Sesame Street even had their own version called Count von Count, a purple charmless puppet that could win contests as the most unoriginal and villainous looking soft toy ever, if his place were not taken by Chucky from the horror series "Child's Play", the creation of some guy who grew up watching his sister play with dolls, and secretly wanted to, but could not because he was a guy.
He grew up, and traumatised by the scars of childhood, he created a sick twisted puppy called Chucky, which was really what he did to his sister's dolls after she outgrew them and he finally got his hands on them. He messed them up, and after looking at his brilliant handiwork, he decided to shoot a film.
And you know what? The films became popular, because it turns out that there are many other boy (and girls) who were former doll lovers, but now cannot stand the sight of them.
After this magnificent digression into meaningless prose and verbosity, I have finally come around to the whole point of this post. Which is, I believe I have seen Count Dracula, or the closest modern equivalent.
Strikes at night, check. Hangs out with many women, some of them exotic, check. Hails from Transylvania, check. Has a lust for blood, check. Able to transform into a bat, well, I'm not so sure. Batty? Definite check. Morally grey? Well, if you believe what people have said about him.
However, this modern Dracula has kept up with the times. He has learnt the virtue of why do the flying yourself when vehicles can move for you. Unfortunately, because he is more accustomed to moving himself around, he is a bad driver.
He has also changed his methods. Realising that drinking the blood of young women reduces the supply of women, he has adapted to preying on the blood of men, when he is not using alcohol as a cheap substitute. You know, after all it is really sad. The law protects people these days, and it is no longer easy to hunt without getting caught. Really the kind of stuff that makes Dracula turn to drink.
Count Dracula then had a long think, and he realised that his natural charm as a member of Transylvania's aristocratic elite warranted him a few choice jobs in public service. He found one such job perfect, as it allowed him to hunt, yet absolving him of any possible legal ramifications.
And one night a few months ago, he went on a hunt. He had his fill of drink, women, and even blood. He then tried to make a quick getaway, but he was a lousy driver. However, we all forgot that he can transform into a bat and fly away. Now, he is hiding in his castle in Transylvania, Romania, till another hundred years pass so he can repeat the same old trick again.
Damn you Romania you had us fooled. You sent us your biggest villain as a diplomat, and we never realised it, until he actually had his fill of a blood meal and left.
Here I present you, Count Dracula, alias Dr Silviu Ionescu.