'Twilight' Edward Cullen is a starter vamp, says vampire academic

Twilight character Edward Cullen has been described as a "starter vamp for beginners" by a vampire academic.

Dr Thomas Garza of the University of Texas, who teaches vampire lore, told Reuters that Stephanie Meyer's books and the movie series starring Robert Pattinson had sparked the popularity of vampires among young people.

"I would say that it is The Twilight Saga in particular that has brought out the younger teen fans. In that connection, Edward is a very 'safe' vampire, a kind of 'starter vamp' for beginners, if you will," Garza said.

"He's pretty, yes, so the seduction's there, but he's more than reluctant to act on his and Bella's sexual desires. He can go out in daylight - and even 'sparkles' in the sun, giving him a completely non-threatening character. He drives a Volvo, for goodness sake."

He added that young people may aspire to be like vampires because of their ability to stay young forever and cheat death, while modern vampires in popular culture are also attractive and fashionable.

Last year, horror writer Stephen King criticised the trend for vampires to be depicted as "boy-toys with big dewy eyes".

True Blood star Stephen Moyer previously called Edward Cullen a "p***y" and "the "Diet Coke of vampires" but admitted that the comments were made in jest.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon has claimed that his creation Angel "would have [Edward Cullen] down in a heartbeat".

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