Now that posed a dilemma for me. I didn't care about those "monster books," but here they were interacting with the superheroes I loved. Dracula turned up in GIANT-SIZE SPIDER-MAN #1, Man-Thing guest-starred in an issue of MASTER OF KUNG FU and MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE, the Frankenstein Monster in IRON MAN, and so on. That led me to start checking out the monster books, because, hey, they're part of the Marvel Universe too!

So, one of the titles I started reading wss TOMB OF DRACULA. And one of the guys that caught my interest in that title was Blade the Vampire-Slayer. Back then, his primary weapons were wooden knives that he carried in a bandolier. He took the vamps out by throwing them through their hearts. Now that's just badass.

Who would've ever guessed that that character -- who only appeared in TOD periodically -- would go on to be the first Marvel character to SUCCESSFULLY headline his own movie? Yet that's what happened as Wesley Snipes brought the character to life on the big screen.
And no matter who goes on to play him in future appearances, Snipes version is the one I think will be everlasting.

Blade is dynamically rendered here by the great Steve Erwin. Steve -- whose bonafides include stints on VIGILANTE, CHECKMATE, and DEATHSTROKE for DC Comics -- just nailed it with this piece showing the Vampire Slayer taking a late night stroll through the graveyard. I actually feel sorry for whoever the blood sucker is whose hand is pushing up from under the ground. I've got a feeling that hand and the vamp will be separated from each other very soon.

Folks, let me tell you: Steve Erwin is one of those artists fans for commissioned art wish there were more of: Outstanding artwork, attentive service, and very affordable prices. Patience may be a "virue," but you don't have to wait forever to get a great commission. Contact and commission Steve through his CAF gallery right here. He's done work for such commissioned art elites as Aidan Lacy, Brian "Marvel Two-in-One 76 Guy" Sagar, Michael Rankins, Shannon Weathers, Rob Shalda, Kevin Moorhead, Shannon Slayton and many more. But you don't have to be a big name like those guys. He'll do an outstanding, affordable piece for anybody. And that's one to grow on.

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