What type of literature is Varney the Vampire considered a precursor to?

Varney the Vampire is recognized as a precursor to penny dreadful comics because it embodies the sensational storytelling and Gothic elements that were characteristic of these early forms of popular literature. Penny dreadfuls were inexpensive serial stories that often featured macabre themes, supernatural beings, and exaggerated plots aimed at capturing the interest of a broad audience, particularly the working class. Varney introduced elements such as the vampire as a tragic figure and explored themes of horror, love, and morality, which became staples in penny dreadful narratives.

While modern novels certainly share a literary lineage with Varney, its closest relationship is with the penny dreadful format that aimed to entertain and shock readers through serialized tales filled with horror and adventure. The other genres mentioned, such as science fiction and fantasy, while they may incorporate supernatural elements, do not directly reflect the specific traditions and audience engagement that penny dreadfuls exemplified at the time Varney was published.