Vampire lore has been present in everything from literature to movies. But one that is often overlooked is its presence in comic books, more specifically in the Marvel Universe. Comic series such as The Tomb of Dracula introduced an array of supernatural characters who are still popular among fans today.

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These creatures of the night have been a thorn in the side of almost every Marvel hero from Captain America to Wolverine. But there have even been a few bloodsuckers that side against their own kind, battling against the forces of evil for the greater good. Whether good or bad, these Marvel vampires have shown they are powerful enough to either destroy the world or save it from annihilation.

Baron Blood

Baron Blood snarling as he attacks Captain America (Sam Wilson).

There have been many characters with the name of Baron Blood, but the original villain was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins and made his debut in the pages of The Invaders. Baron Blood was an ally of the Nazis and first battled against The Invaders team consisting of Captain America, Bucky, Toro, Namor, and the original android Human Torch.

Baron Blood quickly proves that he is a worthy opponent against the heroes, using his super strength combined with his flying abilities to strike down all those who dare cross his path. Besides his physical attacks, Baron Blood can also perform some hypnotism like other vampires.

Deacon Frost

First appearance of Deacon Frost in The Tomb of Dracula, appearing at Blade's mother's bedside.

The monster responsible for Blade becoming a vampire hunter, Deacon Frost, first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #13. Frost was called to assist Blade's mother as she was about to give birth. Frost instead attacked and killed her just before fleeing into the night. Blade miraculously survived and vowed to avenge his slain mother.

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Deacon is one of the most powerful vampires not just for his sheer strength but his intelligence. Besides being cunning and manipulative, he is also a skilled scientist and creator. Frost was even able to create multiple doppelgängers to use at his disposal, which he did when battling Blade and Hannibal King in Tomb of Dracula #53.

Nina Price

Nina Price transforming into her wolf form to stop zombified humans in Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Created by Jeff Parker and Federica Manfredi for Amazing Fantasy #10 from 2005, Nina Price is the niece of Marvel's most famous werewolf, Jack Russell. When Nina turned eighteen, she inherited her family's supernatural curse and, like classic silver screen lycanthropes, began to turn into a wolf. While attempting to find a cure she was stalked and bitten by a vampire, making her a hybrid of the two creatures.

Because of her hybrid nature, Nina has the standard vampire powers but can also transform into a large white wolf at will to attack her enemies. She does not have to avoid sunlight like a typical vampire though she still must consume the blood of criminals to keep herself in control.

Lilith

First appearance cover of Lilith, standing with her father Dracula.

Not to be confused with the mother of the Lilin, this Lilith is the daughter of the world's most famous vampire, Dracula. First appearing in Giant-Size Thrillers Featuring The Curse of Dracula, Lilith was created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan as a female counterpart to the king of all vampires. Having strong hate toward her father for ruining her mother's life, Lilith has battled against her father for revenge.

Much like Blade the Vampire Hunter, Lilith has all of the strengths of the vampires without any of their weaknesses. She has advanced strength and speed and can turn into a bat or mist to evade enemies and escape. In addition, Lilith is able to control animals as well to assist in her exploits.

Michael Morbius

Morbius holding on to two tombstones in the comics

Originally a villain introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #101, Michael Morbius was a biologist who attempted to cure his rare blood disease but instead turned himself into a living vampire. Morbius would attempt to cure himself of his bloodlust, and after becoming part of Midnight Sons, he promised to only feed on those criminals deserving of it.

Morbius has proved himself worthy of being one of the most powerful vampires in the Marvel Universe by having fought against strong heroes and villains alike. His animal-like fury makes him deadly, but it is his high intelligence and ability to adapt to any situation that makes him truly an imposing threat.

Hannibal King

Hannibal King from Marvel Comics' Nightstalkers

A member of the Midnight Sons and Borderline Investigations, Hannibal King first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #25. He was once a human detective investigating a case when he was bitten by the vicious Deacon Frost. Since then, Hannibal has devoted his supernatural existence to finding and killing the vampire who cursed him with eternal life.

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Like his partner Blade, Hannibal King has also sworn an oath not to consume human blood, even though there have been minor backslides in his past. Besides his increased strength and diminished aging King also has the power to turn into mist and a wolf.

Varnae

Varnae, the first vampire from Marvel Comics

Considered to be the first vampire to exist in the Marvel Universe, Varnae is the one who created the Lord of Darkness, Dracula. Varnae first appeared in Bizarre Adventures #33. Unlike the human visages that many of Marvel's popular vampires possess, Varnae is a large, monstrous, and powerful creature. He also has the ability to manipulate the rest of his vampire army to do his bidding.

Having been the Lord of the Vampires for a long time, Varnae used his influence to turn Dracula into a vampire as a way to make him his successor. When the curse was given to Dracula, Varnae committed suicide by lying in the sun at the top of a cliff.

Xarus

Xarus in the Death of Dracula one-shot from Marvel Comics as he finally is victorious in becoming Lord of Vampires.

The son of Dracula, Xarus is a cunning warrior who first appeared in the 2010 one-shot issue, Death of Dracula, written by Victor Gischler. Finding his father's leadership outdated, Xarus stakes his father for the throne. He proceeds to eliminate all vampire sects that oppose his rule, including his brother Janus. Later, Xarus would fight against the likes of the X-Men and Blade in the crossover series, Curse of the Mutants.

Xarus is an intelligent and deceptive villain who will do anything for his own desires. He has all the same powers as any of the Marvel vampires but thinks like a chess master and is always multiple moves ahead of his opponents. It is Xarus' strategic mind, combined with his incredible supernatural powers, that ultimately makes him a deadlier threat than other vampires.

Blade

Blade jumping off of a building with a stake in hand, from the cover of Strange Tales #3 from Marvel Comics

The half-human/half-vampire Eric "Blade" Brooks has dedicated his life to hunting down nocturnal creatures that prey on humanity. Created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, the Daywalker first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #10. He has fought alongside many teams like the Avengers and the Midnight Sons.

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As his name might suggest, Blade is an expert swordsman and skilled fighter. These abilities alongside his superhuman strength and speed make him one of the deadliest heroes in the Marvel Universe. Though Blade may not have the same weaknesses as other vampires, he still has an insatiable bloodlust that he must constantly keep in check.

Dracula

A Tomb of Dracula comic panel

Not just a creature for feature films, the comic book version of Dracula is a powerful force and has fought against heroes like the X-Men since his debut in The Tomb of Dracula #1. Dracula was resurrected by his descendant, Frank Drake, along with his team went to investigate his old family castle. It is there that Drake's friend Clifton opened the tomb and released the monster into the world once more.

Besides his superhuman strength and speed, Dracula is a master of hypnotism and can change into a bat or wolf like many of his fellow vampires. But Dracula is also a master swordsman and military strategist, having led his own human forces even before he had his army of the undead.

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