Back when I were a lad playing D&D, vampires were smart, nasty and evil creatures of the night. You knew where you stood with them. Preferably in daylight with a sharp stake handy. Now they look like models, have great teeth and glitter! For heavens sake GLITTER?!

Since when did these creatures become all emo and eyeliner? It’s just not right and Bram Stokers Count Dracula would be turning in his silk-lined grave. Convincing teenage girls that these creatures are caring and emotional is downright dangerous. Perhaps it’s all part of a subtle re-branding plot allowing vampires to more easily approach their favourite prey. “Hey why not meet me in that dark alley and you can tell me all about your day… “ Honestly what could possibly happen?

The reason for this thinking was discovering buffybase TV and binge watching the first few series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s only when you consider this against Twilight to see just how things have changed. While both are culturally influential one does so by reinforcing the teenage angst romance, the other offered a powerful lead female who seriously kicks butt. Why are there so few strong action female leads? Buffy and Ripley are the only two who spring to mind. It’s like a major storytelling possibility keeps on being bypassed in favour of fluffy stereotypes.

My suggestion is to drop Buffy into Twilight. If she hasn’t managed to kill all the wimpy vampires inside a minute I’d be surprised.