Vampire Awareness Month!
Top Five Vampires
A guest post by Matt Hofferth
The question is simple: If you had to choose five vampires to have on your speed dial, who would they be? Now, I'll be the first to admit that my list is going to be a bit male-biased. I'm going to go with it, though. That is to say, I'm trying to frame this as a personal choice, and not a debate on the coolest/baddest vampire ever.
With that in mind, here's my five:
1. Angel - From the TV show of the same named, played by David Boreanaz. During my late teenage years, I always felt a bit guilty for enjoying Angel so much. Joss Whedon made me feel a bit better when he compared the show to it's parent (Buffy) saying: "It's a little bit more straightforward action show and a little bit more of a guys' show. So, it wasn't just that David Boreanaz is a badass. (Incidentally, I love Bones, too). Angel is high on my list, especially if I were having any paranormal problem. Also, I'd bet he'd hang out for Sunday Night Football.
2. Selene - From the Underworld movies, played by Kate Beckinsale. Is there a sexier (bloodsucking) heroine? Not only would she be great to call if you need someone to watch your back - with twin automatic pistols - but I'd let her put me on my back any day of the week.
3. Louis de Pointe du Lac - From the movie based on the Anne Rice books, played by Brad Pitt. Everyone needs a mentor, and I would choose Louis. He embodies my favorite definition of the conflicted vampire. You can see the good in him, but the evil is right there as well. I'm sure he could give a lot of good pointers on how not to waste eternity.
4. Jessica Hamby - From HBO's True Blood series, based on the Charlaine Harris books, played by Deborah Ann Wohl. Jess is my nod to the modern class of vampires. What can I say? I'm a sucker for redheads. Plus, she'd totally geek out with me. You know she would. I definitely wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating humans.
5. Count von Count - Yes, from Sesame Street. People always overlook this vamp, but he was probably my very first exposure to vampires. Think about that for a minute. Then, take a look at my other four picks. I've got most of my bases covered. What I need is someone smart, and the Count sure does know his numbers. Everyone needs to have a numbers guy in their back pocket. Right?
I could argue that those five have been the biggest influences on how I conceptualize vampires. The Count, obviously, being my earliest exposure of what a Vampire actually was. They never really got into the bloodsucking, but he turned into a bat and wore capes, which seemed really awesome as a kid.
After that, my formative years were spent in the "conflicted protagonist" phase of vampires. Relationships weren't very high on the priority list here. Angel fit the bill. It was more about action and deciding to walk the line of good, or give into evil. Teen angst much?
Then, I scooted right into the romantic era. Obviously, it's all the rage right now, and I came to the party in a somewhat odd way. I've always had a thing for vampires, but have generally been a movie guy as far as they were concerned (I was reading a lot of other things). There have been some great visualizations out there, a lot of solid adaptations of novels. That, combined with a love for HBO's True Blood series, has brought me firmly up to date.
Honorable Mention
Before I open it up for your top 5, I have one honorable mention. It was tough for me to leave this one off the list, but I thought the Count was totally worth it. He just doesn't get enough respect. This guy does though...
Blade - From the film, played by Wesley Snipes. The Daywalker himself. Giving Blade a shout out strikes me as a good move. I certainly don't want the guy to have a vendetta against me. We've all seen what he does in that case. Plus, that sword of his is pretty epic. Think he could get me a deal on a long, black leather trench-coat? Red liner, please.
What about you? Who would you have in your five?
About the Author
Matt Hofferth is a compulsive blogger and fledgling author. His first novel, the Binder's Daughter, is an urban fantasy rolling up vampires with Japanese legends, and topping it all off with a light dash of romance. Further information on his aspirations, adventures, and achievements can be found on his blog/website.
