What does everyone think of the concept of space vampires?

[Gov Kodos]

By space vampires, do you include Borg and Wraith? If so, the lesson for space vampires is that they must be handled with care. They have great potential but become laughable so very easily.

But traditional, Dracula-style vampires in space, ech. That's just stupid.

I remember a Twilight Zone anthology novel, that had a short story where aliens have blasted the Earth to smithereens. They find some odd humans who've survived. I liked the irony of the story, vampires becoming humanity's avengers on the aliens. But generally, the traditional vampire and action of a Dracula tale doesn't work, however, with the right twist it's all right.

That was "And Not Quite Human" by Joe Hensley. It appeared in a paperback collection titled Rod Serling's Triple W: Witches, Warlocks, and Werewolves--which wasn't technically a TZ collection, but close enough.

My dad read me that story when I was a kid, and it made a lasting impression on me. In fact, I later co-edited an entire anthology of sf vampire stories titled Tomorrow Sucks.

Really.

It's out-of-print now, but, last I heard, there's a new edition in the works . . . .

Thanks for the information. That's the very book I had in high school so many ages ago. I couldn't think of the name at all, except that Rod Serling or the Twilight Zone was attached to it. 'Not Quite Human' has always been one of the most memorable vampire stories I ever read. As for when vampires lost their appeal, for me it's when they started being taken as physical beings with an explainable biology rather than metaphysical monsters. They've lost their monstrousness from having been made explicable, not just to the audience, but to the world in which they operate. They lost any sense of dread the undead should inspire.

 

[Greg Cox]

I remember a Twilight Zone anthology novel, that had a short story where aliens have blasted the Earth to smithereens. They find some odd humans who've survived. I liked the irony of the story, vampires becoming humanity's avengers on the aliens. But generally, the traditional vampire and action of a Dracula tale doesn't work, however, with the right twist it's all right.

That was "And Not Quite Human" by Joe Hensley. It appeared in a paperback collection titled Rod Serling's Triple W: Witches, Warlocks, and Werewolves--which wasn't technically a TZ collection, but close enough.

My dad read me that story when I was a kid, and it made a lasting impression on me. In fact, I later co-edited an entire anthology of sf vampire stories titled Tomorrow Sucks.

Really.

It's out-of-print now, but, last I heard, there's a new edition in the works . . . .

Thanks for the information. That's the very book I had in high school so many ages ago. I couldn't think of the name at all, except that Rod Serling or the Twilight Zone was attached to it. 'Not Quite Human' has always been one of the most memorable vampire stories I ever read. .

No problem. Like I said, that story made a lasting impression on me, too, and I was very excited to stumble onto a copy several years back. (Before that, I don't think I knew the author or title either. I just remembered my dad reading it to me when I was a kid.)

 

[Distorted Humor]

Just watched Lifeforce...giggle...

 

[Greg Cox]

Just watched Lifeforce...giggle...

Believe it or not, I first saw LIFEFORCE and COCOON on the same day. Boy, talk about two entirely different approaches to aliens . . .

 

[FreezeC77]

Just watched Lifeforce...giggle...

Believe it or not, I first saw LIFEFORCE and COCOON on the same day. Boy, talk about two entirely different approaches to aliens . . .

It's like reading a playboy and then an AARP magazine...

 

[Greg Cox]

Just watched Lifeforce...giggle...

Believe it or not, I first saw LIFEFORCE and COCOON on the same day. Boy, talk about two entirely different approaches to aliens . . .

It's like reading a playboy and then an AARP magazine...

Alas, I can't remember which order I saw them in . . . .

 

[saturn5]

If Frida Kahlo and a Ferengi had a child...

Like Mathilda May better!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm392542720/tt0089489

 

[Whofan]

Doctor Who has dwelved into the Vampire genre a few times. Part of the series mythology is that the Time Lords fought a great war with giant vampires-one of whom escapes into another universe. This forms the backstory for "State of Decay".


The later story Curse of Fenric has vampires who were created by a Vampire from a possible future. Although they came from the future and not space, they were manipulated/used as henchmen by the villain Fenric, who possibly came from space.


There was also a more camp vampire in the season 3 new series opener, "Smith and Jones". Funny thing is, she was played by an actress who had been in Curse of Fenric!


I think the animated serial Infinite Quest also goes into "State of Decay's" vampires as do the novels Blood Harvest and Goth Opera.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Like Mathilda May better!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm392542720/tt0089489

Wow, that's, like, the only SFW frame of her from the movie...

 

[saturn5]

Like Mathilda May better!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm392542720/tt0089489

Wow, that's, like, the only SFW frame of her from the movie...

SFW? Does that mean clothed?

 

[Distorted Humor]

Like Mathilda May better!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm392542720/tt0089489

Wow, that's, like, the only SFW frame of her from the movie...

SFW? Does that mean clothed?

Bascily, SFW (Safe for Work, IE, not naked)

 

[saturn5]

Wow, that's, like, the only SFW frame of her from the movie...

SFW? Does that mean clothed?

Bascily, SFW (Safe for Work, IE, not naked)

Pretty much but even here she has a genuine hypnotic beauy about her, she really was the perfect choice for the role

 

[Greg Cox]

Like Mathilda May better!

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm392542720/tt0089489

Wow, that's, like, the only SFW frame of her from the movie...

As I recall, she doesn't keep that gown on for very long . . . .

 

[Distorted Humor]

SFW? Does that mean clothed?

Bascily, SFW (Safe for Work, IE, not naked)

Pretty much but even here she has a genuine hypnotic beauy about her, she really was the perfect choice for the role

Indeed, I did get a giggle on the very subtle Masonic handshake two of the high politicos give each other in that movie.

Have to admit, she is what you remember of that movie, though I wish you saw more of the stuff in space...

 

[saturn5]

Bascily, SFW (Safe for Work, IE, not naked)

Pretty much but even here she has a genuine hypnotic beauy about her, she really was the perfect choice for the role

Indeed, I did get a giggle on the very subtle Masonic handshake two of the high politicos give each other in that movie.

Have to admit, she is what you remember of that movie, though I wish you saw more of the stuff in space...

Have to watch it again and look out for that. Love Lifeforce, a film that's so bad it's brilliant. Interesting to see Peter Firth essentially recreating his role for Spooks. It would be a better series if he made heroic dash through zombie infested London to Henry Mancini's fantastic score

 

[Distorted Humor]

Pretty much but even here she has a genuine hypnotic beauy about her, she really was the perfect choice for the role

Indeed, I did get a giggle on the very subtle Masonic handshake two of the high politicos give each other in that movie.

Have to admit, she is what you remember of that movie, though I wish you saw more of the stuff in space...

Have to watch it again and look out for that. Love Lifeforce, a film that's so bad it's brilliant. Interesting to see Peter Firth essentially recreating his role for Spooks. It would be a better series if he made heroic dash through zombie infested London to Henry Mancini's fantastic score

If I recall correctly, it is in the basement when Aubrey Morris character comes in and shakes some hands, I will have to double check to make sure, but I blinked and thought "HA!" so if it not, its close enough...

indeed, so bad it is brilliant is correct.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Actually, the CG V'Ger in the TMP director's cut, once the cloud has worn off, reminds me a lot of the "vampire" ship in Lifeforce