The Vampire Files/YMMV


 * Alas Poor Villain: Jack has a little after accidentally Mind Raping one, but pretty much gets over it. Also some for, especially the latter. And Robert Tielli, though YMMV.
 * Complete Monster:
 * Counterpart Comparison: Jack Fleming and Harry Dresden of The Dresden Files. The series titles are obviously similar. Also, both take place in Chicago (one in the 1930's, one in modern day). Both have the main characters that is a supernatural P.I., though Jack is more of an assistant, at least officially (notably, The Dresden Files is listed on the Vampire Detective Series page, since it has most of the stereotypes--hell, it has more than ). Both have trouble with The Mafia (the Paco gang, Johnny Marcone--Vaughn Kyler from Fire in the Blood has an eerie similarity to Marcone). Both have Badass Normal sidekicks/ partners (Charles Escott and Karrin Murphy), both had their first love go missing or die in their backstories (Maureen and Elaine). Both Jack and Harry are wiseasses, though we see more of Harry's sense of humor.
 * It should be noted that The Vampire Files was acually published before The Dresden Files, and that Elrod is a big fan of the latter and pimps them on her own site. This Troper woul like to know whether or not Butcher has read this series, and is secretly hoping that they will collaberate on some kind of crossover.
 * Also, while The Dresden Files definately has its darker moments, overall The Vampire Files is Darker and Edgier.
 * Crowning Moment of Funny: In the first book, when Jack
 * Two in
 * Ensemble Darkhorse: Apparently Johnathan Barrett, seeing as how he got his own spin-off.
 * Nightmare Fuel: The "dreams" Jack has when he spends the daytime without his home earth. Also, directly after the Hope Spot above,