Many know the story Twilight, and how Edward is the main character that is a vampire, but not many know of Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who is thought by many to be the “original” Edward. Though they seem completely different, they are actually close to being one in the same. Both are vampires that do not like feeding off of humans and are plagued with a love for a teenage girl. Their physiques and shows upon which they appear are the only things that differ from the two.

Angel, or Angelus, stars in the TV show and in the Dark Horse comic book Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He is a vampire that does not like feeding off of humans, but his reason for not feeding off of humans is because he is a vampire with a soul. In 1898, gypsies cursed him with a soul as an act of vengeance. Having a soul causes him to feel horrible about killing people so much that it practically kills him. He relives all the feedings and murders in his mind. He is in love with a teenage girl, Buffy. She is the apple of his eye, the beating of his heart, if he had one, but alas this love was a sort of forbidden love because it could never work out well. In the end, he ends up leaving her and then coming back periodically, but never enough to have a true relationship. Angel is also quite gorgeous in his “human” form. He is built and charming with flawless skin and eyes that say ‘come hither’. Buffy the Vampire Slayer also keeps to a traditional view of vampires. So when Angel steps out into the sun he will burn up and crumble into ashes. Also, when he changes from his “human” form to his vampire form, he physically changes a lot. His whole face becomes covered with ridges, his fangs start to become visible, and his eyes change to a yellowish color that could strike fear into anyone.

Since Twilight, Angel has been forgotten by many. Edward Cullen, the “now” vampire, stars in the movie series Twilight. He is much like Angel in that he does not like feeding off humans, or is a vegetarian vampire, but he does this to preserve the bit of humanity left inside him. It makes him feel like he has a soul, even though he does not. If he lost that last bit, he would view himself as an animal. Edward also has flashbacks to his past killings, and he tries his hardest not to do so. Also, Edward, like Angel, is in love with a teenage girl, Bella. He cannot help this love because her smell is so intoxicating and she is so perfect for him. Alas, he tries to make sure this relationship does not happen just like Angel did, by leaving-erasing every piece of evidence that he ever existed. Again, much like Angel, Edward comes back to Bella. The only difference is that Edward stays. Edward differs from Angel in that he is scrawny, pale, has sporadic hair on his chest, and sparkles like a disco ball when the sun shines on his skin. Stephenie Meyer did not keep the traditional vampire view when writing her series. Edward does not explode in the sun and he does not transform when getting ready to bite someone; only his eyes change to a blood red that lets his victim know that he wants blood.

What set Angel and Edward apart are the visions of the creators. Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, keeps the traditional view of vampires- Angel can die when he steps into the sun and he physically changes when bitin someone. Stephenie Meyer though has captured the hearts of a generation with Twilight and more specifically Edward- the vampire that sparkles in the sun and does not change when biting someone. Thought the differences are there, the restraint from the lust for blood, love for a young girl, and being a vampire are what make Angel and Edward close to being one in the same.