The Vampire Diaries

As we've chronicled in two other investigative specials this week, the upcoming CW series The Vampire Diaries shares many similarities with the Twilight Saga.

While both franchises focus on vampires and love triangles, however, there are also significant differences. Compare and contrast Jacob Black with Damon Salvatore to see what we mean.

Now, in the third part of this series, we take a look at the two high school hotties that are in such demand: it's Bella Swan vs. Elena Gilbert!

SIMILARITIES:

• Both are crushed on by a vampire; (spoiler alert!) eventually become more than human; have dark hair; are 17 years old when their respective franchises begin.

Welcome to the second part of our investigative series into similarities and differences between the Twilight Saga and The Vampire Diaries.

Almost all readers are familiar with the former, of course, as Robert Pattinson and company have become an international sensation.

But what to make of the latter? Fans have been wondering if the upcoming CW drama is merely a rip-off of the Twilight franchise. As mentioned in yesterday's analysis of Edward Cullen vs. Stefan Salavtore, that answer is no; The Vampire Diaries novels were actually published long before Twilight.

Now, it's on to part two of this special inside look: Jacob Black vs. Damon Salvatore!

SIMILARITIES:

• Both have dark hair and dark features; are fiercely loyal; are considered the third point of an unusual love triangle; possess a unique family history.

DIFFERENCES:

• Jacob is a werewolf, Damon is a vampire; Jacob is a different species than his rival Edward, Damon is the brother of his rival Stefan; Jacob has a long mane, Damon has short hair.

Coming tomorrow: Part III - Bella Swan vs. Elena Gilbert!

As a celebrity gossip site that dutifully follows the Twilight Saga, we've been receiving numerous emails that essentially ask the same questions:

What's the deal with The Vampire Diaries? Is this upcoming show just a rip-off of the Stephenie Meyer-based franchise?

The answer is: yes and no. It's hard to believe The CW would air The Vampire Diaries if not for the recent success of blood suckers on the big and small screen, from Twilight to True Blood.

But The Vampire Diaries is actually based on a series of books that came out long before Twilight, as author L.J. Smith published The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening in 1991.

Do these stories have a lot in common with the Twilight Saga? Should fans of Edward Cullen and company tune in to the pilot of The Vampire Diaries on September 10?

Over the next few days, we'll preview the highly-anticipated show by comparing aspects of it to the beloved big screen world inspired by Meyer's novels. First up: Edward vs. Stefan Salvatore.

SIMILARITIES:

• Both are vampires; possess similar facial features (high cheekbones, angular jaw, wavy hair); seriously crush on a human high school student; neither drinks human blood.

DIFFERENCES:

• Edward is physically unaffected by his disdain for human blood, Stefan is noticeably slow and weak; Edward's family supports his love for Bella, Stefan's brother is vehemently against his feelings for Elena; Edward can read minds, Stefan cannot; Edward is played by a Brit (Robert Pattinson), Stefan's portrayer is from New Jersey (Paul Wesley).

Coming tomorrow: Part II of this comparative series - Jacob Black vs. Damon Salvatore!

Okay, okay, Robert Pattinson fans. You win. We'll stop comparing other young actors to this Twilight hunk.

In a pair of recent polls, readers have strongly supported Pattinson when asked if he was the hottest actor in Hollywood to portray a vampire on screen.

But what about Robert's rumored girlfriend? Is Kristen Stewart the prettiest actress to play the object of a bloodsucker's affection?

Best known for her role as Bella Swan in the movie version of Stephenie Meyer's book series, Stewart might wanna keep an eye on Nina Dobrev. This 20-year old has landed the role of Elena Gilbert on the upcoming CW series The Vampire Diaries.

Like Bella, Elena is totally crushed on by a vampire (actually, two vampires), prompting us to wonder: Which actress would you prefer to sink your teeth into? Let us know below!

Which star is the cuter vampire crush?

By an overwhelming margin - when we tried to make the case that he's no longer the best looking fake vampire in Hollywood - Robert Pattinson fans let us know how they felt about the man that plays Edward Cullen.

Indeed, Paul Wesley got smoked in a poll that compared him to Pattinson.

But will Wesley's new co-star in The Vampire Diaries go down as easily?

In the new CW series, premiering this fall, Ian Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore, the bloodsucking brother of Wesley's character, Stefan. Each of these vampires is in love with a high school student named Elena.

The setup may sound like a carbon copy of a certain popular franchise, but the books on which The Vampire Diaries are based were actually released years before Twilight. So take that, Stephenie Meyer!

And take this, Robert Pattinson? You tell us. Vote in the poll below.

It's time for a battle between blood suckers!

For months, Robert Pattinson has held the honor of Best Looking Fake Vampire in Hollywood. It hasn't even been close, as millions of women would claim we could even remove the words "Fake Vampire" from that title.

But the Twilight hunk might face stiff, scary competition this fall, as The Vampire Diaries premieres on The CW.

Paul Wesley, best known for guest-starring stints on 24 and Army Wives, anchors the series. He stars as the character of Stefan. How does he stack up against the man that brought Edward Cullen to life?

Who is the hotter pretend vampire?