What Makes Me Tick: Vampires
The following is not a review of Vampire movies or books, nor is it a definitive guide, but rather my own feelings and thoughts based upon my own knowledge (limited as it may be). It is what I like and why I like it.
Let's be honest for a moment. What is there not to love about Vampires?
As we grow, tastes change, both ours and those of the world around us. Flared trousers, platform shoes, big ruff collars, beards, goatee's shaved heads and shaggy heads, presidents and music styles. What is one thing that hasn't changed or ever stepped out of the limelight? You guessed it… Horror.
When you mention the word Horror, people will be naturally drawn to vampires. The are the perfect mix of romance and aggression, which much like pleasure and pain are neighbours rather than opposites.
From Count Dracula through to the Salvatore Brothers vampires have always played a role not only Pop Culture, but in literature.
Vampires are probably one of the more versatile characters that can be written, thanks in no large part I am sure to Angel. This one character kind of re-wrote the (rule)book on being a vampire and (correct me if I am wrong) kind of introduced the "change the rules" behind vampirism trend. I am not talking about the tortured, lovesick soul who is lonely and filled with a tragic grief, as that was started by Bram Stoker many years before with the Count himself. This whole Yuppie vampiric trend can be traced back to him, all the modern world is doing is adapting it for a modern audience.
The thing is love about Vampires is their versatility. I think that their 'situation'makes them such great characters to write. They are vulnerable, lonely, and withdrawn, yet brutal, angry killing machines at the same time. If that isn't enough to make an author's head explode with possibilities then I don't know what will.
From Dracula and (who could ever forget) Nosferatu through to Buffy, Vampire Diaries and all ports in between, Vampires are not only a fierce creature that has stood the test of time, but on that is still, in my humble opinion, yet reach its full potential. The real question is who will be the next pioneer, and help vampires reach the pinnacle of their existence?
My current favourite Vampire would be hands down Damon Salvatore. He seems to capture the balance between love and rage perfectly. Ok, the new 'lore' that Vampires can voluntarily 'flick the switch' on their emotions gives the character much more freedom than has been seen in the past, but still, character is being well used and I find it refreshing to see the boundaries between right and wrong challenged by him – the writer's – and hope it continues.
