Buffy Season 8: The Comic Book Series

[The Arcane]

Anyone who has read the excellent post from Joss over at Whedonesque will know that he has revealed that there will be a new comic book series from Dark Horse that will chronicle a canon "eighth season" of Buffy. With that in mind, what do you hope will be covered now that we have the opportunity to see plotlines developed that previously were cut short?

Also, given the fact that Spike will apparently play a part in the series (given the fact his status as both a Buffy and Angel character makes him available to both IDW and Dark Horse) do you think that the aftermath of the battle in the alley at the end of Not Fade Away should be dealt with or should that be left for a future Angel project, be that on film or in printed format?

 

[Lyri]

personally, i think the angel finale should be dealt with in this new comic, but i don't want buffy and the slayers to rush over to L.A to help out. we've covered that in fanfic, almost everyone seems to have that theory, so i think joss would probably stay away from it. i like this 'season eight' to start at least a few weeks after NFA, with maybe buffy finding out about the alley after the actually event. i don't want to speculate on anyone's survival from the alley, 'cause when i do that, joss always pulls the rug out from under me!
i'd also like to see dawn and xander having bigger parts, orther than 'the sister' and 'the best friend'.

 

[LazyDolphin]

I like that idea, Lyri. Actually, given Joss' obsession with teenage female protagonists, I wouldn't be surprised to find him focusing on Dawn quite a bit. Sort of shuffle Buffy off into a more Giles-ish mentor role for all the new slayers...Sensei of The Slayer Dojo sort of thing.

 

[SpikedBuffy]

Also, how will these comics relate to the book Queen of the Slayers? Considering the book was written by Nancy Holder, who writes a lost of the Buffy novels, I've always took that book as 'canon'. How will the two relate, or will they even relate?

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I doubt they will because while she does write allot of Buffy books she has no real connection to the show, Joss will probably want to do his own storyline, and not be constricted by someone else's guidelines.

 

[Cohen]

Well, there were some...inconsistencies...to the book...one, i would like to point out, would be the repitition of the "death" of the first. As the First itself said it could never die, it never did. It just went on...hiatus, if you will.
I hope the series takes place right after Chosen...it just seems right in my mind. And, Lyri, I agree with the Dawn/Xander thing. They need to have a better focus.

 

[LazyDolphin]

Also, how will these comics relate to the book Queen of the Slayers? Considering the book was written by Nancy Holder, who writes a lost of the Buffy novels, I've always took that book as 'canon'. How will the two relate, or will they even relate?

It won't relate at all to any of the existing Buffy novels or comics. According to Joss, the only official cannon in the Buffyverse are the tv shows. By his own admission, he's never read any of the Buffy or Angel novels (although he does get informed of their general plots, and has the ability to veto anything he thinks violates the characters or the spirit of the shows). In theory, Fray probably counts as cannon, but since it's set far in the future that doesn't really mean much. :heee:

 

[Lyri]

i agree with the others, i don't think 'Queen of the Slayers' will be taken as canon...or at least i hope it won't. don't get me wrong, i liked the book, but i'd like to see joss's take on 'season 8'...some things in 'QotS' just didn't work for me, as far as being true to the show were concerned.
i like LazyDolphin's idea of pushing Buffy into more of a mentor role...i'd also like to see Faith having a bigger part in training the new slayers, and maybe getting to see a few of the new girls receiving their powers.

 

[SpikedBuffy]

I did always wonder about QoTS. I did like the book, but yeah, it would be really cool to read Joss's decision on how season eight were to/ is going. It will be very interesting to read this. I'll have to start reading the comics, because I normally don't, but this is worth it.

 

[nerd4hire]

You guys have gotten me all confused. Is Spike going to be in the comic? I thought Joss was just talking about the proposed Spike movie.

The infamous Spike movie. Still haven't finalized anything, but I feel that very soon I'll be able to go to James and say something a lot more interesting than "Wouldn't it be cool if..." 'Course, I just hope he's free some time this decade. See how my peeps is all actifying! Tomorrow night is AMIAS, (that's alias with Acker in it.) Happy. And totally jealous.

See, the Buffyverse glows in my brain with a new, overreaching arc that will include the comics, Spike, and more. It's taking shape and soon you will know its name. And you will tremble.

On whether or not the comic will be canon...isn't it canon? The way I alway understood it, if Joss says it's canon, it is, or if he is in control of the editorial policy, it's canon. If he's not, it's not. That means Fray would be canon, but Queen of the Slayers would not be. Here's what Joss says on the upcoming Buffy comic.

Speaking of Darkhorse Comics, they 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. I'm kicking off the book with a four issue arc that finds Buffy -- you guessed it -- living in Italy with The Immortal. (Scott -- don't be mad I spoiled the announcement -- saying it means I have to finish it.) Then I'll be overseeing the book more closely, to make sure it remains true.

 

[The Arcane]

You guys have gotten me all confused. Is Spike going to be in the comic? I thought Joss was just talking about the proposed Spike movie.

On whether or not the comic will be canon...isn't it canon? The way I alway understood it, if Joss says it's canon, it is, or if he is in control of the editorial policy, it's canon. If he's not, it's not. That means Fray would be canon, but Queen of the Slayers would not be. Here's what Joss says on the upcoming Buffy comic.

As i understood it Joss was talking about both the movies and the comics. I think his idea is to tie together the events of both formats to tell a larger story, although i would imagine there will be self contained elements too, to allow those who don't read the comics to enjoy the movies alone, and vice versa.

As for Spike in the comics, i am aware from something discussed a while ago at Whedonesque that certain characters are available to the owners of either property, as they play an equal part in both Buffy and Angel. Spike and Faith both fall into this catergory and therefore both IDW and Dark Horse are free to use them, at least in theory.

As for whether or not these comics are canon, if Joss says they are, which he does, then that is good enough for me! 😉

 

[nerd4hire]

This is interesting, I think -

Tales From The Buffyverse

Since Joss Whedon's recent announcement, Buffy The Vampire Slayer fans have been clamoring for more info on the new Dark Horse comics. I've been asking around and I do have a few new tidbits. First, the new Buffy comic written by Whedon himself will come in the form of a four issue limited series, with further miniseries written by established comic pros and overseen by Whedon. The current talk is that Dark Horse is going for a "new look" with the new mini, but an artist hasn't been chosen yet. Which brings me to my third point: the first mini may not even be coming out next year. Apparently the mini is in such an early stage that it's not currently on Dark Horse's 2006 slate. And given Whedon's Hollywood commitments along with his Astonishing X-Men gig, a 2007 release date seems more likely.

Meanwhile, over at IDW, plans are in place for a series of one-shots to be released in 2006, which will focus on the supporting cast of Angel. The characters currently lined up for one-shots are Illyria, Conner, Doyle, Wesley and Gunn. The writers said to be attached are Peter David, Dan Jolley, Scott Tipton, Jeff Mariotte and Jay Faerber. Though it's not clear yet which writers will be paired with their respective characters"¦

This Has A "Joss Whedon Is My Master Now" Factor of Nine Out of Ten

http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/rage/113252880787394.htm

 

[StuckinTraffic]

Speaking of canon vs. not...is there a comprehensive guide somewhere as to what comprises canon? I mean, I know the shows are, obviously....are any of the books/comics other than Fray? I'm confused!

 

[The Arcane]

Yeah, just read that over at Whedonesque. As was said there, it is all just based on rumours, however i do seriously doubt we will see anything materialise until late 2006 at best.

Having said that, i'd rather wait a year for something really good than have some second rate, shoddy mini-series kicked out in early 2006 just for the sake of it.

In a sort of connected topic, who would you all like to see on the artwork for this series? I'd absolutely love to see Joss work with Jim Lee on his run. I've loved his stuff ever since his early Marvel work and i think he would be perfect for the Buffyverse. Pity that is extremely unlikely to happen.

 

[The Arcane]

Speaking of canon vs. not...is there a comprehensive guide somewhere as to what comprises canon? I mean, I know the shows are, obviously....are any of the books/comics other than Fray? I'm confused!

To date, the only official canon is the events you see in the two shows and also the Fray series, due to that being Joss' work too. All the rest is unofficial at best.

 

[nerd4hire]

I have a hard time thinking of "Long Night's Journey" as canon, but I don't know. I could see a decent arguement made for maybe it should be. If you believe the opening page credits it says Joss co-wrote it. If it isn't canon, then the upcoming Serenity comics won't be either.

Then theirs the Graphic novel Tales of the Slayer(or is it Slayers). I can't make up my mind about that one either.

 

[The Arcane]

Then theirs the Graphic novel Tales of the Slayer. I can't make up my mind about that one either.

I actually considered including Tales of the Slayer in my reply to Miffed67's question but i'm the same as you, in that whilst it has been speculated as being canon there is no official word on it. I think in that particular case it can be left to the individual fan to make up their own mind, at least until something that is definately canon contradicts or confirms it anyway.