BACK TO THE BUFFYVERSE

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Buffy is a memory, and while Angel continues on television, Joss Whedon hasn’t given up exploring the facets of the world of vampires he created. The exploration kicks up a notch in December when Tales of the Vampires, a new horror series from Dark Horse set in the Buffy-verse hits shops.

Writer Brett Matthews and artist Sean Phillips gave readers a glimpse into things to come back in October’s Drawing On Your Nightmares, a special which also contained two other stories from the publisher’s horror creators.

This time around, though, Vampires sees the return of Buffy creator Joss Whedon and his writing team from the hit TV show.

“We'd done a very similar thing with Tales of the Slayers a couple years ago, and everyone involved liked it, so sometime in the middle of that production, Joss and I talked about doing a vampire book,” TotV editor Scott Allie told Newsarama. “For a while the focus was on getting him to finish Fray, while producing a bunch of TV shows. When those things started to wrap up, and the horror line started to take off, I thought it would be perfect to launch Vampires. And the writers from the show, a lot of them anyway, love comics, so it was easy to get them to sign on for some shorts.”

For the record, Whedon wrote three stories in Slayers, the 96-page, full-color original graphic novel collection of some of the best Slayer stories ever written.

As with the earlier project, Vampires features another impressive list of creators from within and outside of the Buffy cannon.

“So far Joss is writing a number of things, working with Cameron Stewart from Catwoman and a newcomer named Alex Sanchez,” Allie explained. “Drew Goddard is writing a couple stories too, one with Paul Lee drawing, and the other, a Dracula story. Jane Espenson has written a couple stories, one with Scott Morse and one with Jason Alexander, who's done some small press stuff. And so far covers are by John Totleben, Ben Templesmith, and Eric Powell.”

From the solicitation text released so far, while the series will have an anthology feel, there is a slight ongoing story involving a group of young Watchers in training and their eventual encounters with vampires.

“Well, the thing Joss is doing with Alex Sanchez is a framing sequence that ties it all together, about a group of young watchers in training being taken into a subbasement of the Watcher's Council, to meet with an ancient vampire who'll share with them some of the secret stories of his people. Within this general context, we get a variety of stories about vampires. That's the set up for the series,” Allie explained.

As mentioned, former Catwoman artist Cameron Stewart is also on board to draw a short story written by Whedon in the first issue. “I had been working on a pinup for Hellboy Weird Tales when Scott asked if I'd be interested in doing on a short Buffy The Vampire Slayer story,” Stewart said. “If I remember correctly I agreed before I knew who the writer was - when I found out it was Joss I was thrilled, because if you're going to have someone write a Buffy story, you're not going to get much better than the creator.”

Stewart’s story is entitled ‘Stacy.’ “There really only is one main character, Stacy, after whom the story is titled. The story is entirely narrated by her, we see everything through her eyes,” the artist explained.

“It's about a young, sort-of geeky girl who's always felt distant from other people, and who finds escape in fantasy fiction. She often feels like she'd like to be taken away to another world, dreams of being something other than human. One night she meets someone who - unfortunately - grants her wish...”

“Joss's script, although very brief, is one of the best stories I've illustrated. It was a joy to draw. He's a screenwriter who knows how to write for comics, which is nice because usually it seems to be the reverse.”

Other than these, expect to read stories about the King of Vampires, Dracula (written by Drew Goddard), Spike and Dru (also by Goddard), a poem called Spot the Vampire (by Jane Espenson with art by Scott Morse) in the coming months. Brett Matthews re-teams with his Spider-Man/Daredevil and Spider-Man & Wolverine artist Vatche Mavlian on a 14-page Victorian vampire mystery, ‘Jack’ in #2.

“Ben Edlund, creator of the Tick, has joined Joss's staff, and he's probably writing something and doing a cover for the last issue,” Allie concluded.

[Nakedmanatee]

Wow, Dark Horse really knows how to do licensed comics. Awesome line-up... Can't wait for more Ben Edlund stories!!
(Can an Angel/Tick crossover be far behind? Angel sucks blood... Ticks are generally known to do the same...)

[Aaron Weisbrod]

“Ben Edlund, creator of the Tick, has joined Joss's staff, and he's probably writing something and doing a cover for the last issue,” Allie concluded.

Ben Edlund?!?

SWEET!

However...

"Last issue?"

Is this a mini-series? I was under the impression that it was an ongoing story...

Keepin' his hopes up,
Aaron Weisbrod

[MMJ]

It's a five issue mini-series, or so goes the solicitation.

I'm very much looking forward to this, but will be waiting for the inevitable trade so that it can sit on my bookshelf next to the wonderful "Tales of the Slayer" graphic novel from a couple of years back.

[Tom Daylight]

They've hand-picked the best writers from the TV show... this series is going to be great!

I hope Joss Whedon writes many more comic books in the near future.

[unlinear]

I started watching Angel again a few weeks ago after missing the first episodes of the season and was surprised to notice Ben Edlund's name on the credits.

The episode was the Halloween one (still need to Tivo-watch the more recent one) and although it had a slow start it had an almost un-Buffy-verse weird kind of humor to it. I'm assuming mr Edlund had something to do with this - the slow start was made up for with the bizarre conclusion and some awesome cracks and lines.

Either way, thought I'd mention that Tickalicious fact. I'm definately picking up this book (have never bothered with the rest, though I'll buy the Fray TPB).

[DarthRandall]

I was gonna check this one out anyway, but after seeing the lineup and some of the stories down the pike (Spike and Dru? Spot the Vampire?!?!(Could this be a vampire dog?)), I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully it won't "Fray" on us and ship on time. (sorry to go negative there, but that wait was just awful).

[Tom Daylight]

I read it more as a "Where's Wally" type of title...

[FIG]

I'd love to see more Fray as a comic or show. Fray should be Joss's next show if he were to do another one besides Angel.

[Userama]

"Buffyverse"?

"Buffyverse"?

It was retarded enough that this show somehow gained a cult following, but now it has its own unofficial cosmology?

And we're calling it...the "Buffyverse"?

sigh..

[Yossi K]

The real question for me is - what's going to happen with the Buffy comic book series ? Is it cancelled ? on hiatus ? Anyone know ?

[Nakedmanatee]

Originally posted by Userama
"Buffyverse"?

"Buffyverse"?

It was retarded enough that this show somehow gained a cult following, but now it has its own unofficial cosmology?

And we're calling it...the "Buffyverse"?

sigh..

Userama's To-Do List

1.)Watch Buffy.
2.)Regret previous activity, try to wash away cheap and used feeling.
3.)Read any and all articles Buffy related.
4.)Throw up from sense of shame.
5.)Watch Angel.
6.)Get on the internet and insult as many Buffy fans as possible.
7.)Have a moment of conscience, of true humanity... Apologize for insulting behavior, recognize it as a defense mechanism against the cruel, unfeeling world. Decide to read Mrs. Dalloway and examine place in the world.
8.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about Sarah Michelle Gellar naked.
9.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about the guy who plays Spike naked.
10.)Feel sense of anger returning.
11.)Attack girl scouts, then make fun of Buffy fans.
12.)Get assed kicked by said girl scouts.
13.)Wonder why there isn't a CSI: Boise, Idaho.
14.)Write fan letter to Joss Whedon suggesting crossover with CSI: Boise.
15.)Become weary, fall asleep on couch, dreaming angry dreams about the Buffyverse.
16.)Start next day. Repeat list.

affectionately,

[Cartoon Jay]

Originally posted by Nakedmanatee
Userama's To-Do List

1.)Watch Buffy.
2.)Regret previous activity, try to wash away cheap and used feeling.
3.)Read any and all articles Buffy related.
4.)Throw up from sense of shame.
5.)Watch Angel.
6.)Get on the internet and insult as many Buffy fans as possible.
7.)Have a moment of conscience, of true humanity... Apologize for insulting behavior, recognize it as a defense mechanism against the cruel, unfeeling world. Decide to read Mrs. Dalloway and examine place in the world.
8.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about Sarah Michelle Gellar naked.
9.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about the guy who plays Spike naked.
10.)Feel sense of anger returning.
11.)Attack girl scouts, then make fun of Buffy fans.
12.)Get assed kicked by said girl scouts.
13.)Wonder why there isn't a CSI: Boise, Idaho.
14.)Write fan letter to Joss Whedon suggesting crossover with CSI: Boise.
15.)Become weary, fall asleep on couch, dreaming angry dreams about the Buffyverse.
16.)Start next day. Repeat list.

affectionately,

BWA-HA-HA-HAAAA!!!! Thanks, Nakedmanatee. Funny stuff. (You're not from Sarasota, are you? Just wondering where your handle comes from.)

I just started watching Angel again this season (since West Wing went rappidly from being the best show on television to the worst I have some time) and I'm really enjoying it. Enough to catch up on my "Buffyverse" by watching Angel re-runs ... and probably enough to check out this series.

[Fazhoul]

I was a big fan of the Buffy TV show and I still watch Angel but, for some reason, I never got into the comic books. I bought Buffy for about a year or so but I just never warmed to it. I did enjoy the Tales of the Slayer GN though so I might check out this mini.

[Nakedmanatee]

Originally posted by Cartoon Jay
BWA-HA-HA-HAAAA!!!! Thanks, Nakedmanatee. Funny stuff. (You're not from Sarasota, are you? Just wondering where your handle comes from.)

I just started watching Angel again this season (since West Wing went rappidly from being the best show on television to the worst I have some time) and I'm really enjoying it. Enough to catch up on my "Buffyverse" by watching Angel re-runs ... and probably enough to check out this series.

It comes from a jam book that several of my favorite authors contributed to (most notably, Dave Barry, Carl Hiassen, Elmore Leonard) called "Naked Came the Manatee." It's a funny, crazy book with a different author writing each subsequent chapter, kinda like the old DC Challenge maxi-series.

Dave, wondering if he's the only one who remembers that one

[slug N lettuce]

Did they cancel Buffy comic because of low sells? If so that seems a little short sighted because about now people are starting to feel the hurt of no new slayer episodes. Since over the summer we are used to not having new slayer episodes fans wouldn't start feeling the missing void untill the fall line-up started. I know I am. I never really read the comic book. In fact the only issue I remember buying was a Dark Horse Presents that was dedicated to the women of Dark Horse, with a Star Wars, Buffy, and Xena story. I bought it for the Star Wars story, but I was really surprised how good the Buffy story was. Yet still I did not buy Buffy. This October I started to buy Previews again and I tried to look up Buffy to see if the storyline was going to be a new one this Dec. or if it was smack dab in the middle of one. Obviously I didnt see Buffy and later found out it was cancelled. All I can say is if the numbers were the reason for cancellation it was pre-mature in my opinion. If numbers didnt go up by Feb. or March then there would probably have been no hope on the other hand it could have seen a giant jump in sales due to fans jumping on the only Buffy stories they can get their splinter filled hands on. Thats my story and im sticking to it.

[Tom Daylight]

I don't think he Buffy series are cancelled, per se. After TotV I expect it will come back, but in some other form.

Personally I'd like to see if they can adapt the unused animated scripts into comic books.

[FIG]

.....not that theres anything wrong with that. I've watched 5 Buffy episodes total ever but after collecting Fray,I think Joss should be writing comics instead of making shows. The series was so strong, I'm surprised that he decided to put it away.

[Userama]

Originally posted by Nakedmanatee
Userama's To-Do List

1.)Watch Buffy.
2.)Regret previous activity, try to wash away cheap and used feeling.
3.)Read any and all articles Buffy related.
4.)Throw up from sense of shame.
5.)Watch Angel.
6.)Get on the internet and insult as many Buffy fans as possible.
7.)Have a moment of conscience, of true humanity... Apologize for insulting behavior, recognize it as a defense mechanism against the cruel, unfeeling world. Decide to read Mrs. Dalloway and examine place in the world.
8.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about Sarah Michelle Gellar naked.
9.)While reading Mrs. Dalloway, think about the guy who plays Spike naked.
10.)Feel sense of anger returning.
11.)Attack girl scouts, then make fun of Buffy fans.
12.)Get assed kicked by said girl scouts.
13.)Wonder why there isn't a CSI: Boise, Idaho.
14.)Write fan letter to Joss Whedon suggesting crossover with CSI: Boise.
15.)Become weary, fall asleep on couch, dreaming angry dreams about the Buffyverse.
16.)Start next day. Repeat list.

affectionately,

That was a really long post.

(I got the idea for this rebuttal from some of my favorite writers, like David Sedaris, Dave Eggers, the guy who writes the blurbs for Mcsweeny's internet tendency and lots of other snarky no talent yuppies trafficking in 90s era irony and sarcasm. Also I read the Onion everyday because it's so funny and cultural astute.)

(I got the idea for the previous parenthetical from Jesus. He whizzed it into my brain in a brilliant, Paulian vision on the road to Damascus. I never would have thought of any of that without him.)

("Buffyverse"?)

[paulski]

Originally posted by slug N lettuce
Did they cancel Buffy comic because of low sells? If so that seems a little short sighted because about now people are starting to feel the hurt of no new slayer episodes.

Nah. I've actually found that the lack of a supporting TV show brings a quicker end to a comic series. Out of sight, out of mind - the interest just isn't there any more. The Topps X-Files and Xena comics sank like a stone towards the end of those TV series' runs, and there was a similar trend in evidence with the Buffy monthly - I think it was selling way less than 20,000 copies a month and dropping. Bad numbers for a franchise comic.

And it does seem to me as though it was sales that was the primary reason. Scott Allie has said that there will be specials and minis in coming months, and there's no reason for Dark Horse to change the format of a comic if it's selling okay at the time.

Sure, there will be people like you and I who miss the TV show, but not enough that will pick up the comic after the show is gone.

[littlewolvie]

I don't mind an extra (Buffy) series, but maybe somebody can tell me what happened to the regular, ongoing book. I've noticed it hasn't been in the Previews for two months in a row. Is this just a small break or has the series been ended? Just wondering...

[littlewolvie]

Oops... seems paulski just answered my question. Thanks.

[paulski]

Any time.

[Nakedmanatee]

Originally posted by Userama
That was a really long post.

(I got the idea for this rebuttal from some of my favorite writers, like David Sedaris, Dave Eggers, the guy who writes the blurbs for Mcsweeny's internet tendency and lots of other snarky no talent yuppies trafficking in 90s era irony and sarcasm. Also I read the Onion everyday because it's so funny and cultural astute.)

(I got the idea for the previous parenthetical from Jesus. He whizzed it into my brain in a brilliant, Paulian vision on the road to Damascus. I never would have thought of any of that without him.)

("Buffyverse"?)

DUDE! I totally stole the whole list idea from Dave Eggers! I've been reading A.H.W.O.S.G and now I can't stop communicating in list format. Either way, the Brotherhood of Eggers takes precedence, I relent and take back any disparaging Mrs. Dalloway comments. When the argument breaks down to Virgina Woolf denigrations*, it's just gone too far, man. I crossed the line.

But keep goin' with the parenthical***thing, man. You've got something there. It's crazy. It's hip. And it works.

*note: unsure if denigrations is an actual word. Lord knows I've never said "denigrations" in everyday conversations, like: "Ohh my head hurts, the denigrations** are back." It just sounded bitchin'.

**note, the 2nd: I am SO aware that my second usage of the word denigrations, if it actually *is* a word and not just something I pulled out of my ass, which is a gross phrase if you think about it literally and I'm not sure why people use it, but I did, so I really can't judge, is not the same as the first. I deliberately used said word in a different way as to affect humor. I realize that it may not have had the intended effect.

***note, the 3rd: Unsure if parenthical is a word, or if it is a word, if it's being properly spelled. Lord knows I've never said "parenthical" in everyday conversations, like: "I can't help you put your parents in a nursing home. It's a parenthical issue."

By the way, if the term "Buffyverse" rankles, may I suggest the "Mr.Pointyverse"?

your fellow taxpayer,

Dave

[slug N lettuce]

Im pretty sure the Topps X-Files comic was a mini-series. Even if it wasnt the art was horrible and it just plain sucked. The only way I would buy an X-FIles comic is if they decided to do a comic about William and his journey as leader of the alien race or whoever he is supposed to be leader of. That would be cool. I personally believe that if they wait too long then it will be an out of sight out of mind situation, but the Buffyverse* has a definate comic appeal to it. Im sure Xena did too but it just didnt have as dedicated a following as Buffy. When I worked at a comic book store in the late ninties (where we never recieved any new issues of the X-Files Topps comics but had plenty of back issues of it, it had to be a mini or it was very short lived) the people who were the Buffy fans were of the intense variety. They religously bought anything that had to do with Buffy. I remember when a trinket set came out that had a book, holy water , the necklace Angel gives Buffy, and probably something else, it was expensive but they bought it in droves. Sure they arent enough to constitute a comic, it takes people like me who are the more casual fan to make a comic a success. And for now it could be, in my opinion because of the void left. But you are right, it wont be long untill most like me will lose intrest enough to pass up a comic book. I personally would buy one even if it came out a year from now, but I think over the past 3 years Ive grown to like the show more than casually.
* (I just dont see that phrase as a big deal, maybe Ive been reading comics too long and have seen the birth of hundreds of new universes through it, every comic company has one, some even have two universes)

**(I dont think I really made a new point, if anything I proved your point, but Im gonna post anyway, i spent too long on it)