Rebellion’s classic Cold War vampire comic strip, The Dracula File, is one of the most inventive horror stories of its kind. Serialized in SCREAM! magazine since 1984, the story injects vampirism into the already dark world of espionage and international politics. It’s the ideal pairing. Spies and bloodsuckers are already well-acquainted with secrets and shadows. In a sense, they’re both creatures of the night that go lengths not to be noticed.
The latest chapter in the long-running strip releases later this month, on the 28th, as part of the 2026 SCREAM! Halloween Special. It’s a brand-new story titled “Realpolitik”, written by Alex Paknadel and illustrated by Alejandro Aragón. It’s colored by Jason Wordie and lettered by Jonathan Stevenson.
The story explores the clandestine nature of political manipulation through black ops led by vampiric assassins. Strange deaths and mysterious super soldiers make the humans among their ranks suspect something uglier and more monstrous is behind these secret missions. Public exposure becomes a more immediate threat, the kind that can upend centuries upon centuries of secrets.
According to Paknadel, “Alejandro, Jason, Jonathan, Chiara and I are following up our story in last year’s SCREAM! special with more post-Cold War intrigue and sanguinary hijinks. This is a story about the terrible cost of reaching an accommodation with monsters, and it could not be more timely. We hope that readers will be entertained and appalled by this latest instalment, and that it preserves the breathless innovation of the original series.”
On what readers can expect from this new chapter of The Dracula File, Aragón added, “Blood, action, honor, savagery, humanity, puppets, puppeteers. Where is the ground, and where is the light?” It’s an apt quote that does well in capturing the more obvious horror elements of the story. Longtime fans will feel right at home with its balance of political intrigue and vampire violence.
The SCREAM! Halloween Special is always a treat. It builds upon some of the magazine’s legacy strips with an eye to make them feel current. The Dracula File is certainly ticking that box, and it promises to be a highlight upon release.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from NYCC ’26.
