Naturally, this has led to intense speculation over just how Marvel will introduce vampires into the MCU. There are really two options; the first is that they could be unleashed as a result of vampires already exist in the MCU.

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But, of course, there's a problem; what have the vampires been doing before now? If they've existed in the MCU all this time, then they have a history, one that needs to be explored. Fortunately, a possible answer is provided in 2010's Death of Dracula one-shot, by writer Victor Gischler and artist Guiseppe Camuncoli.

Death of Dracula Explained Why Vampires Are Rarely Seen In The Marvel Universe

In the world of Marvel Comics, Dracula is no mere legend; rather, he is a real historical figure, and Bram Stoker's famous novel was based on true events. A ruthless conqueror, he was a prince of Wallachia who reveled in bloodshed but whose cruel ways inspired constant rebellions and uprisings. He was ultimately defeated in battle in 1459, suffering grievous injuries; Dracula was taken to Gypsies for healing, but was instead transformed into a vampire. Over the centuries, Dracula became the ruler of the vampires, acknowledged as the most powerful of their race. At first Dracula pursued a policy of open war with humanity, but he came to understand that this would be dangerous. Vampires may be stronger and deadlier than any human, but there are far more ordinary men and women, and even vampires can be killed. Instead, Dracula decided vampires should retreat into the shadows, tricking ordinary people into believing they are just creatures of myth and legend. This, he reasoned, would both keep vampires safe and ensures humans left themselves vulnerable. The status quo held until the Death of Dracula one-shot.

By the 21st century, human encroachment on vampire lands was becoming a problem. Explosive population growth, coupled with mass migration, meant the vampires were constantly retreating lest they be discovered. Xarus, son of Dracula, decided the old ways were no longer working; he conspired with other vampire clans to lead an uprising against his father. It all began in a meeting of the vampire council, with Xarus taking Dracula by surprise, stabbing him through the chest with a wooden stake. This would have been the end of any other vampire, but Dracula was no ordinary vampire, and he struggled on; even with the advantage of surprise, Xarus only triumphed with the help of other council he had secretly been working with. The end of Dracula's reign was the beginning of his son's, and Xarus immediately abandoned the old ways. It led directly into a vampire invasion of San Francisco, with Xarus leading the vampires out into the open.

The MCU's Blade Could Draw Inspiration From The Death of Dracula

Just as in the comics, the MCU's vampires could have deliberately concealed their existence from the world for all this time, ensuring humanity remained vulnerable and unprotected against their predation. That would be the old order, a status quo overseen by Dracula himself, and Blade could be an established figure in this shadow world; a vampire hunter who battles in secret against an enemy even Nick Fury and SHIELD don't realize exists. But that status quo could be disrupted, with rebel vampires forcing a regime change and killing Dracula, abandoning the old ways and choosing to go into open war with humanity. Suddenly Blade too would be thrust out of the shadows and into the light, acknowledged by the world's heroes and villains.

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It's not difficult to imagine a scenario where regime change in the vampire nation was forced by the events of the snap, as detailed in snapped back into existence by the Hulk. No doubt this would have led to further political and social destabilization, and consequently more mass migration. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where this secret group of vampires began getting pretty fed up with the constant change, and became dissatisfied with the old way of doing things.

The Death of Dracula one-shot would fit remarkably well with the MCU. It would neatly explain why vampires haven't been seen before in the films, and the ascension of Xarus would raise the stakes dramatically. With a bit of creative thinking, it would even explain why the vampires didn't emerge as a visible threat until after Avengers: Endgame. It really isn't as hard to introduce vampires and Blade into the MCU as many readers think - it just requires casting a careful eye to the comics themselves.

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