Welcome back to the HELLMOUTH!
Yup the Title Says it All!!!
When Buffy the Vampire Slayer signed off from the small screen in 2003, TV viewers had to bid a tearful goodbye to a franchise that never thought it could have been anything after the initial offering of the movie with Kristy Swanson and the late Luke Perry. But if the show, which debuted in 1997 is to be based on, the effect is definitely made more valid as the fan base not only doubled, and increased cumulatively, it also stayed loyal.
So when Joss Whedon decided that the franchise will continue on in comic book form through Dark Horse Comics, everyone was excited. I was one of them. I read the 8th season in the comics and was surprised to find out that it wasn’t the season that I was expecting. The story line went in different directions and the supposed Big Bad wasn’t one for me after all. In short, the medium which afforded no restrictions, save for the imagination of both the writer and the reader, lacked the linear storyline that most seasonal arcs of the show had. If you ask me, Season 2 and 5 were the best for me.
The cover of issue 1 which reminds me of the pose that Swanson had in the movie poster, albeit this time with some shadowy characters in the background, opens with our favorite Slayer working at a fast food place called Tunaverse. Heaven for those who eat nothing but that, except our favorite Slayer, isn’t happy working there and had allowed routine to take hold of her life. Lucky for her, and for us, two patrons of the place just left and were being harassed by a local vampire. Cue a little banter just before he got the pointy end of the stick.
I was pleasantly surprised to read that these two victims were none other than two of our favorite Scooby Gang members, Xander and Willow. While they were never a couple in the show, Willow has always been pining for Xander while he is forever smitten with Buffy. I have a feeling that they may not change this dynamic initially but their introduction and how they find out about her certainly has been.
Yes, ANGEL I am looking for you! Where are you?
As I am liking what I have read so far, from a restructuring of character origins, to the actor-accurate drawings of the main players, it is the one issue that I hope will attract new readers while keeping the old. Give me Issue 2 already!
Hail Buffy!
The full cast recently reunited for a 20th Anniversary photo, as photographed by Entertainment Weekly. I am still scouring the ends of the earth for this collectors edition of a issue. Suffice to say I am ready to pay the price because for me….Buffy Is Forever!