vampires, who likes them, who doesn't?

[shangrila]

I agree with almost everyone else in this thread; they need to be brutal. No Cullen-esque angst, no Victorian-era sycophants, none of that. You could have them as mindless blood drinking demons or even full blown psycopaths (I can't imagine the power to kill at will with no consequences would be healthy for your sanity).

[Benjamin Clayborne]

I think vampires are pretty played out at this point. Ever since Buffy and Angel, I haven't really come across any vampire mythos that I find interesting (True Blood's is tolerable, but they've really wasted a lot of potential -- why are we only seeing the inner workings of the Authority in season five?). I mean, come on, how can you come up with vampires more awesome than Spike¹ and Angel²?

¹Not counting after season 4 of Buffy.

²Puppet Angel is the greatest vampire of all time.

[Alex]

Thank you all, but as Foster suggested, I'm going to choose to make my own race. If you want to help with brainstorming, I posted a few quick ideas in the brainstorming forum .

[Steerpike]

I think vampires are pretty played out at this point. Ever since Buffy and Angel, I haven't really come across any vampire mythos that I find interesting (True Blood's is tolerable, but they've really wasted a lot of potential -- why are we only seeing the inner workings of the Authority in season five?). I mean, come on, how can you come up with vampires more awesome than Spike¹ and Angel²?

Angel is a ponce. Spike is cool, though.

I think the big explosion in vampires in literature came around the tail end of those series, but not doubt those and some of the urban fantasy vampire books that preceded them had an impact.

I think what is played out is the urban fantasy / brooding romantic vampire. The genre is probably ripe for a few good books that go the other way, making vampires horrific again. There are a few of those around, but not many. The Orange Eats Creeps actually turns some of the urban vampire stories on their heads.

[T.Allen.Smith]

Don't be too hasty Alex.

Vamps are overdone only because we're flooded with the whiny, "I long to be human", "immortality & power suck" crappy vamps.

If you want to write vampires then write vampires. Don't tailor your desire to write to your perception of the market.

I would agree that a brutal, cunning, lusting for more power vampire is due. But ultimately, write what YOU want to write.

[Alex]

Don't be too hasty Alex.

Vamps are overdone only because we're flooded with the whiny, "I long to be human", "immortality & power suck" crappy vamps.

If you want to write vampires then write vampires. Don't tailor your desire to write to your perception of the market.

I would agree that a brutal, cunning, lusting for more power vampire is due. But ultimately, write what YOU want to write.

Well, perhaps I could ally the vampires with my race i intend to create?

[Saigonnus]

I personally don't really like vampires, like many others. I certainly like them more than zombies; who I feel have zero "ambience" or "personality" however they are portrayed in books or movies. They walk about mindlessly in search of human flesh to rend (why not poodles or rats I don't know) and there is nothing inherently noble or redeeming about that. Vampires at least in many portrayals have a sense of honor or are more choosy of their victims. They tend to live in high style and at least make a show at being human even if they aren't.

I agree that at this moment, vampires are extremely overexposed in movies, books and even games so I think if you are adding them "just for bling" you should reconsider.

[Chime85]

The only vampire story I enjoyed was Dracula. The "modern" Vampire annoys me no end. There is nothing more off putting than having a character look miserable and complain all the time. "I push everyone away, but why does nobody loooove meeeee?"

I would love to see vampires more feral. I imagine something like the morlocs from the time machine, or the infected from 28 days later. Every other kind of undead creature is often portrayed as mindless, so do vampires get special treatment?

x

[shangrila]

Try reading the Preacher comics for a different take on vampires. Cassidy is the most unique vamp I've ever seen.

[Shockley]

I actually like vampires, to be totally honest. I have an issue with them being overplayed in popular culture at the moment, but I'd love to revisit vampires at some future date and take them back to a better place. Growing up I loved Bram Stoker's Dracula (I had a great edition that had it set up where Dracula's Guest flowed into Dracula) and I enjoyed the Interview With the Vampire film, if not necessarily the work. Don't even get me started on how much I love Nosferatu.

Also, I'm going to slap myself in the face a bit and take a moment to defend Stephanie Meyer. The books are poorly written and plotted, I'll be the first to admit, but I refuse to give her any trouble over the sparkles. We're always looking for ways to differentiate our creation, and she nailed it. I respect that.