Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter is a series of urban fantasy novels, short stories, and comic books by Laurell K. Hamilton. The books have sold more than six million copies; many have made The New York TimesBest Seller list. The series is narrated in the first person by Anita Blake, who works in St. Louis, Missouri, as a professional zombie raiser, vampire executioner and supernatural consultant for the police. The early novels focus predominantly on crime-solving and action; the later ones on Anita's personal and sexual-defender relationships and power.
Series synopsis
The series takes place in a parallel universe where supernatural creatures and powers are real and their presence is public knowledge. Supernatural beings are considered citizens with most of the rights of regular humans. The novels follow legal vampire executioner Anita Blake's ongoing conflicts with the supernatural as she attempts to solve a variety of mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities, and navigate an increasingly complex series of romantic and political relationships. As the series progresses, Anita's perspective on the supernatural changes; initially she sees preternatural beings simply as "monsters" to be fought, and later grows to see them as communities to be protected, as well as possible love interests.
Marvel's license started under Dabel Brothers Publishing, and when they acquired that company's rights, they continued until their rights expired.
Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The First Death 1–2
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures 1–12
Guilty Pleasures Handbook
The Laughing Corpse Adaptation
Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse—Animator 1–5
Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse—Necromancer 1–5
Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse—Executioner 1–5
Circus of the Damned Adaptation
Anita Blake: Circus of the Damned—The Charmer 1–5
Anita Blake: Circus of the Damned—The Ingenue 1–5
Anita Blake: Circus of the Damned— The Scoundrel 1–5
Adaptations
Comic books
In 2006 Marvel Comics and Dabel Brothers Productions began production on a graphic novel adaptation of the first three books in the series, beginning with Guilty Pleasures. Hamilton worked with Stacie M. Ritchie on the comic scripts, with Brett Booth illustrating the series until 2008. The first adaptation was well received, with the first volume of The Laughing Corpse being a New York Times bestseller in the graphic novel category. Interest in the series declined, but Marvel completed its contract for the first three novel adaptations in 2012.
Television
In March 2009 news sources began reporting that Hamilton had signed a deal with IFC to adapt the series for a full-length movie and potential television series. Shortly after, Hamilton announced that the reports were not rumors and that the series had officially been optioned. Despite initial planning, Hamilton later announced that the plans for the series had been dropped.
Reception
Critical reception to the series has been mixed to positive, with Monsters and Critics praising many of the books in the series. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch praised Kiss the Dead while RT Book Reviews overall panned the novel. Fan reaction has been mixed, with some readers disliking the series' departure from crime noir thriller to focus more on the sexual dynamics in the series.
