Been a while since I’ve seen this but in a lot of vampire lore (especially 80s), vampires clans are accompanied by human “familiars” who are basically human but have super strength or some other powers. Think of Straker (James Mason) in Salem’s Lot, Vic the nightclub owner (Sandy Baron) in Vamp, or even Renfield/Knock in the original Dracula/Nosferatu. My guess is that Star fell into this category.

There’s a hilarious spin on this concept in What We Do In The Shadows, where Viaga’s familiar is treated like a lowly intern forced to run errands like laundry before she can be turned into a full vampire.

As for Grandpa, that’s a head scratcher. I kinda figured him as a Van Helsing type, not quite supernatural but definitely weird.

Thank you for your response. You brought up some very good examples and points. I'm guessing that Star was more of Laddie's protector than anything. The comics seem to imply that Grandpa was turned by the Widow Johnson. That could have been an after thought though.

That's interesting, I didn't even know there was a comic book sequel. I haven't seen the movie sequels either, but I know the original writers & director weren't involved so it's like you said: probably an afterthought. I remember listening to the director's commentary and hearing him talk about how much of the movie changed during production. The studio wanted a serious horror flick while director & actors' improv steered it more in the direction of dark comedy. I dunno if that affected plot points and characters' backstories, but it's possible. It's probably time for me to watch this flick again, it was always one of my fave vampire movies.

The comics were put out by either windstar or dark horse. I can't remember which at the moment. They more or less expanded the storylines of some of the minor characters like the grandfather and the Frog Brothers. They're not exactly canon though. Lol. Regarding the sequels they're dtv and meh. The Tribe has more to do with David's brother forming his own group and I'd say you could skip the Thirst though it does explain a little more. Yes LB was originally to be much darker and more serious than what ended up being filmed. Fun fact: Cory Feldman (Edgar Frog) was nearly not in the film. He was fired by Shoemaker due to drug abuse but was rehired. The humor I think added a nice touch.

alan frog (when laddie attacks): Holy shit! It's the attack of Eddie Munster edgar frog: Great. The bloodsucking Brady Bunch. (this was when Max was reaching out for Lucy before being impaled by the log.

Hahaha I'd forgotten that one! I think the frog brothers stole the show, and the comedy is what made the film a cult classic. That's nuts about Cory Feldman being fired/rehired but not too surprising. He's had a colorful life.

My favorite line from the movie is probably "My own brother, a goddam sh**sucking vampire! ...You wait til mom finds out, buddy"

that is a classic line. the comics are a continuation and expanding of the charactors's backstories. however i should point out they're not exactly canon. the sequels are meh imo and direct-to-video. The Frog Brothers do feature heavily with only occasional references to the original.