While classic horror movie monsters like vampires have appeared in comics for years, there was a time when they were banned due to a restrictive censorship code that kept their fanged visages out of the comics for decades. However, when the Comics Code Authority lifted some of the guidelines on monsters, vampires came back bigger than ever.

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While there have been a few heroic comic book vampires that have worked alongside teams like the Avengers or Justice League Dark, there have been quite a few terrifying examples of vampires in the medium that have done the classic cinematic horror monsters justice.

10 Morbius The Living Vampire Accidentally Transformed Himself Into A Monster Using Science

Morbius the Living Vampire in a cemetery marvel comics

Dr. Michael Morbius suffered from a rare blood condition that he attempted to cure using the DNA from a vampire bat. However, instead of the intended result, it transformed him into a vampire-like creature that hungered for blood and was weakened by sunlight. Morbius has gone through a few terrifying phases over the years, which are usually brought on when he's deprived of blood.

The character was one of the first monstrous characters Marvel introduced after the Comics Code Authority released some of the restrictions on monsters. Morbius's live-action debut on the big screen doubled down on the horror elements of the character while also exploring his popular anti-hero aspect.

9 Preacher's Proinsias Cassidy Was An Irish Vampire With A Loveable But Terrifying Attitude

Preacher Cassidy Covered In Blood.

While fans of the Irish vampire named Proinsias Cassidy may have mostly fond and humorous memories of his appearance in Vertigo's Preacher series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, there's no denying that the attitude-filled undead has showcased his ability to terrify fans as well.

Cassidy was transformed into a vampire in the early 1900s and eventually made his way to the United States. There, he first met Tulip and Jesse Custer. Cassidy's ferocity and his quick temper were occasionally seen when he let his usually aloof demeanor slip, making him a dangerous enemy to get on the wrong side of.

8 Marco Esperanza Sought Revenge After He Was Transformed By Vampire Pirates In Sea Of Red

Marco Esperanza and the Black Galleon from Sea of Red

Rick Remender, Kieron Dwyer, and Salgood Sam's Sea of Red introduced a 16th-century sailor named Marco Esperanza who was ship-wrecked and near-death when he was rescued by a passing ship. However, it turned out to be a hellish pirate ship called the Black Galleon, crewed with terrifying undead vampires.

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Esperanza was bitten during the Galleon's raid on another vessel and left to a dark fate tied up at the bottom of the ocean. Led by the equally frightening Captain Lesser Blackfoot, Esperanza returned years later to seek his revenge on the vampires who transformed him and forced him into eternal torture.

7 A Human Resistance Fought Against The Rule Of Post-Apocalyptic Vampires In Interceptor

Poli vs Vampires in Interceptor

Earth was overrun by vampires following a nuclear war that darkened the skies and sent humanity's elite to the stars in Donny Cates and Dylan Burnett's Interceptor from Heavy Metal. An emissary from humanity was sent back to the planet with an advanced vampire-slaying mech-suit to discover how there were still survivors on the planet.

The vampires had spent years evolving in the complete nuclear darkness to increase their threat. They reached new technological levels and attempted to follow humanity to the stars in order to launch another bloody war.

6 The Tomb Of Dracula Followed The Titular Vampires Exploits In The Marvel Universe

Marvel's Dracula past and modern split image

The most popular literary vampire is without a doubt Dracula, and his existence in the public domain has led to a few different versions of the character over the years. Marvel released The Tomb of Dracula to follow their version's exploits across the Marvel universe as he fought against vampire hunters, supernatural threats, and other Marvel characters.

Dracula has evolved over the years to maintain his legendary presence as the powerful king of vampires who can hold his own against mutants, super-soldiers, and characters like Blade the Vampire Hunter. While his look followed more traditional designs for the character, that too has changed over the years, giving give the vampire a deadlier look to match his edge.

5 Baron Blood Is An Evil Marvel Vampire Who Allied With The Nazis During World War II

baron-blood-marvel

There are a few other vampires in the Marvel universe who could be considered terrifying, although the monster known as Baron Blood has an added element that makes him even scarier – he's a Nazi. Lord John Falsworth tracked down Dracula's castle hoping to find a new source of power, which ultimately led to his transformation into a vampire.

Dracula sent Falsworth back to take down England in his name, and he sided with the German army during World War I as Baron Blood before joining with the Nazis in WWII. The immortal Nazi vampire has continued to threaten the Marvel universe over the years as he's returned from a number of apparent deaths.

4 Mary Seward Is DC's Queen Of Blood Who Organized The Cult Of The Blood Red Moon

Mary Queen of Blood from I Vampire

Andrew Bennet was a vampiric member of Justice League Dark in DC's New 52 universe, although the character had first appeared years earlier in a series of House of Mystery appearances. In both continuities, Bennet was transformed into a vampire in the 16th century while he was in love with Mary Seward.

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Mary demanded that Bennet turn her into a vampire so they could live an eternal life together, although she was quickly consumed by her bloodlust. She became the Queen of Blood and founded the vampiric Cult of the Blood Red Moon, which hoped to increase their numbers and take control of the planet.

3 Batman Was Turned Into A Vampire To Defeat Dracula Before He Became A Monster Himself

Batman as a vampire in Red Rain

DC has its own version of Dracula, and an Elseworlds story called Batman & Dracula: Red Rain saw the king of vampires and his followers make their way to Gotham City. Batman allied himself with a rogue vampire named Tanya who slowly bit and transformed the Dark Knight so he'd have the power to take on Dracula.

While Batman was able to defeat Dracula, he eventually succumbed to the bloodlust and began killing and feeding on his rogues, turning into the monster he'd spent a lifetime fighting against. His allies were forced to turn on their former friend in later sequels Bloodstorm and Crimson Mist.

2 Vicente Was The Leader Of A Group Of Roving Sadistic Vampires From 30 Days of Night

Vicente from 30 Days of Night

Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith's 30 Days of Night introduced a roving pack of vampires that descended on the night-shrouded town of Barrow, Alaska – organized by the vampire named Marlow. However, Vicente arrived to kill Marlow and take command of the vampires so they wouldn't expose their secret existence during the month-long hunt.

Vicente was brutal, violent, and powerful. He effectively took control of the vampire gang before tearing through the human population of Barrow. The design of the vampires in 30 Days of Night further added to the terror, as they had mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth and jet-black eyes, as well as increased endurance and abilities that made them a deadly and mostly unsurvivable threat.

1 Skinner Sweet Was Accidentally Transformed Into The First Powerful American Vampire

The 10 Most Important Characters Vertigo Introduced to The DC Comics Universe

American Vampire from Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque (with a side story from acclaimed horror author Stephen King) introduced the character of Skinner Sweet – a murderous thief with a love of candy. He was accidentally transformed into a vampire in the 1800s after he angered an ancient sect of European vampires.

He became the first American vampire and displayed enhanced strength and resistance to sunlight, which allowed him to live throughout the decades and spread his unique brand of terror and mayhem during some of the country's most unforgettable decades.

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