bat, herself, and a brand new character named Angel O’Hara, who is unaware that she is Lilith’s host. Angel would be a great back-door introduction to Lilith in the MCU, making Dracula Lives #10 perhaps more important than just as the first solo story.
With Cagliostro (first appearance in Dracula Lives #5) apt to play a part in the third Dr. Strange movie, it begs the question of whether Lilith will be first introduced there or in Blade.
Also worthy of note, Dracula Lives #10 features a letter to the editor on page 65 from Galen Wilkes, who was (later) the longtime chief archivist at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Margaret Herrick Library through much of the 2000s.