The History of Vampires in the Marvel Universe ☆ The Origins of Varnae & Dracula

On this week's episode of History of the Marvel Universe, we're looking at the origin and history of supernatural vampires, including Varnae, Dracula, and more!
For more on the Hell Lords that arose from the demonic energy cast aside by the Demogorge, you can watch this video:
• The Origin of Daimon H...
For what happened to Zhered-Na, you can watch this video:
• The History of the Dwe...
For a full explanation of the Great Cataclysm which sank Atlantis, you can watch either of these videos:
• The Origin of Marvel's...
• The Origin and History...
For the history of Carnage, which briefly involves the Montesi family, you can watch this:
• The Origin and History...
For even more involving the Darkhold and Chthon, you can see my videos on the High Evolutionary and the Scarlet Witch:
• The Origin of the High...
• The Origin of the High...
• The Origin of the Scar...
Finally, for a more complete look at the origin of Blade, we have this video:
• The Origin of Blade, T...
Sources:
Adventures into Weird Worlds 013 (1952)
Strange Tales 115 (1964)
Strange Tales 148 (1966)
Amazing Spider-Man 102 (1971)
Kull the Conquerer 003 (1972)
Tomb of Dracula 013 (1973)
Dracula Lives 002-004 (1973-1974)
Frankenstein 007-009 (1973-1974)
Conan the Barbarian 043-044 (1974)
Giant-Size Chillers 001 (1974)
Marvel Chillers 001 (1975)
Dracula Lives 012 (1975)
Marvel Preview 003 (1975)
Tomb of Dracula 047 (1976)
Invaders 008 (1976)
Tomb of Dracula 057 (1977)
Tomb of Dracula 058 (1977)
Tomb of Dracula 060 (1977)
Avengers 187 (1979)
Tomb of Dracula 070 (1979)
Tomb of Dracula 002-003 (1979-1980)
Thor Annual 010 (1982)
Bizarre Adventures 033 (1982)
Uncanny X-Men Annual 006 (1982)
Doctor Strange 060-063 (1982)
Timespirits 004 (1985)
Silver Surfer Annual 002 (1989)
Wolverine 013 (1989)
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme 010-020 (1989-1990)
Marvel Comics Presents 063 (1990)
Conan the Barbarian 245 (1991)
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme 037 (1992)
Nightstalkers 001 (1992)
Midnight Sons Unlimited 007 (1994)
Nightstalkers 018 (1994)
Blade 001-006 (2002)
Stoker's Dracula 001-004 (2004)
Tomb of Dracula 001-005 (2004-2005)
X-Men: Apocalypse vs Dracula (2006)
The Marvel Tarot (2007)
Blade 012 (2007)
Captain Britain and MI-13 010-015 (2009)
The Death of Dracula (2010)
Namor: The First Mutant 001-004 (2010-2011)
Hulk 050 (2012)
History of the Marvel Universe 001 (2019)
Additional information from the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.
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Music:
"Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons...
#Marvel #Vampires #Dracula

[@ianfinrir8724]

Dude, the amount of research and dedication that goes into these is amazing. It's like a legitimate superpower.

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

Idk about research if you’ve already read all the comics.... I could probably tell you damn near every story line in Dc comics from like the 60s-2020 and I mean every character that’s got a comic book or team up or cross over.... and definitely every Batman superman green lantern or WonderWoman story

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

Then again I can memorize a whole novel word for word so maybe I’m wrong

[@dangerwoman9820]

Thank you, Ian. In City of Heroes and Villains, Danger Woman fell in love with Dr. Tusk Malkov. Of course, we learned that Dracula was Dr. Malkov's number one patient and he tells him that he almost had Danger Woman. Dr.Malkov calls Dracula his liege and convince him to let him marry Danger Woman. By the way, it would be interesting if they went to St.Louis, Missouri for their honeymoon and Dracula would meet Jean-Claude and Anita Blake. I hope that it would be worthy of a new book and Marvel Graphic Novel. Danger Woman

[@elliswebster7041]

@@MikeSmith-vl5emcringe

[@Glitch-qj3nj]

Too popular superpower

[@vincentfranklin17]

I love how everything connects in the Marvel Universe! I've said it before, but I can't help it. I love it! Excellent video!

[@druunderwood5602]

Here's the thing , Witchblade brought me here.

[@tonmy21]

Yeah..

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

Marvel may make better movies but DC comics is so much better than Marvel

[@willdiesel8431]

@@MikeSmith-vl5em two different mediums. Just compare the animated movies to the live action ones if you must have your comparison.

[@jwrush]

This is a Herculean effort and incredibly impressive continuity scholarship.

[@kali3665]

One thing I've always found fascinating that Marvel brought to the table regarding repelling a vampire using the cross. In Marvel, Dracula has said on a number of occasions that the cross works as a deterrent only if one BELIEVES in the power BEHIND the cross. That is, it is one's FAITH that really wards off the vampire. Which, of course, means ultimately that the vampire can be repelled by one's faith in any symbol. So, if you believe in the power of the Star of David or even the Swastika, both will work as long as your faith is strong. Too many times on television and movies, they just hold up the cross regardless of any faith. I remember once seeing a variant (not sure if it was a comic or a TV show) where a vampire encountered one of those crazy guys you always see on television holding up their signs that say "The End of the World is Nigh!" And the vampire is repelled because the crazy guy BELIEVES what his sign says. His faith and his belief was enough.

[@MerryMarvelite]

Oh, yeah. Kitty Pryde once tried to use a crucifix against Dracula and it didn't work because she's Jewish.

[@CaptainFrost32]

@@MerryMarvelite fortunately, her silver Star of David repulsed his touch. And she had the assistance of Nightcrawler, who truly was devout.

[@spimuru5040]

welp, i gotta get myself an ammonite fossil then

[@Dr.Thirteen]

@@MerryMarvelite yes and wolverine it didn't work because he didn't belie but it did for nightcrawler

[@rogerr.8507]

I want to see a beleiver in the japanese emperor turn a vampire with a crysanthemum flower >-

[@benjaminfeld6388]

I would very much like to see an episode centered around Dracula. Maybe even one centered around Frankenstein's monster.

[@rudeboyjohn3483]

I second that

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

DC comics Frankenstein would be amazing

[@roadscholarwarrior]

I knew there were some connections between Atlantis and Vampires being a big fan of Namor the Sub-Mariner. But my knowledge was limited.. this really helps fill in all the gaps. Thanks so so much for your great work.!!! I hope when the MCU really gets into Namor they will add some of this connection for Blade and possibly the Midnight Sons.

[@sophiawilson8696]

Namor is a mutant.

[@roadscholarwarrior]

@@sophiawilson8696 Yes he is..!

[@Salik96]

​@@sophiawilson8696He's also atlantean.

[@sophiawilson8696]

@@Salik96 I think in the comics version he is a descant of Atlantis.

[@Salik96]

@@sophiawilson8696 Yeah his mother was an Atlantean princess and his father was human. He's Atlantean.

[@BILLEON2005]

The comic book scans on this KZbin channel are top notch! Well done….

[@davidgusquiloor2665]

Wow, they actually came so close to finally being free of vampires. So cool

[@sophiawilson8696]

I still don't understand how bring the back the original Vampire broke the spell.

[@isaaclemmen6500]

I love how when you deep dive into Marvel lore, everything is connected. For example, the Howard characters are relevent to the background of many marvel stories regardless of whether Marvel even had the rights to use those characters when those stories were written.

[@ryanspengler4877]

Back in 2004 when Marvel found that unfinished Stoker's Dracula adaptation in the vault, I remember Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano getting back together to complete the work and the buzz for the project at the shop I worked at was pretty big. I grabbed a copy of the hardcover, as well as the first ten issues of Tomb of Dracula that someone traded me for some Spawn duplicates (And yeah, TWO copies of #10 were in there!?!) and since that day I've loved Marvel horror and have spent years going back to read the classics. Those old Werewolf By Night and Man-Thing issues, especially, are favorites. Another great video!

[@Thuromc]

This is a top notch synopsis/breakdown. I think you missed your calling as a script writer. After hearing this, I wish Marvel Studios would include this in a intro to Blade's movie.

[@arkinyte13]

I like it when you cover more obscure topics, as we already know the mainstream Marvel stuff.

[@trippytimesjosh355]

👏👏

[@somerandomschmuck2547]

Why is it marvel (specifically the MCU) has all this cool lore and they seem intent on never using it? Like, how awesome could a miniseries on the fall of Atlantis be? They could use it to set up the next big bad for a theoretical future phase, set up Vampires in this universe, maybe include some hints at a Conan series (heck, have the Ancient One show up and either fight against or with Conan, they already changed her into Celt, might as well make use of it, they never established an age so there's nothing to say she couldn't be from the Hyperborean age, and if I understand the lore her people wouldn't be too far away from Conan's general stomping grounds. Maybe introduce her as a normal person fighting to defend her tribe/clan during the time of high adventure, either as a young woman before she started learning magic or when she was just a novice before she started moving up the ranks in Kamar-taj, also maybe expand on the history of the Asgardians in that universe, either having a younger Thor/Odin show up, or go with the idea the Aesir were originally from Earth but eventually left and transformed into their own semi-divine subspecies, show a younger version of Thor's grandfather Borr eventually encounter whatever caused him to take his tribe and the Vanir into space).

[@zakeryrockwell8395]

Trash question

[@officialtoyfri3nd25]

A video about Conan would be another great video!

[@sgpoet47]

I love the research and how cool your voice sounds. This is informative entertaining and relaxing all at the same time.

[@bradystardust7708]

I would love to see a History of Set. The history of the elder gods in Atlantis Attacks is so fascinating and I have never followed up on Set's other appearances! Great video and amazing job on following continuity!

[@FoxItAll]

I'm looking forward to Blade and Black Knight in the MCU. Ready for some supernatural films versus all this cosmic based storylines. Need a break.

[@comicfanboy6937]

Great video

[@sophiawilson8696]

Glad you talk about Mutants and Vampires. Statement before Scarlet Witch Spell of No More Mutants. The Vampires never thought to attack the Mutants cause by the 20th century they were too strong, but cause of the spell it made them weak in numbers and that when they decide to attack them.

[@MarquisdeSuave]

Major props for your exhaustive research.

[@mangareader7474]

Agamotto the original sorcerer supreme and origin stores this is the best

[@michaelkantner6420]

Thanks so much for doing this video!! I see that you took some of my last request (posted on the Hercules video) and delved into Dracula a little bit. I would love it if you did a full video about Dracula, he was always one of my favorite monsters that Marvel had published, as well as Frankenstein's Monster, and Werewolf by Night, which would make two more great MerryMarvelite videos!! Also, not sure if anybody else wants you to do this, but I would really love a video about Galactus and his heralds.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

Once again, just in time to help me with my recent deep dives into Marvel. Thank Kirby for you.

[@jakeproven256]

This would've been a great Halloween episode. But hey I guess vampires don't have to be 100% associated with the holiday.

[@jakeproven256]

@Sonic Hedgehog Okay sonic, I mean if you keep scaring robotnick from harming you and your friends, your life will be easier.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

Best video of his nature ever created please do more long videos

[@chriswade8949]

You always put out amazing videos! I’m surprised you have under 50,000 subscribers but as I was thinking that I looked up and realized I wasn’t subscribed 🤦‍♂️. so I rectified that situation and shared you with the few of my buddies. I didn’t grow up as a comic Guy and I just recently got interested in the Marvel universe, but your channel is one of the best for this content!

[@MikeSmith-vl5em]

If you actually like reading comic books you should read dc comics

[@TheBisness]

I wanted to make a video about Marvel Horror awhile ago but damn, you did it perfectly. Great video!

[@raymckenna1982]

Best marvel content on KZbin by far

[@extra_ordinary_plastic_poser]

Yes please. History of Dracula and his descendants next please.

[@masterofvillainy8404]

I really love your videos you should do the origins of dr.strange, daredevil, and punisher

[@dannyorange9023]

Awesome videos Marvellite! Hey, I just realized how relevant the character Dreadknight could potentially become soon. Think he'd make for a good video? I'd certainly be interested.

[@essteex4656]

I been watching alot of vampire 🧛‍♂️ content as of late

[@deveraalmestica5838]

I Learn a lot in your channel about marvel universe .and other heroes . Keep it up the great comics coming . Thank you and have a great day .

[@adamcropper5130]

Hey Merry! I think a Gambit video would be pretty cool :)

[@jeffleonard3062]

fantastic video thank you!!

[@andrewfernandez9674]

I love how all irl mythology and lore is canon in Marvel. Tbh I would love MCU spin-off series about the B-D list aliens, the Kun Lun monks, and the 2099 continuity

[@larryfoulkeofficial8609]

Idk about 2099 with sony

[@FaisalAhmadNoori]

When you list every source of comic books You are my Favorite now. ❤

[@matthewdunham1689]

Excellent

[@officialtoyfri3nd25]

A video about Dracula would be awesome since he´s such a great character wqith a complex backstory. Plus I´ve got a question, has Conan ever faced against any vampires?

[@stainedglasssparrow9636]

He encountered one, a female vampire named Akivasha who tried to lure Conan into her sarcophagus.

[@IcedSynergy]

I really love how it ties into the real life mystery of the missing collony of Roanoke!

[@majinsole8554]

Now that was a deep dive! ~_~

[@kamerongoodwin1928]

This was a lot of history in one video. I felt like I was listening to a historian.

[@gregcrockett1852]

One of the best videos I have ever seen. Thank you

[@jvkemvrtin]

Oh man, best video yet! Love how history in marvel has been tied so tightly to vampires! Would love to have you on the Origin Sagas Podcast, to share your origin story and talk about your channel!

[@onimeno121]

Nice, time flew by on that one. Well done, I didn't even notice.

[@Cwibacca]

This video is amazing so far, about ten minutes in. I appreciate the research and effort required to complete such a project.

[@shaunhead4263]

Great Channel! I love the work you are doing!! Thank you!

[@yk007beats8]

really enjoyed this your work is amazing!

[@akkelly5601]

You are the greatest and as soon as I can donate too your channel I will. Please keep doing what you are doing!!! Awesome!!!

[@jasonpratt5126]

Superepic! -- even moreso than the original Varney novel, lo these many decades ago!

[@SG-js2qn]

Wow! My head is spinning with that story. It's delivered relatively straightforwardly, but wow ... that's a lot of research and data. :)

[@jasonwells8745]

I'd love to see videos on Slapstick, Madcap, Griffwn, Wizard, & the Nightstalkers. AMAZING videos.

[@samuelprince4719]

I'd love to see you collab with jobbers and goons. His videos are hilarious and underated aswell. Keep the obscure slices of marvel lore coming :) great work again 👍🏻

[@thomasfriday1]

MerryMarvelite, great work as usual. Please keep the amazing content coming. My suggestion for the next video would be Lila Cheyney.

[@Wruce_Bayne]

I wonder if we'll get a Varnae hint with Namor showing up before Blade in the movies

[@tonypowell9681]

Yes I would like to here more on Dracula & the marvel universe

[@marciobousada8310]

Excellent video!

[@craigt5906]

CHTHON is technically the FIRST Vampire he looks like a Vampire although he is NOT undead or craves blood Vampires have inherited their features from him he is also the true LORD of all Vampires

[@sophiawilson8696]

He is Elder God!

[@matthiascerebri3315]

Isnt that Dracula?

[@SincerelyToxic]

We appreciate your amazing effort!

[@tonypowell9681]

Thank you I like this one a lot & I finally found out why strange never re did the Montessi formula keep up the good work

[@kimbelsimpson7535]

Parts of this video I already knew from over the years but there's a whole lot I didn't know thanks for the info. GOOD VIDEO! 🤓

[@cds3703]

can you make a video on origin of the first scarlet spider?

[@ganas3]

Spooky season. Time to watch again.

[@meyou6186]

Thanks for the good video. More of all that you mentioned please and thank you.

[@joebin3106]

It's Morbin Time

[@tonypowell9681]

Yes more on Dracula & a history on Dr strange please

[@robgau2501]

When I collected comics, it was the Xmen, Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night and Morbius the Living Vampire. And other titles off and on. I stupidly sold them a long time ago. I had every Dracula comic and all Werewolf and Morbius. I had the first 30 Punisher issues. All of the original Wolverine comics and countless Xmen from the 80s. Tons of others as well. Today it would be a small fortune.

[@seandarbe2521]

Thanks for the groovy lore dump.

[@mrrichard9657]

Dude I love ur videos very informative

[@mayalunics4740]

Great job!!

[@JEAINUS11]

Again FANTASTIC video, well informative and I have a lot of your references issues, but yet again I must ask for MYSTIQUE, I'LL ask again WHERE'S THE MYSTIQUE VIDEO MYSTIQUE, MYSTIQUE, MYSTIQUE

[@ryancole4015]

Dude nice job. Subscribed

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the info as always. Much ❤

[@comixamples524]

Damn. This was a great one!

[@kriscook2423]

Does anyone know why Dracula owes Moon Knight money? I really want to know.

[@dannyman1943]

Love your work!!! 👏👏👏

[@graebear_4215]

Where do you get your information from, do you buy the comics in single issues, is there a website? I’m just wondering

[@MerryMarvelite]

Official Handbooks are a great resource. I also use various websites but will generally not use information from them unless I can back it up in an official source. As for where I find the comics themselves, Marvel Unlimited is a fantastic resource for reading issues at a relatively low cost.

[@louisthompson8642]

Please do "Curse of the Mutants "

[@quentinfogger5755]

What do you think is the best thing about being a Vampire in Marvel comics compared to DC comics and any other media?

[@jwrush]

I've now reviewed your back catalog so I can make meaningful suggestions. Kulan Gath, Dani Moonshadow, Super Pro!

[@philip2010]

Who would have known that marvels history of vampires would be so complicated quite a story

[@orgil482]

Love your source list

[@paulmiller7838]

Alright, I have to point out a major error. 2:58 During the Thurian Age Atlantis was not the "most powerful civilization known to man". Quite the opposite in fact. Atlantis was an island populated by tribes of barbarians. The most powerful nation at the time was Valusia which was eventually ruled by an Atlantian born king, Kull (as mentioned at 4:34). Do the people who write these things even bother to read the source materials? (not the video scripts, the comics)

[@quentinfogger5755]

Are you going to do history of Chthon in your next video since he could possibly be one of the main Villains of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Which one of these vampires do you think should appear in this movie?

[@Alex_v_Mizu]

I'd watch a Marvel "Living Vampires" video #MarvelLivivgVampiresYea

[@lordofthelair6716]

The Next Blade Film is going to break records.

[@jalenikezeue4114]

Can we please have The Origin of Thulsa Doom please because he was the inspiration Of Skeletor

[@jackieanderson9408]

Sweet 👍

[@DoomVonVictor]

I love Varnae and hope he's the first work up villain for the new blade since it ties in with cthaun

[@metal87power]

It could be less convoluted if not for introducing Ancient gods and other vampires races. That was unnessacerry.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Excellent job ❤❤❤❤😂

[@Wraith3100]

Marvel reader since 85. 41 now. Marvel ha always kept their stories aligned

[@ulises4241]

Could you videos about the History of Captain America's 2 main love interest, Peggy Carter and Sharon Carter?

[@quentinfogger5755]

Who do you think is better between Varnae and Dracula? Do you think we will see them in the Blade movie in the MCU?

[@sophiawilson8696]

Varnae!

[@GothicXlightning]

always knew that Simon Belmont was a huge friend to the X-MEN and to the Mighty Thor

[@brewesharp3129]

Thank you!!

[@trexadvent4726]

Can you do history of the characters mentioned in this video?

[@AntiSerpent]

I LIKED AND SUBBED! 🤗

[@maxiemaxwell550]

If all this happened before macroscopic life evolved, where did Cthon get the parchment for the Darkhold from? :-)

[@allenlovell1604]

When I was still reading the "Dracula Lives "B & W magazine, there was a vampire called " Nimrod " ;who might or might not be the Biblical person 🤔 by the same name .Anyhow back to Nimrod for a bit , when Dracula is brought to Nimrod to pledge his blood to Nimrod ; Dracula of course objects and challenges Nimrod's Lordship. A deadly battle fought with wooden stakes ensues and Nimrod loses to Dracula! He is then proclaimed the new " Vampire 🧛‍♂️ King ! "