I spent a great part of my childhood dreaming of witches and warlocks, fairies and elves, leprechauns and immortals. I would imagine casting spells and travelling to my imaginary worlds but soon discovered the only way to visit them was through the written word… and as I grew older …through film. On my journey, I have discovered that while hero duds, fancy clothes and costumes and abs may do it for some, for me it is all in the eyes. Not of the beholder…but the wicked glint in the eye of the hero!
Long before the days of Harry Potter and Twilight…
In my early teens, my first foray into reading the supernatural was Bram Stoker’s Dracula. At the time of publication (1897) it was considered a straightforward horror novel and was the catalyst for fantasy becoming a part of popular culture.
Did you know the first film version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Nosferatu )was released in 1922?
Bela Lugosi is still remembered as the first Dracula (1931)…take note of his eyes.
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Then I studied Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at university as part of an English Lit major.
In the same year as Dracula, Frankenstein came to the Hollywood screen and Boris Karloff had the eyes.
Boris Karloff played the first monster Frankenstein
However one of my very own favourite versions of this classic is Young Frankenstein (1974)
Gene Wilder-it's all in the eyes
Now I’m all grown up and now and have moved way past the folk of the Faraway tree and the Land of Secrets and the Enchanted Wood. Finished my high school reading and am done with university study and the classic horror novels.
But supernatural heroes still appeal …so let’s take a look at some more recent supernatural heroes with come hither eyes.
Let’s start with bad boy Jack Nicholson in the Witches of Eastwick. Now that was a set of bedroom eyes that worked with the ladies.
Witches of Eastwick
Those eyes....
Not forgetting the memorable Interview with the Vampire with a very young Brad Pitt playing the tortured Louis with Tom Cruise as his immortal companion
Oh...those tortured eyes
Now for a feast of more recent heroes with eyes that touch your soul…
Hugh Jackman
And the eyes still have the appeal as Wolverine...
And finally we can’t forget the beautiful Edward from Twilight…sigh.
The eyes say it all....
You will always find a description of my character’s eyes in my stories.When I reflect on this, it is not something I do consciously, but something that comes naturally when defining my characters… so as an exercise of “eye” research, I initiated a word find on my upcoming release, a paranormal novella, Blind Lust (15 June) and was surprised to find slumberous brown eyes, beautiful eyes, dark and hostile eyes, deep blue eyes, soulful eyes, gray eyes, pleading eyes and eyes that sparked and glowed! (they are witches and warlocks after all!)
I can close my own eyes and picture each of my characters but never really thought abut their eyes when I wrote the narrative.
A good exercise for improving my craft!
So what does it for you? Who has your favourite eyes?
Johnny Depp wins for me, every time.
And the winner is...
About Annie Seaton
I have to agree with you Annie. The eyes do if for me too.
Who can go past Sean Connery, the way his eyes twinkle.
Then again, a set of smoldering dark eyes will make me weak at the knees every time too.
Do I describe the eyes in a way that would make me melt if I was reading the book?
Something for me to remember when I write.
Nice post Annie.
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Agreed. Love the eyes. Although to be honest, I’d love Brad Pitt and Hugh Jackman regardless….
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We’re talking eyes? How about animated fantasy. Who can go past Puss’N'Boots!!!
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Annie Seaton Reply:
May 28th, 2012 at 5:40 am
And the accent… makes me shiver as well!
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The eyes of John Malkovich. Dangerous Liasons, Shadow of the Vampire, Ripley’s Game etc etc Those times when he’s almost looking directly in to the camera never fail to give me the most deliciously sinful feeling. They are intense on so many levels.
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Oh yes, Jade. I should have put him up as well. So many to choose from!
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Oh My, the eyes are the most important part of a hero descrition for me. I’m a sucker for good emotional description- I don’t need much else to “see” a character especially in a paranormal.
I’d add to the already amazing men that have been mentioned- Mark Ruffalo, the Hulk in Avengers. Talk about soulfull and hiding something!
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I love beautiful eyes! I think Robert Downey Jr. has gorgeous eyes. And we simply cannot forget Paul Newman. I mean, those blistering blues were worth the price of admission every single time.
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The characteristic I mention most in my books is the eyes. It’s almost always the first thing any heroine notices about her hero. Usually there’s a description of body type first, since it comes first when two people meet, but it’s usually throwaway, even if the guy is super-hot. It isn’t until she gets to the eyes that the connection is made. Which is as it should be, I guess.
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I’m all about Jack. That man has crazy written all over him and, as anyone will tell you, I heart my crazies. Someday, I’ll write him in as a villain (that I’ll fall hopelessly in love with…it’s just my thing).
But yes, eyes are vital–especially when they have a wicked glint in them.
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Ah yes, I love the eyes
I mention them quite a bit in my books as well. In fact, my current hero does a cool little trick with his eyes when he gets upset 
It’s one of my favorite parts of the story 
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Robert Downey Jr for sure!! Love those big brown eyes!!
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Oh, yeah – It’s Johnny Depp by a landslide ~
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What a marvellous post Annie.
It’s definitely in the eyes. For are the eyes not the mirror to the soul? I believe so. I think eyes tell you so much…unspoken words….stolen glances.
I love blue and green eyes. I find them mesmerising. I do like men with brown eyes but not as much as blue or green.
Oh don’t get me started on those books Annie, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is such a deep book.
Frankenstein is so obsessed with creating life that when he does and it’s not what he intends it to be he retreats and rejects the monster he has created, thus causing the first ripples of love to turn to vengeance in the monster. So the monster tries to find love and affection somewhere else but alas in vain. Then he begins to kill his creators family and friends. And here’s the psychological bit,he kills because he wants attention.
The relationship with Frankenstein and the monster is the most crucial part of the book or movie as it contains the elements of life’s cycle, birth, love and death. Unfortunately in this story the creation of life (the monster) does not fit into society. This is one reason that this story is attractive and a constant template for books and films. Good example look at all the superhero movies.
I found it interesting that Mary Shelley wrote the story during a winter snow storm and that the characters lives are ended in the snow. Snow is the ultimate sign of peace and very metaphorical.
Okay I’ll stop babbling, I’ve had my say.
Thanks for the sparkling eyes post. Think I’ll go find some inspiration with blue or green eyes… Lol.
Effie
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Annie Seaton Reply:
May 31st, 2012 at 4:01 am
Effie
An in-depth reply, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it…. and I love green eyes!
You also reminded me how much I did enjoy reading the classics at university and reading Romantics poetry.
Nothing like John Keats.. I wonder what his eyes were like!
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Effie Reply:
May 31st, 2012 at 4:15 am
Annie,
John Keats, how fitting to this post. “Pensive they sit, and roll their languid eyes,” from “The Party of Lovers”. John Keats.
I’d say he had brown eyes. Very soulful poet.
My favourite poet though is Robert Frost. I connected more with him. “The Road Not Taken” is my favourite. It’s lives wisdom, the choices and roads we take.
Effie
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