An epic piece ofKonamiart proves one legendary game series was born to have a comic book. The relationship between comics and video games is a tight one, with franchisessuch asSonic the Hedgehogexperiencingmajor success. Yet, one long-running game franchise is conspicuously absent:Castlevania, but artist Sean Murphy makes a convincing case for it.
Sean Murphy, known for his work on variousBatmantitles, shared a gorgeous new piece featuring characters from theCastlevaniagame franchise, including the whip-toting Simon Belmont as well as series antagonist Dracula. Murphy even threw in a retro “Nintendo Seal of Approval.”
While not a pitch for aCastlevaniacomic, Murphy’s stunning art shows how badly it needs to happen.
CastlevaniaIs an Iconic Video Game Franchise
CastlevaniaGames Have Been Featured on Many Platforms, and Has Spin-Off Media
Castlevaniais one of the longest-running video game franchises in history. Debuting nearly 40 years ago in Japan,Castlevania(orAkumajo Dracula) arrived on American shores in 1987. It was an instant hit, and would spawn many sequels across systems such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and various Playstations.Castlevania’sside-scrolling format helped create an entire genre of games.
Castlevania, like any good media franchise, has had its share of spin-offs across different types of media. A variant of Simon Belmont,Castlevania’scentral hero, appeared inCaptain N: The Game Master,but this version was a far cry from the original. Instead of a noble vampire hunter, Belmont was vain and self-absorbed.
TheCastlevaniafranchise will find its stride in animationvia a four-season show airing on Netflix. Debuting in 2017, theCastlevaniacartoon boasted an impressive voice cast. Furthermore, the show was written and developed by comic writer Warren Ellis. A sequel show,Castlevania: Nocturne, debuted last year, also on Netflix. The show was popular with fans and critics.
There Has BeenCastlevaniaManga, But Why Does it Elude American Comics?
Despite theCastlevaniafranchise’s success in animation and video games, it seems to elude North American comic book publishers. To date, there has only been one AmericanCastlevaniaseries:The Belmont Legacy.Part of a larger line of Konami-based comics, and released by IDW, the series failed to make an impression on fans, and was quickly forgotten.
YetCastlevaniahas also been popular in America, but for some reason no creator or publisher has been able to make a good comic based on the franchise.
Castlevaniahas had success as a manga in Japan, with several volumes released over the years. As the series originated in Japan, this should not come as a surprise. YetCastlevaniahas also been popular in America, but for some reason no creator or publisher has been able to make a good comic based on the franchise.
Sean Murphy Makes a Great Case for Him to Draw aCastlevaniaComic
The World ofCastlevaniaSeems Tailor-Made for Comics
Sean Murphy comes along and shows the vast potential in aCastlevaniacomic. The games are full of awesome, compelling characters and horrifying monsters, all of which would look great in comic book format. One day, hopefully, Sean Murphy will get to make a faithfulCastlevaniacomic, doing theKonamifranchise proud.
