Tuesday, March 13, 2007

"Buffy" finally returns tomorrow

To anyone who thinks a soon-to-be middle aged man shouldn't be so obsessed with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," well, you're most certainly right. But at the risk of provoking the mockery of anyone in that contingent, just a reminder that "Buffy Season 8" finally hits stores tomorrow in funny-book form.

Why am I such a big "Buffy" supporter? If I really need to explain it, well, at its height, from about 1998-2001, Joss Whedon's smart, funny show was easily the best thing on TV at a time when the airwaves were polluted with a lot of crap.

It lasted at least one - and probably two - seasons too long, but after this long layoff I'm now ready for more. Here's what we've learned so far about the first comic coming Wednesday (with a few spoilers - be warned.)

Season eight starts about 15 months or so after Sunnydale got sucked into its own hellmouth. Buffy’s in Scotland, running Slayer Central Command with Xander Harris. (It turns out she was never in Italy; that blonde Spike and Angel saw in Rome near the end of “Angel’s” final season was a clever Buffy decoy.) Dawn is attending Berkeley but visiting her sister. Dawn boned a local “thricewise,” which caused her to grow some 60 feet in height.

About 1,800 "potentials" have now been transformed into slayers. The season begins with a Buffy-led assault on a church, which in turn gives Slayer Central a mystery to solve. The Initiative, or something like it, is seen on the edge of Sunnydale Crater. Something happens there.

I won't tell you anymore, mostly because I don't know much more, and won't until tomorrow with the rest of the world. What I do know is that Dark Horse Comics was sly enough to preview the first six or so pages, which I've dutifully reprinted again one more time here for your enjoyment. At the bottom are the covers for the second and third issues (that Willow cover just kicks royal ass.) Click on the photos to get a readable view, and enjoy!















11 comments:

jeremy said...

Cannot wait! The artwork looks great, too. AAAND, I think Whedon picks up Runaways this month, too. As for Buffy going on a season or 2 too long--I'm a huge "Once More, With Feeling" fan, plus Season 7 provided SO much for the characters in the periphery, namely, my girl Anya and my homeslice, Andrew. I think "Storyteller" from Season 7 is one of the best of the series. Have I told you to watch Veronica Mars? Do you watch Veronica Mars? Its (nearly) as good as Buff--but this network merger has watered it down a bit.
And, what's up, dude? Its Tuesday and no DVD pick?

Reel Fanatic said...

I guess I just had too much Buffy on my mind to make a DVD pick today, Jeremy .. If I had, it probably would have just been "Casino Royale" anyway, cause it's a pretty slow week .. And I definitely agree with you that seasons 6 and 7 had some epicly great episodes, but having Buffy die at the end of season five in that blaze of glory would have just been a great way to wrap it up in style

Anonymous said...

I have to say that although I was never HUGE into the show, I did like the episodes I saw but the comic looks bloody awesome. May have to pick it up at some point.

Divinity said...

Damn, there goes more cash to the comic store... Interesting thing with the Buffy series: I'm a big fan so I bought the DVD sets as they came out and dutifully set about watching them in highly concentrated form chronologically. I discovered that Season 2, watched in successive episodes, is a HUGE downer... couldn't even sit in front of the TV for a week after Angel got his soul back. Did I tell you that I met Xander in England? ;o)

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

cool artwork.. I wasn't very big on the series.. But I did like the movie version..I sort of watched an episode of Angel but it didn't make me jump up... neat blog you have here...

Reel Fanatic said...

There are indeed seasons that are better than others in the Buffy realm, Divinity, but I really liked season 2 myself ... Since Buffy and Angel were so central to the early episodes, before and after Angel turned bad were just intense viewing for me

Divinity said...

Oh, I totally agree that they're great episodes - well-written and character-intense. So well-done, in fact, that I couldn't make myself watch them again... at least, not by myself. I do better in group sittings. :)

Anne Rettenberg LCSW said...

What I thought made "Buffy" great was Sarah Michelle Gellar. She played the role seriously, as someone with the weight of the world on her shoulders, instead of like a ditz, which I think may have been the original idea (of the movie which I admit I never saw). Also some of the early episodes had a Stephen-King like quality of tapping into unconscious fears. I liked Angel initially too but both shows were on life support way, way after the plug should have been pulled.

Reel Fanatic said...

You're definitely right about Sarah, Elizabeth ... On paper, the show probably should have died an early death just like the movie, but she and her co-stars, most notably Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon and Anthony Stewart Head, gave it a long life no one could have predicted

Willo said...

Hey Reel,

I found your blog via a comment from you to mine. We seem to have lots of similar interests in film as well as tv-- adding you to the blogroll.

In addition to getting a grad degree for film arching, I am huge fan of Buffy and Veronica.

Thanks--

Willo
(not a Buffy reference, btw, rather Aussie.)

Reel Fanatic said...

I'll gladly add you to my ever-growing blogroll as well, Willo ... I'm afraid it seems that Veronica might not be long for this world, but she's not out for the count quite yet