Summary
- Nightrider and B'wana Beast prove to be the weakest and most pathetic vampires in the DC vs. Vampires series.
- James Gordon and Looker also have disappointing vampire tenures, meeting swift and embarrassing ends.
- Mister Terrific, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Zatanna make critical mistakes that have significant consequences for the vampire regime.
In the bloody setting of DC vs. Vampires, the sun has forever set on the DC Universe in this Nightwing. Dick Grayson, the Titan-turned-vampire-overlord, orchestrated a successful coup against the previous vampire ruler, Mary Queen of Blood. Afterward, he infiltrated the hero ranks, transforming those who were once champions of good into his own personal vampire army.
Amidst the unexpected twist of vampirism, DC's power dynamics have been upended, leading to a reshuffling of the hero hierarchy in the world of DC vs. Vampires, which spans a number of books. The main series, DC vs. Vampires by James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg, Otto Schmidt, Simone Di Meo, Tom Napolitano, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Rex Lokus, Pierluigi Casolino, and sco Mortarino, follows the main storyline, while a number of spin-off series and one-shots take readers into the unseen corners of this universe. Sink your teeth into a comprehensive roster of all the heroes who succumbed to bloodlust under Nightwing's rule, classified from the "less-bitten" to the truly "fang-tastic powerhouses" of this new world order.
The sequel to DC vs. Vampires, DC vs. Vampires: World War V by Rosenberg and Schmidt, will launch in 2024 from DC Comics.
Nightwing Sums Up the DCU's 85-Year History with One Line
For all of its hijinks and adventures, family is the core theme of the modern DCU, and no one emulates that better than Nightwing, DC's "first son."
34 Nightrider
Considering that he was killed by candle wax, Nightrider gets the crowning achievement of being the weakest vampire in the entirety of the comic series. What makes his death even more pathetic is that he indulged in a lengthy monologue, portraying himself as a menacing and powerful vampire who had finally embraced his true nature. Yet, he failed to claim a single victim and met his end in the most ridiculous manner imaginable. Adding to the irony, Nightrider had been a vampire long before Nightwing's ascent to power. Fans might assume that his extended tenure as an undead creature would have granted him some level of expertise in being a successful vampire, but apparently not.
33 B'wana Beast
B'wana Beast's brief foray into vampirism might just give Nightrider a run for his money in the race for the most pathetic vampire title. Much like Nightrider, Beast exuded an unearned confidence in his abilities, boldly declaring that he would handle Green Arrow all on his own. However, this bravado quickly met a hilariously swift end when he found himself on the wrong end of one of Queen's arrows. The absurdity of his near-immediate demise bordered on the comical, leaving little room for the audience to believe that Beast possessed any real aptitude for being a vampire.
32 James Gordon
James Gordon's brief tenure as a vampire turned out to be nothing short of a letdown. The disappointment largely stems from his woefully ill-conceived plan to ensnare and eliminate one of the last surviving heroes. In a desperate bid to lure a hero, Gordon activated the Bat-Signal, and Batgirl promptly answered the call. While Gordon feigned helplessness and the need for her assistance, his scheme proved to be transparently feeble. It didn't take long for Batgirl to see through the charade, and the result was a swift and decisive end to his ill-fated endeavor, marked by her ruthless dispatching of the former commissioner.
DC Explains the One Reason a Vampire Apocalypse Is Its Biggest Threat
The heroes of the DC Universe have been struggling against the vampire virus, but one hero knows they were always doomed to fail.
31 Looker
Looker's stint as a vampire turned out to be a source of immense embarrassment for the undead community. Armed with a whole horde of vampires, she launched an ambush on Black Lightning. However, the hero managed to thwart her grand designs with almost laughable ease. In an act of misguided overconfidence, Looker ventured into Jefferson's home, unaware that it had been rigged as a trap. The moment Jefferson activated the fire sprinklers, which were blessed by a priest and infused with holy water, the outcome was sealed. Jefferson let off a surge of lightning, electrocuting and dispatching every vampire in the vicinity, including Looker herself.
30 Mister Terrific
Mister Terrific held a significant leadership role within the vampire ranks, but, despite his otherwise commendable achievements, his repeated lapses in allowing Harley Quinn to evade capture proved to be a pivotal error. This seemingly minor omission had far-reaching consequences, as Harley's actions led to her injecting herself with Lex Luthor's blood, turning herself into literal vampire poison. The repercussions of this oversight extended even further, ultimately playing a pivotal role in the fall of Vampire King Nightwing. Mister Terrific's inability to manage this critical situation stood as a major blunder within the vampire hierarchy, resulting in unexpected and costly consequences for their regime.
29 Doctor Mid-Nite
Doctor Mid-Nite, while a formidable presence in the vampire ranks, shared a notable misstep with Mister Terrific. His mistake involved letting Harley Quinn escape on multiple occasions, which would inadvertently lead to the creation of a lethal vampire poison, thanks to an experiment with Lex Luthor's blood sample. The consequences of this error played a significant role in the demise of Vampire King Nightwing. Hence, this lapse in judgment positioned Doctor Mid-Nite alongside Mister Terrific in the lower ranks of the vampire hierarchy.
28 Fairchild
Caitlin Fairchild's tenure as a vampire was disappointingly brief. In an almost paradoxical fashion, she was introduced and swiftly staked by Jack Hawksmoor in the very same issue. Although her time as a vampire was fleeting, it's evident that she didn't fit the mold of the "nice" vampires, even if her character didn't play a significant role in the major plotlines of the series. This short-lived appearance left readers with little to unravel about her character's potential contributions to the narrative.
WildStorm fans can check out recent appearance of Caitlin Fairchild in WildC.A.T.S by Rosenberg and Stephen Segovia.
27 Catman
Catman exhibited his combat prowess when he launched an ambush on Talia al Ghul's compound, putting up a commendable fight in the treacherous sewers. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he ultimately met his demise at the hands of Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet's renowned photographer. While not the most glorious or anticipated outcome, it added a unique twist to the storyline, proving that in the world of vampires, even unexpected contenders can shape the course of events.
26 Jenny Sparks
Jenny Sparks' involvement as a vampire in the series carries an air of enigmatic intrigue. While the specifics of her vampire activities remain shrouded in mystery, one undeniable fact is her responsibility for the death of Swift, a significant loss in the narrative. However, she was also deemed big enough of a threat to warrant Apollo sacrificing himself in a desperate measure taken to eliminate her. Jenny's enigmatic role as a vampire adds a layer of complexity to the series, leaving fans to wonder about the exact nature of her involvement in the narrative.
25 Loose Cannon
Loose Cannon's involvement in the vampire cause can be best described as a nuisance rather than a substantial asset. His main contribution was to serve as an irritant, creating a distraction during Green Arrow's mission to eliminate Hawkman. Their clash did provide readers with an epic battle scene, but Loose Cannon proved not to be a major player in the grand scheme of things. His time in the spotlight was cut short when he met a swift and explosive demise courtesy of one of Oliver Queen's signature exploding arrows.
