Season 8. Keep it canon. Yes or no?

[atticus]

After reading the David Fury interview.

DF: I can't comment on the Angel comics since I haven't seen them, but I have read a handful of the Buffy Season 8s. They're undeniably fun, but I prefer not to think of them as canon, even if Joss does. It's like a movie adaptation of a great book... Two different mediums need to be appreciated as separate entities. The plus side of comics is there are no limits to what can be imagined or created... But those limits are what made the show such a great accomplishment of storytelling. Still, it is nice to know the characters live on...

Now I am just asking the question.
If Joss decided to give the fans a choice to vote, to keep the comics canon, or make them non-canon. Which would you pick. I have not enjoyed Season 8 of the comic, so i would much prefer, that it was not canon.
I know it is early days, and the comics are not finished, so feel free to wait until they are. But personally there has been nothing in season 8, that I have enjoyed, so i would definitely like to see it made "Non- cannon"

By the way, i am aware they are canon, and that's how it will stay. Still i'd like to hear your opinions.

 

[yellowcrayon]

I would definitely pick non-canon. Haven't been a fan of anything I've read personally, or read summarized. Just... no.

Though, at the Paley Fest Reunion (I was watching it last night, hehe), Joss did say that he wouldn't lose much sleep over tossing all of the comics out the window if he got a chance to shoot with SMG and all them folks again...

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Why not actually add a vote to this thread.

 

[atticus]

Why not actually add a vote to this thread.

Vote added, and "early days" refers to the fact that the comic is not finished. Things can change from issue to issue. I may love it at the end.

 

[Crazy Flakes]

I do like the comics. A lot of the characterization is good (particularly on Xander's part) and the dialogue is a lot like what we heard in the show. Still, you could say the same about a lot of fanfiction.

I'd rather not consider it canon. I think it's just too fantasy-ish for my taste. Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVED the more fantasy-based arcs on the show (such as the entire Glory storyline and the Illyria storyline in ATF) and thought the more superheroey stuff was really cool (such as the Dark Willow arc), but the comics just push it to the point where it's out of character. Plus, I don't really like General Buffy and (SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #21)

Spoiler

I HATE the idea of the whole "the world knows about Slayers and vampires" plot. Hopefully Willow will get some spell a'brewin' that'll make everyone forget about it after the arc ends.

.

So basically, I agree with what David Fury said...the comics are fun to read, yes, but I'd prefer to look at it and the show as two separate entities.

 

[AndrewCrossett]

If they were to bait-and-switch me by making it non-canon, I'd want my money back for all the issues and trade paperbacks I've bought. I'd also lose pretty much all respect for Joss.

 

[Kean]

When the Paleyfest reunion first aired I pitched a fit about Joss saying he would discard what he has done with the comics to make a movie. I'm sure the thread is still around here somewhere.

I have invested not only my time but money into these comics. Something I would have never have done if they weren't marketed as canon and the genuine continuation of the show. In fact, I had never even held a comic in my hand until I got the issue #1. As the season has gone on I've enjoyed it more and more. Especially how things have grown recently and apparently interwoven with AFT. That excites me and I want to see what else is to come. So no, I wouldn't de-canonise (lol) Season 8.

If Whedon does it though, my respect for him and any further endeavour of his will be non-existant.
[br][/br]
Edit:
[br][/br]
Heres the link to that thread...

Anybody else a little brassed off with Joss? - Buffy-Boards

 

[UnKle]

It would seem silly to me for Joss to declare this as being the continuation of Buffy, then turn around later and say from whatever point they're at, onwards, it's no longer canon.

For me, I just love that Buffy continues. I'll continue to get the comics until they're done. But, I, too, would be grinding my teeth if Joss said they were no longer canon and didn't have a good reason. A good reason: they're shooting a Buffy movie.

(I'd still hate it but I'd deal because of the super amazing consolation prize.)

I don't particularly enjoy a lot of the fantasy stuff, I gotta admit. The dudes in the forest a couple few issues back, and Xander with that coconut helmet, and Dawn changing into stuff like centaurs and giants... just no. The poofing vampire cat wolves is really pushing the boundaries, and it was explained away sloppily (Drac lost a game of poker? wtf?).

And yeah, I wonder if the 'no budget constraints' is giving excuses to create some outlandish, wild stories. For me, I think my deal is that if I can imagine it on the TV show, then I don't have a problem imagining it in the comic. I can't actually imagine Willow flying, or a giant dragon. I try, though.

🙂

 

[Kean]

It would seem silly to me for Joss to declare this as being the continuation of Buffy, then turn around later and say from whatever point they're at, onwards, it's no longer canon.

For me, I just love that Buffy continues. I'll continue to get the comics until they're done. But, I, too, would be grinding my teeth if Joss said they were no longer canon and didn't have a good reason. A good reason: they're shooting a Buffy movie.

(I'd still hate it but I'd deal because of the super amazing consolation prize.)

Assuming that this movie is actually good, though. I mean what if (and it could happen people) Joss makes a stinker? What if the comic is better than this long talked about and wished for movie? What happens then? Does Whedon turn around and say 'Funny thing, comics are the real canon, I was just messing with ya'. That doesn't fly, it's not right for him to go back and forth on the topic just because he knows fans will follow no matter what. And quite frankly that was what he was doing by even suggesting that he would scrap the whole project if his dream Buffy movie project came along.

 

[Silum]

yea i think if a Buffy movie came about, it would have to use canon S8. Either have it in the year or so between S7 and 8 or after. Considering we know just where the characters are at in S8 i think after S8 is the only way to do it which only makes sense because the actors look older. But, i wouldnt worry, the chances of a buffy movie are extremely slim.

I think Joss' comment at paley was more of an insult to the team of comic writers/artists than anyone else. I wonder what they have to say about him making that kind of a comment about their work?

 

[AndrewCrossett]

Even a movie wouldn't be a good enough reason for me.

He would never dream of trashing the TV series' continuity in order to make a movie... claiming that seasons 6 and 7 never happened, for instance. Season 8 is not a lower form of canon just because it's not on a TV screen.

And unlike the TV episodes, I actually had to pay money for the comics. Don't sell me things based on false pretenses. If it's not canon, it's fanfic. I love a lot of fanfic, but I don't pay money for it.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

To get a movie made, Joss would have to write a story that not only clues up anyone who has never seen the shows but keep it entertaining enough for the fans.

On top of that if a film was to be made, he would have to assume that all the fans had seen the show BUT that not all the fans have read the comics.

This is not ever going to be an issue though - a movie being made that could all the above, be on a reasonably low budget and appease absolutely everyone.

Firefly/Serenity had what 17 episodes?
Not much back story to deal with.

Buffy/Angel is what 250 episodes of history PLUS now comics?

I have said it before and I will say it again - a movie in the next 10 years, not gonna happen.

 

[sk]

Yeah, they should keep it canon.
Have Joss said it is canon then it should remain that of course.

Not that I would loose any sleep either if the comics has to been tossed out of the window to get a movie made.

/SK

 

[Buffyverse Fan]

I do like the comics. A lot of the characterization is good (particularly on Xander's part) and the dialogue is a lot like what we heard in the show. Still, you could say the same about a lot of fanfiction.

I'd rather not consider it canon. I think it's just too fantasy-ish for my taste. Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVED the more fantasy-based arcs on the show (such as the entire Glory storyline and the Illyria storyline in ATF) and thought the more superheroey stuff was really cool (such as the Dark Willow arc), but the comics just push it to the point where it's out of character. Plus, I don't really like General Buffy and (SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #21)

Spoiler

I HATE the idea of the whole "the world knows about Slayers and vampires" plot. Hopefully Willow will get some spell a'brewin' that'll make everyone forget about it after the arc ends.

.

So basically, I agree with what David Fury said...the comics are fun to read, yes, but I'd prefer to look at it and the show as two separate entities.

I agree with your objections, but for the same reasons Andrew & Keanoite have I'd like them to stay canon.

If they were to bait-and-switch me by making it non-canon, I'd want my money back for all the issues and trade paperbacks I've bought. I'd also lose pretty much all respect for Joss.

I have invested not only my time but money into these comics. Something I would have never have done if they weren't marketed as canon and the genuine continuation of the show. In fact, I had never even held a comic in my hand until I got the issue #1. As the season has gone on I've enjoyed it more and more. Especially how things have grown recently and apparently interwoven with AFT. That excites me and I want to see what else is to come. So no, I wouldn't de-canonise (lol) Season 8.

If Whedon does it though, my respect for him and any further endeavour of his will be non-existant.

Same here.

Let's also keep in mind that David Fury, who catalyzed this discussion, was the most prolific Buffyverse writer and currently has no involvement with the comics. He said something along the lines of, "writing for the comics would pay me what I deserve where writing for TV pays me 3x what I deserve," so...

 

[white avenger]

If it's a choice between a movie using the original cast, or even reasonable substitutes for them (they're doing it now with "Star Trek," and that may be the wave of the future, so that just may be our only choice) that invalidates Season 8, or no movie at all, then I would say, "Make the movie. 'If you make it, they will come.' and I sincerely believe that the majority of the Buffy fans would do exactly that. Oh, we might complain about it, but we would still be there, popcorn in hand, eyes shining in anticipation. As much as I have enjoyed Season 8 and, to a lesser extent, After The Fall, I have to honestly say that I would prefer to see the living actors on screen, either big or small, more, and I don't believe that I am in the minority of fans who feel that way.

Having said that, I would really love to se a new tv series, mini-series, or series of full length movies that follows the story line as depicted in Season 8. As for After The Fall, I would be less of a stickler about it. Joss could start over from right after "Let's go to work!" and re-write the whole thing, and I wouldn't really care.

 

[Allycat]

I'm voting canon, like many people said, I have invested time and money in it, because it's canon.

 

[MinwaraYana]

Canon please.

Even I dont like the idea that Willow can fly and I dont like any other penciller except Georges Jeanty. But if it would be non-canon, I wouldnt know what the point to buy it.

About the movie, i think it depends on the storyline but i'm sure the fans will go to it. Btw, I dont think all the cast will come back to play.

 

[Relic]

I'm along for the ride, and I would prefer it be kept cannon. I honestly believe Joss is having fun with this and I don't see the cast coming back anytime soon, so it is very likely our only chance of seasons past 7.

There is something I'd like to see done to season 8 though and would pay good money for it, also something not done too often....a book based off of a comic, a novelized and more detailed telling of season 8.

StarWars has gone far past episode 6 with canon by way of books. If I really had a say thats what I'd like as well. A lot of people I think might get past dragons and flying if it was proposed in a novel vs a comic book. We could feel how liberated willow was when she first stumbled upon flight. We could get into Buffys head as far as her romances go. The dragon might not seem any more out of place than vampires or werewolves when given a discription rather than a picture and a "Those only belong on Angel" statement.

I think that a book adaption of season 8 would go far into bridging over some peoples disbeliefs and giving us more to love about the characters we so enjoy.

Maybe.

🙂

 

[MichelleBFT]

I'd be livid if the comics were suddenly declared non-cannonical. I've spent a good chunk of money on them because they were cannon, and would not have done so if they weren't cannon.

 

[Uncle Rory]

Canon Shmanon. If you believe that Joss is the 100% genuis behind Buffy / Angel aren't you denying that there were a whole team of writers and producers that were the people who were the folks in the trenches week after week giving the show it's flavor, dialogue etc. etc? Joss was responsible for coming up with an idea that made a really bad, bad, bad movie and then with the help of some really smart people he turned it into a hit series. Didn't do it alone, wasn't his idea to move to the small screen either. Just cause it's all Joss and he claims it's canon only makes it so if you agree.

My point is that there should be another option or two on this poll such as - Do you really care? and Does it matter? Cause I for one don't and think that it doesn't. I'll read the comics, enjoy them, consider it part of the story and if a movie comes along that contradicts the comics I'd jettison them from my mind faster than Homer Simpson can make a dozen donuts disapear.

Uncle Rory