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Things have slowly been changing for a while now. You can't have missed the signs. Look around.

Vampires have begun to take over pop culture.

The creatures of the night have been multiplying for quite some time now. Everywhere you look there's a new TV show or book or myth. How can you possibly keep track? As always The Edge is here to save the day and set the vampires straight in your mind. Here is a handy-dandy list of some influential vampires from the Count to Dracula and everyone in between.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

Before "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer made vampires sparkle, before "True Blood," before vampires basically took over pop culture, there was Buffy.

The show was seven seasons of pure vampire-slaying wit, drama and genius created by Joss Whedon. The franchise has sparked an eighth season in comic book form, a huge following, a whole separate world called the "Buffyverse" -- which refers to the show's fictional universe -- and got this whole vampire craze off and running.

Into every generation a slayer is born, the chosen one. She alone must fight the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. To me, the depictions of vampires in the show are the most spot-on.

Sorry, ladies. Most vampires don't have souls, and the two that do only have eyes for Buffy and are simply the most amazing two nonsparkling brooding fellows in the history of TV.

The typical vamp of the Buffyverse is evil and soul-less. They resemble the person they once were, share their thoughts, memories and looks, but are no longer that person.

The sun does not make vamps sparkle -- it sets them on fire. Vampires are strictly creatures of the night. A stake to the heart, flame, holy water or decapitation can kill vampires of the Buffyverse.

They also have super strength, are sometimes above-average witty and they growl a lot.

-- Amy Friedman, Patrick Henry High School

'The Munsters'

Lily Munster is a vampire in a family made up of her Frankenstein husband, vampire father, werewolf son and a pet dragon named Spottie. She is a friendly and sensitive housewife whose talents include reading palms and cooking dinner in her kitchen cauldron, oblivious to the abnormality of her lifestyle.

Despite being hundreds of years old, she has only a single streak of silver in her waist-long, ebony hair. She has used her timeless beauty as a fashion model and also attempted to open a beauty parlor. However, her suburban neighbors didn't seem to crave adopting her perfect, green, vampire complexion.

-- Hope Ammen, Home School

Count von Count

Count von Count is the purple-felt vampire on "Sesame Street." He is seen in his trademark black cape, upturned collar and monocle, but his most notable characteristics are his love of counting and his recognizable laugh. Sunlight and blood don't seem to phase him, but his reflection does not show up in mirrors. He lives in a castle with many bats that he sometimes likes to count and often plays a large organ when counting and singing. He occasionally appears driving the Countmobile, a purple car with bat wings.

-- Kelly Hastings, William Fleming High School

'True Blood'

The vampires from TV's "True Blood" and the Sookie Stackhouse novels are a mostly traditional bunch. What makes them increasingly interesting is their status in society.

In the TV show and books, the vampires have "come out of the coffin," which essentially means they no longer have to hide themselves in secrecy. This is all because of a new synthetic blood substitute developed by the Japanese, which the vampires claim nourishes them well enough that they can sustain themselves without human blood.

After revealing themselves to society, a lot of new developments are made in the seedy underworld of human society.

A new market is made on the draining and selling of vampire blood, or "V," as a drug. Sides are taken and alliances are made, including the "American Vampire League," a political group dedicated to improving the status of vampires in society, and the "Fellowship of the Sun," a church focused on bringing vampires to "meet the sun," or, in essence, killing them.

Also, vampires in "True Blood" do not sparkle in the sun, and when they die, you'll know. They catch on blue, unholy fire and wither away into dust when they walk into the light. And when they're staked, the TV-MA rating is stretched to its limit.

In addition, as we all know, vampires don't always follow the rules. Some choose to not come out of the coffin into society, which leads to conflict among vampires. But just because the show focuses heavily on vampires doesn't mean other supernatural creatures don't get to join in on the fun. If you're at all interested in the supernatural, the show and novels are a definite must-watch and must-read.

-- Evan Cameron, Cave Spring High School

'Twilight'

The vampires in the "Twilight" saga, which is based on the hugely popular book series from author Stephenie Meyer, are shockingly handsome with milky white skin that sparkles in the sun and perfect bone structure. They are perfectly toned, scary strong and insanely fast.

These traits are all supposed to attract humans so vampires have the chance to suck their blood. The Cullen family, however, is vegetarian and only drinks the blood of animals.

The Cullens were all transformed into vampires by their father, Carlisle Cullen, when he knew they would otherwise die. What separates these vamps from most others is their ability to do good things and lead somewhat normal lives as happy and kind people.

At the heart of "Twilight," is the relationship between Bella Swan and the vampire Edward Cullen.

Edward's good looks and mysterious attitude capture Bella's attention. The two fall deeply and quickly into an unconditional love. Their feelings toward each other seem to grow stronger when they realize they should not be together.

"Twilight," the first movie based on the books, came out last year. The next movie, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," opens Friday.

-- Maddie Grey, Hidden Valley High School

Dracula

Without a doubt, the most widely known vampire is Dracula. Historically, the legend is thought to be linked to Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless ruler of Hungarian descent in the 15th century.

The legend of Dracula was first seen in literature in Bram Stoker's 1897 horror novel "Dracula." Count Dracula has spawned countless movies and short films based on the legend. One is "Dracula," a 1992 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Dracula also has appeared frequently in pop culture, such as in comic books, trading card games and action figures. Without the fame and popularity of Dracula, vampires as we know them would not be as big in popular culture.

-- Jonathan Roberts, Blacksburg High School

'Dark Shadows'

"Dark Shadows" was just another sappy 1960s soap opera until the frighteningly fanged Barnabas Collins swept into the wealthy and haunted Collins estate. With the ability to transform into a bat, hypnotize those around him and use his superhuman strength, Barnabas resembled his more famous predecessor, Dracula.

Barnabas' appearance was nothing like that of the more glamorous blood suckers. Still, in spite of his ugly teeth, greasy hair and leering grin, Barnabas was still able to mysteriously charm every woman who glimpsed his face, whether they be beautiful witches or bored suburban housewives watching afternoon TV.

The TV series was revived in the early 1990s. Also, Johnny Depp is anticipated to star in a big-screen adaptation of the series.

-- Hannah O'Connell, Blacksburg High School

'The Vampire Diaries'

The stars of the CW's breakout drama might be the newest vampires on the block, but the story line has some traditional elements.

The plot is a classic struggle of good vs. evil, pitting two immortal brothers who never age against each other in a fierce battle of wills.

Stefan Salvatore, who is forever 17, renounces the drinking of blood, which is unnecessary for his own survival, and falls for a human. Meanwhile, his older brother, Damon, wreaks havoc on the small fictional town of Mystic Falls, Va.

They both wear powerful rings that allow them to go out in the daylight without being burned alive, but physically they're completely normal, unless you count the superhuman strength, impossible healing rate and the ability to control minds and erase memories.

Instead of garlic, the Salvatore brothers are only weakened by a rare herb called verbain, and can only be destroyed by, what else, a stake through the heart. The other characters on the show had better watch their backs, because these vamps are wiping out people one bite at a time.

-- Kristen Custer, Home School