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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 (collected editions) #1
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home
Collects: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, #1–5
Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her own.
Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to season seven of the smash-hit TV series. The bestselling and critically acclaimed issues 1-5 are collected here for the first time, as are their covers by Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty.
Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her own.
Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to season seven of the smash-hit TV series. The bestselling and critically acclaimed issues 1-5 are collected here for the first time, as are their covers by Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
About the author
Joss Whedon
510 books4,390 followersJoss Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon) is an American screenwriter, executive producer, film and television director, comic book writer, occasional composer, and actor, and the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures.
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)' and its film follow-up 'Serenity (2005)', and 'Dollhouse (2009–2010)', as well as the web-series' 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)'. Whedon co-wrote and produced the horror film 'The Cabin in the Woods (2012)', and wrote and directed the film adaptation of Marvel's 'The Avengers (2012)', the third highest-grossing film of all time.
Many of Whedon's projects have cult status and his work is notable for portraying strong female characters and a belief in equality.
credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,196 reviews
April 20, 2008
As a big Buffy and Joss Whedon fan, I really, really wanted to love this and expected to be giving it five stars, but I was somewhat disappointed. First, the good -- it's a fun and fast-paced read, the art is excellent overall, and it's of course great to see these characters again. Whedon's patented snappy dialog is in full effect, providing several awesome laugh-out-loud moments.
Small things that bothered me: Amy and a bizarrely resurrected Warren are not the most interesting villians; likewise general Voll is a disappointingly stereotypical military villian; Willow's 'insta-heal' thing seemed like a cheap trick.
But the big problem is Whedon's usually brilliant balance between plot and character-development seems off. I think his excitement over using the 'unlimited budget' of the comic book medium (allowing him to stage huge set-pieces he never could on TV) causes the relationships to take a back seat. The story with the most emotional resonance is the fifth one, which features none of the main characters.
Also, the thing that made the Buffy series great was the friction between the demands of real-life and the demands of super-hero duty. Here, the characters simply ARE super-heroes, and there's only a bit of real-life stuff happening on the side to relate to. Even so, I feel pretty confident Whedon will rectify this as Season 8 continues and the characters get some more breathing-room.
Small things that bothered me: Amy and a bizarrely resurrected Warren are not the most interesting villians; likewise general Voll is a disappointingly stereotypical military villian; Willow's 'insta-heal' thing seemed like a cheap trick.
But the big problem is Whedon's usually brilliant balance between plot and character-development seems off. I think his excitement over using the 'unlimited budget' of the comic book medium (allowing him to stage huge set-pieces he never could on TV) causes the relationships to take a back seat. The story with the most emotional resonance is the fifth one, which features none of the main characters.
Also, the thing that made the Buffy series great was the friction between the demands of real-life and the demands of super-hero duty. Here, the characters simply ARE super-heroes, and there's only a bit of real-life stuff happening on the side to relate to. Even so, I feel pretty confident Whedon will rectify this as Season 8 continues and the characters get some more breathing-room.
January 15, 2018
Reading about Buffy after Buffy’s last episode is something that I would never expect years ago.
Reading about Buffy season 8, written or supervised by Whedon himself is kinda dream for my inner nerd. Because that nerd is pretty alive (and proud). As alive as Buffy Anne Summers, profesional slayer, is.
Everything ended like this:
And now it starts with a complete blast, outstanding humor and a fabulous setting. Too fabulous for a tv show budget I guess, and that’s one of the reasons we have the comics instead.
Sunnydale doesn’t exist anymore and our gang (what remains) is facing a new and unknown menace: Twilight. And of course the same old evil (some things never change)
Also, another super pro to read it, is that in this first volumen they clarify some shit said about Buffy in Angel Season 5, so happy nerdy camper here.
*sighs* I can’t get enough
Highly recommend for Buffy fans
Reviews for Book Lovers
Reading about Buffy season 8, written or supervised by Whedon himself is kinda dream for my inner nerd. Because that nerd is pretty alive (and proud). As alive as Buffy Anne Summers, profesional slayer, is.
Everything ended like this:
And now it starts with a complete blast, outstanding humor and a fabulous setting. Too fabulous for a tv show budget I guess, and that’s one of the reasons we have the comics instead.
Sunnydale doesn’t exist anymore and our gang (what remains) is facing a new and unknown menace: Twilight. And of course the same old evil (some things never change)
Also, another super pro to read it, is that in this first volumen they clarify some shit said about Buffy in Angel Season 5, so happy nerdy camper here.
*sighs* I can’t get enough
Highly recommend for Buffy fans
Reviews for Book Lovers
May 19, 2011
Part 1 of my shameless attempt to get my Reading Tracker back on track.
This totally, totally counts as a book.
This totally, totally counts as a book.
January 14, 2019
I read this because I learned that Kiersten White's "Slayer" is set after season 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I'd started this volume a few years ago, but I stopped. It just doesn't feel like Buffy to me. That's not to say it isn't good. It is. But it's a lot more grandiose with huge settings and (even more) ridiculous plot ideas. They bring back a few too many old characters from the TV show that might have been better off left buried, or, at the very least, brought back more gradually.
That said, issue 5 is this volume's saving grace. We get to follow one of Buffy's doubles - a slayer who is pretending to be Buffy, using her name to scare bad guys. Finally, a Potential that I can actually stand! The story is heartbreaking, reminding me a little of Neil Gaiman's Sandman in how its a standalone story embedded in a series and its sole purpose is to explore a theme about how a name can be power. Simply calling herself Buffy gives this unnamed Slayer strength against the Big Bad that she's been assigned to fight. This issue bumped the volume up a whole extra star for my rating!
That said, issue 5 is this volume's saving grace. We get to follow one of Buffy's doubles - a slayer who is pretending to be Buffy, using her name to scare bad guys. Finally, a Potential that I can actually stand! The story is heartbreaking, reminding me a little of Neil Gaiman's Sandman in how its a standalone story embedded in a series and its sole purpose is to explore a theme about how a name can be power. Simply calling herself Buffy gives this unnamed Slayer strength against the Big Bad that she's been assigned to fight. This issue bumped the volume up a whole extra star for my rating!
September 17, 2020
I thought this was hilarious.
For example, here is Dawn as a giant.
Ummm, a few friends are back and they don't like Buffy and team up with some evil that we know nothing about besides that they are evil.
The last issue was super sad and I will never read that one again.
It's Buffy guys, just read it. You know it's enjoyable. Josh Whedon, as usual, will break your heart and mend it with the comical sarcasm that we all know and love. The humor that was in the show is still in the comics. It is worth a read. It's the Scooby Gang times a thousand because we have so many more slayers now.
For example, here is Dawn as a giant.
Ummm, a few friends are back and they don't like Buffy and team up with some evil that we know nothing about besides that they are evil.
The last issue was super sad and I will never read that one again.
It's Buffy guys, just read it. You know it's enjoyable. Josh Whedon, as usual, will break your heart and mend it with the comical sarcasm that we all know and love. The humor that was in the show is still in the comics. It is worth a read. It's the Scooby Gang times a thousand because we have so many more slayers now.
January 22, 2020
I read this maybe ten years or more ago, but now the fam has watched the whole series, we told them season eight picks up right where season seven left off, Joss Whedon writing, so here we go. I gave it three stars then and say the same thing now. The art work was just ok YA art mania and colors, the writing had glimpses of the old Whedon snark and flash, but was over all forgettable, lacking in focus. The adult Scoobies managing a multiplying team of slayers, okay, we'll see, everyone is reading all of it, so I guess I'm in.
August 18, 2018
A re-read. Still as fun as before.
My wife is watching buffy for the first time (I finally got her to watch it) and I felt like actually trying to catch up on the comic world of buffy since it's like 12 fucking seasons long now.
So this takes place after a crap load of Slayer's are now with Buffy. Also, Dawn is a giant after having sex. Oh and Willow is still going around being a witchy witch. Xander is now like Nick fury too, but we all knew that would happen.
Good: So the good fight is still there but bigger. Lots more magic, lots of grand fights, huge ass dawn. It's all big and epic and a lot of fun. This volume is mostly written by Whedon so it feels very much like the TV show on paper.
Bad: It's a little too big in terms of scope and loses the specialty the show had.
Overall it's a lot of fun for buffy fans. I never really read past this but excited to try. A nice 3.5 out of 5.
My wife is watching buffy for the first time (I finally got her to watch it) and I felt like actually trying to catch up on the comic world of buffy since it's like 12 fucking seasons long now.
So this takes place after a crap load of Slayer's are now with Buffy. Also, Dawn is a giant after having sex. Oh and Willow is still going around being a witchy witch. Xander is now like Nick fury too, but we all knew that would happen.
Good: So the good fight is still there but bigger. Lots more magic, lots of grand fights, huge ass dawn. It's all big and epic and a lot of fun. This volume is mostly written by Whedon so it feels very much like the TV show on paper.
Bad: It's a little too big in terms of scope and loses the specialty the show had.
Overall it's a lot of fun for buffy fans. I never really read past this but excited to try. A nice 3.5 out of 5.
July 18, 2018
Klopf, klopf, gesunder Menschenverstand will rein, aber die Tür ist abgeschlossen.
Ich liebe Buffy, ich habe alle Folgen mehr als einmal gesehen (und trotzdem habe ich das Gefühl, dass ich nichteinmal mehr die Hälfte von dem weiß, was in den sieben Staffeln so passiert ist). Aber dieser Comic hat mich leider mehr verwirrt als unterhalten. :(
December 1, 2015
I am reading this, in anticipation of this:
I love Buffy, like love love Buffy, and the end of season 7 was a little hard to swallow while continuing with my "normal" life. Back then I didn't have the money to buy these for myself, but today is a new age and I am ready to get back to season 8 and beyond.
Also, this:
I enjoyed the first 5 comics of the new and improved (maybe) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I do appreciate, as a long time fan, that now Joss gets to explore crazy ass routes that would have been a bit, inhibited in a TV Show (I doubt Giant Dawn would have happened on the TV Show).
I loved to read these while imagining how it would play out as a TV Show with all the actors. Some highlights:
-Dawn is this HUGE BIG PAIN IN THE ASS. If you thought Dawn was a whiny kid in the show (I thought she was) then be ready for HUGE pain in the behind Dawn. She is still as whiny as ever, being all mopy over Buffy having to train and basically adopt all the new Slayers that have cropped up in the world. She might have gotten big, but matured? Not so much. I am hoping for Dawn to grow up, hopefully before
-Willow is gone at the beginning but then comes back to kick ass and fall into a trap. I am very interested in seeing where the hell she has been, if Kennedy is still in the picture (gods I hope not), and just have her amazing personality around (including the bat shit scary Dark Willow). It is funny to read about Willow and associate her with Alyson Hannigan and think about how much that actress has grown (I love her in everything), a huge part of every character being how the actor/actress portrayed them and their quirks.
-Xander stopped wearing hawaiian shirts, kind of sad about that one. He is now like a master Watcher who is Buffy's right hand and takes care of every slayer and figures out the militaristic side of missions. So many girls in the castle and he still can't score... Though I don't want him to given I am still waiting for Anya to come back and set him straight even though I know this is a LONG SHOT and possibly a dead dream due to
-Giles appears for like a second. That is it.
-Buffy needs to get laid (the picture of her, Angel and Spike in a big love sandwich will be forever stuck in my head as a background and appreciated) she has had a tough year surrounded by women who are just coming into their powers and who must be trained, her sister is being a big baby, Willow is who knows where, and she misses her home, not to mention her mother and her "old" life. Though she has a lot of good going for her as well, two impersonators to keep her safe, a legion of warriors on her beck and call, and most of her friends alive and kicking. Things could be worse.
-One single issue was dedicated to one of Buffy's decoys and it was pretty sweet, I just wished it hadn't been so short. Felt more like a slice of her life than anything. She still left an impression, however brief.
So far I like where this is going. I do have my reservations regarding the lack of SPIKE but he has his issues to deal with back in the Angel-verse. But as seen above, our two stars should collide again. I can't wait.
BIGGEST QUESTION OF IT ALL: Where are they getting the money to bank all these improvements in tech and deck? A castle in IRELAND? Jeez, sign me up!
I love Buffy, like love love Buffy, and the end of season 7 was a little hard to swallow while continuing with my "normal" life. Back then I didn't have the money to buy these for myself, but today is a new age and I am ready to get back to season 8 and beyond.
Also, this:
I enjoyed the first 5 comics of the new and improved (maybe) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I do appreciate, as a long time fan, that now Joss gets to explore crazy ass routes that would have been a bit, inhibited in a TV Show (I doubt Giant Dawn would have happened on the TV Show).
I loved to read these while imagining how it would play out as a TV Show with all the actors. Some highlights:
-Dawn is this HUGE BIG PAIN IN THE ASS. If you thought Dawn was a whiny kid in the show (I thought she was) then be ready for HUGE pain in the behind Dawn. She is still as whiny as ever, being all mopy over Buffy having to train and basically adopt all the new Slayers that have cropped up in the world. She might have gotten big, but matured? Not so much. I am hoping for Dawn to grow up, hopefully before
-Willow is gone at the beginning but then comes back to kick ass and fall into a trap. I am very interested in seeing where the hell she has been, if Kennedy is still in the picture (gods I hope not), and just have her amazing personality around (including the bat shit scary Dark Willow). It is funny to read about Willow and associate her with Alyson Hannigan and think about how much that actress has grown (I love her in everything), a huge part of every character being how the actor/actress portrayed them and their quirks.
-Xander stopped wearing hawaiian shirts, kind of sad about that one. He is now like a master Watcher who is Buffy's right hand and takes care of every slayer and figures out the militaristic side of missions. So many girls in the castle and he still can't score... Though I don't want him to given I am still waiting for Anya to come back and set him straight even though I know this is a LONG SHOT and possibly a dead dream due to
-Giles appears for like a second. That is it.
-Buffy needs to get laid (the picture of her, Angel and Spike in a big love sandwich will be forever stuck in my head as a background and appreciated) she has had a tough year surrounded by women who are just coming into their powers and who must be trained, her sister is being a big baby, Willow is who knows where, and she misses her home, not to mention her mother and her "old" life. Though she has a lot of good going for her as well, two impersonators to keep her safe, a legion of warriors on her beck and call, and most of her friends alive and kicking. Things could be worse.
-One single issue was dedicated to one of Buffy's decoys and it was pretty sweet, I just wished it hadn't been so short. Felt more like a slice of her life than anything. She still left an impression, however brief.
So far I like where this is going. I do have my reservations regarding the lack of SPIKE but he has his issues to deal with back in the Angel-verse. But as seen above, our two stars should collide again. I can't wait.
BIGGEST QUESTION OF IT ALL: Where are they getting the money to bank all these improvements in tech and deck? A castle in IRELAND? Jeez, sign me up!
April 17, 2024
Buffy is now an icon and icons take on some aspects of their viewers. Buffy even morphed for Joss Whedon (her creator) from the feature-length movie to the TV series.
In “High School is Hell” we find little that is new. All the old tropes, including Buffy’s exchanges with her mother and her mixed relationship with Giles, are dragged out without being refreshed. If the plot is being dragged from the recycle bin, then we must have artwork that saves the day.
Sadly, that isn’t always the case here. Many individual panels show fine imagination (including the coloring by Raul Angulo) but there is little in the rendition of our Sunnyvale setting that informs the characterizations.
For me, one of the best parts what the “Gallery” at the end of Volume 1 that shows the cover art of various artists interpretations of Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander, Spike, etc. Oh how I wish that there was more than a glimmer of this in the actual novel.
In “High School is Hell” we find little that is new. All the old tropes, including Buffy’s exchanges with her mother and her mixed relationship with Giles, are dragged out without being refreshed. If the plot is being dragged from the recycle bin, then we must have artwork that saves the day.
Sadly, that isn’t always the case here. Many individual panels show fine imagination (including the coloring by Raul Angulo) but there is little in the rendition of our Sunnyvale setting that informs the characterizations.
For me, one of the best parts what the “Gallery” at the end of Volume 1 that shows the cover art of various artists interpretations of Buffy, Giles, Willow, Xander, Spike, etc. Oh how I wish that there was more than a glimmer of this in the actual novel.
December 31, 2007
I finally got my hands on some Buffy comics, which totally exposes my nerddom, but I can't hold it in.
This collection of the first four comics of the "Season 8" series are shocking and interesting, going places the television show never could while remaining true to the characters and their histories. What's most surprising are the voices here, consistent with each actors' portrayals, and the new mysteries created by the time gap between the episode "Chosen" and the first panel of the comic.
I can't wait to read the rest!
This collection of the first four comics of the "Season 8" series are shocking and interesting, going places the television show never could while remaining true to the characters and their histories. What's most surprising are the voices here, consistent with each actors' portrayals, and the new mysteries created by the time gap between the episode "Chosen" and the first panel of the comic.
I can't wait to read the rest!
January 26, 2022
i loved the tv show, still can´t stop watching it.
so i was nervous going into the comic.
but i loved it, problem is now i´ve read it i have to get my hands on the next one.
so i was nervous going into the comic.
but i loved it, problem is now i´ve read it i have to get my hands on the next one.
January 3, 2018
Okay, it's been a long time since I've watched the TV show. Used to be a big fan of it (YES...I'm a guy and I watched Buffy...she's a hot badass who kills vampires! And it was well written!).
This book made me remember how much I liked the show.
This is Season 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Everyone thought that Joss Whedon ended the show because he thought it was time for him to just end it. But the truth is that the fans wanted more, so they got this. And Joss Whedon said one of the reasons he did was because he could get away with stuff they couldn't afford to do on the show.
There was a Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book series before this but after about four or five years they canceled it. I don't know why, it was pretty decent. Well, now we have this one. And from what I understand it's still going (Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that).
At first, I was having trouble getting into it, but then I quickly grew to like it. Two things I did not like was one, where is Faith and two, there are only a handful of vampires in the book and we don't see them until the end. We only get to see one vampire get killed by a Slayer. But, all in all, it was good.
I was actually thinking, over the last couple years, that if the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer were around today it would be a lot darker, probably more violent with more gore. Who knows. I'm not saying there should be a reboot...THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE! I'm just imagining what it would be like.
I suppose I'll read some of the other books in this series down the road. There are a lot of them so I don't know. Good book. I love the artist who put this together!
This book made me remember how much I liked the show.
This is Season 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Everyone thought that Joss Whedon ended the show because he thought it was time for him to just end it. But the truth is that the fans wanted more, so they got this. And Joss Whedon said one of the reasons he did was because he could get away with stuff they couldn't afford to do on the show.
There was a Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book series before this but after about four or five years they canceled it. I don't know why, it was pretty decent. Well, now we have this one. And from what I understand it's still going (Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that).
At first, I was having trouble getting into it, but then I quickly grew to like it. Two things I did not like was one, where is Faith and two, there are only a handful of vampires in the book and we don't see them until the end. We only get to see one vampire get killed by a Slayer. But, all in all, it was good.
I was actually thinking, over the last couple years, that if the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer were around today it would be a lot darker, probably more violent with more gore. Who knows. I'm not saying there should be a reboot...THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE! I'm just imagining what it would be like.
I suppose I'll read some of the other books in this series down the road. There are a lot of them so I don't know. Good book. I love the artist who put this together!
June 7, 2010
I initially scoffed at the thought of a GN continuation of the television series. I'll admit that I wasn't particularly enthused by graphic novels in general, plus part of me thought this was merely a way to keep the franchise making money. Having read this first one, I was pleasantly surprised (although, since the script is from Whedon himself, I should have had more faith).
The story stayed true to the feel of the TV show: Buffy kicking butt while still feeling oddly detached, Xander cracking corny jokes, Dawn being her sometimes bratty self, and Willow continuing to astound with her overabundance of power. It was great seeing the operations the gang has set up since the activation of the potentials. Having so many random girls come into power so suddenly, it was inevitable that Buffy and the Scoobies take the helm in finding and training them; seeing that in action was thrilling. I spoiled myself as to the identity of the next mysterious "Big Bad" by reading summaries online, but I'm intrigued to see how the whole thing unfolds. Also, some old villains pop up who are so unhinged that I have no idea what to expect from them.
As for the art, Buffy is not very Buffy-esque in these pages, apart from the general description of a tiny blonde with big eyes. The others are more recognizable. Seeing this kind of discrepancy always makes me wonder: If the cover artist, Jo Chen, can give us such fabulously detailed and accurate likenesses, why can't that level of artistry be maintained throughout? It irks me.
All in all, I'm anxious to get my hands on the rest of the series. I may even have to branch out and get Angel’s graphic novels, too.
The story stayed true to the feel of the TV show: Buffy kicking butt while still feeling oddly detached, Xander cracking corny jokes, Dawn being her sometimes bratty self, and Willow continuing to astound with her overabundance of power. It was great seeing the operations the gang has set up since the activation of the potentials. Having so many random girls come into power so suddenly, it was inevitable that Buffy and the Scoobies take the helm in finding and training them; seeing that in action was thrilling. I spoiled myself as to the identity of the next mysterious "Big Bad" by reading summaries online, but I'm intrigued to see how the whole thing unfolds. Also, some old villains pop up who are so unhinged that I have no idea what to expect from them.
As for the art, Buffy is not very Buffy-esque in these pages, apart from the general description of a tiny blonde with big eyes. The others are more recognizable. Seeing this kind of discrepancy always makes me wonder: If the cover artist, Jo Chen, can give us such fabulously detailed and accurate likenesses, why can't that level of artistry be maintained throughout? It irks me.
All in all, I'm anxious to get my hands on the rest of the series. I may even have to branch out and get Angel’s graphic novels, too.
June 10, 2015
I was so excited to get into the Buffy comics having only recently discovered them. I am a massive fan of the television show and couldn't wait to delve into the world of Buffy and the Scoobies again!
- So this is the comic series that continues on where the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer leaves off. I wasn't sure what to expect but I didn't get into it as much as I had hoped to.
- I have no qualms with the delivery of the story - the illustrations, format and typeface were great and I actually really enjoyed the reading of the comic. I think my only issue is that I need to read more to fully immerse myself back into the world. I was getting a little confused as to what had happened between the end of season 7 and the beginning of this book.
- After speaking with people on my May Wrap-Up video (on YouTube) I have come to the conclusion that I just need to read more of them to fully understand what is going on. Some of the things that I am confused about do get explained as the series continues so that is what I am going to do! I have bought the next instalment and hope to read it this month!
- 3 out of 5 stars, but who knows maybe once I'm more into the comics I may re-read this and rate it higher!
- So this is the comic series that continues on where the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer leaves off. I wasn't sure what to expect but I didn't get into it as much as I had hoped to.
- I have no qualms with the delivery of the story - the illustrations, format and typeface were great and I actually really enjoyed the reading of the comic. I think my only issue is that I need to read more to fully immerse myself back into the world. I was getting a little confused as to what had happened between the end of season 7 and the beginning of this book.
- After speaking with people on my May Wrap-Up video (on YouTube) I have come to the conclusion that I just need to read more of them to fully understand what is going on. Some of the things that I am confused about do get explained as the series continues so that is what I am going to do! I have bought the next instalment and hope to read it this month!
- 3 out of 5 stars, but who knows maybe once I'm more into the comics I may re-read this and rate it higher!
October 4, 2009
Unengaging graphic sequel - apparently the first 'episodes' in a notional Season 8 - to the TV Series, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. It misses the point - the Buffy series was fantasy, sure, but it was also about the psychological development of, and the tensions within, its Scooby Gang.
'Season 8' (at least based on reading this first volume) is filled with stereotypes and seems a forced attempt to drive the 'girl power' message of the last minutes of the final show of Season 7 to ridiculous lengths. Much of this comic is just silly, portentous and disconnected.
It also gives us a clue as to why Joss Whedon literally lost the plot with Firefly, less so with Serenity, when he tried to paint on a much bigger canvas. The point was that Buffy was not such a big canvas in time and space when you got down to it.
It was a small town living under the shadow of many dimensions and, as HP Lovecraft and Stephen King have both shown us, a relatively tight 'real' universe can often be more effective at making us believe in cosmic horrors than a world of limitless fantasy ... perhaps Whedon should leave big fantasy to the top graphic design 'auteurs' like Alan Moore and Mike Mignola who can create characters and situations that are limitless from the start.
The novel is also ridiculously expensive for what it is. There is something irritating about a marketing mentality that hooks kids on a product and then prises £11.99 of their pocket money for something so unstimulating. It feels like exploitation.
Perhaps it gets much better in Volume 2 (and afterwards) but I am not going to bother to find out. I don't believe in completism for its own sake.
If Whedon cannot continue the story on the small screen in episodic form, then I, for one, will be happy to close the mythos with the Scooby Gang (minus Anya) standing by their commandeered school bus, looking down into the gaping hole that was Sunnydale and the (presumed) vapourised grave of the redeemed Spike. And so it goes ....
'Season 8' (at least based on reading this first volume) is filled with stereotypes and seems a forced attempt to drive the 'girl power' message of the last minutes of the final show of Season 7 to ridiculous lengths. Much of this comic is just silly, portentous and disconnected.
It also gives us a clue as to why Joss Whedon literally lost the plot with Firefly, less so with Serenity, when he tried to paint on a much bigger canvas. The point was that Buffy was not such a big canvas in time and space when you got down to it.
It was a small town living under the shadow of many dimensions and, as HP Lovecraft and Stephen King have both shown us, a relatively tight 'real' universe can often be more effective at making us believe in cosmic horrors than a world of limitless fantasy ... perhaps Whedon should leave big fantasy to the top graphic design 'auteurs' like Alan Moore and Mike Mignola who can create characters and situations that are limitless from the start.
The novel is also ridiculously expensive for what it is. There is something irritating about a marketing mentality that hooks kids on a product and then prises £11.99 of their pocket money for something so unstimulating. It feels like exploitation.
Perhaps it gets much better in Volume 2 (and afterwards) but I am not going to bother to find out. I don't believe in completism for its own sake.
If Whedon cannot continue the story on the small screen in episodic form, then I, for one, will be happy to close the mythos with the Scooby Gang (minus Anya) standing by their commandeered school bus, looking down into the gaping hole that was Sunnydale and the (presumed) vapourised grave of the redeemed Spike. And so it goes ....
March 2, 2018
Buffy ran for 7 seasons, became a cultural institution, a subject for college courses, and, most importantly, ended on a high note. Not bad for a show on a fledgling network based on a movie that flopped.
Then season 8 was released in comic form. Years later, I finally get around to reading the first TPB and......eh, it was just ok. Joss Whedon wrote it, so it should be just as joyously ass kicky, pithy, and feminist as the show. Instead it feels like taking a swig of Diet Coke when you expected real Coke, and if I'm going to drink diet then Diet Pepsi is so much better in the first place.
(What the hell? I must be thirsty. It's hard work sitting on the couch reading comics.)
The story involves Buffy continuing on with the army of slayers created in the series finale. It has some echoes of The Initiative storyline from S4, which was not my (or anyone's) favorite storyline. The other problem is that it just feels like well-meaning but imitation Whedon. It just didn't ring true or feel satisfying. Finally, the artwork didn't always do the cast justice; I couldn't tell from looking at many of the characters who the hell they were (like Andrew for instance, looks almost nothing like Andrew. I wondered briefly if he was Oz, if that gives you an inkling.) I may or may not continue the series.
Three stars because the final story, "The Chain", about the life of a Buffy decoy was good and poignant and felt like vintage BtVS. The rest of the story was just fair and not so compelling.
Then season 8 was released in comic form. Years later, I finally get around to reading the first TPB and......eh, it was just ok. Joss Whedon wrote it, so it should be just as joyously ass kicky, pithy, and feminist as the show. Instead it feels like taking a swig of Diet Coke when you expected real Coke, and if I'm going to drink diet then Diet Pepsi is so much better in the first place.
(What the hell? I must be thirsty. It's hard work sitting on the couch reading comics.)
The story involves Buffy continuing on with the army of slayers created in the series finale. It has some echoes of The Initiative storyline from S4, which was not my (or anyone's) favorite storyline. The other problem is that it just feels like well-meaning but imitation Whedon. It just didn't ring true or feel satisfying. Finally, the artwork didn't always do the cast justice; I couldn't tell from looking at many of the characters who the hell they were (like Andrew for instance, looks almost nothing like Andrew. I wondered briefly if he was Oz, if that gives you an inkling.) I may or may not continue the series.
Three stars because the final story, "The Chain", about the life of a Buffy decoy was good and poignant and felt like vintage BtVS. The rest of the story was just fair and not so compelling.
January 29, 2022
Tam olarak Buffy hissiyatını alamasam da deli özlemişimm bazı sahne gecislerine de anlam veremedim kafam karıştı onun dışında spikeımı ve angelı rüyada görmesi bile yetti 🥵 özellikle spikea aşırı ihtiyacım var cünkü onsuz humor yok resmen scooby doo ekibine bile kan katıyor bu adam böyle olunca Buffy tek basına sırtlanmış yine kıyamamm. Yeni durumlara bakalım nasıl alışcam kasabamız yok olunca tabii her sey cok degismis eve gitmek istiyorum diye aglamam geliyor 😭 Ve öldürdüklerimiz ne zaman öldükleriyle kalmayı başaracak!!??! Hiç sevmediğim bir adama yine katlanmak zorunda kaldım başka kötü mü kalmamıştı tetiklendim. Aslında bunları sayınca puan kırıp dört vermem gerekir de fangirllüğüm yüzünden hepsine bes vercem simdiden söyliyim
December 3, 2016
I loved the buffy the vampire slayer television show it is still one of my favourite tv shows of all time and I didn't really like how it ended and i honestly did want one last season but was never able to get that.
This comic picks up after the events of the last episode of season seven, buffy and the newly made slayers are now out in full force trying to fight and survive, All the slayers are now in separate squads run by one of the group. There are multiple buffy's posing as decoys while the real buffy trys to rest after what she's been through over the course of the shows run. I seemly did enjoy the beginning of the comic for the story and snappy dialogue by the characters but i began to dislike it as i got more into the story. Since and how did dawn become a giant? this is so confusing to me because theres no explanation on how and why she is a giant all of a sudden. Buffy and Xander are running the main slayer group in scotland, Giles is in England, Andrew is in Southern Italy, Vi is in New York City and Robin is running the last one in Ohio. I'm really surprised on how large of a scale the slayers has grown it went from just Buffy to 1,800 slayers.
One of my favourite characters Willow returns as a very powerful and much stronger witch then we have ever seen her before, i loved this because the character had one of the biggest transformations over the television series and the comic series. She went from being a quirky, quiet and loving character to a very strong and powerful witch.
As i said i did enjoy the comic at the beginning but i started slowly to get confused and dislike it but i will be very interested to see where it's taken in the rest of the comic series.
This comic picks up after the events of the last episode of season seven, buffy and the newly made slayers are now out in full force trying to fight and survive, All the slayers are now in separate squads run by one of the group. There are multiple buffy's posing as decoys while the real buffy trys to rest after what she's been through over the course of the shows run. I seemly did enjoy the beginning of the comic for the story and snappy dialogue by the characters but i began to dislike it as i got more into the story. Since and how did dawn become a giant? this is so confusing to me because theres no explanation on how and why she is a giant all of a sudden. Buffy and Xander are running the main slayer group in scotland, Giles is in England, Andrew is in Southern Italy, Vi is in New York City and Robin is running the last one in Ohio. I'm really surprised on how large of a scale the slayers has grown it went from just Buffy to 1,800 slayers.
One of my favourite characters Willow returns as a very powerful and much stronger witch then we have ever seen her before, i loved this because the character had one of the biggest transformations over the television series and the comic series. She went from being a quirky, quiet and loving character to a very strong and powerful witch.
As i said i did enjoy the comic at the beginning but i started slowly to get confused and dislike it but i will be very interested to see where it's taken in the rest of the comic series.
June 29, 2016
4/5 stars.
I've been putting off reading these comics for a while, but after a recent Buffy rewatch, I thought I should give the comics a go!
It was great to see the Scooby Gang back together, they've all grown up so much. But they still have the same humour and witty dialogue that I love so much.
I was lost a few times but I got the hang of things, I can't wait to pick up the rest!
I've been putting off reading these comics for a while, but after a recent Buffy rewatch, I thought I should give the comics a go!
It was great to see the Scooby Gang back together, they've all grown up so much. But they still have the same humour and witty dialogue that I love so much.
I was lost a few times but I got the hang of things, I can't wait to pick up the rest!
August 16, 2018
Well. I am pretty much IN LOVE with Buffy since 1997 and the first episode came out!
I mean badass, gorgeous and funny female lead. Awesome world-building. Awesome secondary characters. First LGBT lead character (even though they shouldn't have killed Tara... Still mad about this!)
So, yeah!!! Buffy will always be a BIG WIN for me!! ALWAYS!
This first volume didn't disappoint. I'll get to next real quick!!!
I mean badass, gorgeous and funny female lead. Awesome world-building. Awesome secondary characters. First LGBT lead character (even though they shouldn't have killed Tara... Still mad about this!)
So, yeah!!! Buffy will always be a BIG WIN for me!! ALWAYS!
This first volume didn't disappoint. I'll get to next real quick!!!
September 5, 2015
The first Season 8 arc works a little better when you read it as a whole vs. each individual issue. But I still have many issues. I'm very glad with how the did the whole "Immortal" backtrack, I still think that was one of the worst episode of Angel EVER. Some of the drawings of the characters don't even have a passing resemblance to the actors: Andrew, Amy, Ethan, you don't even get who they are sometimes!
But here's the biggy! Warren! He can't be! This has nothing to do with the ick factor of the whole he has a magical skin that saved him from dying because of Amy, this has to do with show cannon. The fact remains that according to the show The First could only appear as dead people, the first was Warren, so Warren has to be dead. Changing this, even if they think of some "magical loophole" like, I don't know, he's technically not human anymore would be stupid. They seem to have just thought this up because having Amy and Warren confront Willow would be great drama, but in my mind great drama still has to adhere to the fantastical world it is set in. I guess I just expect more from writer's who know they have a loyal fan base that tends to be detail oriented and are fact checkers.
So far, I'm not a fan of season 8, it's nice to have Buffy, but I'm uncertain as to whether I would just rather have my ideas vs. a lame season 8.
Love that Buffy is wearing a Serenity shirt and one of the Slayers is reading Fray.
But here's the biggy! Warren! He can't be! This has nothing to do with the ick factor of the whole he has a magical skin that saved him from dying because of Amy, this has to do with show cannon. The fact remains that according to the show The First could only appear as dead people, the first was Warren, so Warren has to be dead. Changing this, even if they think of some "magical loophole" like, I don't know, he's technically not human anymore would be stupid. They seem to have just thought this up because having Amy and Warren confront Willow would be great drama, but in my mind great drama still has to adhere to the fantastical world it is set in. I guess I just expect more from writer's who know they have a loyal fan base that tends to be detail oriented and are fact checkers.
So far, I'm not a fan of season 8, it's nice to have Buffy, but I'm uncertain as to whether I would just rather have my ideas vs. a lame season 8.
Love that Buffy is wearing a Serenity shirt and one of the Slayers is reading Fray.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2008
I was a late convert to Buffy--Season 7 to be exact. My ex LOVED the series, and initially I scoffed. But with his help, and armed with previous seasons on DVD, I too fell in love with these wonderful characters.
This trade paperback collects the first several issues of the newly-sanctioned, Joss Whedon-written and approved "Season 8" comic book. Whedon's trademark gift for gab is delightfully present, as were most of my favorite characters. His Buffy, Xander, and Willow are spot-on. So much so, that as I read what they were saying, I could hear their respective actors' voices saying the words.
However, the overarching story was merely "okay" in my opinion. I guess I'm trained to want more of a resolution/explanation of why/how the two "big bads" were here. But I have to remember that this monthly comic series is still ongoing, so "patience, grasshopper" must be practiced.
This trade paperback collects the first several issues of the newly-sanctioned, Joss Whedon-written and approved "Season 8" comic book. Whedon's trademark gift for gab is delightfully present, as were most of my favorite characters. His Buffy, Xander, and Willow are spot-on. So much so, that as I read what they were saying, I could hear their respective actors' voices saying the words.
However, the overarching story was merely "okay" in my opinion. I guess I'm trained to want more of a resolution/explanation of why/how the two "big bads" were here. But I have to remember that this monthly comic series is still ongoing, so "patience, grasshopper" must be practiced.
November 1, 2017
I'm interested enough to read the next one, mostly because I'm attached to the characters, but this first volume didn't super impress me. Not really into Xander as some important command guy, there wasn't nearly enough Willow, and the art could be better, especially since I'm trying to recognize characters based on the actors who played them in the show. When Giles first showed up I couldn't tell it was him! I know the art is fairly standard for comics; maybe I just have high standards from reading Saga. I hope this grows on me!
I was also doing this weird thing where I was trying to hear the actors' voices in my head while I was reading it, which only sort of worked. For whatever reason I actually find Sarah Michelle Gellar's voice hardest to conjure. But I also don't know why my brain is making me do that?
I was also doing this weird thing where I was trying to hear the actors' voices in my head while I was reading it, which only sort of worked. For whatever reason I actually find Sarah Michelle Gellar's voice hardest to conjure. But I also don't know why my brain is making me do that?
January 3, 2015
I am a super Buffy superfan. Ask me any question, I will know the answer. It is my favorite television show, Buffy has been my ultimate role model since I was 11, the series and I go way back.
With that being said, it wasn't until 2014 that I decided to pick up the comic series, which is canon, according to the god that is Joss Whedon.
After reading it, it was ok. I'll be reading the rest because I'm interested. But I did feel some of the magic that made the tv series incredible were lost in the comic book. Even some of the dialogue of Buffy, Xander, and even Dawn felt... off. Like their characters wouldn't really say that.
I'm still continuing the series though. I've heard so many good things about it.
With that being said, it wasn't until 2014 that I decided to pick up the comic series, which is canon, according to the god that is Joss Whedon.
After reading it, it was ok. I'll be reading the rest because I'm interested. But I did feel some of the magic that made the tv series incredible were lost in the comic book. Even some of the dialogue of Buffy, Xander, and even Dawn felt... off. Like their characters wouldn't really say that.
I'm still continuing the series though. I've heard so many good things about it.
December 22, 2015
Maybe I'm too big a fan!
December 27, 2023
3.5/5
Can't believe I have the entire S8 comics in my hands, I searched everywhere for it and finally I got it!
I'm a die hard Buffy fan so my 2024 goal is to read as many comics as possible to get back on track with them.
I'm slowly buying the Legacy Editions which have the original seasons issues all together, but it's S8 and S9 the challenges here. One down, one more to find now!
This new Buffy era is indeed different, and I'll need more than one volume to adapt to it.
So far I found amazing drawings and coloring and of course amazing stunts.
The story needs more time to start tho, it looked like a big intro so far, with some plot scenes here and there to test the ground.
Can't believe I have the entire S8 comics in my hands, I searched everywhere for it and finally I got it!
I'm a die hard Buffy fan so my 2024 goal is to read as many comics as possible to get back on track with them.
I'm slowly buying the Legacy Editions which have the original seasons issues all together, but it's S8 and S9 the challenges here. One down, one more to find now!
This new Buffy era is indeed different, and I'll need more than one volume to adapt to it.
So far I found amazing drawings and coloring and of course amazing stunts.
The story needs more time to start tho, it looked like a big intro so far, with some plot scenes here and there to test the ground.
January 15, 2019
The first half of this was a bit scattered and kind of confusing, but it found it's groove and I am looking forward to the next volume!
March 12, 2020
Nothing will beat the show but this was a fun continuation of the series. If you liked Buffy you'll like these it's got the same writing style and the animation is phenomenal
December 19, 2022
There doesn’t seem to be a single woman involved in this and damn if it doesn’t show. From what I can find, only the cover artist is a woman. Otherwise the rest of the art and writing is extremely male gazey. I mean Buffy asks for lipgloss and gets handed what looks like chapstick. Everyone’s boobs are extremely defined, and there’s more than a few spine twisting poses that should’ve snapped their backs even with the Slayer strength.
The story has some interesting moments, Dawn being a giant potentially for attention lines up, and everyone feels characterized correctly. Don’t need Xander-Buffy tension, I see what you tried to do with your self insert Joss. I can’t help but be charmed by the familiar dialogue and personalities.
The story has some interesting moments, Dawn being a giant potentially for attention lines up, and everyone feels characterized correctly. Don’t need Xander-Buffy tension, I see what you tried to do with your self insert Joss. I can’t help but be charmed by the familiar dialogue and personalities.
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