Integra is apparently a descendent of Professor Abraham Van Helsing, one of the major characters from
Bram Stoker's novel,
Dracula.
In the novel, Van Helsing is a genius living in Amsterdam: he has a variety of degrees and honors,
and he is a doctor, philosopher, metaphysician, and "one of the most advanced scientists of his
time." Although he calls himself an old man, he is described as having "iron nerve", the "temper
of the ice brook", "indomitable resolution", "self-command", "toleration exalted from virtues to
blessings", and "the kindest and truest heart that beats." Even though his English is imperfect,
he is an eloquent and passionate speaker. He is somewhat reserved around strangers, but he is
always polite and kind.
Physically, Van Helsing is of medium height, strongly built, and has red hair and blue eyes.
Mina Harker, in her journal, has a good description of his physical appearance.
Van Helsing is the close friend and former teacher of Dr. John Seward. At Seward's request, Van
Helsing is called to England to examine Lucy Westenra after she falls mysteriously ill. He
recognizes that Lucy has lost a significant amount of blood, and although he forms some
suspicions about her illness after seeing two puncture marks on her neck, he refuses to explain
anything to Seward. However, everything that Van Helsing does is for a reason. Van Helsing, of
course, suspects that Lucy is being attacked by a vampire.
His fight to save Lucy's life is an uphill/downhill battle. Every time he seems to be succeeding,
something sets him back. He has four men, including himself and the three men who love Lucy,
give her blood transfusions at separate times to save her. For protection, he has Seward watch
over her during the night (Seward, on the third night, fails to do so, and Lucy becomes ill) and
places garlic in her room (Lucy's mother, on the first night of this, opens Lucy's window and
removes the garlic). His battle, however, is a losing one, and eventually, Van Helsing recognizes
that Lucy has become a vampire herself. He tells everyone that she will die soon, and she does.
One of Van Helsing's most notable traits is his open-mindedness. Van Helsing is willing to believe
that there are things in this world that cannot be explained by science or other means. Although
Seward and the others think he is crazy, as he tells Seward, "I want you to believe.... To believe
in things that you cannot." Thus, Van Helsing correctly recognizes that he is dealing with vampires
and the "Un-Dead." He has learned much from folk lore and legend, so he knows what vampires can do
(can assume the shapes of dogs, bats, and mist; are super strong; are sly and cunning; have no
reflection), what they fear and hate (garlic, crucifixes, the daytime), and how to kill them, (one
must remove their hearts or drive a wooden stake through them, then cut off their heads and stuff
their mouths with garlic).
Later, reports appear about children being led away by the "Bloofer Lady," only to be found later
with twin puncture marks in their neck. Van Helsing realizes that Lucy is at work. He explains
to Seward his conclusions, then leads Seward to Lucy's tomb, where they discover that her body is
missing from her coffin; the next day, her body has mysteriously returned, but it looks as if she
were alive. Van Helsing then explains to Quincey Morris and Arthur Holmwood the same, and
although they, too, believe he's mad, they reluctantly accompany him to her tomb. Again, her body
is missing, and while they wait outside her tomb, they see Lucy appear holding a child, her mouth
covered in blood. Lucy's expression is completely changed - it's demonic, evil, and she tries
to seduce Arthur but Van Helsing intervenes. She returns to her tomb. The next day, the four
men return and kill her, returning her body to normal and releasing her soul.
Afterwards, the four men meet with Jon and Mina Harker. Jon was the first to meet Dracula in
Transylvania; he escaped, but the ordeal left him nearly broken. Mina was Lucy's best friend
who also unknowningly saw Dracula bite Lucy the first time. They all agree to destroy Dracula
to prevent him from creating more victims. More events occur, and while the men are busy, they
somehow fail to see the obvious signs that Dracula has targeted Mina.
Van Helsing eventually accompanies Mina to Transyvlania, and the other men go after Dracula
himself. At Dracula's castle, Van Helsing stakes the three vampire sisters and takes
appropriate steps to prevent Dracula from returning to the lair. Van Helsing and Mina meet
up with the others, and in the final few pages, Harker and Morris manage to kill Dracula,
although Morris dies. Mina goes back to normal, Dracula is no more, and everyone is happy.
It seems a little odd that Integra is a descendent of Van Helsing, considering he's a widower
and his son died before reaching manhood. (He tells Seward that he loves Holmwood because
Holmwood looks exactly like his dead son would have.) But, then again,
Hellsing is
only inspired by
Dracula. Furthermore, apparently the character whom Integra is
supposed to represent from
Dracula is actually Mina Harker.