Tropical Urban Vampires & other Blood-Sucking Monstrosities

What is it about?

Vampires and other blood-sucking monstrosities constitute some of the most famous myths, legends and stories that continue to haunt contemporary societies. This special issue examines the presence of these beings in cities and their surrounds. The contributions reflect upon vampires and other monstrosities in relation to the tropical regions of the world from historical pasts to present-day manifestations, and imaginary tropical futures, including: the British colonial empire in the tropical east, New Orleans in the deep south of the United States, across the border to Mexico and Latin American communities, over to India and Southeast Asia, including Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore, and Sabah on the island of Borneo, and to the tropical east coast of Australia. However, the concept of the tropics is not simply a geographical construct, the imaginary of the tropics also emerges out of the spaces of mythology and oral storytelling, ethnographic reports, literature, science fiction magazines, film and television, video games and the internet.

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Why is it important?

Myths and stories are ways in which people make sense of their lived experiences of the world. Vampires and other blood-sucking monstrosities speak to us about our fears in contemporary society.

Perspectives