Thanks to his appearances in the comics, Dracula has a chance of returning inBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sreboot. Played by Sarah Michele Gellar’s formerAll My Childrenco-star, Rudolf Martin, Dracula made his one-off debut in season five’s premiere episode,“Buffy vs. Dracula.“He was instantly beloved as a villain, with many wishing he had stuck around. Thankfully, the upcoming reboot has a chance to give audiences more Dracula.
For those who can’t wait for the reboot and need their Dracula fix now, the comic book expansion already offers more of the iconic villain than the TV show ever did, beginning withBuffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight#12.
Between his appearances inSeason EightandSeason Ten, Dracula features in nine comic book issues, each intended to serve as the equivalent of a full television episode.These canonical comics provide an ideal roadmap for Hulu’s reboot to follow, and if the continuity is preserved, the streaming service has a clear blueprint for giving Dracula an even more prominent return.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season EightGave Readers a New Side of Dracula
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight#12 by Drew Goddard, Georges Jeanty, Andy Owens, Michelle Madsen, and Richard Starkings
The controversial on-panel seasonbegins two years afterBuffy the Vampire Slayerwent off the air, with Buffy’s Slayer organization having been expanded into a worldwide government operation with a Scottish home base. They find themselves combating vampires who can transform into wolves and fog, an attribute they only knew of one vampire to have, Dracula. This compels Buffy to pay a visit to the legendary vampire, much to the chagrin of Xander Harris, still under the ghoulish influence of his master whenever they’re face-to-face. As it turns out,Dracula’s powers were stolen, and he teams up with the Slayers to retrieve them.
In his comics re-introduction,Buffy the Vampire Slayerdepicts Dracula in a far different, yet refreshing light. Throughout"Buffy vs. Dracula,“Martin plays his performance as cool, calm, and collected. His depiction inSeason Eightis a major departure from his previous stoic portrayal. The comics allow Dracula to showcase more of a personality that sports a sense of humor, particularly when he realizes his powers were stolen. Most notably, the comics show Dracula developing a more compassionate side as he gains respect for his manservant, Xander, acknowledging him as a man of honor.
Dracula’s Role Became Even More Significant inBuffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Tenby Christos Gage, Rebekah Isaacs, Dan Jackson, Richard Starkings, and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Dracula’s run inSeason Eightonly lasts a handful of issues, butby the end of the season,Buffy the Vampire Slayerhas reached its most significant development to date.An event referred to as the End of Magic removes all things supernatural from the universe. As a result, witches anddemons are forced back to the shadowswithout any powers (or forced to take up real jobs, like student debt collectors). After magic is brought back, Buffy and co. realize that it must be policed. This is where Dracula comes into play.
Hulu has cast Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the co-lead alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar in theBuffy the Vampire Slayerreboot. Armstrong will play this generation’s newest Slayer.
The season initially brings Dracula back to help Buffy deal with a new breed of shapeshifting vampires. By the end of the season, however, his role is significantly elevated.Buffy Summers personally recruits Dracula to join the newly formed Magic Council, an organization created to oversee the use of magic after its return to the world. While Dracula is absent fromSeason Nine, Season Tenmore than makes up for it by making him a key member of one of the franchise’s most important new groups.
Buffy’s Reboot Has the Perfect Opportunity to Bring Back Dracula
Making Dracula a Magic Council Member Honors Comic Canon and Fan Demand
As of June 23, 2025, it remains unclear ifBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sreboot will continue the continuity of the comics. While the comics are a part of the show’s official canon, as they feature writing and production by franchise creator Joss Whedon, there’s no guarantee that the reboot maintains that continuity. The reboot could pick up where season seven left off without addressing or acknowledging the comics. However, if there is a chance that the comics become relevant for the reboot, thenthe door is open for Dracula to return as a pivotal character.
Not only would including Dracula as a Magic Council member be the simplest way to acknowledge such a vital moment in 10 years' worth of canon, but it’s the simplest way to giveBuffyfans what they’ve wanted to see for years: more of Dracula. His one-off appearance in the TV series was a mere special guest cameo, while his comic role of overseeing magic to ensure it isn’t abused was a larger showcase for the character. 25 years ago,Buffy the Vampire Slayergifted fans a short-lived character everyone loved, but today, there’s a new opportunity to fall in love with Dracula all over again.
All issues and comic seasons ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerare available now from Dark Horse Comics!
