Is season 8 worth reading?

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Manderz

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Ok So I have been watching Buffy since i was 8, and now I am 19. I have to admit a bit of a obsession for the show, haveing seen every ep atleast 20 times a piece, and owning multiply merchandise aswell as all seasons.

I hav not however had the pleasure of reading the comics and now I and now I am woundering if i should start. I have scanned through them and seem so much different than the show. So I was woundering from all those people who have read it, is it worth reading if your a true die hard Buffy fan?
-Manderz
 
To be fair, I have not read the comics. I've only seen the webcomic. However, from what I've seen in the webcomic, I would definitely love to read the actual comics.
 
one word....YES!!! I haven't been able to read all of it. Actually I've only been able to read the first 20. But they are so good! Although there are some parts I really don't like, and some people don't really consider it canon, even though it is. Too confusing but yes, you should read the comics!
 
Thanks, I'll have to give them a shot, see where it goes from there 🙂
 
I just started and I've read the first two. They're amazing. Full of the fun Buffy action, humor, and drama we came to know and love in the first 7 seasons. I vote yes.
 
It depends who you ask. Some people love them, others (like me) would be happier if they didn't exist.

*not a fan of the comics*

Best thing to do is to try a couple of issues, see what you think.
 
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Spikefan31
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I'm up to date with the comics and overall, I loved them. There was only one arc that disappointed me (Predators and Prey, I'm looking at you), the others were good to excellent. You have to remember that it's a different, more compressed medium, though, one issue does not equal one episode and you do have less "Scoobie time". You're in a position where you can read them pretty much all in a row, which I think makes the story more coherent, as too much time between single issues I think was a major problem a lot of people had.

I know some people complain about it being ridiculous and over the top, that some stuff wouldn't have happened like this on the show. I disagree with that. We ARE talking about a show that had not one but two walking, talking robots, a literal credit shark and kitten Poker. The only stuff that I couldn't see happen on the show honestly would be due to budget constraints, not because it's too "out there". However, it is a comic book, so it's written like a comic book and I know there are people that comics as a medium simply don't appeal to, but I think you should definitely give them a try. You might like it 😉
 
I think some of them are really good but overall I don't think the comics are that great and once they started focusing on the real arc it got completely ridiculous. Also I think the writing is nowhere near as good as on the show, the characters are written very out of character often. But I think everyone should try them and decide for themselves.
 
xaphania said:
Best thing to do is to try a couple of issues, see what you think.
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I completely agree with this. I grew up with comics, although I hadn't read them in years. But you have to understand that it's a different medium altogether, and it takes a bit of adjusting to. I had to read each issue several times before I really got what was going on. I like season 8, although I don't like every single about it. Doesn't really bother me, there are some aspects I don't like on the show either. Some of the art is better than others, I'll admit. But the most fun thing (now that I'm all caught up) is getting to discuss them with other BBers. Since I didn't watch much of Angel or Buffy when it was aired, I didn't have that same talking about the episode, anticipating next week, etc that I would have had I watched it at that time. I'm getting that with the comics. We've discussed the upcoming final issues to death it seems, and every time we get a little tiny preview, we're all off and running on a million wild theories & speculations. It's a blast! 🙂 So, try to catch up before we're done, or else just get all caught up on season 8 before season 9 starts so you can talk about it with us.

BTW, issues 1-30 are available in 6 trade paperbacks (collected editions). 31-35 + the Willow one-shot will be out in trade paperback (Vol 7) on October 6th. It might be easier to find & read them this way. My local library had volumes 1-5, so I didn't have to purchase them. But now I'm becoming addicted to purchasing the issues, and it's an expensive habit LOL.

You can find all the issues listed here, plus the trade paperbacks & which issues they contain, plus plot synopses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer_Season_Eight
 
Depends on whether you watch BtVS for the real world stuff or the superhero aspect. If it's the latter the comics might be right up your alley. If it's the former, better ignore them, as the real world is pretty much never shown, it's all about superheroes and their superhero problems.
 
Icarium said:
Depends on whether you watch BtVS for the real world stuff or the superhero aspect. If it's the latter the comics might be right up your alley. If it's the former, better ignore them, as the real world is pretty much never shown, it's all about superheroes and their superhero problems.
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No, it's not. It's about dealing with the consequences of and taking responsibility for changing the world in "Chosen".
 
Mumrik said:
No, it's not. It's about dealing with the consequences of and taking responsibility for changing the world in "Chosen".
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Yeah but its all in this superhero world. It doesn't have the real world aspect that Buffy the show had. It's all very over the top and focusing on magic and demons. We barely get to see any scooby stuff.
 
xfivebyfive said:
Yeah but its all in this superhero world. It doesn't have the real world aspect that Buffy the show had. It's all very over the top and focusing on magic and demons. We barely get to see any scooby stuff.
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Do you mean Scoobie stuff in "seeing them just hanging out and make jokes, while pretending to do research" or "we rarely see them together"? If you mean the first, comics are a limited medium and you just have to make sacrifices somewhere, so you have to put the stuff in that drives the plot. But if you mean the second, I agree.
 
I mean having jobs or going to school and generally doing things that average people do. There is precious little of that in S8.
 
Icarium said:
I mean having jobs or going to school and generally doing things that average people do. There is precious little of that in S8.
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You're right about that. I'm not arguing, but aside from Dawn they don't really have the time anymore and it kind of is their job. An army doesn't really manage itself on its own.
 
AndrewCrossett said:
I like the comics. At times, I love them. They make me angry sometimes, but then so did the TV show.
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I second this. I was very hesitant to read the comics but I'm really glad that I did. I like that the story continues even though I'm not always pleased with what's going on in the story...
 
G
GrrArghx
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BuffyElevated
BuffyElevated
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You definitely have to read them if you're a big fan of BtVS. Sure the opinions on it varies but go ahead and make your own! 😀
 
If you think the Star Wars Prequels were great then you'll LOVE Season 8. 😛
 
I miss the actors and I miss the real-life aspects, however I still love the comics. It is a continuation of my favourite TV show and it isn't half bad. Sure... the storyline is a little more crazy than usual, but it's the TV shows fault, not the comic.
Season 7 ended with an army of slayers, therefore the scope of the season has to be bigger than before. Real-life things are hard to maintain whilst trying to organise an army.
The Scoobies now have to focus all of their efforts on fighting evil, as the evil is now greater.
In my opinion Joss should get rid of the army at some point during the finale and set up season 9 for a more centred storyline focusing on the main scoobies.
 
caitaintdead
caitaintdead
Totally, totally agree!
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