Armand - Botticelli's angel

Armand

Real name
Andrei
Also known as
Amadeo
Place of origin
Kiev, Russia(modern day Ukraine)
Maker
Marius
Fledgling
Daniel
Books he appears in
Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, Memnoch the Devil, The Vampire Armand
Status
Alive, about 500 years old

Character description
'It wasn't merely his beauty; it was the astonishing innocence of his boyish face. He moved so lightly and swiftly I could not see his feet actually take steps. His huge eyes regarded us without anger, his hair, for all the dust in it, giving off faint reddish glints.'
(The Vampire Lestat)

'Armand's angelic face was beyond description.'
(The Queen of the Damned)

'Your hair's like something spun from amber, as if the amber would melt and could be drawn from candle flames in long airy threads and let to dry that way to make all these shining tresses. You're sweet, boylike and pretty as a girl.'
(The Vampire Armand)

I know Antonio Banderas was not really the youthful Armand of the books but I like Antonio so I had to put him on this page as well. However I've been searching everywhere for anyone who reminds me of him...and I found someone. His name is Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Okay..he is not as beautiful as Botticelli's angel but come on, no one is! I love the way Jonathan rarely smiles despite being so gorgeous. He is seductive but does not have to do anything to express this. Perhaps that is why he reminds me of Armand.
Anyway my ideas don't mean much because Armand has been cast in the new movie. He will be played by Matthew Newton, find out more in my span>

Here are some interesting pictures of Armand from the graphic novels. Please click on them for a full size version.

I found an interesting web site which explains the meaning behind names. I was shocked to discover they have most of the vampire's names there! It may not be an accurate meaning but why not look anyway, if only for fun.
Click here for the meaning of the name Armand.
Or his real name Andrei, or the other name he was known as Amadeo.

I am the proud keeper of the Armand humming bird. He's very cute, isn't he? I checked out all the animals there and this was the one for me, spasibo Sybelle!
If you want to adopt a vampire's animal then visit the savage garden on line zoo.

- My opinion of Armand -
Armand is one of my favourite characters. Not my favourite but a close second! I have to say...he is a complicated character and I can't always understand his actions. I suppose that is why he is so attractive hmm? When I read Memnoch's conclusion I was so upset I actually cried. How many characters can make you do that?
'We ran together, already blinded by the light, and behind me I heard Armand's voice ring out over the crowd.
'Bear witness, this sinner dies for Him!' The scent of fire came in a fierce explosion! I saw it blaze against the glass walls of the towers as we fled. I heard the screams.'
(Memnoch the Devil)
I'm telling you I was so depressed for ages after that. It was not what I thought was going to happen at all. I just couldn't believe it! I also was very upset when I read the Vampire Armand especially the scene in the dungeon with Riccardo. Rarely have I shuddered so much.
'Then falling aside, I felt my vision clear again in the dark. The walls around me sparkled once more with tiny bits of ore like a starry firmament. I looked and saw that the victim I had taken was Riccardo, my beloved Riccardo, my brilliant and goodhearted Riccardo - naked, wretchedly soiled, a fattened prisoner, kept all this while in some stinking earthen cell just for this.'
I screamed.'
(The Vampire Armand)
I cannot understand why they did this to Armand. Such cruelty is impossible for me to understand and there was no reason for it.

- Status of Armand in the films Interview with the Vampire and The Queen of the Damned -
I enjoyed Antonio's performance very much even if he did not look 17 years old and did not really fit the book's description of Armand. However Antonio was very attractive and made a great vampire. Maybe he would have been better cast as Khayman or better still Santino.
In the Queen of the Damned he will be played by Matthew Newton who is definately closer to the teenage Armand. I have never seen him act before.

If you like Armand vote for him and then visit

The Angel's Descent into hell
This is not specifically about Armand however it contains a section on him. It is written by the unknown first fledgling of Daniel Malloy. Armand's grandchild then!
Armand's Room
Ksenia has created a unique and informative about her favourite vampire.
Armand's Wooden Castle
This is a truly beautiful site, with amazing content and a special focus on the events of the Vampire Armand. Irina also has several interesting sections on Armand's home town of Kiev. Highly recommended.

You can enter Armand's dungeon here.
Forlorn Angel - Amadeo
The Gateway of Life and Death
Il Villagio
Les Innocents
Frankie's excellent site details the former home of Armand and the children of darkness - the Parisian cemetary of Les Innocents. The only remainder of Les Innocents is a fountain in the Les Halles part of Paris. Next time I'm there, I think I'll take a picture...

Photo sources - IWTV by Anneke, innovation comics, JRM fansite