Comments on: Zombies Rule! Vampires Drool!

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:17:25 +0000

The Walking Dead is amazing. I’ve written a post on it and I find it very compelling and sophisticated. Beej, you should definitely get into it if you like zombies.
Robert´s last blog ..Glee 1×12 ‘Mattress’

By: Nosferatu

Nosferatu — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:09:35 +0000

Faeries before Victorian era (where we get the cute, sprite-like faeries) were seen as elementals. They were very powerful creatures whom you didn’t cross. Look at Oberon and Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They have influence over everyone in the show.

Faeries in lore would sometimes spirit people away to serve as their servants. They would also leave their fairy offspring (a changeling) in exchange of a human child. I believe even up into the early 20th century, there are reports of people in some more remote parts of England and Europe having killed a child thinking that it was a changeling.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:53:06 +0000

I think that’s precisely why they don’t scare me as much. They hold their individuality after death, and because of that, simply become superhuman and live forever. While I can see what you’re talking about regarding Anne Rice, I have a hard time seeing that as a true flaw in their existence. Zombies aren’t self-aware, and to me, that kind of mindless violence is far more frightening than an elegant bloodsucker, like I mentioned earlier.

I do love actual vampire lore, though, as in their historical contexts. I will give them that: their origin is a lot more interesting than the voodoo zombies from Haiti and Africa, if you ask me.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:47:09 +0000

I’d always heard that about faeries, but I’ve never read anything in-depth about it, honestly. Any good stuff that gives some insight into the actual origins of how faeries came to be so feared?

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:45:54 +0000

Yeah, the spread of zombies is far more terrifying than vamps to me. I wouldn’t mind being a vampire. Immortality and superpowers if I give up being in the sun and drink some blood? I’m okay with that. Zombies on the other hand are subhumans, and the thought of being turned into one of those and losing everything I am is terrifying. It’s the same reason the Saw movies are frightening. Not because they are gory and violent, but because of the inherent choices by proxy the narrative places on the viewer.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:41:24 +0000

I haven’t read those. I might have to add them to my Amazon wish list.

And as far as I Am Legend goes, I think you’re right. The book was fantastic because it relied on the zombie mainstays I love–survival and isolation. I did like the movie, though. But I’m a Will Smith fanboy. I have Big Willy Style on CD in my car to this day.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:38:10 +0000

Yeah, you know me and my love of anything post-apocalyptic. Vampires can’t destroy society. Zombies can. There’s something to be said about mindless throngs and the power they wield…

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:33:38 +0000

I actually very much enjoyed the 30 Days of Night movie. While it wasn’t the best, it certainly beat out most run-of-the-mill vamp stories. Which is why I fell so hard for True Blood. An interesting premise can go far with me.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:32:26 +0000

I think it’s interesting to think that some mythos (which pains to me include Twilight among them) include vampires losing their souls as a belief rather than a fact, and I think that can add a bit of needed depth and spirituality to dull tales.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:29:42 +0000

I appreciate that. I understand liking vampire tales; they’re just not generally for me.