Vampires have gone beyond the conventional role of being supernatural beings that suck their victim’s blood and have acquired a place for itself in pop culture for decades for all the right reasons. The exceptionally versatile trope has been way ahead even of the new supernatural trendsetters.
Vampires have been able to feature in stories that range from intense romance, dark, outright gore and horror, or destruction and action. You can say the Vampires fit every bill. With such distinctive personalities let us list out some of the most powerful and dark vampires of all times. Careful with the darkness around you!
DAVID (THE LOST BOYS)
This movie is premised in the vampire-infested town of Santa Carla. The vampire gang’s leader prefers to stay in hiding while a member of his group David, takes it upon himself to carry out his leader’s dirty job.
The reason for him to take control? Because he loves to be the one in Control! The cunning and manipulative David becomes somewhat repulsive and even rebellious in his pursuit of authority. But David is far from a mere barking dog because this guy means business. This movie’s portrayal is based on how David is eventually able to establish greater control than their original leader Max.
Max with his blond mullet hairstyle and full black ensemble completed with trench coat, gloves, jeans, and boots, looks like a biker hunk. Our blue-eyed vampire may make it almost effortless to fall for him. When he transforms into his vampire avatar, he has more defined facial structures, develops fangs, and his eyes seem to turn golden.
That said, David is extremely sadistic, and as he moves about the town getting into several situations that artistically depicts his swag. But if you hadn’t already guessed, he also deals in a blood frenzy and fights ferociously. You see him losing the fight, but well, you cannot help but see his charm.
NOMAK (BLADE 2)
Nomak is a member os a super breed of vampires known as the reapers. Nomak was created when his creator had fused his blood with the reaper strain. As a result of this fusion Nomak emerges as a more powerful vampire, more potent than the others of his kind.
Like vampires ought to feed on human blood, the Reapers must do so more frequently to remain healthy and living. His heart is encased in the bone to prevent getting killed if stabbed by enemies. When he hunts and feeds on his victim, it’s a gory and horrifying sight to watch.
Nomak’s actions were guided by one principle: he was disgusted with the entire vampire fraternity and wanted to wipe them out totally to create an entirely Reaper community. But it is not just combatting capabilities and physical strength that distinguishes Nomak, he can also organise the Reapers into a powerful, strategic unit mindfully.
Nomak’s character in the series ends up getting betrayed by his own creator rendering him heartbroken. Nomak is powerful, dangerous, and driven by intent. Put in a vampire character, he emerges as one of the most memorable creations in the horror genre.
JESSE (NEAR DARK)
Jesse Hooker is a bit of a show off. This Vampire is the kind that will regurgitate a bullet after being shot. Formerly involved in the Civil War as a fighter, Jesse maintains the casualty and confidence of a vampire.
This ferocious monster is the leader of his fearsome clan for a reason because he need not put any extra efforts in displaying his monstrosity. It reflects off of him. Throughout the movie Jesse’s character is observed to staying back and not revealing himself fully, which allows the psychotic vampire Severen to exercise his dominance. But the effect of Jesse is such that you cannot help but miss him.
Jesse’s signature look is a ragged long jacket, a tarred face, and a piece of cloth layering his head. He has weapons tucked right in front of his trousers too. And if you haven’t already seen, Jesse looks nothing but horrifying and scary. A strange solemnity never seems to leave his face.
Played by Lance Henriksen, Jesse Hooker is believed to be in love with Diamondback, who is killed along with him in a car explosion. But one thing is for sure, you cannot afford to mess with this one.
RAYNE (BLOODRAYNE)
Rayne is a half-human, half-vampire who belongs to the popular video game series Blood Rayne. As a dhampir, Rayne possess certain unique powers that make her immune to the sun or holding sacred cross-symbols.
Apart from these abilities, she can heal herself quickly, is agile, and possesses super strength like those of her breed with excellent agility and combative skills. And if you were looking for the d-word: yes, she is dangerous!
Like Nomak, Rayne also hates vampires and wants to kill her dad. On her way of doing that, she preys on several other vampires, whom she is delighted to eliminate. As an agent of the Brimstone Society, she also gets to meet other supernatural creatures. But guess what? Rayne hates them as well and continues her plunder and bloody rampage with them as well. In short, Rayne is a brutal, heartless killing machine.
ERIC NORTHAM (TRUE BLOOD)
Eric is from the vampire-based thirteen-book series called True Blood written by best-selling author Charlaine Harris. Eric eventually gained popularity from this dark genre and rightfully so.
Eric, unlike other vampires who need to hunt for prey, is a vampire sheriff and an entrepreneur running a bar called Fangtasia. His lengthened life cycle makes him a very experienced, resourceful, and manipulative person.
But let not all this convince you that he is unlike others when it comes to brutality. It is immensely risky to have enmity with him. Heartless and brutal, he makes it a point to torment his enemies to death.
But there is a pleasant surprise here, too: Eric is seemingly loving and kind towards those who offer him their loyalty. Now isn’t that enough to make him one of the most eligible bachelors? Well, here’s more: he finds little joy in merely indulging in a bloodbath for sport.
Our vampire loves to use his brains to plot schemes and situations and then execute them with utmost mindfulness. Here is a vampire we can gladly befriend finally! But of course, you should be very careful too.
VAMPIRELLA (Comic Book Character)
Created by Forrest J Ackermann, Vampirella is a famous fictional super-heroine. This popular horror-comic series has witnessed several adaptations which have led to multiple interpretations of her origins.
However, Vampirella was formerly known to be the daughter of Lilith and consequently was born with vampiric qualities including consumption of blood to sustain herself. She came to Earth when she came to know that human veins produce the blood she needs to feast on to survive. But her motive is not to wipe out humans per se, but specifically evil vampires.
She has shapeshifting abilities and can transform into a bat and in addition possesses superhuman abilities like agilty, immortality, and self-healing. Vampirella is a strong opponent for her enemies because she has no weaknesses very prone to harm other vampires.
She has no problems with being under the sunlight, holding a cross, coming in touch with holy water or garlic, or any other conventional game spoilers for vampires. One of the best things about her is she does not seduce people for blood impulsively except only when she has to. Makes her way better than some of her contemporaries, right?
VIKTOR (UNDERWORLD)
Viktor, the famous antagonist of the Underworld series, was an able Hungarian general. When he was nearing the end of his life, the first Vampire Marcus Corvinus, lures him into becoming a vampire with the promise of immortality and superpowers in exchange of his military expertise and experience along with his army to be traded off to battle the Werewolves.
Thus, it begins Viktor’s elaborate quest of falling for the sweet attraction of power and authority. Victor was a vampire Elder, a position that gave him exclusive privileges and powers. He is more able and powerful than his other vampire counterparts and can easily defeat them in combat.
During his single-handed fight with a hybrid Michael, he manages to recover from all the wounds inflicted on him. The evil Viktor engages in tortures, tyranny, familicide, enslavement, and relishes them. Undoubtedly, Viktor is one of the deadliest of vampire characters. He was played by the talented Bill Nighy, who has proved his mettle in several films.
DRACULA (Castlevania – Anime Series)
The character of Dracula has been adapted by Bram Stoker’s 1987 novel Dracula. Formerly, this Dracula used to be a man called Matthias Cronqvist who after being traumatised by his wife’s death eventually became insane.
Through the powerful and mysterious Crimson Stone he was able to transform himself into the all-powerful and immortal Dracula. He used his exceptional powers to build a fierce army to protect their fortress Castlevania.
One of the prime sources of power that Dracula remained loyal to throughout is the Crimson stone he preserves with him till the end. He used this stone to gain the soul and powers of a vampire lord called Walter Bernhard.
He had complete control over several monsters and demons from the malicious Demon Realm. During combat, Dracula can spawn fire in multiple forms like flame balls and burning meteors.
He also possesses the power to dominate by which he can absorb the soul of the fiercest monsters and demons and use their powers as his own. Dracula stands as the symbolism of the helm of horror. We can’t say enough about this one because, well, the name is enough.
SPIKE (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)
Let’s talk about how an innocent face can become the very essence of fear and horror. Spike resembles a punk personality from the ‘90s. Adorned in a long leather duster in remembrance of one of the vampire slayers he had killed, Spike is called the Vampire Slayer because he manages to kill not one but two powerful and dangerous Vampire slayers.
The absence of a soul only makes him more ruthless and fearsome, not to mention his determination to stick to his decisions. As the show progresses, Spike ends up falling for a vampire slayer and in order to win her affection, he makes strategic plans to get his soul back to be deemed worthy of her.
Spike is one of the most well-developed Vampire characters we know about. The best thing? He has humor. And he has these occasional bouts of wisdom when he sounds oh-so-desirable. He takes his vampirism as a proud achievement, and we have to say it – does full justice to what he is.
Physical strength aside, he has a great character strength, which he efficiently puts to use in all his vampiric endeavors. Also, in case you like sarcasm, Spike can be sarcastic too. You have to admit it because we can smell some attraction cooking already!
LESTAT DE LIONCOURT (INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE)
Lestat De Lioncourt is yet another popular Vampire character from The Vampire Chronicles. He is a six-feet tall blond with a face emanating a magnetic shine, suggesting the 18th century Paris’s aristocratic vampire. One of the prominent highlights is his glass like fingernails and the complacent look on his face that is strikingly evident.
Here is a vampire who became versed in French and English after becoming a vampire and eventually developing a tremendous literary interest. In the previous parts, Lestat was also portrayed as a bisexual who would fall for anyone he felt attracted to.
In many ways, Lestat’s character raises the scope of the entire Vampire trope, depicting the kind of variety and versatility that could be possible. He is exceptionally bold, enthusiastic, and could be very disobedient in certain situations.
He also ponders upon various philosophical topics about good and evil, life and death among others. Among the most remarkable powers he possesses are his skills of telepathy, mind-reading, and instant healing.
Lestat’s character is undoubtedly one of the most underrated Vampire creations. In the film adaptation to the original novel Interview With A Vampire, Lestat’s character was portrayed by Tom Cruise.
BLADE (Movies, Comic Book Character)
Blade was presented as a fictional superhero vampire by the Marvel Comics Universe. His debut appearance was noted in the comic The Tomb of Dracula, created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciler Gene Colan. When Blade’s mother was undergoing her labor pain, the vampire Deacon Frost attacked and killed her.
Raised by relatives, Blade grew up with one conviction: to become a vampire hunter. He joined a team led by the mighty vampire hunter Quincy Harker. Despite his lack of superpowers, Blade attempts to painstakingly train to develop his abilities and skills to be able enough to fight vampires.
Eventually, though, Blade becomes a dhampir, showcasing added abilities in strength and combat. A no-nonsense character, Blade only grows more fanatical in his conviction to eliminate the vampires from the world.
As a hybrid, Blake has to take care of one weakness that can render him weak and spoil his mission. He needs a fresh blood supply but later discovers that a particular serum could work as a better alternative to ingesting blood. A fight without taking this dose could prove fatal.
And yet, Blade, just as the name goes, is mighty and lethal himself. He excels in driving, communicating, handling weapons, and is a martial arts master. Tough and straight to the point, Blade can be that perfect bodyguard you could trust your life with.
SELENE (UNDERWORLD)
Selene is referred to as the Death Dealer but should not be judged based on that: she makes the whole thing about death and vampires look uber cool. Selene gets involved in a number of fights but never tires as she keeps coming back for more.
As if being a vampire is not even a thing! Extremely cold-hearted and seemingly stoic, she strictly means business. And one of them is to hunt down any werewolf she comes across. It follows that she is also very stubborn, not shying away from the task unless it is over. Selene lacks empathy, and especially when it comes to her enemies. It is best to avoid messing around with Selene.
But well, everyone ultimately falls for someone. Selene’s relationship with Michael is complicated on most levels, and yet, you realize that the stone-hearted Selene can also be expressive. She appears visibly tormented when she gets to know that some enemies have killed Michael.
She then resolves to unleash her worst on them and avenge his death – ultimately killing one of the enemies by pulling his spine out of his body. Ugh, that isn’t reassuring, we know. And we want you to remember this: because after all, you cannot take Selene lightly.
Alucard – (HELLSING)
Alucard is a fictional supernatural character from the Japanese manga and anime created by Kouta Hirano. He has a unique ability unlike anything anyone has seen before: he can appear as whatever he wishes to, and the different forms he transforms into might have no meaning at all.
After taking the executed soldiers’ blood, he became a vampire and immediately disowned God, claiming he was betrayed. He is particularly ruthless in dealing with his enemies, whom he does not kill unless he has completely disabled them. He does show affection to those that he cares for, also retaining the ability to shed tears.
During a challenging fight with Luke Valentine, he is almost about to lose when he suddenly shapeshifts into a hellhound. Often, he allows himself to be blown apart in shreds and then reappearing as himself again.
Alucard is threatening, but he is also one of the most versatile and maturely developed characters. A hint about his great brutality can be found in the backstory related to his name when he was raped as a prisoner and child soldier. Ultimately, Alucard develops the ability to exist everywhere and nowhere, transforming into a near God-like figure.
He is one such character that has often been explored thoroughly, but it is only due to the depth that he holds. We conclude our list with this omnipotent Vampire figure.