In the wake of Doctor Strange's death, Blade is going to war with Dracula's Vampire Nation. This December, Marvel will release Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1, a one-shot exploring the ramifications of Doctor Strange's upcoming death, particularly among Earth’s vampires - who Strange once wiped out with a spell!
Blade's unique powers lend him all the strengths of a vampire without any vulnerability to sunlight. He has sworn to hunt and exterminate every single vampire, and has crossed paths with many Marvel heroes on this quest, recently joining the Avengers. Blade's arch-nemesis, Dracula, has been making bold moves across the Marvel Universe as of late, allying himself with Russia's Winter Guard and establishing the Vampire Nation. Dracula has also, covertly, been harvesting blood from mutants and other superhumans, with an eye towards weaponization. In an attempt to rationalize his actions to the outside world, Dracula explained he merely wants a place where vampires can exist peacefully, akin to the mutant homeland of Krakoa. Blade saw through the ruse, and was appointed the Sheriff of the Vampire Nation, watching over Dracula to ensure he stays in line. Meanwhile, the death of Doctor Strange grows closer.
In a recent press release, Marvel revealed plot details as well as a sneak peek at the cover. The Vampire Nation is celebrating the death of Dracula's old enemy Doctor Strange. However, Blade must put aside his anger at their disrespect when entities from another dimension invade the Vampire Nation, putting everyone at risk. Blade is faced with a dilemma, as his duty as sheriff means he should protect the monsters he's spent his life trying to eradicate. BossLogic’s cover shows Dracula and Blade fighting side by side against the invaders, but Blade has made the last-minute decision to dispose of formerly useful vampires before. The book is written by Danny Lore, with art by Dylan Burnett - enjoy the cover and summary below.
A long time ago, Doctor Strange destroyed every vampire in the world with one spell, including Dracula. Now, with Strange dead, Dracula’s Vampire Nation celebrates! That doesn’t sit too well with Strange’s old friend, and new Vampire Nation sheriff, Blade the Vampire Hunter! But what happens when interlopers from another dimension invade the vamp’s territory and put all the bloodsuckers’ lives at risk? Will Blade do his duty to protect them? Or will he help make sure the vamps stay wiped out this time?
Fans must wait until December 1 to find out if Blade will fight alongside Dracula, or against him. The dilemma Blade is facing here continues his arc from Avengers. Blade has struggled to reconcile his past as a ruthless vampire killer with his new role as one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. While Blade took the UN-backed position as the Vampire Nation's sheriff to prevent Dracula's plans, he has sworn himself to a higher purpose. Blade’s anger towards vampires is still very much real, and in Death of Doctor Strange: Blade #1, he must decide between his principles as a hero and his urge to wipe out the undead for good.
One of the big draws of Marvel's Death of Doctor Strange is how it will change the mystic status quo of the Marvel Universe, leading to new threats and very uneasy alliances, and it seems few will be more affected by this change than Blade. So far, his new role has been little more than an excuse to kill vampires, but if Blade can show the Vampire Nation that he'll support a genuine effort to live in peace, could the vampire hunter begin to turn the tide against Dracula, and turn his latest evil plot into a fresh start for the undead?
Source: Marvel