Harry Potter vs. Twilight

In 1998, we were introduced to J.K. Rowling’s first installment of her seven-part Harry Potter series. Since the debut of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” fans have memorized spells and fallen in love with the characters, good and bad. Last summer, the final book of the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was released. Even though the last three movies are still to come, many Potterheads are left with an empty feeling, like the Harry Potter craze is coming to a close. Rowling has produced a great work for our generation to grow up with.

For some, this is where Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series steps in. Her novels target our age group, like Rowling’s novels did. “Twilight” gives us an escape from the reality and stresses of high school and new heroes to believe in. All four novels in the series have been New York Times bestsellers.

The first film in the series, “Twilight,” made almost $70 million its opening weekend, according to IMDB.com, the Internet Movie Database. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first movie of that series, earned over $90 million its first weekend in 2001.

Web sites like Fanpoop.com feature blogs and fan videos comparing “Harry Potter” to “Twilight.” Since “Twilight” the film came out in November, there have been countless discussions — some very harsh — about topics ranging from which series is better organized to which author is more eloquent to which leading guy is the hottest. Many fans feel as if the war between the Potterheads and Twilighters is uncalled for.

What do YOU think?

— By Angela Clark | VOX Staff