Buffyverse canon and comics seasons 8-10 Wikipedia pages

Buffyverse canon
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The Buffyverse canon consists of materials that are thought to be genuine (or "official") and those events, characters, settings, etc., that are considered to have inarguable existence within the fictional universe established by the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Buffyverse is expanded through other additional materials such as comics, novels, pilots, promos and video games which do not necessarily take place in exactly the same fictional continuity as the Buffy episodes and Angel episodes. Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate and other prolific sci-fi and fantasy franchises have similarly gathered complex fictional continuities through hundreds of stories told in different formats.[1]


Contents  [hide]
1 Definition
2 Canon listing
3 Comics and novels 3.1 Works by Buffyverse writers and cast 3.1.1 Joss Whedon
3.1.2 Mutant Enemy
3.1.3 Buffyverse cast
3.2 Works by other authors 3.2.1 Continuity problems
3.2.2 Joss Whedon's involvement
3.2.3 Sanction by Joss Whedon

4 Other Buffyverse productions 4.1 Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992 film)
4.2 Television pilots
4.3 Screen tests
4.4 Promos
4.5 Video games
4.6 Undeveloped productions
5 Unofficial works
6 References
7 External links

Definition[edit]
Using the religious analogy of a canon of scripture (see Biblical canon), things that are not canon are considered "apocryphal." When a body of work is not specifically accepted or rejected by an authority, "canon" can be a fluid term that is interpreted differently by different people. This is the case with "Buffyverse canon," which has yet to be publicly defined by an authority to the satisfaction and consensus of all observers (see: links to canon debates). The creator of the Buffyverse, Joss Whedon, has implied that additional materials he was not heavily involved in creating were separate from canon.[2] When asked in an interview about canon, Whedon stated:
“ Canon is key, as is continuity. If you are massive nerd. Which I am. I believe there's a demarcation between the creation and ancillary creations by different people. I'm all for that stuff, just like fanfic, but I like to know what's there's an absolutely official story-so-far, especially when something changes mediums, which my stuff seems to do a lot.[3] ”
Canon listing[edit]
This is an overview of what has been dubbed official Buffyverse canon by series creator Joss Whedon:
All 144 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
All 110 episodes of Angel
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight comic series and related one-shots
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine and Angel and Faith comic series, as well as spin-offs
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten and Angel and Faith Volume 2 comic series
The Angel: After the Fall comic series (#1-17)
The Spike: After the Fall comic series
The Spike comic series
The Fray comic series
The Tales of the Slayers comic series
The Tales of the Vampires comic series
Comics and novels[edit]


 This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this section if you can. (December 2007)
Outside of the TV series, the Buffyverse has been expanded and elaborated on by various authors and artists in the so-called "Buffyverse Expanded Universe". The Buffyverse novels and Buffyverse comics are licensed by 20th Century Fox, but are generally considered 'less real' within the Buffyverse (apocryphal).[4]
Despite this, they have been licensed as official Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel merchandise. Furthermore, many authors have said that Whedon or his office have had to approve their overall outline for their novel or comic if not the final product. This was to prevent the stories venturing too far from the original intentions of Buffy/Angel stories (see below). These works are commonly considered non-canon. Jeff Mariotte, author of Buffyverse novels and comics has said:
“ The rule in licensed fiction is that what's on the screen is canon, and the rest is not.[4] ”
Works by Buffyverse writers and cast[edit]
Joss Whedon[edit]
Work created with Joss Whedon's involvement has been described as canon by commentators,[5] and by Whedon himself. For example he announced in 2005:
“ Darkhorse Comics are starting a new Buffy comic, and as I understand it, it will take place after the end of Buffy and Angel and be canon in the Buffy world. And I understand it that way 'cause I'm writing it![6] ”
In a separate interview, Whedon spoke of the planning process for the series:
“ I basically said, "We could do something and for once we could make it canon. We could make it officially what happened after the end of the show."[7] ”
Whedon has also written the comic mini-series Long Night's Journey, as well as short stories for Tales of the Slayers and Tales of the Vampires.
Fray is an eight-part comic series written by Whedon, about a Vampire Slayer of the future named Melaka Fray. In the Buffyverse, a powerful scythe used by Buffy is found in centuries to come by Melaka Fray. In 2001, whilst Whedon was still producing Buffy, he spoke about his concern of implications of information established by Fray (and Buffy comics generally) affecting the canon Buffyverse:
“ When it comes to Buffy, I do the show and that's it. Anything I do in a comic might interfere with the canon, or interfere with what I'm doing on the show. With Fray, I thought, okay, I'll do something new, that's in the Buffy universe so that I don't have to create a whole new universe for my first foray into comics. It can therefore be of interest to the fans, yet not interfere with anything.[8] ”
However, the Buffy series finale did not match continuity set by Fray. In Fray no mention is made of the Slayer's essence being split amongst multiple women.[9] When asked about the apparent contradictions between Buffy and Fray, Whedon responded:
“ No, that’s actually something I hope to deal with, either in the Spike format or in another series of Fray. There’s a discrepancy there that I plan to explain. I have a vision for it.[2] ”
In an interview with TV Guide, Whedon revealed that he considered TV tie-in comics to be "ancillary" unless written by the script-writers:
“ "TVGuide.com: Have you seen the Battlestar Galactica comic?
Whedon: No, I don't think I can do it. I love Battlestar too hard. I couldn't look at any ancillary work.
TVGuide.com: I love Buffy "hard," so are you saying we fans shouldn't read the [Buffy the Vampire Slayer season eight (by Whedon)]?
Whedon: No, because if they stopped doing Battlestar Galactica, and then two or three years later Ron Moore and David Eick said, "We ourselves are going to continue the story in comic-book form—as opposed to something ancillary to the show done by other people," then I would be all over it. That's not to say the Battlestar comic isn't great, but I love that show the way other people love Buffy. I love it unreasonably."[7]
 ”
Mutant Enemy[edit]
Several of the comics have been written by the scriptwriters of Mutant Enemy Productions. Doug Petrie wrote comics Ring of Fire, Double Cross, and Bad Dog. Jane Espenson has written comics (Haunted, Jonathan, and Reunion), as well as two Tales of the Slayer prose shorts ("Again, Sunnydale" and "Two Teenage Girls at the Mall"). Rebecca Rand Kirshner also wrote a prose short story for Tales of the Slayer, "The War Between the States".
Buffyverse cast[edit]
Two actors have co-authored comics with Christopher Golden. James Marsters, who portrayed Spike, co-authored "Paint the Town Red", whilst Amber Benson co-authored Willow & Tara. Benson also wrote the comic short story "The Innocent".
Works by other authors[edit]
All other Buffyverse comics and novels were written by authors that were not involved with any level of production of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel. The creators of these works are generally free to tell their own stories set in the Buffyverse,[citation needed] and may or may not keep to established continuity. Similarly, writers for the TV series were under no obligation to use continuity which has been established by the Expanded Universe,[citation needed] and sometimes contradicted it.
Continuity problems[edit]
Usually the authors and editors of these licensed materials try not to contradict information that has been established by canon. However, many of the materials do directly contradict it. Jeff Mariotte has said:
“ Sometimes stuff shows up on screen that contradicts what you wrote, and sometimes the timing is such that a book comes out after the episode that contradicts it airs.[4] ”
For example, according to Monster Island, Spike and Gunn meet in the Hyperion Hotel in Angel Season 3;[10] however, the canonical Angel TV series later established that Spike and Gunn meet in the Wolfram and Hart L.A. offices in Angel Season 5.[11]
Some of the licensed materials successfully avoid contradicting any information given in episodes. For example, How I Survived My Summer Vacation features short stories that take place after Buffy Season 1 but before Season 2.
Joss Whedon's involvement[edit]
A number of comments by Buffyverse writers have indicated that although they know they are not writing Buffyverse canon, overviews for their stories may still have been checked over by Whedon.
Referring to Whedon, Christopher Golden said:
“ He has to approve everything. I should say, his office has to approve everything, so sometimes he gets more involved than others in doing those approvals.[12] ”
In a separate interview, Golden said:
“ There are times in both books and comics when I know he has gotten involved because the word, sort of, comes down from him.[13] ”
Similarly, Peter David was asked about his comic, Spike: Old Times, and said:
“ Ostensibly comments came from Whedon, although for all I know, it was from an associate.[14] ”
Jeff Mariotte has revealed more detail of the approval process:
“ I come up with a proposal that's eight or ten pages long and I submit that to Pocket Books. They read it and if they like it then they submit it to 20th Century Fox and the Buffy office. If everybody approves it then I can get to work ... if I proposed doing something that was counter to what they wanted the direction of the character to be, they would tell me.[15] ”
Mariotte implies that little input is given, only acceptance or rejection of general ideas:
“ In the world of licensing there is a difference between 'approval' and 'input', and I'm not sure what the legal relationship between Fox and Mutant Enemy is. My impression is that Fox is doing everything in its power to make sure Joss is happy with what we do, and I know that Joss is looking at everything and making comments or thumbs-up, thumbs-down on stuff.[4] ”
When asked how much attention he pays to licensed works, Whedon said:
“ Not very much. I just don’t have time. I give them a few guidelines of things they should stay away from, things that we’re going to be dealing with or things that would disrupt the canon or things that are just antithetical to what I believe in.[2] ”
Elsewhere, Whedon has pointed out that he has never entirely read a single Buffy novel, and has little time to devote to such material. He therefore knows little of the final product, or of their quality control.
Sanction by Joss Whedon[edit]
In one instance, Whedon has endorsed a comic neither written nor supervised by him, The Origin by Christopher Golden and Dan Brereton, as canonical. An adaptation of the 1992 Buffy film which was reworked to fit the television series' continuity, Whedon said this of the comic:
“ The origin comic, though I have issues with it, CAN pretty much be accepted as canonical. They did a cool job of combining the movie script (the SCRIPT) with the series, that was nice, and using the series Merrick.[16] ”
Brian Lynch, writer of Spike: Asylum and Spike: Shadow Puppets, had no involvement in the production of the Buffy or Angel television series, but was charged by Joss Whedon with producing the canonical comic series Angel: After The Fall. Betta George, a character created by Lynch, has since been brought into the official canon.[17] Angel: After the Fall also makes explicit reference to Spike: Asylum within its pages. After After the Fall became an ongoing series penned by various writers, the canonicity of later stories is somewhat nebulous without the explicit say-so of those involved or Whedon himself.
Other Buffyverse productions[edit]
Excluding the Buffy and Angel television episodes, novels, and comics, there have been a variety of other official productions set within the Buffyverse. They are largely regarded as apocryphal, and some are contradicted by other canonical works.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992 film)[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the 1992 comedy film starring Kristy Swanson as Buffy, was written by Joss Whedon and directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui. In 2001, Whedon described his experience watching the film:
“ I finally sat down and had written it and somebody had made it into a movie, and I felt like -- well, that's not quite her. It's a start, but it's not quite the girl.[18] ”
The film contradicts continuity established by the Buffy television series; for example, the nature of vampires differs in significant ways: in the film, vampires do not have "vamp" faces whilst feeding, and can fly. They also do not turn into dust when killed. As noted above, the canonicity of this film is superseded by The Origin.
Television pilots[edit]
Whedon wrote and partly funded a 25-minute unaired Buffy pilot[19] to help sell the series concept, but he was not happy with the final product (he has been quoted in an interview about the pilot, "It sucks on ass"[20]). The story is nearly identical to the plot of the first Buffy episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth", which supersedes it in canon; there are minor canonical changes, including the recasting of some roles and slight personality changes for some characters.
The unaired Angel pitch tape was produced prior to that series. It features Angel speaking toward the camera (possibly breaking the Fourth wall) and narrating action seen in clips.
Screen tests[edit]
Two Buffyverse screen tests have been widely released, both of which are found on the Angel Season 3 DVD set (disc six): Amy Acker's screen test for the role of Winifred Burkle, and Vincent Kartheiser's test for the role of Connor. These are associated with Angel cast and crew. Acker's test involves a scene with the characters, Fred, Wesley and Gunn. Fred tries and fails to alert Wesley to an imminent danger but Wesley (and later Gunn) are struck by a love spell which causes them to profess their love for her. Kartheiser's test involves the characters Connor and Angel. Connor wishes to leave the Hyperion, but Angel attempts to stop him. It was noted that in this screen test, Connor was not Angel's son, but a boy who had come to live with him.
Promos[edit]
Some promotional material aired on WB and UPN featured Buffyverse actors portraying their characters in original material. For example, Sarah Michelle Gellar appeared as Buffy for 1-800-COLLECT adverts. Similarly Nicholas Brendon played Xander in Barq's commercials. Some Buffy Season 6 UPN promos consisted of the Scooby Gang talking about Buffy. Whedon's degree of involvement in the making of such promotional clips is not publicly known.
Video games[edit]
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer video games do not contradict continuity established by the series. Furthermore, many of the actors from the shows have provided their voices for the games. Joss Whedon was involved in Chaos Bleeds, and appears in the game's special features.
Undeveloped productions[edit]
Mutant Enemy Productions have at various times gone into the early stages of development with potential Buffyverse spinoffs that were ultimately unproduced. Faith the Vampire Slayer, Ripper, Slayer School, and the Spike movie would have taken place within the same fictional continuity.[citation needed] Buffy the Animated Series might have followed a slightly alternative continuity since promotional artwork has shown that the Sunnydale High library would have looked dramatically different from in the Buffy episodes.[21]
The David Fury-written script "Corrupt" establishes an alternative continuity after the premiere Angel episode, "City of". Events that take place in the story are instead superseded by the continuity of the second Angel episode, "Lonely Hearts", the episode which was written to replace "Corrupt".
Unofficial works[edit]
Main article: Unofficial Buffy the Vampire Slayer productions
Various works are not licensed by 20th Century Fox as Buffy/Angel merchandise, and do not have any involvement from any Buffyverse cast and crew. These include adult (pornographic) parodies and fan films.
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ See Star Trek canon, Star Wars canon. These canons have been more clearly defined than the Buffyverse canon.
2.^ Jump up to: a b c Faraci, Devin, Exclusive Interview: Joss Whedon, CHUD.com (September 22, 2005)
3.Jump up ^ Brady, Matt, "Joss Whedon talks Angel, After the Fall", Newsarama.com (April 26, 2007).
4.^ Jump up to: a b c d Naso, Markisan, Jeff Mariotte: Cursed, Silver Bullet Comic Books (2005)
5.Jump up ^ Allie, Scott "An Interview with Scott Allie". Stakesandsalvation.com (May 16, 2007)
6.Jump up ^ Whedon, Joss "Joss to never learn how to work site!". Whedonesque.com (November 09 2005)
7.^ Jump up to: a b Rudolph, Ileane,"Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is Back: The Complete Joss Whedon Q&A". TV Guide (December 7, 2006)
8.Jump up ^ Nazzaro, Joe, "Interview with Joss Whedon", Starburst #48 (June 2001). Cited from fanficcafe.
9.Jump up ^ Whedon, Joss, "Chosen", Buffy TV episode (2003)
10.Jump up ^ Golden, Christopher & Sniegoski, Thomas E., Monster Island, Pocket Books, (March 2003)
11.Jump up ^ Whedon, Joss, "Conviction" Angel TV series (2003).
12.Jump up ^ Bratton, Kristy, "Behind the Scenes with Christopher Golden", Cityofangel.com (2000).
13.Jump up ^ Bratton, Kristy, "Dragon*Con 2000", Cityofangel.com (2000).
14.Jump up ^ David, Peter, "Spike Comic", Peterdavid.malibulist.com (March 12, 2005).
15.Jump up ^ Barrera, Rachel, "City of Angel - Jeff Mariotte: Armed with Pen and Stake", Cityofangel.com (2000).
16.Jump up ^ Hsiao, James T. (archiver), "Bronze VIP Archive" The Bronze (January 17, 1999).
17.Jump up ^ Lynch, Brian (2007-07-27). "Comments on 13845: (SPOILER) First smidgen of info from IDW's 'Angel:After the Fall' panel at Comic-Con.". Retrieved 2007-07-31.
18.Jump up ^ Ervin-Gore, Shawna, "Dark Horse; Joss Whedon" darkhorse.com (2001).
19.Jump up ^ Topping, Keith "Slayer". Virgin Publishing, (December 1, 2004), p7
20.Jump up ^ Ken, P., "An Interview with Joss Whedon", filmforce.ign.com, page 10 (June 23, 2003).
21.Jump up ^ Wight, Eric (2003). "Sunnydale High School Library: Visual Development". Ericwight.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2007.
External links[edit]
Buffy Canon vs. Fanon
Whedonesque.com - A long debate over what is or is not 'canon'


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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten
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 This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (April 2014)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten

Publication information

Publisher
Dark Horse Comics
Schedule
Monthly
Format
Limited series
Genre
Fantasy
Publication date
March 2014
Number of issues
30 (each core series)
Main character(s)
Scooby Gang
Creative team

Writer(s)
Buffy:
Christos Gage
Nicholas Brendon
Angel & Faith:
Victor Gischler
Penciller(s)
Buffy:
Rebekah Isaacs
Angel & Faith:
Will Conrad
Creator(s)
Joss Whedon
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten is the sequel to the Season Nine comic book series, a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The Season Ten brand continues the two ongoing series that formed Season Nine: Buffy and Angel & Faith. The creative team of Angel & Faith in Season Nine, writer Christos Gage and penciler Rebekah Isaacs, are the creative team behind Buffy Season Ten. Victor Gischler and Will Conrad will take over Angel & Faith in this season.[1] The first issue of Buffy Season Ten was released in March 19, 2014, while the first issue of Angel & Faith (vol. 2) will be released the following month.[2]


Contents  [hide]
1 Production
2 Publication 2.1 Core series 2.1.1 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten 2.1.1.1 Single issues
2.1.2 Angel & Faith Season Ten 2.1.2.1 Single issues


3 References
4 External links

Production[edit]
As in the preparation for the previous season, there was a writer's summit in spring 2013, months before Season Nine ended. Along with all the creators from Season Nine, Victor Gischler and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon joined the team.[2]
Publication[edit]
Core series[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"New Rules, Part I" 1 March 19, 2014
Writer: Christos Gage | Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
New season. New rules. The age-old battle of Slayer vs. vampire is the focus of Buffy's life once again--- it's downright nostalgic! But with all the toying with magic she's done lately, this girl should know it's time for another game change ... Shouldn't she?

"New Rules, Part II" 2 April 23, 2014
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
The Scoobies are back--- including li'l Giles! Revelations about a new kind of vampire menace and the blank Vampyr book have only just begun. Everyone has a job to do, and for Buffy, it's treading the road of past relationships! Lucky girl ...

"New Rules, Part III" 3 May 21, 2014
Writer: Christos Gage and Nicholas Brendon Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Actor Nicholas Brendon joins the creative team as his character Xander acquires help from his old friend—um, master—Dracula. The new vampires are still a mystery, and unquestionably similar to Drac ... Meanwhile, Buffy and Willow track down one of those new vampires as a study specimen!

"New Rules, Part IV" 4 June 18, 2014
Writer: Christos Gage and Nicholas Brendon Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Getting help from Dracula seemed like a good idea, until he stole the Vampyr book—and Xander! Now Buffy, Spike, Dawn, Willow, and Giles must save Xander and retrieve the book before it’s too late. Dracula has already begun to study how the lack of magical rules can work in his favor ...
Angel & Faith Season Ten[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"Where the River Meets the Sea, Part I" 1 April 2, 2014
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Will Conrad
Angel's work is never done. During his most recent world-saving, a part of London was transformed and flooded with magic. Who better to watch over this magical community than Angel? At least, that's what he thinks. Meanwhile, Faith starts a new chapter in her life---slaying zompires alongside Buffy?!

"Where the River Meets the Sea, Part II" 2 May 7, 2014
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Will Conrad
As Faith awkwardly settles into her new job at Kennedy’s bodyguards-for-hire company, Angel is finding that he knows less than everyone about what is going on in London’s magic town. Trying to get to the bottom of a fiendish group of scheming pixies, Angel travels further down a really wrong road ...

"Where the River Meets the Sea, Part III" 3 June 4, 2014
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Will Conrad
Angel has found everyone is going to the same person in London’s Magic Town for advice—and it’s decidedly not him. But she is someone Angel can take partial credit for . . . And the pixie menaces have stepped up their muscle with another lady from Angel’s past. Meanwhile, Faith is screwing up. Again.
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ Johnston, Rich (October 10, 2013). "Buffy Season Ten, And A Relaunched Angel & Faith, Together"". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
2.^ Jump up to: a b Glendening, Daniel (October 11, 2013). "NYCC Exclusive: Dark Horse Comics Unveils "Serenity" and "Buffy: Season 10"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 18 October 18, 2013.
External links[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer at Dark Horse Comics


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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search


Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine

Promotional artwork for Season 9 featuring both core series, Buffy and Angel & Faith. Art by Jo Chen.

Publication information

Publisher
Dark Horse Comics
Schedule
Monthly
Format
Limited series
Genre
Fantasy

Publication date
August 2011 – September 2013
Number of issues
25 (each core series)
 5 (each miniseries)
Main character(s)
Scooby Gang
Creative team

Writer(s)
Buffy:
Joss Whedon
Andrew Chambliss
Scott Allie
Jane Espenson
Drew Z. Greenberg
Angel & Faith:
Christos Gage
Spike: A Dark Place:
Victor Gischler
Willow: Wonderland:
Jeff Parker
Christos Gage
Penciller(s)
Buffy:
Georges Jeanty
Karl Moline
Cliff Richards
Ben Dewey
Angel & Faith:
Rebekah Isaacs
Phil Noto
Chris Samnee
Lee Garbett
Spike: A Dark Place:
Paul Lee
Willow: Wonderland:
Brian Ching
Creator(s)
Joss Whedon
Collected editions

Freefall
ISBN 978-1-59582-922-1
On Your Own
ISBN 978-1-59582-990-0
Guarded
ISBN 978-1-61655-099-8
Welcome to the Team
ISBN 978-1-61655-166-6
The Core
ISBN 978-1-61655-254-1
Live Through This
ISBN 978-1-59582-887-3
Daddy Issues
ISBN 978-1-59582-960-3
Family Reunion
ISBN 978-1-61655-079-0
Death and Consequences
ISBN 978-1-61655-165-0
What You Want, Not What You Need
ISBN 978-1-61655-253-4
Spike: A Dark Place
ISBN 978-1-61655-109-4
Willow: Wonderland
ISBN 979-1-61655-145-2
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine is the sequel to the Season Eight comic book series, a canonical continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[1]
The Season Nine brand also incorporates a new Buffy spin-off series, Angel & Faith, which like the main series will last 25 issues (roughly two years). While Whedon shares writing duties with Andrew Chambliss on the main series, Christos Gage writes Angel & Faith. At the start of Season Nine, the series focuses on Buffy living in San Francisco in a world without magic.[2] Angel & Faith, on the other hand, is set primarily in London and pursues several plot threads from Season Eight. Spin-off titles falling under the Season Nine banner include the five-issue series Willow: Wonderland and Spike: A Dark Place.


Contents  [hide]
1 Plot 1.1 Buffy
1.2 Angel & Faith
1.3 Miniseries
2 Production 2.1 Conception
2.2 History
3 Publication 3.1 Core series 3.1.1 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine 3.1.1.1 Single issues
3.1.1.2 Collected volumes
3.1.2 Angel & Faith 3.1.2.1 Single issues
3.1.2.2 Collected volumes

3.2 Miniseries 3.2.1 Spike: A Dark Place 3.2.1.1 Single issues
3.2.1.2 Collected volumes
3.2.2 Willow: Wonderland 3.2.2.1 Single issues
3.2.2.2 Collected volumes


4 Reception 4.1 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 4.1.1 Abortion storyline
4.2 Angel & Faith
5 References
6 External links

Plot[edit]
Buffy[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine continues the plot thread from the previous series, focusing on Buffy and her core group of friends. After the Twilight crisis, in which she destroyed the 'Seed of Wonder' and consequently brought about the end of magic, Buffy is now living in San Francisco[3] and must continue her duties as the Slayer.[4] However, there is a new status quo in Buffy's personal life as well as in her Slayer career. For example, in the process of becoming a vampire, demons are no longer able to fully possess the dead, creating mindless creatures which Xander coins "zompires". Xander and Buffy's sister Dawn have settled into a quiet domestic life together, and Buffy's best friend Willow no longer possesses magical abilities. Andrew and Riley are still friends of Buffy's, but she sees them less frequently. Buffy lives with two seemingly normal roommates, Tumble and Anaheed, and the job of patrolling for vampires initially falls to Buffy and her ex-lover Spike, a vampire with a soul.
Due to his feelings for Buffy, Spike departs San Francisco in his space ship. Willow also leaves, Buffy's broken scythe in tow, on a quest to restore magic. Buffy faces a few enemies, including many ravenous zompires, the rogue Slayer Simone Doffler, and a young man named Severin—prophesied as "the Siphon"— who since the end of magic possesses the ability to drain demons and Slayers of their magic. Buffy works primarily with a few new allies, including Robert Dowling, an SFPD officer who heads up an anti-zompire task force, and Billy Lane, a gay teenager who moved to San Francisco to support Buffy's cause. Anaheed is revealed to be a Slayer who used to be in Buffy's army. Slayers who are still loyal to Buffy have Anaheed watch over Buffy and ensure she has a chance at a normal life. Anaheed takes Billy under her wing to train as a Slayer despite the fact he does not have the mystical powers. Buffy is also briefly allied with Eldre Koh, an ancient demon whose mystical prison was broken along with the end of magic, and for this swears a debt of loyalty to Buffy. Koh reveals however, that his vendetta against his ancient jailer trumps his loyalty to Buffy, and betrays her trust. Later, on a mission with Dowling and Billy, Buffy finds herself transported to Los Angeles where she is approached by another ancient demon, Illyria (a character from the television series Angel), who recruits Buffy to a team dedicated to defeating Severin. Eldre Koh and Buffy's old enemy D'Hoffryn are also members of Illyria's council. Buffy, Illyria and Koh strategize to disarm and take out Severin. However, their plan fails and Severin is successful in draining Illyria of her abilities leaving her alive but powerless and stuck in the physical appearance of Winifred Burkle. Severin now has all of Illyria's abilities including her ability to freely travel through time, which he needs to resurrect his dead girlfriend.
Soon after, Buffy discovers that Dawn (who was created from a mystical key in Buffy season five) is dying as a result of the end of magic. Xander—who has been struggling with his anger since Giles' death in Season Eight—blames Buffy for Dawn's predicament. Severin and Simone approach and ask him to steal Buffy's sole inheritance from Giles (the Vampyr book seen in Buffy episode one) so that they might use it to go back in time and avert the Twilight crisis which precipitated the end of magic. Willow returns from her journey with her powers and Buffy's scythe restored, but she can only buy time for Dawn, whose health is still failing. Xander appears to confess to Buffy of Severin's plan, leading the trio head to the Deeper Well in the English Cotswolds (a prison for ancient demons seen in Angel) where they hope they can acquire sufficient magical reserves for Willow to restore Dawn. Spike returns to San Francisco to provide comfort to Dawn; he watches over her as she fades rapidly from existence. As Buffy's team enters the Well, at the opposite end of the Earth so too do Simone and Severin, acting on information supplied by Xander. Buffy learns of Xander's deceit and is furious with him. Inside, Severin and Willow both charge with abundant magical energies, but it is too much for Severin to handle and he will soon explode with power. Willow's magic forms a new Seed, which will take a millennium to reach full power. However, with assistance from Illyria, she persuades Severin to transfer his power to the new Seed and restore magic to the world. Illyria chooses to stay with Severin to ensure the task is completed. Meanwhile, Simone awakens Maloker, the Old One responsible for siring the first vampire, and allows herself to be sired, endowing her with fantastic super strength while allowing her to retain her intelligence. As Xander attempts to help Koh and the Council subdue Maloker, Simone gets the upper hand against Buffy, but sensing her need to escape the Well, she leaves Buffy to be finished off by Maloker, who has killed all the Council, save for D'Hoffryn and Koh. As her friends evacuate the Well, Buffy expresses regret for making someone like Simone into a Slayer, and dusts her with the scythe. Further below, Severin explodes with power, restoring magic to the world. The resulting explosion seemingly kills him, along with Maloker and Illyria. Buffy narrowly escapes the Well.
In the immediate aftermath of their battle, Willow returns the gang to San Francisco and uses Buffy's blood and her magic to restore Dawn. Xander expresses guilt about his betrayal, but Buffy forgives him as his actions ultimately led to the creation of a new Seed, which saved Dawn. Willow warns Buffy something feels different in the world. A newly sired vampire is shown to retain her intelligence, stand in sunlight and even shapeshift into a bat. Willow and Buffy turn to the pages of the Vampyr book to research possible consequences of their recent actions, but find its pages are now blank.
Angel & Faith[edit]
In Angel & Faith, the titular characters reside in the former London home of Rupert Giles, Buffy's former mentor, which passed to the Slayer Faith in his will following his death in the Season Eight finale. Faith seeks to rehabilitate Angel after his actions as Twilight in Season Eight, while he is on the hunt for the scattered pieces of Giles' soul in order to resurrect him.[5] Former allies from his tenure as Twilight—including Whistler, and the half-demons Pearl and Nash—are out for revenge from Angel for aborting their original plans, as is a British contingent of Slayers led by the Slayer Nadira who cannot forgive Angel for the many atrocities he has caused both as Twilight and earlier in his career. Whistler plans to use the residual magic contained in scattered artifacts around the world to unleash a plague which will mutate humankind into a magical species, creating a new world order, at the cost of many human lives. Angel and Faith go on several missions and acquire numerous fragments of Giles' soul using the mystical Tooth of Ammuk, and Angel's personality becomes increasingly influenced by the growing presence of Giles' soul within him. Angel and Faith are joined and supported by Giles' great aunts, Lavinia and Sophronia Fairweather, two depowered witches who used their magic to remain young and beautiful, and by Alasdair Coames, a depowered archmage of magic and a collector of magical artifacts who is an old friend of Giles.
Willow visits Angel and Faith's apartment on her mission to restore magic, and as the Scythe contains a piece of Giles' soul, is able to enlist their help. Taking the gang to Los Angeles, they reconvene with Angel's friend Gunn and his son Connor (from the Angel series). Connor was raised in the hell dimension Quor'toth, and through him Willow is able to transport them there using residual magic in the Scythe. Once there, she regains her powers and begins an inter-dimensional journey, and Angel receives the penultimate piece of Giles' soul. Later, Angel and Faith recover a mystical item which is key to restoring Giles' corpse to full health so they can reanimate it. However, they discover he is not buried in his grave. They learn that Giles' body has been possessed by the demon Eyghon (from the Buffy episode "The Dark Age"), to whom he sold his soul in his youth. Angel reveals that he has known of Eyghon's survival, as well as his partnership with Whistler, Pearl and Nash. Because vampires are immune to Eyghon's ability to possess the dead and unconscious, with which he plans to build an army of Slayers, Angel recruits Spike to assist him on a mission to kill the demon. The trio, supported by a band of Slayers, manages to slay Eyghon using an enchanted sword. Traumatized by this battle and by recent losses, the Slayers who worked alongside Nadira quit to lead normal lives. With Eyghon's death, Giles' complete soul is restored, and later transferred from Angel's body to a mystical vessel. Spike quickly departs after learning Buffy called Faith requesting help for Dawn, but Angel and Faith have no idea who Dawn is supposed to be. The remaining group then go ahead with the plan to bring Giles back to life, using Coames' collection of artifacts to provide the required magic for the spell. The ritual is interfered with when Whistler, Pearl and Nash arrive to steal Coames' magical artifacts. The trio make off with everything after a brief and brutal skirmish.
The group is astounded when Giles is successfully returned to life, but as a 12-year-old boy with his memories intact, due to his aunts focusing on their memories of him as a child. Giles thanks them for saving him from Eyghon but is furious at the age of his body and that they have been wasting time trying to bring him back and not saving the world from Whistler's plan. The group form a battle plan including a way to shield themselves from the plague, and accept that they all might die. The group, trailed by Nadira, confront Whistler, Pearl and Nash on a rooftop in Hackney as they prepare to unleash their magical plague by releasing an orb of pure magic into the upper atmosphere. Angel and Faith are easily outgunned, and Nadira is gravely wounded by Nash. Giles is able to use ambient magic to attack Nash with a fireball, causing him drop the magical orb, albeit from a sufficient height to mutate local residents into all manner of magical creatures. Though burnt within an inch of her life, Nadira is able to help Faith kill Nash. Upon Nash's death, his power is absorbed by Pearl, who escapes the scene in tears at the loss of her brother. Angel takes on Whistler head-to-head; he damages the orb, forcing Whistler to absorb some of its magic, which clears his unbalanced mind. Whistler realizes the error of his ways, destroys the orb himself, and dies. In the season's dénouement, Pearl's hand is shown emerging ominously from a river. Even though it is medically impossible, Nadira is still alive, but is somehow mutating. Coames worries that with Whistler's death the universe will no longer have someone working towards balance; Angel says that people will have to do it for themselves. Lavinia and Sophronia take credit in front of the media for stopping the crisis. Faith and Giles decide to return to America, Faith thinking she may work with Kennedy's Slayer bodyguard corporation and Giles aiming to reunite with Buffy. Angel parts on good terms with them, deciding to stay behind in London's newly christened "Magic Town" suburb where he expects many conflicts are yet to arise. He dedicates himself once again to helping the helpless.
Miniseries[edit]
Willow: Wonderland follows on from Willow's crossover appearance in Angel & Faith. On her travels, Willow befriends a cursed warlock known as Marrak. In a magical dimension resembling "Wonderland", Willow is reunited with her former tutor and lover Aluwyn, the Saga Vasuki, whom she could not commune with after the end of magic. Aluwyn and her "supercoven" of witches restore Buffy's broken magical Scythe but inform Willow that opening a functional portal to her home world will be impossible because it does not have magic of its own. At first Willow enjoys the freedom of limitless power in a magical community, but later realizes Aluwyn has secluded her to the neglect of her friends, and the pair separate. The experience leaves Willow with a newfound understanding of her abilities and her own nature, including the oneness of her "Dark Willow" persona and her normal self. While traveling with Marrak again, his obsession with dark magic becomes apparent, and she realizes that he is in fact Rack, the dealer responsible for her earlier black magic addiction, whom she believed she had killed. In the story's final part, Willow and Rack battle until he is defeated, and she in turn is guided by a sentient universe back to Earth—this time, with her own magic restored and the message that it is for all the world to share. She walks the streets of San Francisco at peace.
Spike: A Dark Place continues from Spike's departure in Buffy, and precedes his appearance in Angel & Faith. Demons seize control of Spike's ship seeking to return to the ruins of Sunnydale, California, over the mystical Hellmouth where Buffy shattered the Seed of Wonder, bringing about the end of magic. They hope to acquire the shattered fragments of the seed, for they contain residual magic. At the site of Buffy's battle, Spike encounters a succubus named Morgan who helps him kill his captors and explains that she, like many demons, is after these fragments as well; she plans to use them to open the dormant Hellmouth on Easter Island. Morgan's powers place Spike under her thrall and using his ship, he transports her to the site of the Hellmouth before coming to his senses. Once there, Morgan's spell to open the Hellmouth fails, and instead brings the moai to life. The moai later fuse into a stone giant which attacks Spike and Morgan. During the fray, the giant strikes and destroys Spike's space ship, leading all but one of Spike's insectoid crew to evacuate. A sole bug goes down with the ship, which takes the giant out with him. Morgan departs after Spike soundly rejects the chance of being in a relationship with her. The remaining bugs decide to set up home in the caves of Easter Island, and part ways with Spike. Contemplating a return to San Francisco, Spike receives a phone call from Angel requesting his help.
Love vs Life is a three-part story written by Jane Espenson, originally collected in Dark Horse Presents, following Billy's and Anaheed's departure from San Francisco during Buffy's last arc. Billy is summoned back to his hometown of Santa Rosita by his boyfriend Devon after it is overrun by zompires who do not need an invitation to enter people's homes. Anaheed travels along with him and says they can only evacuate the town; she advises him that a Slayer ought to know when to cut their losses. Billy remembers Buffy telling him a Slayer must put the world first, above even those they love. He breaks up with Devon despite Devon saying Buffy is wrong. When zompires attack Devon and his father in their basement, Anaheed holds Billy back, believing they cannot reach them in time. However, Billy has a vision of the First Slayer battling vampires with fire. Billy uses fire to scare off the zompires and save Devon and his father. Billy and Devon decide to stay together. When Devon expresses disbelief Billy could have made a connection to Slayer mythology, Anaheed says maybe something out there chose to hook into Billy.
Production[edit]
Conception[edit]
Whedon and Dark Horse began preparing for Season Nine before the conclusion of Season Eight, and production for the series started shortly after Season Eight ended.[1] Whedon decided to use the finale to Season Eight to establish a new paradigm for Season Nine. While Whedon had chosen to fully exploit the possibilities of a comic book medium to explore more fantastical storylines, he later reflected that Buffy was less about the scope of its storytelling and more about the emotional experience of its characters. The "end of magic" at the conclusion of Season Eight would therefore do many things: it would make Buffy an underdog once again, restore her setting to the "real world", and make its stories more personal. He also chose to kill off Rupert Giles because that character's television functions—providing narrative exposition, and acting as a paternal figure—did not translate well to the comic book format. Both the end of magic and Giles' death provide significant plot generators for the stories which followed.[6]
In 2010, Dark Horse confirmed that it had reacquired the license to Angel comics, which would move from IDW Publishing. Titles revolving around Angel and his supporting cast from the Angel television series would then appear as part of the Season Nine banner of Buffy comics.[7] Editor Scott Allie confirmed his intent for characters from the Buffy and Angel television series to interact more freely with one another, giving the series "an early Marvel Universe feel."[8] In 2011, Dark Horse had confirmed plans for its "Season Nine" brand to consist of two main titles, both of 25 issues over the course of two years.[9] Subsequent announcements followed that Dark Horse's Angel series would also focus on Faith Lehane and be titled Angel & Faith, set in London, and exclusvely written by Christos Gage.[10] Whedon himself would write the first issue of Buffy before passing the responsibility over to Andrew Chambliss, with whom he would also co-write the second issue.[11]
Due to Whedon's duties directing The Avengers, a big-budget superhero film due for release in 2012, he organised a writer's summit at his house with Chambliss, Gage, Jane Espenson, Drew Greenberg, his brother Zack Whedon and others. This was to allow the series' writers to "lock down" the storylines for Buffy Season Nine and Angel & Faith before Whedon became less available. Whedon outlined that because Season Eight had drawn criticism for becoming too fantastical and "cosmic", Season Nine was to be more character-driven, and as much like the television series as possible. Due to its differing premise, Angel & Faith was not modeled directly on the Angel series, though it nevertheless revolved around its characters following episodic "cases". The series benefited greatly from plans for other unproduced Buffy television spin-offs, particularly Ripper, a series intended as a vehicle for Anthony Stewart Head portraying Rupert Giles, with flashbacks to his wayward youth. Whedon offered Gage the use of two characters created for that series, Giles' aunts Sophronia and Lavinia Fairweather—two ageless witches who in the television series would have been portrayed by Anthony Head's daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head. Many of the revelations about Giles' past were drawn from Ripper scripts and production notes.[12]
History[edit]
The first story published under the Season Nine banner was a mini-story by Jane Espenson featuring Spike, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Magical Mystery Tour Featuring the Beetles, written by Jane Espenson. It was released as part of Dark Horse's Digital Retailer Exclusive program.[13] Free Comic Book Day in April 2012, Chambliss' released the mini-story "In Space No One Can Hear You Slay," depicting Buffy and Spike on a "spacecation" following her pregnancy scare in "Apart (of Me)". In the story, a member of Spike's insectoid alien crew is sired and becomes a zompire, creating a creature which closely resembles the titular aliens of the Alien movie franchise. Some news outlets reported the story as an Alien crossover story.[14][15] Over three issues, Dark Horse Presents presented "Love vs. Life," a three-part story by Jane Espenson and Karl Moline featuring new characters Billy Lane and Anaheed.
In April 2012, Dark Horse also announced Spike and Willow miniseries spinning off from the Buffy title.[16] A miniseries focusing on Drusilla after the events of Angel & Faith #9 was also planned, but was later delayed indefinitely due to scheduling issues.[17]
Publication[edit]
Core series[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"Freefall, Part I" 1 September 14, 2011
Writer: Joss Whedon | Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Season 8 ended with a bang when Buffy cut the world off from the hell dimensions and all supernatural influence. Great, right? Except Buffy has left her best friend, Willow, powerless, and ended the long line of vampire slayers, leaving her hated by the hundreds of girls who recently stood behind her. Newly relocated to San Francisco, Buffy can count on a fresh start, and focus on what she's good at—slaying.

"Freefall, Part II" 2 October 12, 2011
Writer: Joss Whedon and Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy continues her nightly patrols while trying to cobble together a sensible life… Willow's adopted a new look, while Dawn and Xander celebrate the comforts of a magicless world. The fun and games come to a halt when mysteriously marked bodies start appearing. As Buffy starts to investigate she captures the attention of San Francisco police detectives who have taken notice of the unnaturally gifted Slayer…

"Freefall, Part III" 3 November 9, 2011
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Spike has heard rumblings. Someone, or something, is coming for Buffy—and now, after she recklessly slipped out of police custody, the SFPD is certainly looking. When Buffy's family and friends deny her refuge from the cops, she turns to the streets and slaying, where she discovers there's a new kind of vampire slayer in town…

"Freefall, Part IV" 4 December 14, 2011
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
As Xander, Dawn, and Willow retreat into their own complicated lives, Buffy finds herself drawn more closely to her new friend Severin, a mysterious crime fighter in his own right, and a snappy dresser to boot. Together they take on a new kind of vampire threat while Buffy's not-in-the-know roomies start snooping through her unslept-in bedroom. Now what could they possibly find?

"Slayer, Interrupted" 5 January 11, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Karl Moline
Buffy's dreams have become all too real lately as she deals with a magicless world. She's still fighting creatures of the night, as Willow and Xander grow distant and nightmares plague the Slayer. But something is telling Buffy that there is more to her dreams than meets the eye… and that her greatest fears may yet become reality!

"On Your Own, Part I" 6 February 8, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy's trail again—but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.

"On Your Own, Part II" 7 March 14, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Still seeking normalcy in the midst of zompire-stricken San Francisco, Buffy contemplates a life-changing decision the likes of which few Slayers have ever faced. Meanwhile Spike rushes to the aid of Detective Dowling, who’s in over his head with his recent investigation into the undead bloodsuckers plaguing the city.

"Apart (of Me), Part I" 8 April 11, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Cliff Richards
There is something seriously wrong with Buffy! She and Spike discover that the one person who can help her is actually…Andrew? Buffy's situation becomes even more dire as she discovers that Simone, the Slayer with an enormous grudge, has been targeting her.

"Apart (of Me), Part II" 9 May 9, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss and Scott Allie Penciller: Cliff Richards
Andrew doesn’t always make the best choices (see Season 6). And now Buffy finds herself and the very course of her life profoundly affected by one of Andrew’s over-the-top, idiotic… hair-brained… schemes. Together with Andrew and Spike, the worried Slayer will have to confront herself and her comrades, as well as a long-standing annoyance, the number-one Buffy hater of all Buffy haters: Simone, the gun-toting Slayer.

"Apart (of Me), Part III" 10 June 13, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss and Scott Allie Penciller: Cliff Richards
While Buffy is undertaking an away mission with Spike and Andrew, the SFPD is starting to really feel the effect of the rapid zompire population growth… With Buffy out of town, as the only Scoobies in the vicinity, Xander and Dawn have been approached for guidance. Buffy needs to get herself back together and home to SF quick, but facing Slayer Simone and her unexpected ally is going to make it a rough job!

"Guarded, Part I" 11 July 11, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy is trying something new—not Slaying. WHAT?! Enter Kennedy. Slayer. Ex-girlfriend of magicless Willow. Bossy. She’s joined a company that hires Slayers to act as bodyguards for high-profile clients, and Buffy is her most recent recruit. But Buffy is having a little trouble letting go of Slaying. Things that go bump in the night are kinda her forte. Luckily… her first client is having some woeful demon trouble that Buffy can’t wait to sink her stake into.

"Guarded, Part II" 12 August 8, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
By working for Deepscan—the company that recruits Slayers as bodyguards—Buffy thought she would disengage herself from the world of demons and garner a more significant income, to boot. While the income may get her closer to paying off pesky student loans, the demony population is closer to her than ever, thanks to her first client. Buffy, under the tutelage of a disgruntled and heartbroken Kennedy, has her work cut out for her and is forced to call on the honorable Eldre Koh for help, culminating in a little demon-on-demon violence.

"Guarded, Part III" 13 September 12, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Acting as bodyguard for her first-ever client, Buffy has found herself entangled in some nasty demon business with ties to Angel and his time in LA. Through the social network Tincan, some demons have been able to connect to our world, and any attempts to sever that connection will lead Buffy and her client into increasingly dangerous territory.

"Billy the Vampire Slayer, Part I" 14 October 10, 2012
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Karl Moline
Buffy television scribes Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg take readers on a special two-part adventure where a new kind of Slayer emerges in a world without magic! As the zompire epidemic threatens a small California town, Slayer and Watcher join forces to eradicate an overwhelming new evil.

"Billy the Vampire Slayer, Part II" 15 November 14, 2012
Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg Penciller: Karl Moline, Ben Dewey
Training has begun, bringing the newest Slayer and Watcher closer together. Will they be ready when they're needed most? The rapidly growing zompire population has overcome a local institution, and our heroes in training must take on the fight of their lives!

"Welcome to the Team, Part I" 16 December 12, 2012
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy takes on the zompire epidemic in San Francisco with new allies—the SFPD and Billy the Vampire Slayer! Just as Buffy finds contentment in her life, she's torn from routine battle and forced to confront an ancient demon from her former lover's past!

"Welcome to the Team, Part II" 17 January 9, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Ripped from the middle of a zompire battle, Buffy finds herself face to face with Illyria and a mystical council in LA. She's been unwillingly recruited to take down a former enemy while her friends in San Francisco are left in a Buffy-less lurch with dire consequences...

"Welcome to the Team, Part III" 18 February 13, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The remnants of magic left on earth are in danger... The Siphon is back, and he's more charged than ever before as he takes out one magical being after another, absorbing their power. Pulled into this battle to save the world—again—Buffy is partnered with Koh and Illyria to put a stop Severin.

"Welcome to the Team, Part IV" 19 March 13, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The Siphon is loose and gathering power after a brutal brawl with Buffy, Illyria, and Koh. But there are bigger things. More important things. Real terror greets Buffy as soon as she returns to San Francisco, where friends and family await her with troubling news.

"The Watcher" 20 April 10, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Karl Moline
The loss of the world’s magic has finally hit Buffy. Hard. As friends and family continue to fall, Buffy is helpless... and Xander is beyond fed up with helplessness—and Buffy! He is so finally ready to do something about it!

"The Core, Part I" 21 May 8, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The Scoobies are together again—and just in time! Buffy, Willow, and Xander begin a new mission as a team in order to protect something very dear to them all. But evildoers Simone and Severin have their own plans and are ready to undermine the happy reunion!

"The Core, Part II" 22 June 12, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy, Xander, and Willow must fight against all odds to get past the mystical council and gain entry to a magical hotspot—the Deeper Well! New allies are born while old enemies bring the heat. Grave dangers await our heroes at the center of the earth!

"The Core, Part III" 23 July 10, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Dawn’s life hangs in the balance, and Buffy will stop at nothing to save her little sis. Willow, Xander, and Buffy reunite to save the girl they love and begin a journey that reveals betrayal amongst the ranks as they descend into the mysterious Deeper Well, former home of Illyria and many powerful Old Ones.

"The Core, Part IV" 24 August 14, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
In a last-ditch effort to save Dawn, the heroic trio of Buffy, Willow, and Xander must split up and tackle their own demons, real and imagined. As the season’s Big Bads, Severin and Simone, threaten to turn back time, the mystical council partner with Koh and Illyria to prevent a tragic tear in the fabric of time!

"The Core, Part V" 25 September 11, 2013
Writer: Andrew Chambliss Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy can’t ever just be a vampire Slayer, can she? Always, the world seems to want more, and as the lives of her loved ones are threatened, Buffy shows why she is the Chosen One. Whatever is thrust upon her, she can handle it! Er . . . sometimes with a little help from her friends.
Collected volumes[edit]

Volume
Title
Issues collected
Release date
ISBN

1 "Freefall" 1–5 July 4, 2012[18] ISBN 978-1-59582-922-1
2 "On Your Own" 6–10 + "In Space No One Can Hear You Slay!" December 18, 2012[19] ISBN 978-1-59582-990-0
3 "Guarded" 11–15 May 14, 2013[20] ISBN 978-1-61655-099-8
4 "Welcome to the Team" 16–20 October 9, 2013[21] ISBN 978-1-61655-166-7
5 "The Core" 21–25 + "Love vs. Life" March 5, 2014[22] ISBN 978-1-61655-254-1
Angel & Faith[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"Live Through This, Part I" 1 August 31, 2011
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Left in a near-catatonic state following the events in Buffy Season 8, Angel will need a seriously rude awakening if he's to make amends for his ill-conceived deeds. Enter rebel Slayer with a cause—Faith Lehane. Together they'll have full access to the Watcher files and opportunities to make amends for all they've done… and will do.

"Live Through This, Part II" 2 September 28, 2011
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Following some bad-many would say unforgivable-choices as Twilight, Angel needed to hide away and wallow in his guilt. But with a little TLC—courtesy of his only remaining ally, Faith, Angel is back to fighting the good fight and taking demons down one by one. With the Watcher files at their disposal, Angel comes up with the ultimate plan for redemption.

"Live Through This, Part III" 3 October 26, 2011
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Giles’s personal Watcher files lead Angel and Faith to what Angel believes will be his true redemption—at least for a portion of his unforgivable sins.
In the underbelly of London, where demons are coping with the lack of magic and the resulting changes to the natural hierarchy, Angel and Faith follow the first major lead in Angel’s quest… forcing him to reflect on his earliest days in Los Angeles.


"Live Through This, Part IV" 4 November 30, 2011
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
As Angel continues his quest to resurrect the dead by following leads he digs out of the Watcher's Files, Faith has second thoughts about supporting his seemingly impossible venture. A new ally warns her to weigh the consequences—good and bad—of Angel's endeavor. Meanwhile, amidst clubbing, mentoring, and slaying, Faith has her own concerns counseling a damaged and vengeance-seeking Slayer! There's pressure from all sides. Can Faith handle it?

"In Perfect Harmony" 5 December 28, 2011
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Phil Noto
It's a dark and foggy night in London, and Angel and Faith are about to encounter a most unexpected visitor. Superceleb vampire Harmony Kendall returns! When a stalker threatens to expose one of Harm's misdeeds, she solicits the help of wayward heroes Angel and Faith. With her little pups, her friend Clem, and her Hollywood entourage by her side, Harmony is taking the UK by storm!

"Daddy Issues, Part I" 6 January 25, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
A mysterious illness is plaguing the streets of London and turning everyday humans into emotionless killers. The Watcher's Files, which may be the key to unraveling this mystery, have led Angel and Faith to seek out a demon from Giles's past for answers. Meanwhile a peculiar friend and foe returns to London and to Angel's inner circle.

"Daddy Issues, Part II" 7 February 29, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Horrors across the London landscape have led Angel and Faith to a certain hot new vampire in the underground scene… Drusilla. She is back in her homeland and feeling better than ever!
While Angel indecisively deals with Dru, Faith must sort out an unexpected guest of her own who promises to rile up her inner turmoil with stories from the past.


"Daddy Issues, Part III" 8 March 28, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Faith faces off against a troubled Slayer and the Irish mob, which is no easy task with a visitor from her past clouding her thoughts! Even with support from Angel, will Faith be able to maintain her sanity and follow her new righteous path or will she take the easy route and fall back on her old, murderous tendencies?

"Daddy Issues, Part IV" 9 April 25, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Still reeling from her father’s unexpected appearance, Faith goes rogue, taking on Drusilla and her pet demon. It’s time to burn off some anger. Angel is hot on her tail, but he may be too late to save her from Dru, and ultimately herself.

"Women of a Certain Age" 10 May 30, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Chris Samnee
Angel and Faith are forced into battle, less by choice and more by circumstance, when two mysterious women from Giles’s past call on the unlikely duo for help. But that’s only the beginning of Angel and Faith’s troubles as the ladies settle in for the night!

"Family Reunion, Part I" 11 June 27, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
When yet another unexpected visitor shows up on Faith and Angel’s doorstep, the pair are pulled into a quest that has the potential to give Angel everything he’s been looking for—you know, if they succeed and survive.

"Family Reunion, Part II" 12 July 25, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Using remnants of magic, Angel, Faith, Willow, and Connor have entered the hell dimension where no one should—or really, could—dare go: Quor-Toth! Willow’s quest to restore magic to Earth was her objective in attempting the impossible; Angel’s objective was… something else. And Faith? She’s along to make sure that everyone’s feet stay on the ground, and out of anything they might regret.

"Family Reunion, Part III" 13 August 29, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
The expedition to Quor-Toth has taken an unplanned turn for Angel, Faith, Willow, and Connor. While they struggle to survive the horrors that surround them, they have also taken on a mission to stage a great escape—and not just for themselves! They must act fast, before the effect that this hell dimension is having on their thoughts and emotions overcomes them!

"Family Reunion, Part IV" 14 September 26, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
In Quor’ Toth, Angel, Faith, and Connor realize that their problems are only increasing the longer they are in this unpredictable hell dimension. As Willow fervently tapped into the dimension’s magic, she engaged a little too much darkness… Now, the crew has another danger to face: Dark Willow!

"The Hero of His Own Story" 15 October 31, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Lee Garbett
One-time friends Angel and Whistler attempt to hash things out, each giving the other a final chance to either save himself or succumb to battle. Plus, a peek into the past of villainous siblings Pearl and Nash…

"Death and Consequences, Part I" 16 November 28, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Angel’s plan to resurrect Giles inches ever closer toward success. As he and Faith hack their way toward one more magical item to help in their venture, Angel reveals it is time to get the final part of Giles’s soul. But their triumphant return to London holds more than one surprise: first, the revenge-seeking Nadira and the Slayers come calling...

"Death and Consequences, Part II" 17 December 19, 2012
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Longtime nemesis Ethan Rayne has set the final piece of Giles’s soul practically in Angel’s lap. To complicate things further, the loss of a Slayer has sent Nadira and her group into the fray with their sights set on Angel now more than ever!

"Death and Consequences, Part III" 18 January 30, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
A demon from Giles's past is turning innocent Slayers into zombies. Angel and Faith must rally the remaining Slayers if there is any chance to defeat this cunning demon!

"Death and Consequences, Part IV" 19 February 27, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Angel, Faith, and the remaining Slayers prep themselves to overtake a group of living zombies—without losing any more lives. The demon Eyghon holds the last remnants of Giles's soul, but a gaggle of innocent zombies are blocking Angel's path to victory. Good thing an old friend was recruited to help with the fight...

"Spike and Faith" 20 March 27, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Angel is close to his goal of resurrecting Giles—when he's suddenly sidetracked, forcing an unlikely partnership between Faith and Spike. Tensions run high as Slayer and vampire hit the mean streets of London...

"What You Want, Not What You Need, Part I" 21 April 24, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
The time has come for Angel to make good on his promise to resurrect Giles—but at the same time, Season 9’s Big Bads, Pearl and Nash, together with Angel’s own mentor, Whistler, gather the final pieces needed to harness the last magical powers on Earth for their own apocalyptic plan.

"What You Want, Not What You Need, Part II" 22 May 29, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Giles’s resurrection has been pushed to the back burner while Angel and Faith tackle Season 9’s Big Bads—Pearl, Nash, and Whistler—who threaten to release boundless magic over the planet. Only the strong will survive!

"What You Want, Not What You Need, Part III" 23 June 26, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Preventing Pearl, Nash, and Whistler from releasing their magical virus proves difficult for Angel and Faith. The duo is outmatched! Enter Nadira. Could this hate-filled Slayer lend a helpful hand or will she use this opportunity to end Angel for good?!

"What You Want, Not What You Need, Part IV" 24 July 31, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Angel and Faith will need all the help they can get when it comes to stopping this season's ubervillains from unleashing a magic-fueled plague on the earth. Enter an archmage, a former Watcher, and two socialites who’ve dabbled in magic . . . Will it be enough?

"What You Want, Not What You Need, Part V" 25 August 28, 2013
Writer: Christos Gage Penciller: Rebekah Isaacs
Millions of lives hang in the balance, and Angel and Faith just might be on the losing end of this battle. It’s times like these that call for drastic measures - How far will they go to save the world? Lives are lost, heroes are born, and as one chapter ends, another begins...
Collected volumes[edit]

Volume
Title
Issues collected
Release date
ISBN

1 "Live Through This" 1–5 + Harmony one-shot June 20, 2012[23] ISBN 978-1-59582-887-3
2 "Daddy Issues" 6–10 December 4, 2012[24] ISBN 978-1-59582-960-3
3 "Family Reunion" 11–15 April 30, 2013[25] ISBN 978-1-61655-079-0
4 "Death and Consequences" 16–20 September 18, 2013[26] ISBN 978-1-61655-165-0
5 "What You Want, Not What You Need" 21–25 February 19, 2014[27] ISBN 978-1-61655-253-4
Miniseries[edit]
Spike: A Dark Place[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"Spike: A Dark Place #1" 1 August 22, 2012
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Paul Lee
Having fought to regain his soul after falling in love with the Slayer Buffy, the once-terrifying vampire villain Spike has been a bit less fearsome (to humans, at least). On his own adventure, Spike is forced to examine the man he once was, the man he is now, and the man he still hopes to become.
As master of a steampunk ship filled with loyal, oversized alien cockroaches, Spike embarks on a journey to the dark side of the moon, setting into motion an adventure filled with demons, witches, and others who brew new evil in the world without magic!


"Spike: A Dark Place #2" 2 September 19, 2012
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Paul Lee
Spike, traveling with a crew of cockroach-like aliens and stranded demons, is headed back from the dark side of the moon to… Sunnydale. If you’re a vampire on a walkabout who wants to gain some perspective and get over a girl (psst… it's Buffy), it might not be the best idea to return to the nostalgia-filled hometown you helped her destroy. But if you don’t have a choice, maybe the best hope is to find another way to put out the old flame…

"Spike: A Dark Place #3" 3 October 24, 2012
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Paul Lee
Spike meets a demon in distress and a familiar, exceptionally nasty duo that are all after something buried in the rubble formerly known as Sunnydale. For a vampire with a soul and an aching heart, dabbling in a little villainy is a welcome distraction. But Spike will have to beware if the distraction becomes too much to handle…

"Spike: A Dark Place #4" 4 November 21, 2012
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Paul Lee
Spike departs from the ruins of Sunnydale—and all those memories—with a demon who wants desperately to return to her home dimension. But with the loss of magic, her connection is lost. Spike, ever the hero, offers to help this mysterious damsel in distress in her journey to find any remnants of magic that might reconnect her to her world.

"Spike: A Dark Place #5" 5 January 23, 2013
Writer: Victor Gischler Penciller: Paul Lee
Spike and his new demon companion are getting along really well... On Easter Island, the duo work to activate a remnant of magic to help get Nadia home. Spike has stars in his eyes, but the bugs are wary of Spike’s newest friend and their master’s overly relaxed attitude. Something seems off. He’s come out of his self-inflicted dark place a bit too swiftly...
Collected volumes[edit]

Volume
Title
Issues collected
Release date
ISBN

1 "Spike: A Dark Place" 1–5 June 5, 2013[28] ISBN 978-1-61655-109-4
Willow: Wonderland[edit]
Single issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"Willow: Wonderland #1" 1 November 7, 2012
Writer: Jeff Parker Penciller: Brian Ching
With the disappearance of magic, Willow Rosenberg lost the very thing that made her tick. Armed with Buffy’s broken scythe, and fresh off an adventure with Angel and Faith, Willow is ready to find a solution on her own terms. The world can’t live without magic—and neither can she!

"Willow: Wonderland #2" 2 December 5, 2012
Writer: Jeff Parker Penciller: Brian Ching
In a strange new dimension, many unexpected encounters guide Willow on the quest to return magic to her world. While she's increasingly better at keeping her darkest self at bay, her mystery companion, Marrak, encourages darkness, making Willow wary of his intentions while dependent on his knowledge of this magically abundant realm. Just how far down the path of volatile magic will she go to get what she wants? And whom might she find there?

"Willow: Wonderland #3" 3 January 2, 2013
Writer: Jeff Parker and Christos Gage Penciller: Brian Ching
Willow has found someone she's been missing since Earth was cut off from other realms. But her ultimate quest to restore Earth's magic is flailing... Her search is pulling her one way, her companion another, and a newly encountered society of witches has a completely different idea for the future of Willow.

"Willow: Wonderland #4" 4 February 6, 2013
Writer: Jeff Parker and Christos Gage Penciller: Brian Ching
Willow struggles to keep her cool when she discovers that her traveling partner, Marrack, isn't who she thought he was. With magic at her full disposal, she can easily convince him to spill any and all secrets while they continue their journey to get home with magic in tow...

"Willow: Wonderland #5" 5 March 6, 2013
Writer: Jeff Parker and Christos Gage Penciller: Brian Ching
Willow’s search for magic has led her to some strange worlds with mysterious creatures, fantastical spells, lost love, and new friends (as well as enemies). As her journey speeds toward its end, Willow lands within a rather morbid landscape where the greatest evil she'll have to confront is herself if she's ever to make it home again.

Collected volumes[edit]

Volume
Title
Issues collected
Release date
ISBN

1 "Willow: Wonderland" 1–5 August 21, 2013[29] ISBN 978-1-61655-145-2
Reception[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer[edit]
Reaction to the new series has generally been positive. Comic Book Resources' Kelly Thompson summed, "Joss Whedon has managed the impossible yet again, somehow reinventing and reinvigorating these beloved characters and putting them on entirely new paths and adventures."[30] Entertainment Weekly's Adam Vary gave the first issue of Season Nine a positive review, stating "Watching Buffy act like a normal twentysomething screw-up is adorable, and a refreshing reminder that, even without the weight of the world on her shoulders, our heroine’s life can still be a bit of a mess." Vary commented that this sort of storytelling alone would make an interesting contrast to Season Eight, but noted that Whedon had set up several supernatural plot threads as well, adding "I hope that as Season 9 unfolds, Whedon et. al. allow the relative simplicity of Buffy’s life to reflect more in the storytelling itself. As any Buffy fan knows, the woman is plenty captivating just on her own."[31] Grey Scherl gave the episode a 9.5/10, writing for Inside Pulse. He praised Jeanty's artwork, although added the caveat "That isn’t to say it’s perfect, and there are times when he feels a bit rusty at it; some characters look off at times, especially Dawn." His main criticism was directed to the appearance of Riley, who was his least favourite character in the television series. "It’s a really fun issue, but it’s not something that the uninitiated is going to understand. Whedon brings these characters back to the core of what works, and makes waiting a month for the next issue far more irritating than week between episodes ever was."[32]
WhatCulture's Dean Threadgold gave the first issue of Season Nine 3.5/5. Threadgold praised Whedon's trademark humor, and for delivering "a script that is both witty and fun yet, like the best episodes, full of emotional subtext", despite Season Eight's set-up. Threadgold commented that the series' first issue was "very effective, neatly setting up the new status quo and at the same time sowing the seeds for the rest of the series." However, reservations were directed towards the art: "Georges Jeanty, who is usually top notch with his pencils, displays a few too many inconsistencies with the various characters". Threadgold was also skeptical whether Whedon's decision to share writing duties with comics-novice Andrew Chambliss would bode well for the series.[33]
Some critics felt the series had improved on Season Eight's relative failures. Scherl felt Season Eight "was too big, too grand in scale and scope, and while the characters were still the ones we know and love, there was something lost in not letting them be in situations that suit who they are."[32] Threadgold wrote "A big criticism of Season 8 was that it failed to be about anything deeper, yet already Season 9 seems eager to rectify that problem,"[33] and Vary was eager for the series not to lose sight of its intimate start, commenting "If the 24-page issue was just about this party... it would have been a fascinating, human-scaled change of pace from the fast-paced phantasmagoria of Season 8."[31]
Abortion storyline[edit]



Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 9, Issue #6: On Your Own, Part I. Buffy talks to Spike about her decision.
Media attention was raised by Buffy's apparent pregnancy and decision to get an abortion during issues #5-7. Much critical attention to Buffy's decision was mainly positive, with Comic Book Resources' Kelly Thompson saying "The people in charge of this book -- creators, editors and behind-the-scenes puppet masters (that's you, Joss Whedon) -- deserve huge credit for tackling the sensitive and controversial subject of abortion with unflinching honesty and realism."[34] Joss Whedon himself commented on the reasons and intention of the storyline in an interview with EntertainmentWeekly.com: "It’s a very difficult decision for her, but she made a decision that so many people make and it’s such a hot button issue with Planned Parenthood under constant threat and attack right now. A woman’s right to choose is under attack as much as it’s ever been, and that’s a terrible and dangerous thing for this country. I don’t usually get soap box-y with this, but the thing about Buffy is all she’s going through is what women go through, and what nobody making a speech, holding up a placard, or making a movie is willing to say."[35] Subsequent reveal that Buffy had been replaced by a robot and not in fact pregnant was met with mixed reactions, with debate focusing on what this meant for Buffy's decision.[36]
In a review of the top 100 comics of 2012, Comic Book Resources' Kelly Thompson cited the abortion storyline as her rationale for including Season Nine on the list, at number 73, saying: "While some readers were disappointed with the execution of the story and others thought the resolution was weak, for me, just the creative team’s confidence and commitment to letting this issue even exist is a testament to getting the comic, and the character, exactly right.... Though the storyline ultimately made her controversial resolution moot, it doesn’t take away from the decision to make this book in the first place, and to make is as bold and honest as possible."[37]
Angel & Faith[edit]
IGN website gave the first issue of Angel & Faith an (8 out of 10) score,[38] while ComicBookResources descriped the series as being "a strong book since it debuted"[39]
Rebekah Isaacs, the artist of the series, said in an interview, "[The fans have] still been really supportive, even when the criticism is negative. It’s done in a loving way, like they want to see these characters presented well and they want us to do well in telling these stories."[40]
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b Melrose, Kevin (September 24, 2009). "Joss Whedon confirms Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Nine". Robot6. Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
2.Jump up ^ "Behind Buffy Season Eight: Finale (Scott Allie Interview)". Comic Book Resources. January 28, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
3.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Scott Allie (2011). BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON EIGHT VOLUME 8: LAST GLEAMING TPB. Dark Horse Comics. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-59582-610-7.
4.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon, Andrew Chambliss (2012). BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 VOLUME 1: FREEFALL TPB. Dark Horse Comics. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-59582-922-1.
5.Jump up ^ Christos Cage (2012). ANGEL & FAITH VOLUME 1: LIVE THROUGH THIS TPB. Dark Horse Comics. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-59582-887-3.
6.Jump up ^ Vary, Adam B. (January 19, 2011). "Joss Whedon talks about the end of the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Season 8 comic, and the future of Season 9 -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
7.Jump up ^ "Exclusive Scott Allie interview". Buffyfest. August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
8.Jump up ^ "(SPOILER) Big Buffyfest Interview with Scott Allie about Angel's return to Dark Horse.". Whedonesque.com. August 20, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
9.Jump up ^ "Buffy Season 9 News from ECCC". Buffyfest. March 8, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
10.Jump up ^ "WC11 EXCLUSIVE: Gage is Touched by "Angel & Faith"". Comic Book Resources. April 1, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
11.Jump up ^ "(Spoilers) Exclusive Interview with Buffy S.9 Writer Andrew Chambliss". Buffyfest. April 1, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
12.Jump up ^ "Chambliss & Gage prepare the end of "Buffy Season 9"". Comic Book Resources. August 2, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
13.Jump up ^ "Dark Horse Digital Retailer Exclusive Program Kicks Off With 'B.P.R.D. Casualties'". MTV Geek. July 1, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
14.Jump up ^ Johnston, Rich (May 4, 2013). "Yes, It Looks Like It Is Buffy Vs Aliens, Folks". Bleeding Cool News. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
15.Jump up ^ Langshaw, Mark (April 30, 2012). "'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' gets Free Comic Book Day teaser". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
16.Jump up ^ "C2E2: Major Announcements Hit Diamond Summit". Comic Book Resources. April 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
17.Jump up ^ "Dark Horse delays "Buffy" spinoff "Drusilla" indefinitely". Comic Book Resources. April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
18.Jump up ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 Volume 1: Freefall TPB". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
19.Jump up ^ "Buffy Season 9 Volume 2 on Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
20.Jump up ^ "Buffy Season 9 Volume 3 on Amazon.ca". Amazon.ca. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
21.Jump up ^ "Buffy Season 9 Volume 4: Weclome to the Team TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
22.Jump up ^ "Buffy Season 9 Volume 5: The Core TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
23.Jump up ^ "Angel & Faith Volume 1: Live Through This TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
24.Jump up ^ "Angel & Faith Volume 2: Daddy Issues TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
25.Jump up ^ "Angel & Faith Volume 3: Family Reuinion TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
26.Jump up ^ "Angel & Faith Volume 4: Death and Consequences TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
27.Jump up ^ "Angel & Faith Volume 5: What You Want, Not What You Need TPB". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
28.Jump up ^ . Amazon.com TPB http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/18-173/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Spike-A-Dark-Place-TPB TPB. Retrieved October 11, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
29.Jump up ^ . Amazon.com http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/18-180/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Willow-Wonderland-TPBTPB. Retrieved October 11, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
30.Jump up ^ Thompson, Kelly (September 14, 2011). "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON 9 #1". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
31.^ Jump up to: a b Vary, Adam B. (September 14, 2011). "'Buffy Season 9' #1 review: A world without magic, but not without problems. Or parties!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
32.^ Jump up to: a b Scherl, Grey (September 18, 2011). "Review: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Nine #1 By Joss Whedon". Inside Pulse. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
33.^ Jump up to: a b Threadgold, Dean (September 15, 2011). "Comics Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season Nine) # 1". WhatCulture. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
34.Jump up ^ Thompson, Kelly. "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #6". Retrieved October 14, 2012.
35.Jump up ^ "'Buffy Season 9': Joss Whedon on why Buffy is getting [SPOILER] -- EXCLUSIVE". Retrieved October 14, 2012.
36.Jump up ^ "The ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Abortion Controversy". Retrieved October 14, 2012.
37.Jump up ^ "CBR'S TOP 100 COMICS OF 2012, #74 - 50". Comic Book Resources. December 27, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
38.Jump up ^ "IGN.com".
39.Jump up ^ "comicbookresources.com".
40.Jump up ^ Moccio, Michael. "Interview with Dark Horse’s Angel and Faith Artist Rebekah Isaacs". Emertainment Monthly. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
External links[edit]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer at Dark Horse Comics


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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight

Trade paperback cover of The Long Way Home. Art by Jo Chen.

Publication information

Publisher
Dark Horse Comics
Schedule
Monthly
Format
Limited series
Genre
Fantasy

Publication date
March 14, 2007 – January 19, 2011
Number of issues
40 (core series)
 3 (one-shots)
Main character(s)
Scooby Gang
Creative team

Writer(s)
Joss Whedon
Brian K. Vaughan
Drew Goddard
Jane Espenson
Brad Meltzer
and others
Penciller(s)
Georges Jeanty
Karl Moline
Inker(s)
Andy Owens
Colorist(s)
Dave Stewart
 Michelle Madsen
Creator(s)
Joss Whedon
Collected editions

The Long Way Home
ISBN 1-59307-822-6
No Future for You
ISBN 159307963X
Wolves at the Gate
ISBN 1595821651
Time of Your Life
ISBN 1595823107
Predators and Prey
ISBN 1595823425
Retreat
ISBN 1595824154
Twilight
ISBN 1595825584
Last Gleaming
ISBN 1595826106
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics from 2007 to 2011. The series serves as a canonical[1] continuation of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and follows the events of that show's final televised season.[2] It is produced by Joss Whedon, who wrote or co-wrote three of the series arcs and several one-shot stories. The series was followed by Season Nine in 2011.
The series was originally supposed to consist of about 25 issues,[3] but eventually expanded to a 40-issue run. The series also spawned a handful of spin-off titles, including a Tales of the Vampires follow-up and one-shots focusing on Willow and Riley.[4]
The success of the series prompted IDW Publishing and Joss Whedon to publish a concurrent continuation of the Angel television series, titled Angel: After the Fall, and a Spike comic book series, which bridges some aspects of continuity between After the Fall and Season Eight.[5] A motion comic version of the series debuted in 2010.[6]


Contents  [hide]
1 Plot
2 Writers and story arcs
3 Publication 3.1 Issues
3.2 One-shots
3.3 Trade Paperbacks
3.4 Library Editions
4 Motion comics
5 Reception 5.1 Reaction from original cast
5.2 Awards
6 References
7 External links

Plot[edit]
A year after the end of the television series, Buffy and Xander now lead command-central, which is situated at a citadel in Scotland. At their disposal are a wide array of psychics, seers, witches, and Slayers,[7] along with a vast amount of technology, revealed to be the result of Buffy robbing a Swiss bank to acquire the funds.[8] There are 1,800 Slayers worldwide according to Buffy, almost 500 of whom are working with the Scoobies, separated into 10 squads. Squads include Andrew's in Southern Italy,[9] Giles' in England,[10] Vi's in New York,[11] Robin's in Cleveland, Ohio,[12] and another led by Rona in Chicago, Illinois.[13] For Buffy's protection and because her name is feared worldwide, two decoys are put in place: one partying in Rome and one on a mission in demonic underground caverns.[14] Buffy now relies heavily on Willow, whose character arc sees her under the tutelage of a powerful demon called Saga Vasuki.[8][15] Under Saga Vasuki, Willow's power has grown phenomenally; for example, she can now fly and cast extremely complicated and large-scale spells.[7]
In the wake of Sunnydale's destruction, elements within the U.S. government view the expanded Slayers and the Scooby Gang as international terrorists and characterize Buffy as a "charismatic, uncompromising and completely destructive" leader. General Voll, a member of a mystically aware Initiative-like government project, describes fear of their resources, power, and ideology.[7] The government has teamed with Sunnydale survivor/powerful witch Amy Madison and Season 6 villain Warren Mears in the hopes of bringing Buffy down.[9] Simultaneously, an evil British socialite Slayer called Lady Genevieve Savidge plots to usurp Buffy's place in the Slayer hierarchy,[12] and a shrewd cabal of Japanese vampires scheme to reverse the global activation of Potential Slayers in "Chosen".[16] The appearances of these villains are connected to "Twilight", the enigmatic Big Bad of the season, a masked person who views the expanded ranks of Slayers as a threat to humanity and wants to destroy them, and bring about an end to all magic on Earth.[13] It later transpires that like Amy and Warren, Buffy's ex-boyfriend Riley Finn is also loyal to Twilight,[17] though Riley turns out to have been Buffy's double agent.[18]
Halfway through the season, ditzy vampire Harmony Kendall rises to fame as a reality TV star and ushers in a new pro-vampire, anti-Slayer world order.[19] Under attack from Twilight and other demons as well as militaries across the world, the various Slayer squads (including Faith) reconvene in retreat from their enemy. Because Twilight can now track the group through their use of magic, Buffy and her friends relocate to Tibet to learn from Oz how to suppress magical natures for witches and Slayers alike. Giles and Buffy are both concerned with the extent to which they rely on Willow, worried she may go overboard again as in Season Six;[20] Buffy's fears are in part justified by her visit to the future (a crossover with the Whedon miniseries Fray) where she was forced to kill a future Dark Willow.[17] Following the fray with Twilight, in which many Slayers were killed, Buffy developed abilities similar to those of Twilight.
A subplot involves the repercussions of Dawn's college relationship with a boy named Kenny (described as a "thricewise"), whom she cheated on, losing her virginity to his roommate.[8] Consequently, Dawn has been cursed with mystical transformations: first into a giant,[7] then a centaur,[11] and finally a living doll until she apologizes to Kenny and breaks the spell.[21] Among the core group, Buffy is for a time romantically drawn to another woman: a Slayer named Satsu, and Xander to Slayer Renée;[16] Willow's relationship with the core group is more estranged, while she protectively withholds Kennedy from her friends.[8] Kennedy is unaware of the sexual aspect of Willow's relationship with Saga Vasuki.[17] Giles and Buffy, at odds, fall from speaking terms with one another. Giles goes to work with Faith, in trying to prevent more Slayers from going rogue.[22] Although Buffy comes to feel that her only compatible mate is Xander, and is upset to learn that he truly loves Dawn,[23] she and Angel succumb to their desires for one another upon their reunion,[24] though the extent to which they were in control of their actions is uncertain.[25]
In the series' penultimate arc, Twilight is revealed to be Buffy's former lover, Angel. Angel attempts to explain that his Twilight persona was used to unify the anti-Slayer movement, thus limiting the potential destruction they could have caused working independently.[24] His secondary goal was to push Buffy's development so that the two of them could reunite romantically and ascend to a higher plane of existence, itself called Twilight.[26] However, whatever magical effect Angel was under seemed to wane after Buffy realised she was needed back on Earth to assist her friends as demons poured in from other dimensions to destroy the old universe. At the last moment, Buffy's other love, Spike arrives in a futuristic ship to announce he has a solution to the problem at hand.[25] In the final arc, "Last Gleaming", Spike's information leads them to source both of magic and of Twilight's power, a mystical "seed" buried beneath Sunnydale. Giles plans to destroy it, but Twilight possesses Angel and compels him to kill Giles by snapping his neck. Distraught, Buffy smashes the seed herself. Twilight is stopped but magic is also removed from the universe. Though Slayers and vampires retain their powers, witches for example are left entirely powerless. Subsequently, Willow breaks up with Kennedy and Faith inherits Giles' estate and attempts to begin Angel's rehabilitation. A pariah in the community of Slayers and former witches, Buffy moves to San Francisco where she lives as a houseguest at Dawn and Xander's apartment, and resumes her former duties as Slayer: patrolling at night for vampires.
Writers and story arcs[edit]
Joss Whedon serves as "executive producer" for the series across every issue, giving his other writers notes on characterization, continuity and his overall concept in mind as he would when overseeing Buffy as a television series. Whedon wrote the first story arc ("The Long Way Home", #1–4), the fourth ("Time of Your Life", #16–19), the final story arc ("Last Gleaming", #36–40), and several intermediary one-shot stories (#5, #10, #11, "Willow", and #31). Comic and television writer Brian K. Vaughan became the first guest writer on the series, writing the second story arc "No Future for You" (#6–9). While Vaughan was not a "Buffyverse" staff member, he was a fan of both series (particularly the character of Faith) and Joss Whedon himself was a fan of Vaughan's Marvel Comics series Runaways, on which he served as writer during the period Vaughan wrote "No Future for You." Former Buffy and Angel writer Drew Goddard wrote the series' third arc, "Wolves at the Gate" (#12–15). Goddard first became a Buffy writer in its final season, starting with the episode "Selfless" and finishing with the Angel episode "The Girl in Question", which itself obliquely hints at the life of Buffy post-season seven. Goddard went on to become a writer for the movie Cloverfield and acclaimed American dramas Lost and Alias (all working alongside producer J. J. Abrams) while also penning the story "Antique" for canonical Buffy comic book Tales of the Vampires, which he references in "Wolves at the Gate".
Film, comics and television writer-producer Jeph Loeb wrote issue #20 of the series ("After These Messages... We'll Be Right Back!". Loeb had previously been involved with Whedon in the conception of Buffy the Animated Series, which never came to be. Following Loeb are Buffyverse alumni Jane Espenson, Doug Petrie,[27] Drew Z. Greenberg, and Steven S. DeKnight as well as comic book writer Jim Krueger, who each wrote an issue between issues #21 and #25 ("Predators and Prey"), which is a single arc told from a number of different perspectives. These one-shots follow the perspectives of Harmony (#21, Espenson), Satsu/Kennedy (#22, DeKnight), Buffy/Andrew (#23, Greenberg), Giles/Faith (#24, Krueger) and a Xander/Dawn issue which will also reveal more about Twilight (#25, Petrie).[28] Jane Espenson returned for a five-issue arc involving the character of Oz for issues #26–30, titled "Retreat"[29] and also wrote a one-shot about Riley. Joss Whedon returned to write two one-shots, "Willow: Goddesses and Monsters" and issue #31, "Turbulence". Brad Meltzer, author of several New York Times best-selling books and later both Identity Crisis and Justice League for DC Comics wrote the penultimate story arc of Season Eight, "Twilight", which is issues #32–35. Whedon himself resumes authorship for the final five issues (#36–40, "Last Gleaming") of the series, bringing Season Eight to an end.[30]
Dark Horse Presents has also offered several short, canonical side stories to the mix. "Harmony Bites" by Espenson and Moline is a fictional episode of Harmony Kendall's television series, tying into issue #21. "Vampy Cat Play Friend" is a fictional television commercial tying in with issue #22, written by Steven S. DeKnight and illustrated by Camilla d'Errico. Joss Whedon teamed up with Jo Chen to produce "Always Darkest", a depiction of Buffy's terrible nightmares, and Espenson teamed up with Moline again to produce "Harmony Comes to the Nation", a fictional interview for The Colbert Report where Harmony lays out her ambitions, both tying in with Jane Espenson's "Retreat" arc. Jackie Kessler wrote "Tales of the Vampires: Carpe Noctem", a two-part ministory with the previously unseen characters Ash and Cyn, about the consequences of Harmony Kendall's television series from a vampire's point of view.
Publication[edit]
Issues[edit]

Title
Issue #
Release date

"The Long Way Home, Part I" 1 March 14, 2007
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy Summers leads a squad of Slayers in Scotland with the help of her friend Xander Harris and her sister-turned-giant Dawn. Meanwhile, a government installation investigates the demolished town of Sunnydale.

"The Long Way Home, Part II" 2 April 4, 2007
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The government recruits Amy Madison as their operative to dispatch Buffy. She travels to Scotland, unleashes an army of zombies on the castle, and binds Buffy in a sleep that can only be broken by a true love's kiss.

"The Long Way Home, Part III" 3 May 2, 2007
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Still bound in a sleep, Buffy explores her dreamspace with Ethan Rayne. Willow Rosenberg comes to the Slayers' aid in a battle against Amy and her army of zombies.

"The Long Way Home, Part IV" 4 June 6, 2007
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Amy kidnaps Willow and presents her to a skinless Warren Mears. Xander and some practicing witches attempt to create a portal to send Buffy and Satsu to Willow's rescue. A U.S. government general warns Buffy of "Twilight", the end of magic.

"The Chain" 5 July 25, 2007
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Paul Lee
A young woman reveals how she went from being a high school student to being Buffy’s decoy.

"No Future for You, Part I" 6 September 5, 2007
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Penciller: Georges Jeanty
In Cleveland, Rupert Giles recruits Faith to assassinate Lady Genevieve Savidge: a rogue Slayer who threatens to destroy the world. Meanwhile in Scotland, Buffy admits to Xander her worry of "Twilight".

"No Future for You, Part II" 7 October 3, 2007
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Faith infiltrates Lady Genevieve Savidge's estate only to discover an amicable connection with her. Willow questions Dawn on her newly giant stature.

"No Future for You, Part III" 8 November 7, 2007
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Faith finds herself torn when Lady Genevieve reveals her plan to kill Buffy. Matters get worse, when Genevieve's mentor Roden kidnaps Buffy and brings her face to face with Faith.

"No Future for You, Part IV" 9 December 5, 2007
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Faith and Lady Genevieve engage in battle to the death. Buffy and Giles' relationship is further strained when she questions him about Faith's mission. Meanwhile, a mysterious character named Twilight meets with a U.S. government agent to discuss the events with Faith and Genevieve.

"Anywhere but Here" 10 January 2, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Cliff Richards
A Minder named Robin welcomes Buffy and Willow to Tichajt who presents to them the past, present, and future, revealing kept secrets between the best friends. Dawn embarrassingly reveals to Xander that she did not sleep with her boyfriend like most suspect, but instead slept with his college roommate.

"A Beautiful Sunset" 11 February 6, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy invites Satsu to dust a group of vampires at a graveyard. There, Buffy declares to her that she knows Satsu planted the true love's kiss on her when she was bound in sleep. Suddenly, Twilight attacks both of the girls and introduces to Buffy his malicious plan to destroy all of the Slayers.

"Wolves at the Gate, Part I" 12 March 5, 2008
Writer: Drew Goddard Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Just when Xander, Renée, Andrew, Willow, and Dawn all walk in on Buffy and Satsu naked in bed, a group of Japanese vampires breach the castle walls and successfully steal the Scythe. In need for assistance to defeat the vampires, Xander seeks an old friend, Dracula.

"Wolves at the Gate, Part II" 13 April 2, 2008
Writer: Drew Goddard Penciller: Georges Jeanty
When confronted by Xander about the Japanese vampires, Dracula realizes the group has stolen his unique powers, and commits to help out of pride. Meanwhile, Buffy is preparing an all-out assault against the vampires, who have been spotted in Tokyo by the slayer Aiko. The vampires spot Aiko's surveillance and set an ambush: the female vampire Kumiko uses the Scythe to magically revert Aiko into a regular, helpless girl, and the vampire leader Toru then kills her.

"Wolves at the Gate, Part III" 14 May 7, 2008
Writer: Drew Goddard Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy and her team arrive in Japan to find Aiko's corpse strung up with a welcome message written in her blood. They meet up with Xander, Renée, and Dracula, who teaches Willow a spell to contain the desolidifying vampires. With Giant Dawn as a distraction, the team assaults the vampires' lair, only to discover that it's a trap as Toru appears behind them and impales Renée on the scythe.

"Wolves at the Gate, Part IV" 15 June 4, 2008
Writer: Drew Goddard Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Dracula sends Willow to perform the spell to destroy the vampires' special powers. No longer invincible, the Slayers charge and attack all of the vampires. Dawn is confronted by a mecha version of herself.

"Time of Your Life, Part I" 16 July 2, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Karl Moline
When Buffy and Willow reunite with Kennedy and Vi to unlock the secrets of the Scythe, Buffy finds herself transported into the future of Slayer Melaka Fray. In Scotland, Dawn transforms into a centaur and the castle is hit by a rocket sent by Amy and Warren.

"Time of Your Life, Part II" 17 August 6, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Karl Moline
After a shaky introduction, Buffy and Fray must join forces in order to discover the purpose of their meeting. Elsewhere in Haddyn, Fray's twin brother vampire Harth has teamed up with Dark Willow to affect time.

"Time of Your Life, Part III" 18 September 3, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Karl Moline
Xander and Dawn escape from the siege and enter deep in the forest, only to then encounter mystical tree creatures. In the future, Dark Willow convinces Fray to immobilize Buffy in order to save the world.

"Time of Your Life, Part IV" 19 November 26, 2008
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Karl Moline
When a portal temporarily opens between the timelines, Buffy rushes to get back to the present. However, Dark Willow and Fray will make sure she does otherwise. Meanwhile in the present, Riley Finn shows allegiance to Twilight.

"After These Messages... We'll Be Right Back!" 20 December 17, 2008
Writer: Jeph Loeb Penciller: Georges Jeanty, Eric Wight
Buffy wakes up and finds herself back in her 16-year-old body, conflicted with her Slayer duties when Cordelia Chase hosts a house party.

"Harmonic Divergence" 21 January 7, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Harmony sets a contract with MTV to produce a reality television show, presenting vampires as helpless victims.

"Swell" 22 February 4, 2009
Writer: Steven S. DeKnight Penciller: Georges Jeanty
When Kennedy is sent to Japan to evaluate Satsu's efforts as team leader, they are taken by surprise by some fierce furry creatures who want to do nothing more than destroy Buffy.

"Predators and Prey" 23 March 4, 2009
Writer: Drew Z. Greenberg Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy and Andrew embark on a trip to take down the rogue slayer Simone while the rest of the world still feels hatred toward the slayer population.

"Safe" 24 April 1, 2009
Writer: Jim Krueger Penciller: Cliff Richards
Faith and Giles encounter a runaway Slayer named Courtney. The three investigate The Slayer Sanctuary and its tie to the town of Hanselstadt.

"Living Doll" 25 May 6, 2009
Writer: Doug Petrie Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy will finally have to take action regarding her little sister when Dawn's mysterious disappearance makes it a priority.

"Retreat, Part I" 26 July 1, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Old friends such as Faith, Andrew, and Satsu are forced to return to Buffy's HQ, who are much the same as them under siege from Twilight's forces, humans and demons. Defenses fall as the Scottish castle comes under attack. The group learns Twilight is able to track them through their use of magic, forcing the team to retreat to Tibet to learn how to suppress magic from Oz.

"Retreat, Part II" 27 August 5, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Upon arriving in Tibet, the group is filled in on what has happened to Oz since season 4 when he departed Sunnydale. Also, Twilight uses every technological and mystical way to locate the Slayers since they mysteriously vanished from his radar.

"Retreat, Part III" 28 September 2, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy and her group of Slayers use hard labor and meditation to suppress their inherent magic in order to remain hidden from Twilight. Meanwhile, Andrew uses his videocamera to seek out and expose a spy amongst them—but it may be too late.

"Retreat, Part IV" 29 October 7, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Having been discovered by Twilight and his army, the Slayer Organization prepare to do battle with human weapons in order to survive to fight another day.

"Retreat, Part V" 30 November 4, 2009
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The epic battle between the Slayers and Twilight's armies comes to a halt when three giant Goddesses rise from the ground and rain destruction on them.

"Turbulence" 31 January 13, 2010
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy admits her attraction to Xander and reveals she's inexplicably inherited superpowers that can defeat the Goddesses.

"Twilight, Part I" 32 February 3, 2010
Writer: Brad Meltzer Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy and Xander test the limits of her new superpowers; Willow suspects they originate from the dead Slayers.

"Twilight, Part II" 33 March 3, 2010
Writer: Brad Meltzer Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy discovers that Twilight is in fact her ex-boyfriend, Angel. Giles begins to explain of a prophecy.

"Twilight, Part III" 34 April 7, 2010
Writer: Brad Meltzer Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Giles explains that the Slayer and the vampire are a part of a prophecy about the formation of a new dimension. Meanwhile, Buffy and Angel find themselves having sex and awaking in just such a place.

"Twilight, Part IV" 35 May 5, 2010
Writer: Brad Meltzer Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Buffy and Angel choose to return to Earth to assist their friends as the old universe is invaded by extra-dimensional demons.

"Last Gleaming, Part I" 36 September 1, 2010
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
The revelation that Angel is Twilight breeds dissension among Buffy and her allies, just as Spike returns

"Last Gleaming, Part II" 37 October 6, 2010
Writer: Joss Whedon and Scott Allie Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Spike informs Buffy that in order to destroy the Twilight realm, she must break the source of magic—a seed buried deep in Sunnydale.

"Last Gleaming, Part III" 38 November 3, 2010
Writer: Joss Whedon and Scott Allie Penciller: Georges Jeanty
As Slayers all over the world engage in a mass battle against demon armies from other dimensions, Buffy and a select few get a hold of the Seed.

"Last Gleaming, Part IV" 39 December 1, 2010
Writer: Joss Whedon and Scott Allie Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Angel stops Giles' attempt at destroying the Seed by snapping his neck. Mortified, Buffy breaks it and collapses into tears as the world is relieved of all magic, including Willow's abilities.

"Last Gleaming, Part V" 40 January 19, 2011
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Months after the battle, Buffy is waitressing in San Francisco, living at Xander and Dawn's apartment. Simone kills the Military General and hunts for Buffy next.
One-shots[edit]

Title
Release date

"Tales of the Vampires: The Thrill" June 3, 2009
Writer: Becky Cloonan Penciller: Vasilis Lolos
In a small town in New Hampshire, a young man named Jacob befriends a reckless gang of vampires who enjoy drinking his blood. Jacob craves the high and the easy escape from the monotony of his life that this "bloodletting" provides. A mysterious character named May appears, who can help Jacob leave those high-school days behind, unless his friend Alexia doesn't stop her first.

"Willow: Goddesses and Monsters" December 23, 2009
Writer: Joss Whedon Penciller: Karl Moline
Following the demise of Sunnydale, Willow went on a walkabout where she met a very sultry, extremely powerful serpent lady who seems to be the key to unraveling the mysteries of what Willow is, and will become.

"Riley: Commitment through Distance, Virtue through Sin" August 18, 2010
Writer: Jane Espenson Penciller: Karl Moline
In the midst of the battle, Buffy's former flame, the demon-fighting soldier Riley Finn, seemingly in league with Twilight, was revealed as a double agent working for the Slayer army. Now Espenson and artist Karl Moline (Fray, Willow) uncover the secrets of Riley's recruitment by Buffy, his infiltration of Twilight's inner circle, and what's become of him and his superspy wife, Sam.
Trade Paperbacks[edit]
The issues were collected together into trade paperbacks:

#
Title
Publisher
Year
ISBN
Reprints
1 The Long Way Home Dark Horse Comics October 24, 2007 ISBN 1593078226
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]










2 No Future for You Dark Horse Comics May 21, 2008 ISBN 159307963X
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]











3 Wolves at the Gate Dark Horse Comics November 11, 2008 ISBN 1595821651
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]









4 Time of Your Life Dark Horse Comics May 6, 2009 ISBN 1595823107
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]











5 Predators and Prey Dark Horse Comics September 30, 2009 ISBN 1595823425
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]














6 Retreat Dark Horse Comics February 25, 2010 ISBN 1595824154
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]









7 Twilight Dark Horse Comics October 6, 2010 ISBN 1595825584
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]











8 Last Gleaming Dark Horse Comics June 1, 2011 ISBN 1595826106
Collects[show]






 Credits and full notes[show]












Note: The full title of all volumes listed here start with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight: ".



Library Editions[edit]
The series has been collected into four deluxe, oversized, hardcover editions under the title "Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight Library Edition", each containing ten issues and extra features.[33]

Title
Release Date
Publisher
Writers
Contains
Volume 1 May 30, 2012 Dark Horse Comics Joss Whedon and Brian K. Vaughan Season 8 issues 1-10, "Always Darkest", covers gallery, sketches gallery.
Volume 2 September 12, 2012 Dark Horse Comics Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard, and Jeph Loeb Season 8 issues 11-20, Willow: Goddesses and Monsters, covers gallery, sketches gallery.
Volume 3 January 8, 2013 Dark Horse Comics Jane Espenson, Steven S. DeKnight, Drew Z. Greenberg, Jim Krueger, and Doug Petrie Season 8 issues 21-30, covers gallery, sketches gallery.
Volume 4 March 20, 2013 Dark Horse Comics Joss Whedon, Brad Meltzer, and Scott Allie Season 8 issues 31-40, Riley: Commitment through Distance, Virtue through Sin, covers gallery, sketches gallery.
Motion comics[edit]
Fox Home Entertainment produced motion comics based on the first 19 issues of Season Eight. The first motion comic was released on Amazon Video on Demand and iTunes on July 19, 2010, with new motion comics being released every Monday.[6] The Region-1 Blu-ray and DVD of the motion comic series was released on January 4, 2011, and includes limited edition Jo Chen packaging and a collectible reprint of Dark Horse Comic's first book in the series.[34] The Region-2 DVD was released on October 3, 2011.[35]
Reception[edit]
Initial reaction to Season Eight was generally positive, despite the switch in medium leading to comparison between the television series and the comic. Mathew Springer of The Comicbloc described the series as "very good ... and slightly strange." He praised Whedon's writing in the opening issue, claiming, "The humor, pop culture references and spot-on quirky characterizations are all on vibrant display," and looked forward to the direction the book was going in. However, he admitted that it was hard for him to accept the comic as canon, claiming "there’s something subtly undermining this effort simply because it’s a comic book and not on television."[36] Mark Stoddard of Comix Nexus also approached the series "with some trepidation, unsure of whether there would be more great stories that really needed to be told, and wondering whether the magic of TV could be replicated in the medium of comics."[37] TV Squad's Keith McDuffee expressed that reading Buffy as a comic book after seeing it on television for seven years was strange,[38] but the new format was a good thing because, "You don't have ugly casting problems and the special effects budget isn't a concern at all."[39] In a later review, he reaffirmed this opinion, stating, "Thank God for a medium that lets creativity go completely wild without budget worries."[40]
Georges Jeanty's artwork received praise for being dynamic and true to the characters, rather than trying to appear photo-realistic. According to Mathew Springer, "He brings these people to life not as drawings of actors and actresses, but as fully realized comic book characters in their own right."[36] Mark Stoddard complimented Whedon's choice of Jeanty for the book, saying, "His layouts and storytelling are clear, he handles the action sequences pretty well, and the character likenesses are excellent, retaining a sense of artistic individuality, rather than simply generating portraits or rehashing television stills."[37] However, Keith McDuffee criticized Jeanty's work, feeling, "The cover images...are amazingly detailed and truly capture what we remember of the characters, but the inside pages have a bit to be desired."[40] Richard George of IGN described Jeanty's work as bringing "a mixture of real life practicality and zany cartoons," but warned readers not to compare it to the "immaculate" covers by Jo Chen, explaining, "Do not expect the art inside to be what it is on the outside, and don't hold one against the other. Both styles have their place."[41]
Reaction from original cast[edit]
Multiple cast members have commented on the appearances of the characters they originated for the TV series in the Season 8 comics.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who portrayed Buffy, was first informed of Buffy's lesbian experiences by Seth Green, who played Oz, in an on-camera interview, and expressed surprise and approval of the development.[42]
Nicholas Brendon, who portrayed Xander, mentioned the events of issue #12 in the Paley Center for Media Buffy cast reunion held March 20, 2008, to the obvious surprise of James Marsters and Sarah Michelle Gellar,[43] later commenting, "He's looking good, rocking the eye patch in charge of 500 chicks. That is the one thing that Xander would be completely blown away about — being in charge of 500 slayers. Xander wasn't in charge of himself in the show!"[44]
Anthony Stewart Head, who played Rupert Giles, said, "I've seen bits of it and I'd love to see more because it's so cool. It's Joss — and I love Joss's writing. I haven’t had a lot of time but I must get the whole season and check it out."[45]
Elizabeth Anne Allen, who portrayed Amy, described the series as "awesome," saying, "[Season Six/Seven] was fun.... but I really would have loved to play Amy in Season 8. She is much darker."[46]
Awards[edit]

Group
Year
Award
Work
Result
Diamond Comic Distributors 2007 Comic Book of the Year, under $3.00 Issue #1 Won
Diamond Comic Distributors 2007 Licensed Comic of the Year Issue #1 Won[47]
Eisner Award 2008 Best Continuing Series  Nominated
Eisner Award 2008 Best New Series  Won[48]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2008 Best Book  Nominated[49]
Diamond Comic Distributors 2008 Licensed Comic Book of the Year Issue #12 Won[49]
GLAAD Media Awards 20th Annual 2009 Outstanding Comic Book "Wolves at the Gate" Won[50]
Wizard Magazine Fan Awards 2009 (#211 Platinum Edition) 2009 Favorite Licensed Comic and Favorite Heroine Buffy Summers Won
Wizard Magazine 2009 Top 100 Graphic Novels of the Wizard Magazine Era "Wolves at the Gate" Placed #67
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ Rudolph, Ileane (December 7, 2006). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is Back: The Complete Joss Whedon Q&A". TV Guide. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
2.Jump up ^ Jennifer Vineyard (February 1, 2007). "Re-Buffed: New Comic Book Series Resurrects Vampire Slayer". MTV. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
3.Jump up ^ "News > Interviews > Interview with Buffy creator Joss Whedon March 26, 2007". Darkhorse.com. December 17, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
4.Jump up ^ Elizabeth@TFAW (August 10, 2009). "Check out Dark Horse’s One-Shot Wonders!". TFAW.com. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
5.Jump up ^ "(SPOILER) Brian Lynch talks about his upcoming Spike series.". Whedonesque.com. July 31, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
6.^ Jump up to: a b "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Motion Comic, Ep.1 Issue 1: The Long Way Home, Part 1". Amazon.com. July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
7.^ Jump up to: a b c d Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "The Long Way Home" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 1 (March 2007), Dark Horse Comics
8.^ Jump up to: a b c d Joss Whedon (w), Cliff Richards (p), Andy Owen (i). "Anywhere but Here" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 1 (January 2008), Dark Horse Comics
9.^ Jump up to: a b Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "The Long Way Home" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 1 (April 2007), Dark Horse Comics
10.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "The Long Way Home" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 3 (May 2007), Dark Horse Comics
11.^ Jump up to: a b Joss Whedon (w), Karl Moline (p), Andy Owen (i). "Time of Your Life" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 16 (July 2008), Dark Horse Comics
12.^ Jump up to: a b Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 6 (September 2007), Dark Horse Comics
13.^ Jump up to: a b Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "A Beautiful Sunset" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 11 (February 2008), Dark Horse Comics
14.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (w), Paul Lee (p), Andy Owen (i). "The Chain" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 1 (July 2007), Dark Horse Comics
15.Jump up ^ Drew Goddard (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Wolves at the Gate" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 15 (June 2008), Dark Horse Comics
16.^ Jump up to: a b Drew Goddard (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Wolves at the Gate" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 12 (March 2008), Dark Horse Comics
17.^ Jump up to: a b c Joss Whedon (w), Karl Moline (p), Andy Owen (i). "Time of Your Life" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 19 (November 2008), Dark Horse Comics
18.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Retreat" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 30 (November 2009), Dark Horse Comics
19.Jump up ^ Jane Espenson (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Harmonic Divergence" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 21 (January 2009), Dark Horse Comics
20.Jump up ^ Jane Espenson (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Retreat" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 26 (January 2009), Dark Horse Comics
21.Jump up ^ Doug Petrie (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Living Doll" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 25 (January 2009), Dark Horse Comics
22.Jump up ^ Brian K. Vaughan (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "No Future For You" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 9 (December 2007), Dark Horse Comics
23.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Turbulence" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 32 (January 2010), Dark Horse Comics
24.^ Jump up to: a b Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Twilight" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 33 (March 2010), Dark Horse Comics
25.^ Jump up to: a b Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Twilight" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 35 (May 2010), Dark Horse Comics
26.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (w), Georges Jeanty (p), Andy Owen (i). "Twilight" Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight 34 (April 2010), Dark Horse Comics
27.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon (December 20, 2006). "Post from Joss at Whedonesque". Whedonesque.com. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
28.Jump up ^ Joss Whedon Teases Return Of Oz, Things To Come In ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Eight’, MTV News.
29.Jump up ^ SDCC '08 - Dark Horse Comics Panel, Newsarama, July 27, 2008
30.Jump up ^ Scott Allie Breaks Down Buffy’s Big Day (Or Night?), Comic Book Resources, March 6, 2008
31.Jump up ^ Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume One: The Long Way Home trade review, Comics Bulletin, November 7, 2007
32.Jump up ^ Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Volume 2: No Future for You, Dark Horse
33.Jump up ^ http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/18-892/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-8-Library-Edition-Volume-1-HC
34.Jump up ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 DVD Details". ShockTilYouDrop.com. July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
35.Jump up ^ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 8 Motion Comic Issue: 1-19 DVD". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
36.^ Jump up to: a b Mathew Springer (March 22, 2007). "Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1". Comic Bloc. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
37.^ Jump up to: a b Mark Stoddard (November 9, 2007). "Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #8". Comics Nexus. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
38.Jump up ^ Keith McDuffee (February 19, 2007). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 comic — An early look". TV Squad. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
39.Jump up ^ Keith McDuffee (March 16, 2007). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home, Part 1 (season premiere)". TV Squad. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
40.^ Jump up to: a b Keith McDuffee (May 3, 2007). "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home, Part 3". TV Squad. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
41.Jump up ^ Richard George (March 13, 2007). "Advance Review: Buffy #1". IGN. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
42.Jump up ^ Gellar, Sarah (April 28, 2008). "Sarah Michelle Gellar reacts to Buffy's lesbian tryst". Retrieved May 24, 2008.
43.Jump up ^ Goldman, Eric (March 24, 2008). "Whedon, Gellar and More at the Buffy Reunion". IGN. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
44.Jump up ^ Rawson-Jones, Ben (May 24, 2008). "Nicholas Brendon laps up 'Buffy' comics". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
45.Jump up ^ Rawson-Jones, Ben (April 28, 2008). "Anthony Head ('The Invisibles')". Retrieved May 24, 2008.
46.Jump up ^ SlayAlive Interview: Elizabeth Anne Allen, SlayAlive.com.
47.Jump up ^ "2007 Gem Award Winners" (PDF). Diamond Comics. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
48.Jump up ^ Eisner Awards Celebrate the “Magic of Comics”, Comic-Con
49.^ Jump up to: a b "2008 Diamond Gem Award Winners". Retrieved February 3, 2009.
50.Jump up ^ "Tyra Banks, Suze Orman Honored at 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by IBM". GLAAD. March 29, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
External links[edit]
 Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight at the Grand Comics Database
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight at the Comic Book DB
Buffy the Vampire Slayer at Dark Horse Comics
Joss Whedon Q&A about Season 8 at TVGuide.com
The Comic Book Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer


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Categories: Dark Horse Comics limited series
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2007 comic debuts
Comics based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics
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 This article does not citeany references or sources. Please help improve this articleby adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(September 2010)
See also: List of Buffyverse comicsand List of Angel comics




Cover to a Dark Horse Buffycomic
Buffy the Vampire Slayer comicsrefer to comic books based on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While many of these comics were published when the television show was on air they are not all considered canonicaland often deal with characters who do not appear on in the television series, most notably in the Tales of the Slayersand Tales of the Vampiresmini-series.
The books were published by Dark Horse Comicsbetween 1998 and 2004, originally in comic format but then gathered into volumes of trade paperbacks. A small number of Buffy comics have not been included in trade paperbacks, such as the books entitled "Giles", "Jonathan", and "Reunion".


Contents [hide]
1Relation to the TV series
2Chronology2.1Pre-20th Century
2.220th Century
2.3BS1
2.4BS2
2.5BS3
2.6BS4/AS1
2.7BS5/AS2
2.8BS6/AS3
2.9BS7/AS4
2.10BS8
2.11Future
3Buffy the Vampire Slayercomic series
4Comics by writer
5External links

Relation to the TV series[edit]
Despite not all comics being canonical, series creator Joss Whedonand a number of writers involved with the television series authored many of the comic books. Overviews summarizing the comic books' storylines were written early in the writing process and were 'approved' by both Fox and Joss Whedon (or his office), and the books were therefore later published as official Buffy merchandise.
The stories in the Buffy comics take place in between episodes of the Buffy the Vampire SlayerTV series, and continue after the series ended. Issues 1 to 63 take place during the period that the series was still on air, and none are written by Joss Whedon himself. The earlier issues are not very easy to place in the series other than the season they are set in. The stories get more specific later on, however; for example, the OzBuffy comics fill in the story line of Oz's character after he leaves the TV series, and the Death of Buffycomics clearly take place between Seasons 5 and 6 of the series.
Starting in 2007, a new series of Buffy comics has been produced, also published by Dark Horse Comics. These are a canonical continuation of the television series and as such are considered Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight. One of the other comics considered canon is the 8-part series Fray, since the main character, Melaka Fray, appears in Season 8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eighttakes place after the series ended, and the issues are written by Joss Whedon to continue the storyline. A subsequent "Season Nine" series followed, accompanied by a companion or sister-series "Angel & Faith" which is set during the same time period and interchanges plots and characters. "Season Ten" debuts in March of 2014, followed by the continuation of its companion series the following month.
Chronology[edit]
Pre-20th Century[edit]
These tales take place from ancient times up until 1900.

Buffyverse stories – Ancient – 1900
Buffyverse location, time
(if known)
Tales of the Slayers: Prologue Ancient
Follows the prehistoric first Slayer, as she is rejected by her village and instructed to fight alone.

Tales of the Slayers: Righteous England, approx 1400.
A Slayer operating within a walled medieval town during a period of witch-hunts.

Tales of the Slayers: The Innocent France, 1789
Claudine is the Slayer during the French Revolution.

Tales of the Vampires: Some Like it Hot Europe, early 19th century
A vampire seeks fun in the sun through some unusual surgery.

Tales of the Slayers: Presumption England, 1813
Elizabeth Weston has to operate in the English upper-class society of 1813.

Tales of the Vampires: Jack London, November 1888
Another crime is reported to the police. Inspector Whitcomb is on Jack's case but holds a secret of his own.

'Tales of the Vampires' framing story England, late 19th century
Young Watchers at a Watcher's academy are taught about vampires via tales from Roche, who holds a vampire captive.

Tales of the Slayers: The Glittering World Sunnydale, late 19th century
The American West and a Navajo Slayer.
20th Century[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place from 1900–1995.

Buffyverse stories: 1901–1995
Location, time
(if known)

Tales of the Vampires: Father 1922 onwards
The tale of a long relationship between a vampire and his human son told over the lifespan of the latter.

Tales of the Vampires: Dames Las Vegas, 1930s
A noirish tale in which a gambling vampire meets his match while scouting casinos.

Buffy graphic novel: Spike & Dru: All's Fair 1933
Spike and Dru are at the World's Fair.

Tales of the Vampires: Dust Bowl USA, 1933
Young Joe Cooper trying to work a barren field that rain hasn't touched.

Tales of the Slayers: Broken Bottle of Djinn, 1937(2nd half) New York 1937
A poor Slayer named Rachel O'Connor must deal with a powerful spirit.

Tales of the Slayers: Sonnenblume Germany, 1938
A young WWII-era German Slayer, Anni Sonnenblume, learns who the true monsters are.

Tales of the Vampires: Spot the Vampire New York, 1950's
A vampire is amongst the people in a 1950's-looking department store.
BS1[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place around Buffy Season 1 (from spring 1996 up until spring 1997).

Buffyverse stories: Spring 1996 – Spring 1997
Location, time
(if known)
Buffygraphic novel: The Origin Los Angeles, summer 1996
Buffy is called while a student in L.A.

Buffygraphic novel: Viva Las Buffy Los Angeles, summer 1996
Buffy runs away to Las Vegas with Pike.

Buffygraphic novel: Slayer Interrupted Los Angeles, summer 1996
Buffy battles sanity in an institution.

Buffygraphic novel: A Stake to the Heart Los Angeles, summer 1996
Buffy arrives in Sunnydale.

BS2[edit]
These tales take place during Buffy Season 2, (from autumn 1997 up until spring 1998).

Buffyverse stories
Location, time
(if known)
Tales of the Slayers: Broken Bottle of Djinn, 1997 Sunnydale, 1997
A powerful spirit is released from a locker at Sunnydale High. Buffy and Willow end up transporting it back to 1937.

Tales of the Vampires: The Problem with Vampires Prague, 1997
Spike and Drusilla leave Prague amongst chaos.

Buffygraphic novel: Spike & Dru: The Queen of Hearts St. Louis, 1997
Spike and Dru are travelling to Sunnydale, but first stop off at St. Louis.

Buffygraphic novel: Dust Waltz Sunnydale, 1997
Two mysterious sisters, Lilith and Lamia, arrive in Sunnydale

Buffygraphic novel: Ring of Fire Sunnydale, 1998
The armor of a samurai demon is taken from a cargo ship, as a fight begins for master of the 'ring of fire'. Giles continues to try to cope without Jenny, and Kendra visits.

Buffygraphic novel: Spike & Dru: Paint the Town Red Sunnydale, spring 1998
Spike is irritated by Drusilla's passion for Angelus. Their relationship comes to a heated end.

BS3[edit]
These tales take place during Buffy Season 3 (from autumn 1997 up until spring 1998).

Buffyverse stories

Location, time
(if known)
Buffygraphic novel: Play With Fire Sunnydale, 1998
A fight involving Xander at school is broken up by a huge scorpion. A new range of dolls turn out to be demonic.

Buffygraphic novel: Spike & Dru: Who Made Who
First appeared in Lovers Walkcomic Sunnydale, 1998
Spike and Dru are a newly made up couple in Brazil.

Buffygraphic novel: Remaining Sunlight Sunnydale, 1998
It's holiday season for Buffy.

Tales of the Vampires: Numb
(During Amends) Sunnydale, Christmas, 1998
Angel tries to control his evil side.

Buffygraphic novel: Uninvited Guests Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy battles Puritans, ice imps, hellhounds, and a demon.

Buffycomic: The Final Cut Sunnydale, 1999
A film crew arrives at Sunnydale to film a horror movie about vampires.

Buffygraphic novel: Bad Blood Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy and the vampire Selke consider the importance of 'looks'.

Buffycomic: Food Chain Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy deals with High school delinquents, out of control crazes, and other obstacles.

Buffygraphic novel: Crash Test Demons Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy balances driving and slaying.

Buffygraphic novel: Pale Reflections Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy vs. the vampire, Selke.

Buffygraphic novel: Angel: The Hollower Sunnydale, 1999
Angel faces an old enemy who hollows out vampires.

Buffycomic: Double Cross Sunnydale, spring, 1999
As Angel drives to L.A. demonic forces hope to exploit the separation of Buffy and Angel.

BS4/AS1[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place during Buffy Season 4, and Angel Season 1 (from autumn 1999 up until spring 2000).

Buffyverse stories
Location, time
(if known)
Buffygraphic novel: Blood of Carthage Sunnydale, 1999
Buffy slays Sunnydale's version of Bigfoot with far-reaching unexpected, and unwated results.

Buffygraphic novel: Oz Sunnydale, 1999
Oz leaves Sunnydale in search of himself.

Buffycomic: Giles Sunnydale, 2000
Watcher Micaela Tomasi notifies Giles of the death of his former mentor, Archibald Lassiter. Giles is drawn back to England.

Buffycomic: Jonathan Sunnydale, 2000
Jonathan has just performed a spell making him the superstar of Sunnydale.

Buffy/Angelgraphic novel: Past Lives Sunnydale, L.A., 2000
A huntress is tracking demons in L.A. and leaves them alive to scare Angel. The Scooby Gang come to L.A.

Buffygraphic novel: Out of the Woodwork Sunnydale, 2000
Sunnydale becomes infested with creepy crawlies.

BS5/AS2[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place during Buffy Season 5, and Angel Season 2 (from autumn 2000 up until spring 2001).

Buffyverse stories
Location, time
(if known)
Buffygraphic novel: Haunted Sunnydale, 2000
Faith tells Angel a story that takes place immediately after she was put into a coma. It seems the ghost of Sunnydale's former Mayor, Richard Wilkins, wanted some revenge.

Buffygraphic novel: False Memories Sunnydale, 2000
Dawn goes missing. Her disappearance seems to be linked to the former Slayer Yuki Makumura.

BuffyGraphic novel story: Willow & Tara: Wannablessedbe Sunnydale, 2000
The envy of a girl toward Willow and Tara's relationship becomes dangerous.

Buffygraphic novel: Autumnal Sunnydale, 2000
Buffy needs the help of a long-dead slayer to conquer a something hunting her down.

Buffygraphic novel: Ugly Little Monsters Sunnydale, 2001
Scoobies battle small smelly green creatures.


Buffygraphic novel: Death of Buffy: Lost & Found’ Sunnydale, 2001
The Scoobies' emotional states have been unbalanced and a demon begins feeding from those emotions.

Buffygraphic novel: Death of Buffy Sunnydale, 2001
Willow takes lead but soon Sunnydale is under attack from disgruntled lizard-demons.

BS6/AS3[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place around Buffy Season 6, and Angel Season 3 (from autumn 2001 up until spring 2002).

Buffyverse stories
Location, time
(if known)
Buffycomic: Reunion Sunnydale, 2001
Xander, Anya and Dawn imagine what happened when Buffy and Angel met up.

Buffygraphic novel Willow & Tara: Wilderness Sunnydale, 2001
Willow, Tara, and Dawn become involved in mystery after coming across a plot of cursed earth near the Pacific Coast Highway.

Buffygraphic novel: Note from the Underground Sunnydale, 2001
Angel breaks Faith out of jail and the two of them travel to Sunnydale to help control chaos there.

Buffygraphic novel: Creatures of Habit Sunnydale, 2001
A new clubbing experience is emerging in Sunnydale. DJs are mixing up music, drugs, and blood.

Buffygraphic novel: Death of Buffy: Withdrawal Sunnydale, 2001
Buffy's has returned from the grave but the D.J. vampire Velatti has also returned and seeks revenge.

Buffycomic: 'Chaos Bleeds'comic prequel Sunnydale, 2001–2002
The walls between reality are 'bleeding' into each other as people from Buffy's past descend onto a chaotic Sunnydale.
BS7/AS4[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place around Buffy Season 7, and Angel Season 4 (from autumn 2002 up until spring 2003).

Buffyverse stories
Location, time
(if known)
Tales of the Vampires: Stacey USA, 2002
A young teenage vampire named Stacy explains how, whilst human, she was enchanted by the idea of magic.

Tales of the Vampires: Taking Care of Business USA, 2002
A vampire from the 15th century was formerly an inquisitor has gone mad.

BS8[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place after Angel Season 5 and after Buffy ended, making it what would have been Season 8

Buffyverse stories: 2004 onwards
(canon = bold, non-canon = italic)
Location, time
(if known)
Buffy Season 8 comics: The Long Way Home Scotland, Italy, Sunnydale ruins, England – late 2004/early 2005
A year and a half since the events of Chosen, and the Scoobies – now branded terrorists – have greatly expanded their operations.

Buffy Season 8 comics: The Chain ???- late 2004/ early 2005
The first standalone comic that tells the story of one of Buffy's Decoys.

Buffy Season 8 comics: No Future For You England/Cleveland – late 2004/early 2005
Giles recruits Faith for a mission relating to a rogue Slayer named Lady Genevieve Savidge.

Buffy Season 8 comics: Anywhere but Here Scotland – late 2004/early 2005
Buffy and Willow meet a demon who reveals a dim future, forcing the two to reflect on their past.

Buffy Season 8 comics: A Beautiful Sunset Scotland – late 2004/early 2005
Buffy and Satsuare attacked by Twilighton a vampire hunt. Satsu reveals that she is in love with Buffy.

Buffy Season 8 comics: Wolves at the Gate Scotland, Japan – late 2004/early 2005
Buffy's scythe is stolen by Japanese shape shifting vampires and the Scooby Gangteams up with Draculato get it back.

Buffy Season 8 comics: Time of Your Life Scotland, New York City – 2005/ New York City 23rd century
Buffy is shanghaied to Fray's time to fight magical enemies.

Buffy Season 8 comics: Predators and Prey Scotland, California – 2005
Buffy's former classmate Harmony lands her own reality TV show.

Buffy Season 8 comics: Retreat Berlin, Tibetan Mountains – 2005
Upon arriving in Tibet, the group is filled in on what has happened to Oz since season 4 when he departed Sunnydale.

Future[edit]
These Buffyverse tales take place after Buffy Season 8.

Buffyverse stories – Distant future
Buffyverse location, time
(if known)
Fraylimited series New York, 23rd century
A demon named Urkonn arrives to tell Melaka Fraythat she is the first Slayer to be called in 200 years and reveals her destiny to her.

Tales of the Slayersgraphic novel story: Tales New York, 23rd century
Fray discovers a former Watcher’s sanctuary and records of her Slayer forebears.

Buffy the Vampire Slayercomic series[edit]
See also List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics
Dark Horse published these comics, that were only later collected into the trade paperbacks described above:
1.Wu-tang Fang
2.Halloween
3.Cold Turkey
4.White Christmas
5.Happy New Year
6.New Kid on the Block, part 1
7.New Kid on the Block, part 2
8.The Final Cut
9.Hey, Good Looking, part 1 (Bad Blood, part 1)
10.Hey, Good Looking, part 2 (Bad Blood, part 2)
11.A Boy Named Sue (Bad Blood, part 3)
12.A Nice Girl Like You
13.Love Sick Blues (Bad Blood, part 4)
14.Love Sick Blues (Bad Blood, part 5)
15.Lost Highway (Bad Blood, part 6)
16.The Food Chain
17.She's No Lady, part 1 (Bad Blood, part 7)
18.She's No Lady, part 2 (Bad Blood, part 8)
19.Old Friend (Bad Blood, part 9)
20.Double Cross
21.The Blood of Carthage, part 1
22.The Blood of Carthage, part 2
23.The Blood of Carthage, part 3
24.The Blood of Carthage, part 4
25.The Blood of Carthage, part 5
26.The Heart of a Slayer, part 1
27.The Heart of a Slayer, part 2
28.Cemetery of Lost Love
29.Past Lives, part 2
30.Past Lives, part 4
31.Lost And Found
32.Invasion
33.Hive Mentality
34.Out Of The Fire, Into The Hive
35.Remember The Beginning
36.Remember The Lies, part 2
37.Remember The Truth
38.Remember The End
39.Night of a Thousand Vampires
40.Ugly Little Monsters, part 1
41.Ugly Little Monsters, part 2
42.Ugly Little Monsters, part 3
43.The Death of Buffy, part 1
44.The Death of Buffy, part 2
45.The Death of Buffy, part 3
46.Withdrawal
47.Note From The Underground, part 1
48.Note From The Underground, part 2
49.Note From The Underground, part 3
50.Note From The Underground, part 4
51.Viva Las Buffy!, Act 1: Broken Parts
52.Viva Las Buffy!, Act 2: Full House
53.Viva Las Buffy!, Act 3: Deuces Wild
54.Viva Las Buffy!, Act 4: The Big Fold
55.Hoopy the Bear
56.Slayer Interrupted, act 1
57.Slayer Interrupted, act 2
58.Slayer Interrupted, act 3
59.Slayer Interrupted, act 4
60.A Stake To The Heart, act 1
61.A Stake To The Heart, act 2
62.A Stake To The Heart, act 3
63.A Stake To The Heart, act 4
A collection of Buffycomics in a number of volumes were published by Dark Horse Comicsbetween 1998 and 2003 as Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus.
Comics by writer[edit]
See Buffyverse comics#Comics by writer
External links[edit]
Official Buffy the Vampire Slayer Comics Home
The Unofficial Comic Book Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer


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Categories: Comics based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Fantasy comics
Horror comics
Magic in comics
Werewolves in comics
Zombies in comics






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This page was last modified on 17 February 2014 at 20:49.
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