The First Comic Book Vampire Ever Inked
I am a giant fan of comic books and have reviewed many vamptacular issues here on Vampires.com, but one important comic I have yet to mention is the most important of them all – New Fun Comics Issue #6. What makes this unheard of comic so amazing? It’s not only the first appearance of DC’s Doctor Occult, but it also features the first vampire in comics.
Doctor Occult (also known as the "Ghost Detective"), is a private investigator that specializes in cases involving the supernatural. Created by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe today. His very first appearance was in 1935 in, as I mentioned above, New Fun Comics Issue #6, in a story arc titled "The Vampire Master," which spanned three issues.
Doctor Occult possesses a variety of powers, such as astral projection, intangibility, telekinesis, hypnosis, illusion casting and the ability to repel magic and exorcise supernatural beings. On top of that he is also a talented detective. It’s these abilities that help him solve the case of The Master Vampire.
In The Vampire Master Doctor Occult rescues Sander Amster from a vampire attack, using his magic talisman to ward off the creature. Later that night, the vampire returns to Amster's home and bites his wife. Dr. Occult is called back and substituting his assistant (and love interest) Rose Psychic for Mrs. Amster, Dr. Occult sets a trap for the vampire.
It is a shame that this comic is so lost in the past because I would love to get my hands on it. But alas, there don’t seem to be any readily available copies of New Fun Comics Issue #6, which makes sense, it was published in 1935 after all. If only DC would re-print it, or reboot it!
- Moonlight
I would like to read that too. You know, I love all those old school vampire comics. Especially The Tomb of Dracula which is the comic in which Blade made his first appearance. That came out in the seventies though, so it’s not as old school as Doctor Occult. I think there are some good vamp comics today though, like American Vampire. I should read more of them.
I love American Vampire! It’s an awesome horror comic.
Isn’t it? I’ve only read volume one. What drew me to it is…not because its just about vampires…but because it was partially written by Stephen King.