History Webcomic / VampireCheerleaders

This series follows cryptid (i.e: monster) hunters Stephanie, Katie, and Charlotte (later joined by J.C Summerfield, a representive of PETM and Lita, the ghost of a demon whose forcibly bonded to them) who go across the U.S hunting them. However their rather bombastic and public approach has gained them infamy and the ire of [[AnimalWrongsGroup PETM]], a organization that's trying to protect the cryptids.

** [[HitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy What the]] [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/a_secondary_pattern belgium was that]]

** Dean and Sam from {{Supernatural}} drive past, the opening credits song of the later seasons blaring on the radio. Steph asks is they want to meet up for a drink. [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/muffler_men_and_wicked_witch "Don't you dare make eye contact, Sam."]]

* VanHelsingHateCrime: Steph who believes ''all'' cryptids are evil roughly stemming what happened to her parents. [[spoiler: Things gets complicated when her sister is turned into a werewolf and the newest member of their team is revealed to be a Dhampyr]].

* ArtShift: VampireCheerleaders went from the manga-style artwork of volumes 1 and 2 to the current comic-style artwork beginning with volume 3 (and the merger with ParanormalMysterySquad).

** Stephanie makes Film/{{Ghostbusters}} [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/a_2946-c_addendum_form jokes]] (too bad the lawyer had NoSenseOfHumor) and her ringtone is the movie theme.
** [[WordOfGod Adam]] [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=11795&p=341179#p341179 freely admits]] that [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/ginger_snaps this page]] was an extended ShoutOut to ''Film/GingerSnaps''.

** [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/be_seeing_you Be seeing]] [[Series/ThePrisoner you]].
** [[HitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy What the]] [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/a_secondary_pattern belgium was that]]
** [[PlanetOfTheApes Get yer stinkin' paws off my sister,]] [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/katie_needs_you you damn dirty wolf!]]
** [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/black_lingerie You don't buy]] [[BlackBraAndPanties black lingerie]] [[Film/TenThingsIHateAboutYou unless you want somebody to see it.]]

** [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/black_lingerie You don't buy]] [[BlackBraAndPanties black lingerie]] [[TenThingsIHateAboutYou unless you want somebody to see it.]]

* ExpressiveAccessory: Steph's hairpin is the sister to Layla Delacroix's.

** Dean and Sam from {{Supernatural}} drive past, the opening credits song of the later seasons blaring on the radio. Steph asks is they want to meet up for a drink.

** The third story arc (which officially combines the two series) had Steph actually calling Maria Delacroix (Layla and Nina's mother) to get information about Lori, revealing Steph still keeps close ties with the Delacroix clan. Tiffany Winters also gets a mention as well.

Has a sister comic, '''Paranormal Mystery Squad''' which served as a backup feature in Volumes 1 and 2 (they were both equal length, unlike some backup features), but as of Volume 3, both titles have merged under the VC banner.

** [[WordOfGod Adam]] [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=11795&p=341179#p341179 freely admits]] that [[http://www.paranormalmysterysquad.com/strips-pms/ginger_snaps this page]] was an extended ShoutOut to {{Gingersnaps}}.

** A couple of [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/lingonberries_-_guest_strip guest]] [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/treasure_it_always_-_guest_strip comics]] by Adam for ''Eerie Cuties'' were set in a flashback focusing on Layla and Steph as kids. Turns out it was Layla that gave Steph her hairpin saying that they (her and Steph's hairpins) come in pairs. The two strips close with Steph in the present day wondering what Layla was up to at the moment. [[WordOfGod As far as Adam is concerned]], the comics are canon for Paranormal Mystery Squad.

** A couple of [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/lingonberries_-_guest_strip guest]] [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/treasure_it_always_-_guest_strip comics]] by Adam for ''Eerie Cuties'' were set in a flashback focusing on Layla and Steph as kids. Turns out it was Layla that gave Steph her hairpin saying that they (her and Steph's hairpins) come in pairs. The two strips close with Steph in the present day wondering what Layla was up to at the moment. [[WordOfGod As far as Adam is concerned]], the comics are canon for Paranormal Mystery Squad.

* SharedUniverse: With ''AoiHouse'' (Steph made her debut at the end of that series, and Elle showed up in VC vol 2) and with ''EerieCuties''/''MagickChicks'' with Steph chatting on the phone with Maria Delecroix about what she had learned about the VC girls.

This series follows cryptid (i.e: monster) hunters Stephanie, Katie, and Charlotte (later joined by J.C Summerfield, a representive of PETM and Lita, the ghost of a demon whose forcibly bonded to them) who go across the U.S hunting them. However their rather bombastic and public approach has gained them infamy and the ire of [[AnimalWrongsGroup PTEM]], a organization that's trying to protect the cryptids.

* TheOneGuy: Two actually, Leonard on the VC side

* RapeAsDrama: Lori encounter with one of the Gorgans

* TokenEvilTeammate: After [[spoiler:Lita is bonded to Katie]] at the end of PMS, she's treated as a de facto member of the team, despite no obvious change in personality.

* VanHelsingHateCrime: Steph who seems believe ''all'' cryptids are evil roughly stemming what happened to her parents. [[spoiler: Things gets complicated when her sister is turned into a werewolf and the newest member of their team is revealed to be a Dhampyr]].

** Steph chose to use a jan (Chinese 'fencing' sword) due to being a fan of SoulCalibur.

* RapeAsDrama
** Katie's NearRapeExperience in Volume 1..

''Vampire Cheerleaders'' provides the following tropes (Vol 1 and 2)

A sister comic, Paranormal Mystery Squad had served as a backup feature in Volumes 1 and 2 (they were both equal length, unlike some backup features), but as of Volume 3, both titles have merged under the VC banner.

''Vampire Cheerleaders'' provides the following tropes

* ADateWithRosiePalms: All but outright stated to be what Katie was doing [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/it_just_happened here.]]
* {{Adorkable}}: Charlotte has her moments. Mostly when she's fumbling spells or referencing some old show.
* AllMythsAreTrue: In addition to classics like vampires and werewolves, there are such things as Native American [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Woman Deer Women]], Phoenixes, {{Chupacabra}} and [[spoiler: what appears to be Mothman]].
* AllWomenAreLustful: On [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef this strip]]
** Lita also show signs of this
** Of course, most of the Cheerleaders aren't exactly celibate.

* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Steph sees her teen sister as this to a degree.
* BarbieDollAnatomy: When peekaboo can't cover everything.
** In Volume 2 of PMS, the print edition averted this above the waist, but the online and ebook versions played it straight. WordOfGod is that this will apply to Vol 3 too.

* BigBreastsBigDeal: Charlotte is a Type 1 if the last panel of [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/paracon_2012 this strip]] is any indication.
* BreakingTheBonds: [[spoiler:By pissed off wolfed up Katie.]]
* CassandraTruth: Despite raising some valid points about how vampires could be disguising themselves as highschoolers, JC and Char continue to dismiss Steph's suspicions.
* CerebusSyndrome: The Las Vegas arc was just the beginning. Remember the introductionary pages of the series? [[spoiler: That sets up the storyline merging the title with Paranormal Mystery Squad]] Though it isn't completely dark as there are still funny moments.
* ChainedToABed
** Katie suffers this in the climax of PMS volume 1.
** Lori ends up like this after being paralyzed by the GorgeousGorgon.
* ColossusClimb: [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/executive_order Against K'aannl'ngua]]

* ConvectionSchmonvection: Charlotte is rescued virtually unharmed from a fully engulfed wicker man.
** [[spoiler: Katie's tail isn't so lucky]]

* DangerouslyShortSkirt
** Cheerleader uniforms typically default to this anyway, but the Bakerstown uniform is a bit brief by high school standards.
** While Steph seemed to like short skirts already, by Volume 3 they get shorter.

* {{Dhampyr}}: J.C. Summerfield
* DistressedDamsel
** Katie gets kidnapped by Theo and has her chained to a bed so that [[NearRapeExperience he can have his way with her]]. [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Subverted:]] She manages to defend herself and knock him out by the time the rescue arrives.]]
** Likewise, Lori's abduction is the center of the second volume of VC.
* EldritchAbomination: [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/the_great_one_comes this guy]]

* EyeScream:[[spoiler: [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/it_just_got_real Stephanie stabbed one of K'AAN'NGUA's Eyes]]]]

** On the PMS side, Volume 2 featured Char dressed as {{Zatanna}} and later stories have Steph showing a preference for AbsoluteCleavage and {{Dangerously Short Skirt}}s.
* FanConvention: The Squad has to do community service in the form of an appearce at ''[=ParaCon=]'', which are full of people who consider the crew as evil hunters.

* FantasticRacism: Steph's attitude towards all 'cryptids'. Then her sister became one.
* FiveManBand: On the PMS side:
** TheHero: Stephanie
** TheLancer: Katie
** TheSmartGuy: J.C
** TheBigGuy: Shared between Katie and J.C as they both provide the strength in the group.
** TheChick: Charlotte
** TeamPet: Babs
** TokenEvilTeammate: Lita

* FunWithAcronyms: [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/no_guys_allowed It is no accident that they are known as ‘’PMS’’.]]
* GagPenis: Used to test if [[spoiler:[[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef certain]] feelings [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef still cause Katie to change into her werewolf form.]]]]
** Later seen, or at least the CensorBar, in the flopped open Playgirl centerfold that Suki had Leo buy for her.

* {{Goth}}: Stephanie.
* HauledBeforeASenateSubcommittee: At the beginning of PMS Volume 2.
* IdiotHair: Katie has one sticking up in the back. Reflects here tendancy to act without thinking.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Just short of a fight with [[spoiler:[[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/fight_it Katie as she goes through her first change.]]]]
* {{Jerkass}}: Steph whose always so quick to point out someones flaws.
** Suki ain't much better.
* JustForPun
-->'''Katie:''' And I'm Yiffing Mad!

* MercyKill: How Steph views slaying monsters that were born human. [[spoiler:She initially plans to do this with her sister, but is talked down by JC and Charlotte.]]
* MismatchedEyes: Charlotte has a less noticable version with [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/one_blue_one_green one blue and one green]]. There are hints that this is a halmark of her magical affinity.
* [[AnimalWrongsGroup Monster Wrongs Group]]: Steph finds herself butting heads with PETM (People for the Ethical Treatment of Monsters), who demand that ‘cryptids’ be captured alive and unharmed.
** A notable subversion (especially when compared to PETA) is that PETM are well aware cryptids are dangerous and even have standard issue tasers. As Summerfield put it, they're naive, not stupid.
** O'Keefe takes the entire thing to ridiculous extremes, such as refusing to let the army bomb an "innocent cryptid" who mind-controlled half the county (there are good reasons not to drop a bomb on a bunch of people, but ''that isn't one of them'') and later [[spoiler:gets the president to declare a {{Kaiju}} that's about to destroy the city and possibly the world an endangered species, forbidding the military from attacking. Well, the Squad is forbidden too, but they ignore it]].
* NearRapeExperience: The reason Mr. Campbell summoned the team to his farm not to investigate, but [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/here_for_only_one_reason to be breeding stock for his son.]] [[spoiler:The climax of volume one begins when the son kidnaps Katie in order to try again.]]
** Lori's experiences in Volume 2 have this vibe, possibly going past 'near'.

* NoPeriodsPeriod: Averted. Katie seems to delight and using her teenaged PMS as an excuse to [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/fine_whatever_pout ignore diplomacy]] (and propriety).
** It later becomes a plot point [[spoiler: as the now [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]] Katie ends up being in heat as a result.]]
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: O'Keefe has the President order Briggs to stand down his forces because it would violate Congressional law to attack K'aannl'ngua, an endangered Cryptid species. [[CavalryRefusal The military then pulls out, allowing the demon to wreck Las Vegas.]]
* OffWithHisHead: Steph is [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/i_am_not_a_waitress quite]] [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/this_ends_now effective]] with that sword.

** The PMS crew's reaction to Mr. Campbell going openly hostile, but especially [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/eww_gross Katie when Theo changes.]]
** A comedic version at the beginning of the VC/PMS crossover when the sea monster Steph just speared swam off rapidly. [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/the_perfect_hunter "Oh Frak...!"]] [[UnsoundEffect Yank!]]

* TheOneGuy: Two actually, Leonard on the VC side and J.C. Summerfeild with the PMS crew.

* PantyShot: Cheerleaders almost guarantee this, though they appear with other outfits as well.
* ParentalAbandonment: Stephanie and Katie’s parents were killed about a year before the story starts (and after Steph’s appearance in Aoi House).
* ParanormalInvestigation

** Katie's NearRapeExperience in Volume 1.
** Lori's captivity having strong vibes of this in Volume 2.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: [[spoiler:The general put in charge the incident in Volume 2 comes off sympathetic to the PMS crew, and most definitely does not like O'Keefe's presence and interference.]]
** [[spoiler:When they kill the {{Kaiju}} rampaging around Vegas (which O'Keefe got named an endangered species), he gets them issued a full pardon, and the 4,000 hours of community service fully commuted]].

* [[RequiredSpinoffCrossover Required Spinoff Cameo]]: While they are not quite spinoffs of each other, the girls of ''ParanormalMysterySquad'' make a few cameos at different points, and the cast of VC shows up in the other book from time to time.
** Elle from ''AoiHouse'' appears in Volume 2 as a celebrity judge at the cheerleading competition. Though this might develope into more than a cameo depending on how the story progresses.
** A couple of [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/lingonberries_-_guest_strip guest]] [[http://www.eeriecuties.com/strips-ec/treasure_it_always_-_guest_strip comics]] by Adam for ''Eerie Cuties'' were set in a flashback focusing on Layla and Steph as kids. Turns out it was Layla that gave Steph her hairpin saying that they (her and Steph's hairpins) come in pairs. The two strips close with Steph in the present day wondering what Layla was up to at the moment. [[WordOfGod As far as Adam is concerned]], the comics are canon for Paranormal Mystery Squad.

* SharedUniverse: ''AoiHouse''.
** And since ''EerieCuties'' shares a universe with Vampire Cheerleaders via a side story featuring Steph and Layla, and ''MagickChicks'' is a spin-off of ''EerieCuties'', it's safe to say all four series co-exist in the same 'verse.
* [[HeWhoFightsMonsters She Who Fights Monsters]]: Steph’s hatred of cryptids has some unfortunate levels.

** All of Charlotte's spell incantations are pop-culture references. No one knows why (not even her).
** Stephanie makes Film/{{Ghostbusters}} [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/a_2946-c_addendum_form jokes]] (too bad the lawyer had NoSenseOfHumor) and her ringtone is the movie theme.
** [[WordOfGod Adam]] [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=11795&p=341179#p341179 freely admits]] that [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/ginger_snaps this page]] was an extended ShoutOut to {{Gingersnaps}}.
** Steph chose to use a jan (Chinese 'fencing' sword) due to being a fan of SoulCalibur.
** [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/be_seeing_you Be seeing]] [[Series/ThePrisoner you]].
** [[HitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy What the]] [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/a_secondary_pattern belgium was that]]
** [[PlanetOfTheApes Get yer stinkin' paws off my sister,]] [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/katie_needs_you you damn dirty wolf!]]
** [[http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/black_lingerie You don't buy]] [[BlackBraAndPanties black lingerie]] [[TenThingsIHateAboutYou unless you want somebody to see it.]]

** Volume 3 seems to indicate that Steph is not as automatically lethal with all cryptids, though she assumes the worse of the more predatory breeds such as vampires.

** In addition, the original plan was for the merger to be into the PMS title, while keeping the VC title for side stories featuring them. But, the readership of Vampire Cheerleaders was significantly higher, necessating a change of plan.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: "Cryptoslaughter" has only recently been made ''illegal'', and is punished by only steep fines.

* ADateWithRosiePalms: All but outright stated to be what Katie was doing [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/it_just_happened here.]]

* AllWomenAreLustful: On [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef this strip]]

* BigBreastsBigDeal: Charlotte is a Type 1 if the last panel of [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/paracon_2012 this strip]] is any indication.

* ColossusClimb: [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/executive_order Against K'aannl'ngua]]

* EldritchAbomination: [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/the_great_one_comes this guy]]

* EyeScream:[[spoiler: [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/it_just_got_real Stephanie stabbed one of K'AAN'NGUA's Eyes]]]]

* FunWithAcronyms: [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/no_guys_allowed It is no accident that they are known as ‘’PMS’’.]]
* GagPenis: Used to test if [[spoiler:[[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef certain]] feelings [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/where_is_the_beef still cause Katie to change into her werewolf form.]]]]

* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Just short of a fight with [[spoiler:[[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/fight_it Katie as she goes through her first change.]]]]

* MismatchedEyes: Charlotte has a less noticable version with [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/one_blue_one_green one blue and one green]]. There are hints that this is a halmark of her magical affinity.

* NearRapeExperience: The reason Mr. Campbell summoned the team to his farm not to investigate, but [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/here_for_only_one_reason to be breeding stock for his son.]] [[spoiler:The climax of volume one begins when the son kidnaps Katie in order to try again.]]

* NoPeriodsPeriod: Averted. Katie seems to delight and using her teenaged PMS as an excuse to [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/fine_whatever_pout ignore diplomacy]] (and propriety).

* OffWithHisHead: Steph is [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/i_am_not_a_waitress quite]] [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/this_ends_now effective]] with that sword.

** The PMS crew's reaction to Mr. Campbell going openly hostile, but especially [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/eww_gross Katie when Theo changes.]]

** Stephanie makes Film/{{Ghostbusters}} [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/a_2946-c_addendum_form jokes]] (too bad the lawyer had NoSenseOfHumor) and her ringtone is the movie theme.
** [[WordOfGod Adam]] [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=11795&p=341179#p341179 freely admits]] that [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/ginger_snaps this page]] was an extended ShoutOut to {{Gingersnaps}}.

** [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/be_seeing_you Be seeing]] [[Series/ThePrisoner you]].
** [[HitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy What the]] [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/a_secondary_pattern belgium was that]]
** [[PlanetOfTheApes Get yer stinkin' paws off my sister,]] [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/katie_needs_you you damn dirty wolf!]]
** [[http://http://www.vampirecheerleaders.net/strips-vc/black_lingerie You don't buy]] [[BlackBraAndPanties black lingerie]] [[TenThingsIHateAboutYou unless you want somebody to see it.]]

* WholeCostumeReference: After being defeated by Lita in Volume 2, Char finds herself dressed up as {{Zatanna}}, [[http://www.pixietrixcomix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=12368&p=367964#p367952 Steph as Alice from the Resident Evil: Extinction and Katie as Claire from Resident Evil: Afterlife.]]

* TheUnfairSex: Steph as per most of her jerkass tendencies, for example she blames the whole [[spoiler: Katie turning into a werewolf]] on J.C. when really Katie had wandered off on her own. J.C, despite being a nice guy, thankfully isn't a doormat and more then willing to call her out on this.

* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: "Cryptoslaughter" has only recently been made ''illegal'', and appears to remain a civil offense.