Vice Press have just released a fabulous “Nosferatu” silkscreen print by Chris Weston, available now from their official web site.
Released in 1922 and at nearly 100 years old, Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, is now regarded as one of the most influential masterpieces of horror cinema. Featuring Max Shreck as vampire Count Gustav, it was the first film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and pre-dates the character’s first major appearance on stage in 1924 in an adaptation by written by the Irish actor and playwright Hamilton Deane.
(Dracula first appeared on stage in 1897, in a play scripted by Bram Stoker himself, but this was a one-off performance before a very small audience).
“When we were approached by Chris Weston to release this print inspired by the film, we were thrilled to oblige,” say the Vice Press team. “Chris classic sensibilities lend themselves to this striking piece that is printed and ready to ship.”
“I’ve long been obsessed with Max Schreck’s extraordinary performance as Baron Orlok in F.W. Murnau’s classic silent movie, Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie des Grauens,” says Chris, who’s perhaps best known for the art for 2000AD.
“This was the first – albeit unofficial – portrayal of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and I think it has yet to be surpassed. My eyes are riveted to this rodentine vampire, and the bizarre way he scurries across the screen in his quest for victims. His skeletal features are frozen in a visage of utter despair, horrified by this creature he’s become. A foul mustiness seems to emanate from his emaciated form and he is almost indistinguishable from the damp, decayed cellars in which he dwells.
“Like all the best movie monsters he invokes equal amounts of pity and terror,” Chris continues.
“This is what I wanted to capture in this portrait: a fetid rat-like figure… framed by the pestilence and ruination that define his wretched existence.”
Don’t be a Nosferatu. Be a Yesferatu – and snap this beauty up, before it’s gone forever!
• Nosferatu by Chris Weston is available now from Vice Press
John Freeman
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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