LIZA PYNE
Real Name: Liza Pyne
Identity/Class: Human, vampire
Occupation: Blood-sucker, former actress
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Louis Belski, Gary Stone
Enemies: Raymond Coker, Dracula, McGruder, Werewolf (Jack Russell)
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Mallet Studios, Los Angeles, California
First Appearance: Dracula Lives#4 (January, 1974)
Powers/Abilities: Liza Pyne possessed all of the abilities of a vampire, including sharp fangs used to suck blood from victims to replenish her own life, enhanced strength, and the ability to transform into a bat,
History: (Dracula Lives#4) - Liza was an actress for Mallet Studios, and appeared in the film "Fangs of Dracula" alongside Louis Belski. She was in love with fellow actor Gary Stone, but her producer, McGruder, had forced her to be his lover, and was jealous of her affections. One night, when he began to beat her in an abandoned part of the lot, Belski came to Liza's defense, claiming to be Dracula. He threw McGruder against a wall, and the concussion killed him. He then tried to suck Liza's blood, believing himself to be the authentic Dracula, but his teeth failed to pierce her flesh. Liza was saved from Belski by the arrival of other studio hands.
A week later, Liza returned to the lot with Gary for a romantic rendezvous, even though Belski was still at large. When they found the body of a co-worker, Donaldson, Gary ran away, abandoning Liza. Belski then appeared and chased Liza, still claiming to be Dracula. Liza tried to make him believe that she liked him, but Belski wasn't fooled, knowing that women had always been repulsed by him. However, Belski was halted by the arrival of the true Dracula, who threw him away from Liza. Dracula then feasted upon Liza himself. Liza found herself taking an odd enjoyment in her own death, and for the first time in her life, experienced true happiness.
(Dracula Lives#4/Werewolf by Night I#19 (fb)) - Liza and Belski awoke in the Los Angeles morgue, and discovered that they had become vampires. They found Gary Stone nearby, oblivious to their presence.
(Werewolf by Night I#19 (fb)) - Liza and Belski decided to leave Stone alive with his nightmares rather than kill him, and set out as bats to find more blood. They decided to return to Mallet Studios for "old times' sake," and attacked Jack Russell, the Werewolf. Their fight drew them to a film set of a lunar surface.
(Werewolf by Night I#19) - The two vampires had nearly overcome the Werewolf when Raymond Coker, another werewolf appeared. Although the Werewolf was at first wary of Coker, they soon joined forces against the vampires. In a final charge at the werewolves, Liza was impaled on a wooden stake wielded by Raymond Coker. Belski was similarly dispatched by the Werewolf.
Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman, Mike Ploog and Ernie Chua.
The last page of the story from Dracula Lives#4 was reenacted in Werewolf by Night I#19, but although it was clear in the first story that Gary was a victim of the two vampires, they don't even harm him in WBN I#19. Liza was also depicted with clothes on in the morgue, whereas she had been naked in the version from Dracula Lives#4 (which is an understandable alteration).
"Mallet Studios" is an obvious homage to Hammer Films, the Britain-based movie studio responsible for many horror films from the 50's onwards, but which by the 1970's, was in a state not dissimiliar to that of Mallet Studios.
In Blade III#12 a prophecy was fulfilled that brought back all vampires that ever died. This most likely included Liza as well. We'll have to wait if she resurfaces. by
--Markus Raymond
CLARIFICATIONS:
Liza Pyne should not be confused with:
Gary Stone was an actor who was in love with Liza Pyne, and met up with her at Mallet Studios for a romantic rendezvous, but when they found the dead body of Donaldson, a fellow employee, he abandoned her in his terror. Gary was later heartbroken as he viewed Liza's body at the morgue. When Liza and Louis Belski rose from the dead as vampires they attacked Gary, but decided to leave him alive with his nightmares.
--Dracula Lives#4, (Dracula Lives#4/Werewolf by Night I#19 (fb), 19
Images taken from:
Dracula Lives#4, page 9, panel 5
Werewolf by Night I#19, page 23, panel 4
Stone- Werewolf by Night I#19, page 15, panel 4
Last updated: 04/08/05
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!