buffy, angel: superheros

[goldenboy]

This is sort of an essay. Read or ignore.

I was about six or seven when I discovered comic books. I tagged along with my big brother to a garage sale a few blocks away. There I found a box of comics. Must've been about 100 to 150 or so. I bought the box for a buck. I'm thinking the kid had gone off to college and the mom just wanted to be rid of them. This was the greatest bargain of my young life.

They were all Marvel comics: Spidey, Fantastic Four, Hulk, etc. My favorites were Spidey because he was such a wise-ass, Iron Man because of his super cool suit and The Avengers"”I guess because I enjoyed the different personalities and interactions between the team members. I only bought Marvel comics. I probably had more brand loyalty back then. And Superman always seemed like such a stiff anyways. Plus, Stan's "editorials" were always so involving, like he was talking to me.

Every week, I'd faithfully trot down to the drugstore where my mom worked to check out the revolving comic stand in the corner. I'd buy my favorite titles. Eventually I even got subscriptions to a few. The price kept inching up"”35 cents, 40, 45. By the time it got to 50 cents it seemed like a total rip. Too rich for my pre-pubescent blood. I got interested in other things: books, drawing, sports. Gave my entire collection away to Danny, the little neighbor kid. I know, I know. "Idiot!" you say.

Very briefly I got into comics again when a college roommate lent me "Watchmen" and some Frank Miller Batman stuff. Wow, this was light years from the best Marvel material I could recall. We couldn't find much else though and my interest waned again.

Eventually Buffy came along. I'd watch it occasionally. I'd watch just about anything with a supernatural theme to it. As it became more refined and sophisticated, I became a more faithful viewer. Slowly it dawned on me that Buffy was really just like the best of the flawed Marvel superheros. It was a live action comic book.

Angel took that concept and refined it still further. Angel's a superhero. He's motivated by guilt (Peter Parker), revenge (Bruce Wayne) and just some sense of doing the right thing because it's right and he can do what others can't (Superman).

Comics have gone from being the cheapest form of mass entertainment to one of the most expensive. The art is much higher in quality and more varied in style. the stories range from one-dimensional morality tales for six-year-olds to highly sophisticated tales on par with a good novel. It's a trade off. I still prefer the cheap, dull finish of newsprint. Don't like that slick paperstock, or the modern day price tag. But I love the stories and the artwork.

You can spot comic book references, overt and covert, in Buffy and Angel. Buffy's "strong, like, Spider-man strong". And I know someone made a Steve Rogers (Captain America) crack about Angel on that submarine. Many others. Joss has started to bring things full circle. "Fray" was fantastic, I think. "Astonishing X-men" too. That Shadowcat girl seems eerily Buffy-like with her wisecracks.

On some of these fanboy sites, I've noticed a lot of contempt among some for Joss Whedon. Just kind of dismissive or resentful or something. I don't see how any self-respecting comic book fan could hate Buffy, Angel. Maybe it's the "girl power" thing? Or the sarcasm and jokey style. I think Buffy and Angel are, easily, the best live action translation of comic book concepts ever created for TV. What's not to love?

 

[nerd4hire]

So true.

The Whedon writers are big fans of the homage in general, and I remember one of them was referring to themselves as media geeks.

The comic book references seem to appear on three levels.

1. Outright references such as when Andrew and Xander are investigating the school basement and they're talking about Wonder Woman.

2. Homage. Dark Horse comics came out with that title where mexican masked wrestlers were battling at the end of the world. A little while later we get Numero Cinco.

3. Comic book influence. Personally I can't think of Illyria without seeing similarities to characters like The Vision from Marvel's Avengers, or the Silver Surfer.

 

[WatcherWes]

I think most comic fans have nothing but love for Joss. He's writing Astonishing X-Men, which is not only a critical favorite, but also in the top five comics sold each month.

 

[eponinethen]

I really regret I wasn't at all into comic books when I was a kid. It wasn't until I became a real BtVS fan that I realized what comics and superheros really are.. I was fooled, I feel like my childhood was worth nothing, lol. Nah, but I really wish I hadn't been so judgemental, and less afraid about being called a nerd (which I was anyway so it wouldn't have mattered, hehe)..
Anyway, thanks for posting that goldenboy, I loved to read it.

 

[goldenboy]

Nerd4hire
Point well taken about the homage factor. I think these shows speak so well to the skill and subtlety of the writers in that respect. Especially when you compare them to something like "Charmed", where every episode seems to be an "homage" to something or other. It seems like they're strip-mining any existing story or paranormal idea they can get their hands on just to crank out another lame episode.

The insight Joss and the others seem to have had is that art doesn't need to reinvent the wheel every day. You build on existing themes, but you add a little something new, providing new context. And if you're really clever, you completely upend existing traditions, place them on their head and blow everyone's mind.

 

[nerd4hire]

Yeah. The Whedon guys tip their hat. The Charmed guys steal other people's hats (and they look silly in them).

In Charmed you're going to see whole, stupid episodes about Mermaids, or Robin Hood.

With Joss you might see the worm from Tremors make a nod, or if you look closely you might see the mask and cowl from Scream 2 hanging over Xander's apartment bedroom door.

It's the difference between "This was good. Remember this?", and "This was good. Let's steal it."

 

[goldenboy]

OK
This is maybe a little farther afield, but since I've got the comics thing going here....For the comics newbies, another Marvel title I'm liking since diving back in is "Alias". No, not that one. She's Jessica Jones, an ex-Avenger. She's another private detective with superpowers. I'm halfway through the 4 volumes. I just love the dialogue and the subtle, goofy way they depict her using her powers, which is actually a rare event. She's just very funny and cynical and maybe somewhat Josslike in her outlook. If Angel were a foul-mouthed alcoholic as well as a crime fighter, he might be something like Jessica. Brian Michael Bendis is the writer. Beautiful, slightly crude artwork too. Somebody Gaydos, I think.

 

[WatcherWes]

Michael Gaydos. The character has since been spun off into "The Pulse" and recently appeared in the first issue of "Young Avengers".

 

[Cookie Dough]

I remember when I watched season 1 I felt like I was watching a comic book and I've never read comic books. It wasn't just the superhero aspect it was the characters too. So yea, comic books, BtVS and Angel fit in the same genre in my opinion.

 

[goldenboy]

Thanks WatcherWes for the "Michael" Gaydos. I think he's my favorite comic artist working right now. I do like the clean, sort of Japanese print simplicity of modern comic art. But Gaydos mucks it up a little bit, gives things character. It's deceptive, you can rough things up and still have a comic feel. As long as you've mastered perspective, human anatomy and subtle facial expressions, you're fine. The "reality" you're trying to depict shines through with just a few lines and shading. Other, lesser artists try to master the "classic" comic style but don't pull it off. They haven't mastered the basics.

And of course, panel design is crucial too. A good comic artist has the skill of a good moviemaker, framing, cutting, etc. I think what Ang Lee did with "Hulk" was interesting, but kind of superficial and pointless in terms of moving the narrative along. The only place I've seen useful, live action multi-panel images is on "24". It's works perfectly for ratcheting up the tension.

I would love to see what Gaydos could do with a Buffy or Angel comic. Especially with Angel, it would give it a great noirish feel. I really hope the new Angel comics will be good. Would be nice if Joss had some input.

 

[Wesley's Sylyna]

I loved comics as a kid and still do.
I reget not having that many and not buying any Buffy or Angel comics. Currently I only have Catwoman.

 

[WatcherWes]

well, you'll get another shot at buying Angel comics. Starting in June, IDW will be releasing Angel: The Curse, a mini-series dealing with Angel after the events of Not Fade Away. Check www.diamondcomics.com to find a comic store near you so you can buy it.

 

[Wesley's Sylyna]

I know a great comic shop, I just need to get down there and see if I can find any of the older stuff, this one carrys all kinds, I remember once seeing an old collectors comic in there. I think they wanted $300 for it, not to mention toys, cards, t-shirts, ect.

It's been at least a year since I've been there, I'll get there as soon as possible to look for the Buffy and Angel series.