Hannibal The Cannibal. Who is he, why is Anthony Hopkins so perfect, who is Mad Mikkelson? Well, friend, I'm about to tell you all about my favorite fictional character of all time: Hannibal Lecter.

Hannibal Lecter was created by Thomas Harris in the book Red Dragon. This is the first book of a series in which Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter causes chaos and havoc in the most gruesome and terrible ways.

Hannibal Lecter may seem to be just a freak character, there simply to be a thorn in everyone's sides, until Thomas Harris wrote Hannibal Rising, to describe why Hannibal does the things he does. Hannibal was raised in Lithuania during Hitler's rise to power.

SPOILERS AHEAD PLEASE READ THE BOOKS!!!!!

During this time, his family fled to a small cabin to escape the soldiers. His entire family, besides his sister, Mischa, is killed. He and his sister are taken captive by a band of Nazi deserters and kept together with another child. It isn't until the other child disappears that the men become truly frightening. Hannibal and Mischa wait until the men return, and they pry Mischa, only three years old, away from Hannibal, breaking his arm in the scuffle. Mischa is not only killed, in front of young Hannibal's eyes, but she is eaten. The deserters eat her, and in an attempt to keep Hannibal well, they feed his sister to him.

Now this is where his cannibalism comes from. But what else is Hannibal Lecter? Hannibal Lecter is a certifiable genius, fluent in many languages and schooled as a high-end surgeon, he is immeasurable by any test that might be taken. Hannibal Lecter could be the next Einstein, or Steven Hawking, should he have a liking for things like that. No, Hannibal likes to taste the most brilliant and beautiful things he can get his hands on, or, more appropriately, sink his teeth into.

Hannibal Lecter is portrayed by three men (unless you count "Manhunter," and no one counts "Manhunter." That movie was horrible). Anthony Hopkins ("Silence of the Lambs," "Red Dragon," "Hannibal"), Mads Mikkelson ("Hannibal" the television series) and Gaspard Ulliel ("Hannibal Rising")

Each of these actors brought great talent to the character by representing him in a way that was unmistakably perfect.

Anthony Hopkins did it best with "Silence of the Lambs," (we call him the Godly Sir Anthony Hopkins for a reason.) With his charm and gentlemanly manner, along with the ability to show just how truly frightening Hannibal can be, Anthony Hopkins hit the nail on the head with his performance.

Mads Mikkelson portrays Hannibal while he is still ripping up the Chesapeake (he's the Chesapeake Ripper, get it?) , before Will Graham Caught him. In this wild new twist on the story, Mads is able to show us just how manipulative, devious and a little flirtatious Hannibal can be when he wants something. (That something is Will Graham, I totally ship it even though we got canceled.)

Gaspard Ulliel portrays the young and devilishly handsome Hannibal, after his sister was brutally murdered and cannibalized. He gives Hannibal the correct blood lust and mystery, while reminding the audience that Hannibal is entirely too smart for anyone, even his aunt.

I highly recommend affiliating yourself with the character of Hannibal Lecter.

Oh did I mention? Dr. Hannibal Lecter has maroon eyes, that "reflect the light in pinpoints of red" (Thomas Harris Silence of the Lambs, pg. 16).