Of course, purists and fans of the Darren Shan series, which we’ll be talking about today, already know that The Vampire’s Apprentice, which is basically a kind of Twilight aimed at tweenage BOYS rather than tweenage GIRLS, actually came first.

But when it comes to the movies, the first-mover advantage is crucial, and one thing’s clear–Twilight got it.

Anyway, we’re talking The Vampire’s Apprentice, which features one of those tweenage boys I was talking about who visits a freak show with a friend, only to discover that the freaks are a lot more real than he could have imagined.  And when one of them offers our boy–Darren Shan by name–the chance to become a vampire, he jumps at it.

Wouldn’t you?

Anyway, he discovers that vampirism isn’t all bloodsucking and cool powers, as he’ll learn the secrets of his new life while becoming the vampire’s apprentice.

Sounds cool, sure enough–vastly better than the nonstop parade of drama and suck that is the Twilight saga.  But will it pack the same kind of appeal the Twifans can bring to the game?  Only one way to find out–and we’ll find out this October when The Vampire’s Apprentice starts up.