Tomb of Dracula #59 (1977)

Anton Lupeski has come to the apartment of Quincy Harker, asking for their help in destroying Dracula. He provides them with guns loaded with silver bullets to do the deed and explains that Dracula will be holding a celebration feast for his newborn son, Janus. The vampire hunters find themselves at a moral crossroads because although both the vampire hunters and Lupeski want Dracula dead, they want to do so for fundamentally different reasons. However, when they contemplate all the loved ones that Dracula has killed between themselves, they decide to go along with Lupeski's plan. Meanwhile, Dracula returns home to his wife and child and after spending time with his son Janus, Dracula decides to go out for a feast of his own before the celebration. Dracula goes to Boston College, where a student called Barry is trying to seduce his teacher, Emily Arthurs. She is saved from him by Dracula, who sends the student running. However, the teacher is far from safe as when she is alone with Dracula, the vampire lord feeds upon her. Dracula instructs Emily that when Barry returns next week, he will again try to seduce Emily. But this time, she must allow him to kiss her. After that, Emily will give him the dark kiss of the vampire. Shortly thereafter, at the home of Anton Lupeski, the dinner celebration for young Janus starts off, with Lupeski preparing to betray Dracula, and Quincy Harker and the other vampire hunters waiting outside. After Dracula has arrived and Lupeski has made an opening speech, Frank Drake and the others burst in. Stunned by the intrusion, Dracula is caught off guard enough for Lupeski to get in his first shot at Dracula. As the vampire hunters begin unloading their silver bullets into Dracula, Domini (with Janus in her arms) attempts to stop them from harming her husband. Although weakened, Dracula manages to fight off Harold, Quincy, and Frank. He then dodges a silver bullet fired by Rachel by turning into mist form. When Dracula returns to his physical form, Lupeski announces his next shot will go for Dracula's heart. Dracula goads Lupeski into firing again and turns into mist form. Lupeski's silver bullet misses Dracula; however, the battle meets a tragic end when Domini screams and announces to all present that Lupeski's bullet had struck and killed Janus. All present are horrified and immediately stop fighting, and Dracula in a brutally angry moment crushes Lupeski's head with his bare hands. Domini turns her attention to the oil painting of Jesus Christ, asking the glowing painting why so much blood must be shed before her son can be allowed into Heaven, what purpose is this vengeance. Dracula, believing that Domini is addressing him, tells her that his vengeance is not complete and turns his attention toward the vampire hunters; however, before he can attack them, Domini orders Dracula to stop, not wishing for more bloodshed on this tragic day. She assures her husband that even this was ordained and tells the vampire hunters to leave quickly. After the vampire hunters have departed, Dracula wants to know how his own wife would dare to command him. Domini explains that these were not her commands, but those of the painting. Noticing its glowing eyes for the first time, Dracula curses the painting and wonders why he did not and still cannot remove it. He then demands to know why his wife listens to its words over his. Domini only expresses her love for Dracula and asks him to take her hand and accept Christ's words. Horrified, Dracula cannot bring himself to do so, and flees into the night in his bat form. This story is continued next issue...