Holy Urban Fantasy Sidekicks, Batman!
The army of urban fantasy fans from Tor.com Urban Fantasy Facebook and Twitter is fast becoming an amazing resource the paranormal community. Ask a question and the responses come flying in. Most recently, the topic of sidekicks came up.
Where would Batman be without Robin? Frodo without Samwise? Han Solo without Chewbacca? Frodo would be caving it up with Gollum, Hans would still likely be frozen in carbonite, and Batman…okay, I’m guessing Batman would be fine, but the others hold true. But sidekicks aren’t simply relegated to comics and SFF. Urban fantasy has it’s share. How long would Harry last without Bob? Rachel without Jenks? Angel without Wesley?
I took the question to Facebook and Twitter and the weekly #UFchat (UF_Chat) on Twitter and here’s who we listed as the Top 10 favorite urban fantasy sidekicks:
10.) Gary, sidekick to Joanne Walker in the Walker Papers series by C. E. Murphy
Gary Muldoon is a 70-something cab driver and a former college linebacker. First appearance: Urban Shaman (Walker Papers, #1).
9.) Finn, sidekick to Gin Blanco in the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep
“Finnegan Lane is Gin’s foster brother and general partner in crime. He’s also an investment banker, computer whiz, and shameless womanizer.” – Jennifer Estep.First appearance: Spider’s Bite (Elemental Assassin, #1).
8.) Fang the Mustang, sidekick to Eric in the Void City series by J. F. Lewis
Fang is a vampire car who occasionally eats people. First appearance: Staked (Void City, #1).
7.) Andrea, sidekick to Kate Daniels in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
Andrea Nash is a Knight in the Order of Merciful Aid and a beastkin able to shift into a human/hyena hybrid. Read more about her on the Kate Daniels Wiki Main/Andrea. First appearance: Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
6.) Phineas, sidekick to Abby Sinclair in the Abby Sinclair series by Allison Pang
Phineas is a “tiny, ass-biting unicorn” with an underwear fetish. You can follow him on Twitter @phintheunicorn. First appearance: A Brush of Darkness (Abby Sinclair, #1)
5.) Giguhl, sidekick to Sabina Kane in the Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells
According to Jaye Wells, “Giguhl, aka Mr. Giggles, is a Fifth-level Mischief Demon, minion to Sabina Kane and home shopping network addict.” Follow him on Twitter @Giguhl. First appearance: Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, #1)
4.)Wesley, sidekick to Angel in the Angel TV series created by Joss Whedon
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, played by Alexis Denisof, was a member of the Watchers’ Council in Buffy before joining a supernatural detective agency on Angel. First appearance: Buffy the Vampire Slayer season three episode “Bad Girls”
3.) Spike, sidekick to Buffy Summers (and later Angel) in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series created by Joss Whedon
Spike, aka William the Bloody, played by James Marsters, is a vampire who initially wants to kill Buffy, ends up teaming up with her, and later falling in love with her. After Buffy ended, Spike joined the cast of Angel for it’s final season. First appearance: Buffy the Vampire Slayer season two episode “School Hard”
2.) Jenks, sidekick to Rachel Morgan in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison
Jenks is a pixy who works with Rachel and Ivy in their freelance business working as a saboteur, electronics expert, and spy. First appearance: Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1)
1.) Bob, sidekick to Harry Dresden in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Bob is an air spirit of intellect who resides in a human skull owned by Harry Dresden. First appearance: Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)
Did we include your favorite urban fantasy sidekick? Any glaring omissions?
Abigail Johnson manages the Tor.com Urban Fantasy Facebook and Twitter accounts and spends way too much time thinking about vampires, werewolves, zombies and all things paranormal in books, movies, TV and video games.
