I…Vampire
Encyclopedia
I...Vampire was a 24 issue series, created by writer J. M. DeMatteis
, that appeared in House of Mystery
between 1981 and 1983. It originally started as a backup story among House of Mysterys three story format but soon became so popular that it eventually overtook the title on the cover. Even I...Vampire' s finale was almost book length.
He was helped by his two companions Deborah Dancer, a beautiful young woman who Bennett saved from Mary at Woodstock (and was also his girlfriend) and Dmitri Mishkin, a Russian man whom Bennett had rescued from Mary when Mishkin was a child.
To try and keep his humanity, Bennett made a vow to only drink the blood of animals and bottled human blood (which created a subtext of alcoholism
).
Bennett has attempted suicide on several occasions to end his curse, and has also been brought back to life after each attempt due to a higher power, as seen in the 1988 run of Doctor Fate
. During this run, we also see Andrew Bennett interact with the Lords of Chaos and Order
to seek an end to time, which does occur due to the vampire's involvement but is later reversed. He also appeared in Day of Vengeance
as a background character in the Oblivion Bar
, which became Shadowpact
's headquarters. He appears as a supporting character in Doctor Thirteen
backup stories in the 2006 miniseries Tales of the Unexpected
.
, and limited telepathy. Also, his image cannot be seen, such as reflected in a mirror or captured on film.
However, he also has the weaknesses of a vampire, as well. He can be killed by sunlight, silver, and crucifixes, and he is cursed to drink the blood of the living. Unlike other vampires, he can reconstitute himself some time after being killed. He possesses full control over his curse, and he doesn't harm any human he likes.
"New 52" reboot in September 2011. The initial creative team is Joshua Hale Fialkov
writing and Andrea Sorrentino as penciller.
J. M. DeMatteis
John Marc DeMatteis is an American writer of comic books.-Early career:Born in Brooklyn, DeMatteis graduated from Midwood High School and Empire State College. He worked as a music critic before getting his start in comic books at DC Comics in the late 1970s...
, that appeared in House of Mystery
House of Mystery
The House of Mystery is the name of several horror-mystery-suspense anthology comic book series. It had a companion series, House of Secrets.-Genesis:...
between 1981 and 1983. It originally started as a backup story among House of Mysterys three story format but soon became so popular that it eventually overtook the title on the cover. Even I...Vampire
Fictional character biography
In 1591, after being turned into a vampire himself, Lord Andrew Bennett turned his lover, Mary Seward, into a vampire, and she became corrupted by the power. She took the name Mary, Queen of Blood and created a group of vampires called The Blood Red Moon bent on taking over the world. The series followed Bennett into the modern day as he tried to undo his mistake and take down Mary and The Blood Red Moon.He was helped by his two companions Deborah Dancer, a beautiful young woman who Bennett saved from Mary at Woodstock (and was also his girlfriend) and Dmitri Mishkin, a Russian man whom Bennett had rescued from Mary when Mishkin was a child.
To try and keep his humanity, Bennett made a vow to only drink the blood of animals and bottled human blood (which created a subtext of alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
).
Bennett has attempted suicide on several occasions to end his curse, and has also been brought back to life after each attempt due to a higher power, as seen in the 1988 run of Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear in books published by DC Comics. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55...
. During this run, we also see Andrew Bennett interact with the Lords of Chaos and Order
Lords of Chaos and Order
The Lords of Chaos and Lords of Order are complementary groups of supernatural entities with godlike powers that appear in DC Comics. They have also been retconned into the histories of Amethyst, Doctor Fate, Kid Eternity, the Phantom Stranger, Shazam and Hawk and Dove...
to seek an end to time, which does occur due to the vampire's involvement but is later reversed. He also appeared in Day of Vengeance
Day of Vengeance
Day of Vengeance is a six-issue comic book limited series written by Bill Willingham, with art by Justiniano and Walden Wong, published in 2005 by DC Comics.-Publication history:...
as a background character in the Oblivion Bar
Oblivion Bar
The Oblivion Bar is a fictional location that appears in titles published by DC Comics. It first appeared in the DC Comics series Day of Vengeance #1 , and was created by Bill Willingham and Justiniano....
, which became Shadowpact
Shadowpact
The Shadowpact is a group of magic-based heroes who fought against the Spectre in the 2005 limited series Day of Vengeance, published by DC Comics. They are a sort of Justice League for the supernatural elements of the DC Universe...
's headquarters. He appears as a supporting character in Doctor Thirteen
Doctor Thirteen
Dr. Terrence Thirteen, known simply as Doctor Thirteen or Dr. 13, is a fictional character in comic books set in the DC Universe. The character's first published appearance is in Star Spangled Comics #122, ....
backup stories in the 2006 miniseries Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (comics)
Tales of the Unexpected was a science fiction comic book published by DC Comics from 1956 to 1968 for 104 issues. It was later renamed The Unexpected although the numbering continued and it ended at issue 222, in 1982...
.
Powers and abilities
Andrew Bennett has the powers of a vampire. He can transform into mist, a bat, and a wolf and he has superior strength far beyond that of a mortal man. He also possesses immortality, the ability to turn others into vampires, a healing factorHealing factor
A healing factor is a term used to describe the ability of some characters in fiction to recover from bodily injuries or disease at a superhuman rate...
, and limited telepathy. Also, his image cannot be seen, such as reflected in a mirror or captured on film.
However, he also has the weaknesses of a vampire, as well. He can be killed by sunlight, silver, and crucifixes, and he is cursed to drink the blood of the living. Unlike other vampires, he can reconstitute himself some time after being killed. He possesses full control over his curse, and he doesn't harm any human he likes.
Relaunch
The title was relaunched as part of the DC UniverseDC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
"New 52" reboot in September 2011. The initial creative team is Joshua Hale Fialkov
Joshua Hale Fialkov
Joshua Hale Fialkov is an American comic book writer who primarily works in the horror genre. He is best known for Echoes, Elk's Run, I, Vampire, and the 2008 film Infected. He has been nominated for multiple Harvey Awards....
writing and Andrea Sorrentino as penciller.