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The Evolution of the Vampire

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  • BY APRILL BRANDON - ABRANDON@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published November 19, 2009 at midnight, updated November 19, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Over the centuries, the image of the vampire has been revamped (pun completely intended) multiple times. From mindless monster to suave, yet cold-hearted artistocrat, to today's incarnation of sympathetic, cursed hero, the evolution of the vampire typically reflects the culture of the time. But although the image of the vampire may change, one thing that doesn't is that they are constantly being resurrected (Bah-ZING!) in popular culture.

Ancient Times

Even the earliest civilizations, such as the Sumerians, had stories of vampire-like beings and blood-sucking demons, according to an article in the American Chronicle. Many of the early tales, though not all, describe vampires as soulless, and in some cases, mindless killers.

1450: The Real-Life Dracula

The historical figure that the character of Dracula is based on is Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, or as you probably know him, Vlad the Impaler, according to Eric Nuzum, author of "The Dead Travel Fast: Stalking Vampires from Nosferatu to Count Chocula." He wasn't a vampire, nor did he drink blood, but he did murder thousands of his countrymen. His chosen last name "Dracula," a reference to a religious order founded by his father, translates to "son of the devil," according to Nuzum.

1872: The Female Vampire

In a Gothic novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu titled "Carmilla," the world is introduced to the first literary female vampire. The story follows a young girl who is lonely and consequently, seduced by the female vampire Carmilla, according to www.online-literature.com.

1897: Bram Stoker's Walt-Whitman-esque Dracula

Believe it or not, the original Dracula, at least in the mind of Bram Stoker, was more Walt Whitman than Bela Lugosi, according to Nuzum. In the novel, the character is described as having a thick mustache, a large nose and white hair that grew profusely. Whitman also just happened to be a personal hero of Stoker's.

1931: The Aristocratic Vampire

It was during this period that Bela Lugosi became the quintessential Dracula, according to Nuzum. With slicked back hair and a top coat, it was a look and attitude (powerful yet alluring) that became the standard for vampires for years to follow.

1958: The Cold War Vampire

With international tensions running high, Count Dracula turned super-bad during the Cold War era, according to Nuzum. His motives were unimportant and he was seen as pure evil. In fact, in the 1966 movie "Dracula: Prince of Darkness," the character has no lines at all but rather just hisses throughout the entire thing.

1970s: Disco Dracula

In the 1979 remake of the original "Dracula," the vampire was updated with a '70s hairdo and an overtly sexual vibe, according to Nuzum. He wasn't so much evil as he was randy.

1990s: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Interview with a Vampire'

Buffy creator Joss Whedon was a major pioneer of the "emo-vamp" which are broody, stalky, "dangerous" yet kittenish vamps, according to science fiction writer Charlie Jane Anders. Of the two main vampires on the TV show, Angel had a soul and spent most of his time repenting the sins of his past and Spike spent most of his time pining away after Buffy and helping the good guys.

Anders also lays some of the blame on Anne Rice for her invention of the vampire Louie, who also spent most of his time brooding.

Today

Thanks to the "Twilight" series "True Blood," "The Vampire Diaries" and other recent vampire-centric shows, books and films, the theme with vampires today is that they are fully integrated into society. Some even go to high school and almost all of them are in love with a human. On the show "True Blood," they even drink a synthetic blood beverage, thus ending the need to bite into the necks of unsuspecting victims.


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