Vol.1 October '24
In This Issue
Feature Story
The Witch of Dracula
Fiction
Shadows of the Universe
The Inhabitants of the Forgotten Twilight
A Resolution at the Mitchell Estate
After the Apocalypse
Asylum Above the Deep
The Warehouse
The Reaper's Cloak
The Black Altar
Articles
Peter Cushing: The Quintessential Van Helsing of Hammer Studios
Review: Max Series ‘Salem’s Lot – A Reimagining That Haunts and Thrills
A New Dawn for Nosferatu: Robert Eggers Revives a Horror Classic
Poetry
In Death's Shadow
Products
NEW! Horror of Dracula Action Figures
Gallery
Artist David Paul Harris
Contact
Letters to the editor & SubmissionsIf you would like to see our magazine in print please let us know it's something you would support.
An Introduction from Professor Van Helsing
"Ah, the macabre and the arcane, subjects few truly grasp, and fewer still dare to confront. But if you find yourself in the darkened shadow of the vampire, it is not enough to merely fear the darkness. One must understand it to conquer it.
Vampires are not merely creatures of myth. They are entities born from the darkest recesses of human fear and supernatural dread. They are the corrupted souls of the deceased, bound to this world by a foul enchantment, preying upon the living to sustain their unholy existence. Their power lies not only in their physical form but in the supernatural forces that animate them.
To hunt a vampire one must first recognize its signs. These creatures of the night are not merely nocturnal; they are repelled by the light, for it is in the light that their evil is laid bare. A vampire’s aversion to sunlight is not a mere inconvenience, it is a fatal weakness. Direct exposure to the sun will turn them to ash, a consequence they fear above all.
One must also be prepared to confront them in their lairs. Vampires often retreat to places of solitude and darkness, such as crypts or abandoned buildings. When seeking out a vampire, you will find that their presence is often marked by an eerie silence, a coldness that seeps into the very bones.
When engaging a vampire it is imperative to be armed with knowledge and specific tools. The most effective weapon against a vampire is the wooden stake, carved from a tree of purity, driven through the heart of the fiend. Silver, likewise, is equally as effective. This act destroys the vampire’s very essence, ensuring that it cannot rise again. Additionally, the use of holy symbols, such as crosses, can ward off a vampire, though it is the faith and conviction behind these symbols that lend them their power.
Garlic, too, is a potent deterrent. Its pungent odor repels vampires and can be used to create a barrier against them. Similarly, the use of sacred relics and consecrated ground can provide temporary refuge or protection.
Remember, however, that the true battle is not just physical but spiritual. The fight against a vampire is a fight against an abomination of nature itself. To prevail, one must arm not only with physical weapons but with a resolute spirit and an unshakable will.
In conclusion, confronting a vampire requires both bravery and preparation. Understand the enemy, arm yourself with the right tools, and carry with you the conviction to see the battle through to its rightful end. Only then can you hope to rid the world of these abominable creatures and restore balance to the realm of the living."
