There’s no denying it: vampires are still hot. We thought they’d go away, or at least retreat into their coffins for a while. But the entertainment consuming public can’t get enough of the evil blood-suckers. Like most things, though, comics have been publishing tales forever about vamps, from Tomb of Dracula, to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Here are ten of the best vampires from comics:
10. Cassidy
An Irish Vampire, Cassidy is bitten by a “hag” in the comic Preacher, and turned into a blood-sucking monster. Or rather, a mostly hard drinking, kind of a-hole-ish monster who sometimes sucks blood for fun, or if people annoy him. Cassidy learns to be honorable over the course of the series, and even settles down to open up a bar; but we like him best when he’s just being a lovable drunk.
9. Zechariah
When Gary is turned into a superpowered werewolf, he needs guidance. Enter Zechariah, a vampire who initially provides mentorship and help to the hairy brute. But Zec was a traitor, killing his family, and later training his own daughter to fight against him. All because he wanted a little blood. Vamps, am I right? I am.
8. D
A gigantic mash-up of everything from supernatural dramas, to sci-fi westerns, Vampire Hunter D is at its base a familiar story. D hunts vampires, sure; but he’s cursed with vampirism himself, and struggles against his baser instincts. The story of D has been told in movies, Manga, Anime, and even an American comics version, making him probably the most famous vampire hunter in the world.
7. Marco
One of Rick Remenders less read works, Sea of Red is a vampire pirate book, which should be all you need to know. Except the hero of the book, Marco, is a pirate vampire left for dead under the water, chained to a ship for 500 years. When he emerges, he meets up with a camera crew that’s a pretty blatant parody of James Cameron, but super fat. Marco sets out on a horrifying quest for vengeance, with his camera crew in tow, in a tale that’s simultaneously hilarious, and horrifying.
There’s been a number of iterations of cheesecake icon Vampirella, but our favorite is the original. Vampirella lived on a planet called Draculon, which was made of blood. When the blood begins to dry up, Vampirella heads to Earth, and ends up protecting us from the evil blood-suckers from Draculon. That’s like me living on a planet made of cheeseburgers called Humanor, and then… Actually, that’s a great idea. Gotta work on a pitch, BRB you guys.
5. Hellcow
A vampiric cow with a thirst for blood, Bessie is… The Hellcow! A foil for Howard the Duck, Bessie… Okay, we got nuthin’ else. But vampire cow? That’s comic gold, both meanings intended.
4. Marlowe
The Big Bad of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s 30 Days of Night, it’s Marlowe’s brilliant plan to attack the town of Barrow, Alaska. Cursed with the titular darkness, Marlowe reasons this makes it the perfect target for a non-stop vampire bloodfest, and he lays siege to the town. Sadly for him, he ends up being overruled by the vampire council, who would rather keep their identities secret, and ends up getting torn to shreds. It was a good idea though, and that’s what counts.
3. Morbius
Another Marvel Universe based vampire, Morbius’ condition was caused by science. He’s not dead, but rather has the abilities and appearance of a vampire – hence his name, “Morbius, The Living Vampire.” Morbi has often tussled with Spider-Man, as well as starring in his own series, and teaming up with the League of Monsters. He’s a brilliant scientist with a terrible curse; just like all the great monsters.
2. Blade
The world’s second most famous vampire slayer, Blade is also half vampire himself, able to walk in both day and night. A famous loner with a low tolerance for anyone who stands between him and a kill, Blade wields a gigantic arsenal of gadgets, as well as his own super strength to take down the never-ending wave of undead.
1. Skinner Sweet
American Vampire’s mostly anti, sort of hero is a Kurt Cobain-esque, candy loving vampire who loves to kill, and seems to be unkillable himself. The first of a new breed of vampires, Skinner is locked in a war with the older, European style vampires (think old-school Dracula). Not much is known about him yet, but that should change with this week’s American Vampire #12, which takes a look back into Skinner’s mysterious past.
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