The vampires in I Am Legend are some of the first to be portrayed as something born from pandemic and disease, as opposed to the classics in the older Gothic styles of writing. The novel influenced a great many number of things, including George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. It was adapted into a comic book mini-series and a radio play by the BBC, among others. Ruth is unique, as instead of being a mysterious and blood sucking creature of the night, she appears in daylight and isn’t hostile or trying to entirely trick the main character.
D is the first Dhampir on this list, and is the main character in the Vampire Hunter D manga series, and the following anime versions as well. Seemingly cold, unrivaled looks, and superior in strength, he has all the skills and characteristics of a fabulous vampiric character. Wandering through a far into the future post-nuclear Earth, a lot of Vampire Hunter D spins vampires in with all manner of pulp genres. Western, sci-fi, horror, Lovecraftian, demons, occult science…The list continues. There is something to love for everyone!
The Dresden Files are a series of novels that have a neat little twist in that the main character is a wizard private investigator, for one thing. Yes, you read that properly. Secondly is that it’s a series that mixes together hard boiled detective fiction with fantasy where nearly every fictional creature exists, like faeries, vampires, etc. Lara Raith is part of the White Court, one of the courts that the vampires in the story can belong to. Described as being incredibly sensual and yet extremely lethal.
Alucard is an anti-hero and the main protagonist of the Hellsing manga and anime series. It is implied that he is entirely the most powerful asset that the Hellsing organization has, and is arguably the most powerful character in the entire series. He is one of my personal favourite characters to exist in any vampire related manga or anime. He’s cocky, always smirking, and has a fabulous sense of humor…If you have the same sense of humor that I do, that is. Absolutely check it out if you have never heard of it, you won’t regret it.
Carpe Jugulum is #23 in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. If you have never read any of Pratchett’s work, do not go into it without a sense of humor on the subject of vampires and fantasy. Count Magpyre is a fabulous vampire character, wanting to teach his children by helping them to recognize religious symbols, drink wine, eat garlic, and of course only choose the best people to feed from. The entire series is worth the read, though definitely bring your sense of humor with you.
is an artist, blogger, performer, and all around lover of tea, tentacles, and many good books. Her writing has appeared in Dark Beauty Magazine, featured on Buzzfeed, and in various other places you may find yourself on the wonder that is the internet.
I’m surprised you didn’t include Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s vampiric Comte de Saint-Germain, based on a historical personage and a precursor to Anne Rice’s beautiful, sexy vamps.
I’m surprised you didn’t include Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s vampiric Comte de Saint-Germain, based on a historical personage and a precursor to Anne Rice’s beautiful, sexy vamps.