If you missed the last one…
Beowulf Dragonslayer #4 (October-November 1975) sets up two of the most iconic characters in a grudge match worthy of any wrestling network. Beowulf vs. Dracula. Most writers think of Dracula as Bela Lugosi in a cape. Michael Uslan knew his history better. Vlad Tepes was a warrior king who kept the Turkish invaders out of Transylvania. As such, he would be a worthy opponent to cross swords with the Prince of the Geats. Hollywood eventually caught onto this and made Dracula Untold (2014) starring Luke Evans. (Michael Uslan became a movie producer, but this wasn’t one of his.)
In the 1980s, Roy Thomas would create Arak, Son of Thunder, a Sword & Sorcery series that brought different elements into the story from mythology, history and even prehistory. I think Michael Uslan paved the way for that series with Beowulf Dragonslayer. We will see this even more next issue, when he brings in, of all things! UFOs. (Remember how big UFOs were in 1975? Uslan wasn’t the first though. John Jakes did in in Mention My Name in Atlantis in 1972) The format allowed for just about anything to cross paths with our heroes.
Again we get some classic Ricardo Villamonte artwork. Beowulf takes out the Asher fighters with a massive chain. I can remember being enthralled by that scene. I’m not sure how well that would work in real life but then again, this ain’t real life.
In search of the Zumak fruit, Beowulf and his companions cross a desert.
They are attacked by an army of turbaned warriors. Satan watches and is pleased.
Each of the companions is a challenger to the horde. The Shaper uses his magic against them. Wiglaf is wounded in the conflict. It looks like they will be overrun.
Good thing Beowulf brought his chain with him. The warriors stop to talk in peace. Their leader is Bruzz-Solomon. The warriors are Ashers, the lost tribe of Israel. They are on the hunt for the Transylvanian, Dracula.
Beowulf learns of the Wallachian prince who drinks the blood of his foes. The King of the Geats joins forces with the Ashers since they fight the same enemies.
Meanwhile, back in the north, Grendel grows impatient. Satan promises him Beowulf, and now.
A mystic flame comes to Beowulf in the desert, and shrinks then whisks them off. The Shaper is powerless to stop it. (Is this because he gets his powers from Satan or simply that he is too weak?)
Beowulf and his companions find themselves back at Hrothgar’s castle. Beowulf will finally get to do what he did in the poem, meet Grendel in single combat. Wiglaf and Hondscio will join him, to guard the entrances.
Grendel comes crashing in, snapping up Hondscio. The warrior dies in Grendel’s terrible jaws.
The two begin to fight but Satan’s flames take Beowulf and friends back to the desert. Satan does not want Grendel to win yet. Grendel is satisfied for now that he can kill Beowulf.
The warriors appear back in the desert sand just in time to face Dracula and his army.
Beowulf and his friends fight, calling out to the honor of Hondscio. Nan-Zee is no exception, fighting bravely along side Wiglaf.
Also fighting is Sydriit, Beowulf’s lastest companion, the black giant from the Darklands. (I suppose Uslan killed Hondscio so he could include this character?)
The leader of the Ashers, Solomon, ends his life on a spear. His lieutenant, Yushashia, takes up the mantle.
Finally, Dracula and Beowulf find each other on the battlefield. The fight that was the cover image is finally going to happen.
But it is not Beowulf but Yushashia who gets the kill, taking out Drac. But Satan is a sore loser. He resurrects Dracula as the Prince of the Undead. Now he is truly the vampire we all know and love.
Uslan has broken up what could have been two fight scenes with a third fight scene, whisking Beowulf back to Heorot. This middle piece serves to do several things besides break up the battle sequences. First, it reminds us once again, that this is about Beowulf versus Grendel. Secondly, it allowed us to see that Beowulf would probably lose without completing his quest. He needs the Zumak fruit to be able to defeat Grendel. Nicely, reminded, we go back to Dracula. The killing of Hondscio and the inclusion of Sydriit, like the character of Nan-Zee, shows Uslan’s desire for diversity in Beowulf’s team, which really would have been a bunch of white guys in helmets.
Next time, Beowulf’s strangest adventure… “Chariots From the Stars”!
I always enjoy the fact that you bring these classic S&S comics into the daylight. I am envious of your collection.
Both writer and artist obviously must have been familiar with Morotos Dax. He he met a flying saucer. Art is Stiller. And Vald. I dig it