User blog comment:Pseudobread/Ultimate Vampire Slayer Squad Part 1/@comment-159.182.1.4-20140130024747

Hmm. Can't go with the Buffster because, you know, expected much, but Whedon and love make for odd slayfellows.

1. Spike

Yes, Spike, William the Bloody, William Pratt, whatever name you choose. Drusilla made him a vampire, but Angelus made him a monster. Spike was always an anomaly for a vampire--he experienced love, he sought approval, he was motivated by freedom, fun, and loyalty to Dru. Effectively defanged by a government chip, when he discovers he can hurt monsters, he goes to town. Is he evil? Yeah, but mainly because evil was a blast and vamps are evil. But somewhere along the line, lust for the slayers death, became lust for her body, and somehow it became love--real, self-sacrificing love. He fought for his soul to be worthy of her and even if it he never won her (fully), he embraced her cause and became a bona fide good guy and Vampire Slayer. He is smart, funny, loyal, and lethal.

2, Lady Victoria Gardella de Lacy

Victoria is born to a long line of killers of the dead--it is not a burden she must assume, but one she can, and does. Other members of her line have turned their backs on their calling. Victoria, once she gets her footing, rises to the challenge and exceeds expectations. She is a Victorian lady and a deadly killer. She has attitude, she has power, and she has guts to spare. I want her on my team.

3. Eve Rosser-Glass

Eve may not be the obvious choice out of the Morganville experience, but she is feisty, determined, and mocks what she fears--adopting a Goth/vamp aesthetic while hating the vampires who own her town. When her world is rocked by finding her crush Michael Glass returns her feelings, but is essentially a ghost, how bad can it be? Oh, yeah, no he is a vampire in the end. And in loving her husband, Eve has learned to distinguish between the vampire just getting by, and true monsters. I need her--she will give Spike a sparring partner and teach Victoria how we kick it in the 21st century.

4. Edward, also known as Ted Forrester, Death, The undertaker

Edward is the purist character in the world of Anita Blake. He is human. He is a killer. He is for hire. His vast experience in the area of supernatural extermination is unmatched. No cross-bows for Edward; here come the pyrotechnics. Edward is in it for Edward and sometimes for Anita or a trusted colleague. He is my Nick Fury, he is my Wolverine, he is my secret weapon. He won't always join me when I call him, but he will be there when I need him. Also, super hot AND a pulse.

5. Mina Murray Harker

Yes, another vamp, but again, an extraordinary one. A woman in a man's world, a monster in a lady's corset. Mina is many things--including a leader and that is what this team needs. Like Spike and Victoria, Mina is a vampire and a slayer out of time. Like Spike, she has lived the years in between then, and now, and like Spike, she thinks Dracula is toff. Between the two of them, they should be able to help Victoria to adjust to the world I have called her to--and that is important. Teams don't keep the same line up forever. Mina is my leader, but Victoria also has those qualities. A strong leader not only needs, but wants, a strong second in command. That could be Victoria, but she will need the whole team, but Mina in particular, to help her grow to her full potential.

The Alternates:

Xander Harris—he’s finally got the moves to match the funny

Shane Collins—sometimes brute strength can get the job done

Grandpa (The Lost Boys)—because he sums it all up for you: "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach...all the damn vampires"