Hannibal vs Dexter (part 2): History of the characters outside of the show

Hannibal Lecter, than Dexter, draws its strength from a decade past of memorable films and books, as well as the masterful performance by Hopkins in a state of grace.
The series starring Mads Mikkelsen, moving the action prior to the capture of the famous cannibal (before and after Red Dragon The origins of evil), we showed a novel Hannibal: a respected psychiatrist, the protagonist of a seemingly normal life which, among the meanderings of a fully equipped kitchen, hiding a horrible secret.
However, as would Dexter, "there are no secrets, only hidden truths," and it is at this level, where the reality of things is completely camouflaged in an appearance not only ordinary but exemplary, which lights up the red thread unites the two serial killers.