The Martialist's Guide to Fighting Vampires

[Phil Elmore]

Happy Halloween! A Guide to Fighting Vampires at The Martialist.

 

[Jay Bell]

You're sending people out to get killed by these things...

The "sunlight" theory was made popular by the silent film Nosferatu . Before this, sunlight was not seen as a defeating tool against the vampire. Dracula walked around in the daylight (though Nosferatu was an adaptation) with no problems, though he was stronger at night.

You've been warned...:shrug:

 

[Phil Elmore]

Everybody knows sunlight kills vampires and Batman would defeat Superman.

 

[don bohrer]

Vampires!

I want a thick spiked leather collar and a hat with rear view mirrors! Would the mirror thingy work? Ok... I'll just stay in the middle of the group when we form one that is. I also want a fat guy in the party so I'll be passed over on the menu! Oh, and I want a super sooker filled with holy water!

Better re-read your post Sharp Phil I don't want to become a late night snack for some blood sucker!

Oh and practice my shoulder shrugs just in case.

don

 

[pknox]

I will not comment on the vampire issue, as all of the secrets can't be given away to mortals - however, rest assured your theory about the caped crusader is right on the money. Bats kicked the man of steel's butt all throughout Dark Knight 2 (pick it up if you get a chance -- pretty wild stuff). Besides, everybody knows that Batman is way cooler than Superman - anyone can be a superhero if they come from another planet; it takes a really amazing character to do it solely through intense development of the inner and outer self. Batman is the ultimate martial artist, possessing perfection of body and clarity of mind (except for the being kind of insane part :uhoh: ) - Supes is just a guy from a faraway galaxy - geesh, big deal.

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

You guys are getting way too complicated with the vampire thing. I eat raw garlic for health reasons, and if one of the undead came close enough to put the bite on me, one breath would cause it to shrivel to nothingness.
Sort of like my love life - so there is a downside.

BTW, why does Batman defeat Superman? Strategy. Bats plans ahead, while Supes just goes in relying on the powers to get him through. In the issues where he's lost his powers, big blue proves to be a resourceful guy, but not on the level of the Darknight Detective.

 

[pknox]

Absolutely. What always made Batman more appealing to me is that he is a normal human, who has developed his mental and physical capabilities to their fullest potential. Because of his increased mental capacity, as well as his study of martial arts, he's also a master of strategy, along the line of the ninja and/or samurai tradition. Not only does Superman rely on his powers, but I think he sometimes depends on them too much, which does hurt him sometimes -- a lesson to those of us who depend on strength to execute a technique instead of skill. To me, Batman is more of a comment on the limits of human potential, while Superman is simply a fantasy character from another world, which it makes it hard to relate to him.

 

[KenpoTess]

*growls low in throat*

 

[OULobo]

Originally posted by pknox
I will not comment on the vampire issue, as all of the secrets can't be given away to mortals - however, rest assured your theory about the caped crusader is right on the money. Bats kicked the man of steel's butt all throughout Dark Knight 2 (pick it up if you get a chance -- pretty wild stuff). Besides, everybody knows that Batman is way cooler than Superman - anyone can be a superhero if they come from another planet; it takes a really amazing character to do it solely through intense development of the inner and outer self. Batman is the ultimate martial artist, possessing perfection of body and clarity of mind (except for the being kind of insane part :uhoh: ) - Supes is just a guy from a faraway galaxy - geesh, big deal.

Dude, He did it in Dark Knight series 1 #4 and through out the extent of Dark Knight Series 2. All because Frank Miller has the balls to write the stories that people always wanted to read. Yet, somehow Supie still manages to hang on to Diana. If you Frank wanted to be really twisted, he would've had her cheating on Supie with Bats. Can't get worse than kickin his butt and stealing his woman.

 

[pknox]

Very true. And considering Batman's borderline psychosis, it would fit in well with the plotline too.

 

[Elfan]

Originally posted by Randy Strausbaugh
BTW, why does Batman defeat Superman? Strategy.

Methinks its because Superman gave Batman a kryptonite ring (HUSH). ;-)

Originally posted by pknox
Absolutely. What always made Batman more appealing to me is that he is a normal human, who has developed his mental and physical capabilities to their fullest potential.

"Those two were the truest representations of their kind. One the pinacle of human ambition and fortitude and the other the zenith of otherworldly power." - The Spectre, Kingdom Come

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

Originally posted by Elfan
Methinks its because Superman gave Batman a kryptonite ring (HUSH). ;-)

Yep. Damned poor strategy on the part of the Last Son of Krypton.

 

[Randy Strausbaugh]

OK, back to the vampire thing. While there are many versions of vampire lore, I have to think that the "classic" of the genre has to be Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula". As I recall, at the end when they finally track down Drac's coffin and open it, the sun doesn't kill him. He just smiles when he sees that the sun is going down, as he will be able to kick major booty when it does. Of course, he never is given the chance. Another interesting take on the story is presented in "The Dracula Tapes", which tells the story from the Count's point of view.

 

[Phil Elmore]

Stoker was a propagandist for the bloodsuckers. He wanted people to die.

 

[pknox]

Originally posted by Randy Strausbaugh
Another interesting take on the story is presented in "The Dracula Tapes", which tells the story from the Count's point of view.

I was not aware of that one - thanks for the tip. It's by Fred Saberhagen, who is a pretty well known sci-fi writer. I'll have to pick that one up. Here's the Amazon link for anyone else who is interested:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_8_1/002-2673033-9844038?v=glance&n=507846

 

[Jay Bell]

Never been much of a fan of Dracula spinoffs. They lack far too much original thoughts. How good of an author are you when your primary character has already been written for you...before you?

As Randy said, sun never hurt Dracula...he died from knife wounds. (Take the love bits out of the end of Coppola's movie and they did a pretty good job)

 

[Seig]

Of Saints and Shadows by Christopher Golden, he follows it up with 3 more books. The first two are excellent books about vampires. I have not read the second two yet, in fact, I did not know they existed until five minutes ago, I will have to get them. In these books they state that vampires can in fact walk in daylight but have been brainwashed by the Catholic church into believeing they cannot. An excellent read, don't flip when you find out who the first vampire was..........
You can find these and others by clicking the amazon link at the bottom of the page. Anything you buy from Amazon as a result of a click through goes to help support Martial Talk.

 

[heretic888]

An excellent read, don't flip when you find out who the first vampire was..........

I'm just gonna go out on a limb here.... but does the phrase "drink of my blood and ye shall have eternal life" come close??

 

[arnisador]

Will we get a guide to slaying turkeys in time for Thanksgiving?