My Top 10 Vampire Character (5 thru 1)

5. Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer – t.v. series)

Spike was put through a lot during his run on Buffy, and after prissy boy Angel left Spike took over as the main male vampire lead. He was violent, brooding, twisted and British, and somehow viewers, myself included, got hooked on the romance between him and Buffy. Unlike vampires nowadays who fall in love with humans faster than they can kill them, he actually had to struggle with this idea and it almost tore him apart (we all remember robot Buffy!).

4. Selene (Underworld 1 and 2 – films)

It was refreshing to see a female vampire who was head strong, independent and able to kick some butt. She broke all the vampire rules. Selene was different from the usual femme fatal female vampire; she was one of the top vampire warriors who listened to her gut and did not let anyone stop her from doing what she wanted. Obviously this was still a Hollywood film so she did all of this while wearing a skin tight leather jumpsuit, but just because you’re a tough female doesn’t mean you can’t be sexy.

3. Edward Cullen (Twilight Series – book series by Stephanie Meyer)

Yes I am sure you are wondering why I have Edward on my list when I bashed the vampires from Twilight. Well this is a list of my favorite vampire characters, and I cannot deny the fact that I too became obsessed with Edward while reading the books. I would like to note that I am talking about the book character not Robert Pattinson’s version from the films. I don’t know how to justify having him on the list, but here he is. Just accept it, I have.

2. Lestat de Lioncourt (The Vampire Chronicles – book series by Anne Rice)

But why not Brad Pitt’s character Louis you ask? Well if you have read the actual books then you wouldn’t have to ask. Like Edward above, I am referring to the book character not the Tom Cruise version of Lestat. You love to hate this character, but you also start to understand him. I think that everyone can find a little of themselves in Lestat, whether they want to admit it or not. He never apologizes for who he is or what he has done. He is the quintessential vampire bad boy.

1. Eric Northman (Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series – book series by Charlaine Harris; True Blood – t.v. series)

Eric is the Lestat of The Southern Vampire Series: tall, blonde, handsome, unapologetic and ruthless. Many say that Anne Rice’s vampires are the vampires to compare all other vampire too, and since Eric was created after Anne Rice’s books then shouldn’t Lestat be first?

Well, again, this is my list so I make the rules! All I have to say is read the books and then you will know why he is number one.

(Side Note: Anyone else notice the leather motif going on in all of these photos? Why do you think that is?)

My Top 10 Vampire Characters (10 thur 6)

10. Count von Count (Sesame Street - t.v. series)
10 ah ha ha! Of course you cannot have a vampire COUNT down without including the man himself, The Count. He seems to be a little bit of a softy, but then again he is a puppet so you can’t hold that against him.


9. Blade (Blade 1, 2, 3 - film series)
Being half vampire half human is not a regular occurrence in vampire fiction, but it definitely adds a different kind of plot dynamic. Blade struggles with who he is and hates the part of himself that he can never change. He sets out to slay other vampires, which I think is a way for him to try and hold onto his humanity. If he kills them then maybe it will prove that he is not one of them. Oh and he can kick some a**.

8. Bubba (Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series – book series by Charlaine Harris)
It is never actually said but more implied that he is Elvis in vampire form. This fact right here puts him on my list because I love Elvis for his influence in popular culture and the same goes for vampires, so it is perfect. Now the character of Bubba is a little different from when he was the human Elvis. The story goes that the mortician, and vampire, who looked after Elvis’s body, noticed he still had a heart beat and took it upon himself to turn him into a vampire because he was a huge fan. However, all the drugs that were in his system and the state he was in when he was turned left him a little vampire challenged. Now he is shared between vampires as a hired hand, he adds some comic relief to the novels, oh and let’s not forget that he has a taste for felines. You can’t help but love this character.

7. Claudia (The Vampire Chronicles – book series by Anne Rice)
I cannot say enough about Anne Rice’s writing and about how she is able to create such a vivid vampire world full of characters you love to hate. I chose Claudia because you don’t really see a lot of vampire children and her character brings a kind of eeriness to the idea. Imagine having your mind mature while your body remains that of a child. She is just as vicious as any other vampire and like many children enjoys playing with her food. Many refer to her as the “Vampire Doll.” I find her character to be pathetic and you can’t help but feel sorry for her.

6. Pam (Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series – book series by Charlaine Harris; True Blood – t.v. series)
You can’t help to enjoy this character. She has a sense of humour that many vampires lack. She also breaks the stereotype that vampires are all dark and Gothic. She loves wearing pastel colours, cute shoes and reading Dear Abby. Don’t let that fool you, she won’t hesitate to kill you if you make her mad, but she will just make sure to keep it clean so not to ruin her outfit

The Vampire Diaries (tv series)

(Beginning note: click on any of the graphs to make them larger)

Since this post is riding on the coat tails of the previous one I figure it is only fitting to have this one about the television series The Vampire Diaries which is riding off the coat tails of Twilight. Some may not know that this series is actually based off of a book series of the same name that was actually written before Twilight.

I have not read the Vampire Diaries series so I was a little worried when this show first aired that these vampires would also be a little safe. I did find, like many of the more modern day vampires, they have a strong romantic nature. I find it kind of hard to believe that a 100 plus year old vampire would ever fall in love with a teenage girl no matter how mature she may seem, but that’s just me.

This show showcases two different kinds of vampire in the characters of the vampire brothers. One brother who feeds on animals is the safe, romantic, one who keeps a diary; where the other on is cruel, hates everyone, and feeds off humans. Of course both of them are able to make all the girls swoon, and oh boy I wonder if the teenage girl protagonist will be able to change the bad one and show him how to love again. The show is still new, so it will be interesting to see how the vampires evolve.

Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer

Well the time has come to discuss the vampires in Twilight. I figured I should discuss them before going any further in order to come back to them in future discussions. I am finding it difficult to continue without being able to relate other vampires to those in Twilight.

I started reading the Twilight saga after the third book came out, and I will admit I became addicted. But I mean come on, sparkling vampires. You don’t need to be a fan of the vampire to realize that is extremely cheesy. Not only do they glitter, but there is never any mention of fangs, and how can you have a vampire with no fangs. Overall I felt that these vampires lack any real substance, and they are far too safe.

Granted there are no rules for vampire portrayal and I do believe this creative freedom is what has helped to keep the vampire immortal in popular culture. I guess even the vampire needs to keep up with the times and appeal to different audiences.

And it is important to note that this series has helped to bring the vampire back into mainstream popular culture for a younger generation, but please no more sparkling.