Dracula, Wicked-style
Everyone is the hero of their own story.
If you were a vampire, would you be good? Evil?
Somewhere in between?
What would you do with that kind of power?
Vampires—and Dracula in particular—are almost exclusively portrayed as villains, but why? Aside from the obvious (humans don't like to be eaten), there's nothing inherently villainous about being a vampire. As with all things, it's the choices we make that determine whether we are "good" or "evil."
If you've read Bram Stoker's novel, you know Dracula isn't featured as prominently as people tend to think. In fact, he's barely in it. The story actually centers on Jonathan Harker and his friends, and because we only see the story through Harker's account, the story is biased against Count Dracula.
It's time we heard Dracula's side of the story.
Inspired by Winnie Holzman's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz (Wicked), I sought to retell the legend of Dracula in the same vein—recasting the infamous vampire as the hero of his own story. To do that, I had to work backwards and create an origin story for Dracula that will eventually lead him to his ill-fated meeting with the lawyer Jonathan Harker.
As I considered where to begin, a burning question loomed in the front of my mind. A question that I've never seen explored, despite countless re-tellings and adaptations: What the hell happened between Dracula and the Christian Church?
I know, I know—he's a vampire; they're the personification of evil and sin. But, putting aside the "good versus evil" debate, I ask again: What the hell happened between Dracula and the Christian Church?
I don't know about you, but I haven't seen an adaptation that portrays Dracula (or any vampire) busting into flames at the sight of the Star of David, the Star and Crescent, prayer beads, or any other religious symbol from around the world. It's always the Crucifix. Even holy water is exclusively of Christian orign in vampire lore.
Now, there is an easy answer to this question: most vampire stories that reach wide audiences are developed in predominantly Christian-centric countries. Simply put: vampire lore is limited by the biases and worldviews of its creators. But, the way I see it, even if there is a known, logical reason in the real world, these decisions translate to the fictional world, but without the requisite context.
So, once again, I ask: What the hell happened between Dracula and the Christian Church?
For Dracula to have such an extreme reaction to Christianity, something had to have happened. Something terrible and powerful enough to create a vicious feud.
This is where our story begins.
Unholy Empire is the series that will take you from 12th century France to 19th century England. You will come to know Dracula as he was known then: Dragomir. A vampire who just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. Hear Dragomir's side of the story. See what he sees, feel what he feels, and when we meet Jonathan Harker, you just might have a different opinion of the beloved lawyer.
Copyright 2025 Rian C. Stone. All rights reserved.