Who is Responsible for Vampire Suckage?

Is "New Moon" based on Stephanie Meyer's novel a little too similar to Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series, the basis of "True Blood"? And where does "Underworld" fit in? "Sookie Stackhouse, in season one, falls for tall, dark and undead Bill, and when he disappears she is left to be comforted by the shaggy werecollie Sam. At least Sookie has a superpower all her own, and Bon Temps vampires certainly do not sparkle in the sunlight like the vegan vamps in Twilight." (i09) Ah, the course of true love between a vampire, a nubile teenager, and a werewolf ne'er did run smooth!

Should we blame Anne Rice or "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" on the major vampire suckage? "Nowadays you can expect your vampire story to be full of sarcasm, romance and moody semi-dangerous vamps (they're called vamps now too). They may or may not be able to tolerate sunlight. They may or may not drink human blood. And they're very likely to become instantly fascinated with a sweet, shy ordinary girl and become helplessly devoted to her." (Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin' News) Personally, I blame Vladimir Nabokov for writing Lolita, a stunning work about an older man's obsession with a comely teen.

Kimberly Swan reviews Haunting Beauty by Erin Quinn. "Ms. Quinn has created an intricately woven story where each day is touched by magic, and there’s little distinction between the living and the dead." (Darque Reviews)

Vicky London reviews Laurell K. Hamilton's Skin Trade. "Anita heads to Las Vegas after Vittorio, a serial killer vampire, sends her a head in a box as an invitation. Vittorio escaped execution in St. Louis and it looks like his cat and mouse game with Anita will come to an end in Vegas." (Vampire Genre)

Interview with Joss Whedon re: "Dollhouse" and the horror of a new "Buffy" movie by the original "Buffy" movie director. "Joss thinks that this new project is 'something better left untouched by me. So I wish them luck.'" (Screen Rant)

I am eagerly awaiting the third season of "Torchwood" even though BBC America hacks it up for more commercials. (I wrote to them and got a form letter back that basically said, thank you for caring and sharing and get a life.) Here's the trailer for the first show of the new season. I find it particularly terrifying for the same reason you all do: a boy with a blond Dutch boy haircut is ALWAYS a portent of doom -- or a lack of a good salon nearby.



I've got a busy day, so I'll leave you with the, ta da!, Gratuitious Video of the Day!

The GVDs go out to Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, in "Torchwood." The deliciously omnisexual Capt. Jack can never die --- for very long.



I know I'm going to be singing this song all day long!