Alberto Breccia’s Dracula (The Alberto Breccia Library)

Dracula is a polarizing figure: whether it’s Bram Stoker’s suave, romantic character, or the Romanian prince Vlad II, or renowned Argentine comics illustrator Alberto Breccia’s bizarre, freakishly humorous comic character, Dracula has been a symbol in art and literature for a long time. Alberto Breccia’s Dracula is a collection of five of the artist’s works that were first published in 1983, during the most vicious period of the deadly military junta. These works show Breccia’s insight into the suffering of the Argentine people under the country’s bloody and brutal totalitarian government, led by despised dictator General Roberto Viola.

Though some might find similarities with Stoker’s novel, Breccia’s works represent a bleak time in Argentina’s history. Breccia uses his vampire both to mock the bloody dictatorship and American imperialism as well as represent the victims. In response to the dictatorship, and during many other fascist regimes, it is the writers, the artists, and yes, even the comic strip illustrators who fuel the revolutions. Breccia himself was the target of many death threats for using his art to criticize the government. With the use of dark colors and grotesque characters, Breccia’s artwork depicts scenes of torture (both figurative and literal) committed by hideous monsters. This book is a both protest art and a record of atrocities against the Argentine people.