Thursday Thirteen - 230 - 13 Reasons to Vote in A Piece of My Mind's Sudden-Death Round Vampire Smackdown

1 - Last week, twelve combatants faced off in an elimination round to see who will be named the Ultimate Vampire by A Piece of My Mind readers.

All fighters are vampires who have inspired me over the years, leading to my own take on the vampire mythos - Saint Sanguinus, which releases next month.

2 - After six frenzied bouts, the results are in:

Dracula vs Viktor (Underworld)

18 votes - 2 votes

Not even close. "Hail to the king baby!" says Tim Brannan

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Lestat vs Eric Northman

9 votes - 10 votes

Well-matched. This was a close one.

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Jesse Hooker (Near Dark) vs Bill Compton

7 votes - 11 votes

A respectable showing between two former Confederate soldiers.

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Spike vs David (The Lost Boys)

14 votes - 5 votes

A clear winner in the battle between the blonds.

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Angel vs Barnabas Collins

9 votes - 10 votes

Another close match. Ultimately, classic cult gothic soap opera trumped the spin-off of one of the 50-greatest-TV-shows.

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Dean Winchester vs Jerry (Fright Night)

9 votes - 10 votes

The third near-tie match resulted in the Sword of Michael raising the white flag to the vampire who can blow out a flaming cross meant to stop him.

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Thanks to all the voters - that was an awesome elimination round.

La-a-adies and gentlemen...

*bell ringing*

In this corner...









3 - Returning to defend his legendary status - Dracula

versus













4 - Eric Northman, known for ripping hearts right out of his foes' chests and sipping the sweet nectar.

Voting now closed.

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Round 2














5 - Bill Compton, southern farmer who gained a taste for gentlemanly pursuits over the past century. Now the vampire King of Louisiana, he does what a monarch must do in order to rule.

versus













6 - Barnabas Collins, a gentleman of 18th century New England, who guards his dark nature in order to protect the current descendants of his family.

Voting now closed.

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Round 3










7 - Spike, renowned Slayer killer and wielder of scathing sarcasm.

versus











8 - Jerry, unrelenting predator who takes psychopathic delight in his victims' despair.

Voting now closed.

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9 - Once the votes are tallied, three victors will remain from this sudden-death match.

10 - All twelve originally-featured combatants are my personal favorite vampire characters from film and television.

If your favorite vampire didn't compete in the Smackdown, who is your personal favorite vampire?

11 - What makes a perfect vampire for you?

The total package - looks, demeanor and moves?
The history of the character? (backstory)
The modern ways in which the vampire adapts to life now?
The manner in which the vampire feeds?

12 - Do you prefer your vampires to behave as predators at the top of the food chain?

Would you prefer that vampires retain their underlying humanity, carrying an emotional burden with them wherever they go?

13 - Join me next week to see who survives to the final round - and who will take home the coveted title of Ultimate Vampire.