Monday, April 2, 2012

B is for Buffy, Blade and Bram Stoker: Vampire Hunters

With the recent popularity of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries and the Sookie Stackhouse novels, vampires have become something of a hot topic. Each of these series features one or more protagonists of the blood-sucking persuasion, thus turning vampires into sympathetic heroes. Even Anne Rice is guilty of humanizing these demonic beings, and while I respect her amazing storytelling talents more than I can express, I take a slightly more . . . old-school view of these creatures of the night.

That being said, I thought for this post I would discuss the men and women that make up the other side of this genre – vampire hunters.

When I was in middle school a friend of mine introduced me to Joss Whedon’s hit tv show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was immediately enraptured by Whedon’s witty dialogue, gruesome villains, AND his depiction of a sassy, petite demon hunter. Despite her diminutive stature, Buffy was everything a slayer should be: athletic, powerful, and above all, stylish. She could vanquish a demon in under a minute, all the while wearing three-inch heels. Definitely one of my childhood – and present day – heroes.

After Buffy, my interest in slayer legends expanded with an introduction to the vampire hunter Blade. I read some of the Marvel comics and absolutely loved the film series starring Wesley Snipes. I thought the concept of a vampire hunter who was himself half-vampire thoroughly fascinating. To loath vampires to the very core, and yet have inherited their thirst for blood, a constant reminder that he's made from the very thing he hates . . . now that’s genius. Add in a double edged sword and the ability to walk in the sunlight, and you’ve got a recipe for a lethal hunter.

Last but certainly not least, I want to mention perhaps the most famous and influential vampire hunter of all time – Abraham Van Helsing. Unlike Buffy and Blade, Bram Stoker does not portray Van Helsing as a “career” vampire hunter; rather, he becomes one out of necessity. When Lucy Westenra falls ill of an unknown disease, Dr. John Seward contacts Van Helsing because of his knowledge of “obscure diseases”. Though by no means a demon hunter, he recognizes the mark of the vampire upon Lucy, and eventually tells his friends how to kill her. He manages to destroy the three blood-sucking brides of Dracula single-handedly, and is instrumental in defeating the most famous vampire of all time himself, Count Dracula.

Needless to say, I doubt today’s sparkling vampires would hold up against hunters such as these.

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This post is part of the Blogging A through Z Challenge 2012. My theme is (in case you didn’t already guess) science fiction. Stay tuned for the rest of the alphabet, and if you’d like to check in on the rest of the participants, simply click here.

37 comments:

  1. Yes, wouldn't it be interesting to see Buffy the vampire slayer against Edward Cullen!

    This is me, Duncan D. Horne, visiting you from the A-Z challenge, wishing you all the best throughout April and beyond.

    Duncan In Kuantan

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  2. I really ought to bring myself to read the Twilight books, just so I know what all the fuss is supposedly about. Until then, I'll satisfy myself with Blade and Buffy. (I'll catch up with Bram later.) :)

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  3. That picture is priceless. Great post.

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  4. These are some great vampire hunters! I love the picture at the end too:)

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  5. Don't know Buffy, Blade might be kinda an aquaintance but ahhh...Bram. The big bad daddy of em all.

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  6. Awesome post! Buffy would stake Edward and wouldn't think twice about it. Angel on the other hand.... Love that series. Regarding vamps, I just love it when a new writer spins a tale a different way. I'm not critical whether its emotional, breaks rules, horror etc... I only care if the story is new, different and engaging. :)

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  7. You had me at Buffy! :) Loved that show...the dailogue was hilarious and so well done! And that last photo with Edward? *priceless*

    New A to Z blog follower here. :)

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  8. There's a YouTube video where Buffy meets Edward. It uses clips from BtVS and the Twilight movie. Makes me every time I come across it.

    Love the picture at the end!

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  9. I have not read the Twilight series, nor did I ever watch Buffy. I'm just not into vampires or zombies...

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  10. I really, really need to read an Anne Rice book. I'm not a huge vampire fan, but I do enjoy Buffy and did read Twilight.

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  11. Nicki – Twilight isn’t my favorite vampire series in the world, so take your time. I much prefer Buffy and Bram.

    Miranda, Deana, Kristi – I know! I saw it and just had to include it in my post. Too funny.

    Mina – I loved Angel too, but it literally broke my heart when he left Buffy for his own show. To this day I still wish they’d ended up together.

    Farawayeyes – A classicist. I like it.

    MJ – I’ve seen that and it is hilarious!!

    Gwen – I have to say that when it comes to Anne Rice, I prefer her witch books to vampires. I’d suggest starting with The Witching Hour.

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  12. Vampires aren't what they used to be;-) All things evolve, I suppose, and the latest generation has done just that.

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  13. Are you suggesting Buffy s on Team Jacob? I find that hard to believe with her penchant for intimacy with the undead.

    Great blog, now following.

    regards,
    mood
    Moody Writing

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  14. Great posts! I love the vampire legends and I'm a huge fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula, although I've seen my fair share of Buffy and Vamp Diaries. Did you ever see the TV show Moonlight with Alex O'Laughlin. That was another cool vampire spinoff. For Mother's Day a few years ago, my son even made me a vampire stake. It's pretty cool.

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  15. I love this post! I'm with you: I like the old-school version of the vampire. Dracula is one of my all-time favorite novels and I still enjoy watching some Buffy now and then!

    And speaking of old school vampires, you should check out (if you haven't) Dark Shadows, a TV series from the 1960s. It was on Netflix and is tons of fun to watch!

    Cheers and great A-Z theme!
    Jen

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  16. I am not a fan of vampire stories or Science fiction, but your posts have been a great way to visit a subject I don't know much about.

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  17. I have never really liked Vampires as much as other classic monsters - but I did read several of the Ann Rice novels in the early 90's. They have suffered greatly from overexposure I think. That said, I did love the Buffy/Angel shows. That's a testament to Joss Whedon moreso than it is to the genre though.

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  18. I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse novels you mentioned, but I've enjoyed the other books/movies you mentioned.

    New follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  19. I've oftened wondered what Buffy would think of Edward. Probably roll her eyes and tell him he's pitiful right before she staked him. :)

    Laura A to Z of Immortals, Myths & Legends

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  20. Loved, loved, loved Buffy and I do enjoy watching True Blood, though I never read the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

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  21. Love Buffy, enjoyed the Blade movies (but haven't read the comics), and even liked the epistolary format of that original vampire book (though the Van Helsing movie required a willingness to ignore a lot of common sense). Wonderful group! Thanks for sharing your insights, and for stopping by my blog for A to Z.

    Erin

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  22. Just working my way through the A-Z list.

    Ah, Buffy. My DVDs are wearing out with watching. Blade is less known territory, but I reread Dracula every year. Good old Bram. I do wish he'd stopped there though, because a lot of the rest of his work is ... a bit pants really.

    New follower.

    Amanda
    http://dramadiceanddamsons.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. LOVE the pic at the end of Buffy and Edward ;-)
    Thanks for stopping by my A to Z blog, too. Glad to meet you!

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  24. go buffy! great b post! & a post yesterday =)

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  25. Ah, the stylin' high school(and eventually college)attire, the Buffy prom that wasn't, the over-processed hair of season two ... now this is what slaying is all about... I also agree with fellow commenter Julie that Moonlight is another one of the great star-crossed vampire series of all time. (Sadly, doesn't start with a "B" so it blows the alliteration.) Seriously, your blog rocks (or should I say, slays...)

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  26. I've gotten hooked on The Vampire Diaries, but that's the extent of my vampire fascination. I did a little work for the production crew for that show and was inspired to watch after visiting their offices.

    Great B post. :)

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  27. I know Buffy was wildly popular, but I've mostly watched it in bits and pieces.

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  28. I'm a huge Underworld fan. Looking forward to expanding my science fiction knowledge base. Good luck with the Challenge.

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  29. I have never been a vampire fan except for the Twilight series but I did like your last picture :) Humorous!

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  30. Mooderino – heck NO! I can safely say Buffy wouldn’t be on a single Twilight team. Team Whedon all the way.

    Julie – I love Moonlight. I was so sad it ended. And it sounds like your son is an awesome gift-giver.

    Jen – I love Dark Shadows too! It was such a great, creepy show. I’m a bit worried about the new movie coming out. As great as Johnny Depp is, I’m not sure I like the campy direction they’ve taken. Gothic moodiness was much better.

    Anglers Rest – glad to inform!

    Sylvia – I love new followers. Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Laura – totally agree. Buffy would spare Edward no time at all before she kicked his shiny butt.

    Amanda – mine too. I’ve watched them, oh, a thousand times or so over the years, especially season 1-3. One of my very favorite shows.

    Lynn – wow, seriously? That so cool!

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  31. Wonderful post! I got to play Van Helsing in our high school production of Dracula - we definitely portrayed him as the career vampire killer - but what a fun role to play! Dropping by from the A-Z Challenge to return the favor - and to follow! Cheers!

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  32. Sorry I didn't make it over here yesterday for the Whedonfest. It was...a weird day. Also, that picture of Buffy staking Edward? Brilliant.

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    1. Weird day...that doesn't sound good. But no worries, with as many people participating in this blogfest, it's not easy to get to every blog you want to every day. And there will be more Whedon love to come (specifically for F and L). Glad you enjoyed the pic!

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  33. I actually remember going to see the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film in the cinema - sooo glad it got the TV series (though I do watch the film now and again for a giggle).

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  34. Love Buffy. Love the photo at the end of this post too

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  35. I missed Buffy the first time around but got caught up a few years ago on DVD. I really like Being Human (Syfy version - haven't watched the full British version yet) because the vampires are gritty and barely pass for human. I get the draw of vampires masquerading as normal folk, but they're just not. They're undead. I like art - whether it's film, books or whatever - that doesn't forget the inhuman aspect of vampires.

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