The horror genre is commonly known for its villians rather than the heroic figures. For example, few people would know who Nancy or Dr. Loomis are, but they would know Nancy's antagonist (Freddy Krueger) and Dr. Loomis' worst enemy (Michael Myers) really well. Truth is there are some really cool, courageous, and honorable heroic figures in the horror genre. Although I won't be delving into every single final-girl or badass in the horror genre, I will be covering five really awesome figures that do battle with evil and come out on top.
5. Priest (Priest)
Without a doubt the coolest father the church has to offer. Priest (headlining a band of heroes in the new film Priest) served in a apocalyptic war in the future between humans and vampires. And these vampires are vicious monsters, in other words they don't sparkle in the sunlight. Wielding a wide assortment of creative weapons and reciting the Lord's prayer before he kills a vampire, this is one faithful dude who isn't afraid to kill a monster. Also, the coolest thing about Priest (yes, that is both his title and his name) are his tiny crucifixes that turn into deadly ninja stars.
4. Selene (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have both a female and a vampire as the next hero, or heroine rather. Selene is in love with Michael (who is a hybrid of vampire/werewolves) and together they work as a team to battle evil. Why didn't I list both of them? Because Selene is the reason that Michael is even alive. She will mess you up if you cross her and is a vampire, but one with a heart of gold. Priest definitely would have trouble taking down this vamp.
3. Blade (Blade, Blade II, Blade: Trinity)
Now a combination of the past two characters, Blade is a half-human/half-vampire. He is known as the Daywalker to other vamps and they fear him. He wields weapons of all kinds: UV bombs, swords, guns and of course stakes. This vampire hunter is also part vampire, so he does need to feed on blood. He takes down the baddest vamps ... including Dracula himself. Wesley Snipes is fantastic and believable as a badass vampire killer with attitude to boot. Sporting sunglasses and a trenchcoat, Blade is one of the best vampire hunters in cinema to date.
2. Hellboy (Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army)
Speaking of creatures that go bump in the night, the next hero is a figure straight out of Hell. Well not really, but he's a demon so it counts. Hellboy takes on otherworldly tentacled beasties, elves and creatures of all kinds. Considering Hellboy's appearance is nightmarish by itself, it's safe to say that he's pretty intimidating. He shaves down his horns and has friends such as a girlfriend who can light things on fire and a fish-man with a high IQ (named Abe Sapien). Hellboy is just an all-around cool character who really deserves a trilogy.
1. Van Helsing
No, I am not referring to the Van Helsing in that ridiculous butchery to all the Universal classic horror films directed by Stephen Sommers. I am talking about the character from Dracula (any of the movies, excluding the atrocity mentioned before). He is all kinds of courageous and brave, taking on a fiend who is among the most vile of creatures. While that ridicilous big-budgeted atrocity had weapons made by monks, Van Helsing in the Dracula stories is all kinds of cool, calm and collect. Taking on evil with merely a bible, a cross, a wooden stake and a hint of garlic.
Although the big baddies stand out in horror, there are tons of heroic figures; a villian is only as good as its hero. Although it's interesting that four of these five are somehow related to vampires, they stand out tall everywhere in horror.