On a hot tip, Buffy and Willow head to Manhattan hoping to unlock the secrets of Buffy's mysterious scythe, but something goes terribly awry when Buffy suddenly finds herself transported to an unknown world, and into the path of future Slayer Fray.
Buffy creator Joss Whedon teams with his Fray co-creator Karl Moline in "Time of Your Life." Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty join the team for covers.
A powerful enemy from Buffy's past confronts the Slayer and Fray in the future, having allied with Fray's greatest foe. Meanwhile, Dawn's gone through another bizarre change
Acclaimed comic-book writer Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween) was set to executive produce, alongside Joss Whedon and animator Eric Wight, the proposed Buffy animated TV series. While Buffy fans won't be viewing that show anytime soon, Loeb, Wight, and Whedon offer the next best thing--a comic inspired by the animated series!
Jeph Loeb and Eric Wight take the reins on Buffy Season Eight with this very special one-shot joining series artist Georges Jeanty, in a twisted tale picking up from the time-traveling Buffy/Fray crossover.
All covers, including variants, can be seen here and here.
If you want more background on the comic Fray, you can find a synopsis [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fray"]Fray - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg" class="image"><img alt="Wiki letter w cropped.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg/20px-Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/1/1c/Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg/20px-Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg.png[/ame].
So, here are my stream-of-consciousness thoughts:
-"Bad day. Started out bad, stayed that way." Direct quote from Fray #1, only it's Buffy saying it this time.
-TOYL starts with a fight in the air, just like Fray #1.
-I could totally tell the difference with the art, until I remembered that Karl Moline did it (he's the artist who did Fray). I can't decide whether I like his or Jeanty's art better, but it is incredibly appropriate that he does this arc. Fray looks like Fray!
-Warren & Amy's ship with magic symbols reminds me of a Reaver ship.
-Vi looks gorgeous in this arc, Moline did a great job with her.
-Kennedy- wow, she has a lot of anger & jealousy toward Buffy. It's annoying that she automatically assumed that since Buffy had sex with Satsu that her feels toward Willow would morph into something sexual.
-"The princess leaves her kingdom for the forest of the now" More magical/fairy tale imagery.
- Gates is Giles? (The last great watcher). The Battle of Starbucks- can't be the battle in Chosen, because if the last great watcher is Giles, he didn't die there.
-"Vampires gain strength from each other. Slayers, ultimately, don't." So, who's interpretation is right? Future Dark Willow's, or Giles' as evidenced in The Chain?
-Xander: "I can't believe I dont' have a pun" LOL. I really like seeing him lead the Slayers without Willow & Buffy there. He can stand on his own two feet.
- "The last girl came here and was transformed...they say the madwoman's power reached through the ages and changed her." Even after reading the entire series, I still don't completely understand what happens here. How do these events "change" Buffy?
- Some of my favorite Buffy quotes happen in this arc:
"Put your words in word places please"
"Buffy Summers."
"Present."
"Buffy Summers is dead."
"Occasionally."
"Boy the English language is just losing it. I should have treated it better...."
"Spoiler alert." Total in-joke to the readers.
"Summers, you drive like a spaz!"
"And that phrase stood the test of time?"
-Future Dark Willow: "Buffy. She's starting to feel the weight of it. Of the world's loss. Of her failure." "Time is stronger than love." "The most important thing about death isn't who dies...it's who kills them."
-Alright, I find Kennedy completely annoying here WRT Buffy ("I'm watching those hands you two") but I do admit that she looks gorgeous in the arc, and I do love: "Hey baby, there's no need to curse like a nerd".
- Warren & Amy= the Laurel & Hardy of being a dick LOL.
-Buffy: "You gotta look at the big picture." That's her problem this season, she's so busy with leading, with looking at the big picture & worrying about everything, that she forgets the "why" of it all. It kind of reminds me of Angel in City Of. She feels no connection, neither to the rest of the Slayers nor to the people they're supposed to be protecting.
-Rowena is bad-ass: "Wiccans to the rear! Slayers...f^ck 'em up."
-Buffy killing FDW was really, really sad, and it's going to weigh on her. Maybe I'll completely understand the significance of all this when I finish re-reading this season.
I really like this article, especially Joss' comments about the language:
"Buffy blames herself for what's happened to the English language, and there's a lot of hubris in that joke. I like to think that adding Y's to words that don't usually have Y's is going to destroy the whole fabric of our society."
OK, so "After These Messages" which after such an incredibly dark arc ending is really a contrast... only it ends up being not.
- I love Buffy's "Relax" shirt, we all had those back in the day!
-Ahh, I forgot that Buffy indicates that she knows that Cordy is dead. It's good to see Cordy, even in "flashbacks".
-Giles: "What do you suppose Harmony is going to wear?" Soooo high-school Giles!
-Even in her dreams, Buffy's life "gets in the way of [her] living it"
-I don't get the "freshman year bod" comment. Buffy was not a freshman when she transferred to SHS, she was a sophomore. Was that an oops by the writer?
-"We found the followers of Morgan Freeman" LOL!
-"Dammit. I don't need spider-sense. I need Angel-sense".
In terms of season 8, indeed!
Looks like there was a bit of controversy over the art in "We'll Be Back":
Buffy #20, the issue by Loeb, isn't even written yet. We have a cover and a half, but no script. This is not ideal. But it's because we're currently waiting on approval for the interior artist, a guest artist that Jeph is bringing in. The artist has never drawn the cast members before, so he's had to do some sample drawings, which are currently in the hands of Sarah Michelle Gellar's reps. They ultimately get to decide who draws Buffy and who does not. I'm withholding this artist's name for now, because if they shoot him down, boy, is that awkward for me. Believe me--been there before. Georges will draw part of the issue, but because we're not 100% sure that our new artist will be approved, Jeph is holding out on writing the script; he tailors his scripts for whoever's drawing them, and so wants to hold off until we know for sure. This is giving me fits, but I know it's for the good of the story. A phone call and an e-mail to Fox today surprisingly did not conjure up an approval; three of the four reps we need to hear from were on vacation last week, so they only saw the sample drawings today. We should have an answer tomorrow. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, Georges is drawing Buffy #21 before #20. Whatever gets it done, right? http://www.darkhorse.com/Zones/Buffy/360
Future Dark Willow's motivation is still confusing to me so I've been looking around online and found a fantastic meta: http://angearia.livejournal.com/225068.html. Be sure to read the comment section; great discussion going on there. There are big spoilers for the rest of the season so read at your own risk
-As for the "comic" cover, I have no idea who those two other women are...
-In the synopsis, it says Xander has "suffered another great loss". Obviously, he cared for Renee a lot, but were his feelings for her really on par with his feelings for Anya?
-I feel like the roof-top fighting thing is getting over-used.
-Does Dawnie have giant-sized menstrual cramps??
-Bahaha. Xander is always trying to find out about nekkid women, no matter what the circumstances. Love it.
-Oh, my, Dawn's a horse. That can't be good.
-What on earth is Warren doing with that giant bomb? And still, ew.
-Ooo, Willow said "hostiles"! Riley speak! 🙂
-Buffy in a limo cracks me up.
-I think I was in school too long. Had to go back and re-read Willow's teachings - as soon as she started writing on the white board, I zoned out.
-I still really dislike Kennedy. Her talking doesn't help.
-I'm confused about this demon. Did it squish Buffy? Knock her off the building? Switch places with her? Heh?
-Oooh, well, that makes sense. Of course. Buffy got sent to the future to fight a slayer. *Slaps forehead*
Yup, that be the one. Doesn't really look like Kennedy there, and not sure who Vi is...*Curses her horrible memory*
---------- Post added at 10:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 PM ----------
Time of Your Life: Part 2
-Ok, trying to follow the futuristic vampire slaying. Are the gals really sisters? Hmm. Boy do they talk funny. Reminds me of "Clueless".
-So, this must be Fray. Didn't realize she was an actual person, let alone a future slayer. And her memory was stolen by Harth - a demon, I presume?
-A witch and a guy I don't know? Getting so lost now!!!
-Yes, Willow, you and your magic caused chaos yet again. Shocker.
-Xander riding Dawn. Oh, my! Hahahahaha. "You're pulling my hair!"
-Then my next question would be, why would someone in the future WANT to summon Buffy there?
-"Put your words in word places, please." Ah, good quotes.
-Ok, her name isn't Fray, she's Maleka. My head spins!
-Oh, wow, Slayer with an evil twin and Slayer powers. Interesting. And only one slayer now, first one is a century?! Interested to know how THAT happened!!
-And Maleka works with/for a mer-demon guy? Oi, vay.
-DARK WILLOW?! Ooooh, boy. She really did it this time...
Wow, flash-forwards are pretty trippy. I have TONS of questions now. I am definitely feeling more strongly that Buffy making all those slayers was a baaaaad idear.
LOL, [MENTION=11103]PassionBecoming[/MENTION], your posts are cracking me up! Have you never read Whedon's Fray comics?! If not, they're fabulous, you have to read them! As in now, as in what are you still doing sitting there? 🙂
Vi was one of the Potentials in season 7, played by Felicia Day. She was also the one in the TV PSA we saw in an earlier issue.
PassionBecomingHaha. Glad my confusion is entertaining. :) I should be reading Fray before these?
LOL, well your comments are entertaining. 🙂
And definitely read Fray at some point. Not only is it a great story in and of itself, it really helps to understand this arc. Well, it helps to understand the entire season actually. Once you understand the Fray story you can see that Joss kind of got himself in a pickle when he activated all the Potentials in Chosen.
PassionBecomingI will look into it! Having a hard time finding time to read the Buffy ones, though. Was Fray ever a TV series or no? I had the impression it was and I just missed it somehow.
I'm actually afraid I'm going to get a headache after reading this. 🙂
-I feel uncomfortable using Dawn as a sex symbol. While part horse especially.
-Was Buffy's whole purpose of creating all the slayers to make a better world/beat back evil? I haven't watched S7 in awhile (my re-watch is going sloooowly) but I got the impression that no one really thought that far into the future. They just needed an army NOW to fight the First and demons coming out of hell.
-I'm not sure why, but I really dislike Willow and Kennedy together. I remember not being thrilled about it in S7, but this panel really made me not like them at all. Hmmm.
-Oh, goodness, is this going to lead to sexual tension between Xander and Dawn?!?! I'm not sure I'm ready for that! And ew, sweaty horse Dawn.
-"Why do I open my mouth?" I really think Xander is the character written truest to the TV series. I can so hear him saying the things he does in the comics. I love it!
-HAHA. Tree demon is threatened that there is something scarier than his thicket.
-Uh-oh, Maleka let Buffy DRIVE?! Has she even tried to drive since Band Candy? Yikes! SNYDER QUOTE! YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! Aw, where's Goby when you need him?
-Wow, since when is Buffy big-picture gal? She is such a different slayer now!
-Ok, Buffy just called Maleka "Fray". So, that's her last name or what?
-"If you hate her she'll be harder to kill." Reminds me of Angelus' "You have to love her to kill her."
-Uh, Willow found herself a masturbation demon? These comics are awfully sex-centered...
-Most important men in Buffy and Maleka's lives are vamps?? Are we going to go to the AngelandSpikearestillalive place? Or does that mean Harth is a vamp?
-Willow must have shown Mel something bad Buffy did. Should be interesting. Maybe they'll go back and undo S7. 🙂
Not a bad issue, but didn't do much for me. Maybe once I read the "Fray" story I'll get it more.
---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------
Time of Your Life: Part 4
-I would like to punch Dark Willow in the face. I used to like Willow, but after S6 she just felt blah to me. This doesn't help. "Her excellent nose?" Heh?? And if she has no power, why is she still alive?
-Oh, she's insane. Of course. Go four-armed monkey! I KNEW I liked you!
-Buffy, not enjoying the new selfish-you. Granted, they may or may not be trying to kill you, so...
-Ooo, forest battle! With giant animals, bugs, horse-ladies, witches, and slayers! Now, isn't that a fun sentence? 🙂
-OH MY GOSH IS THAT RILEY?!?!?!?! All Twighlight-y? (So not how he would talk, by the way.) Noooo, I want him to be a good guy!
-Wow. Buffy killing Willow, even when she was evil, even as a comic, even when she was annoying, is like a punch in the gut. Their bond used to be so strong. In S6, Buffy didn't even want to fight her.
So what does it mean when future Willow dies? Time travel always messes with my mind. Hopefully Buffy can get Willow off the evil-trail (assuming it happens before she dies) and doesn't end the world!
---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------
After These Messages...We'll Be Right Back!
-Aww, love the art of the gang in the Summers' living room. And the other of the original Scoobies and cast. A little bit of normalcy is nice to see after all this insanity!
-Bahahaha. Buffy got Xander's bed all stinky. I think she needs a vacation.
-Joyce!! Oh, how I've missed her! Not so happy about Dawn. She was never that little because she wasn't there. Still very annoying.
-And SNYDER, too!! Ooo, this is fun. But why does Giles have gray hair?
-Um, Angel wearing a red shirt and a belt just doesn't seem right to me...love that they are still in "bicker and I-am-pretending-not-to-like-you" mode. Ah, the good ol' days!
This made me so sad. I miss those days so much! Much less complicated, the Scoobies were still Scoobies, the monsters weren't quite so fantastical...*sigh* I need to go watch DVD's now...
Comments on this post
[MENTION=11103]PassionBecoming[/MENTION] agrees: I will look into it! Having a hard time finding time to read the Buffy ones, though. Was Fray ever a TV series or no? I had the impression it was and I just missed it somehow.
No, unfortunately. I really hope that someday there will be a Fray movie. I mean, all the actors are getting a little too old for a Buffy movie, the Vamps in particular. But in my dreams Joss makes a kick-ass Fray movie with our favorite Scoobies guest-appearing in either flashbacks or a reinactment of this season 8 arc.
And yes, Fray is her last name. Harth is a vampire. The biggest things you need to know about Melaka is that she got the Slayer powers,strength etc & her twin brother got the Slayer dreams & visions. She had no idea who she was before she officially got called. She is the 1st Slayer to be called in a very long time.
---------- Post added at 12:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------
-Was Buffy's whole purpose of creating all the slayers to make a better world/beat back evil? I haven't watched S7 in awhile (my re-watch is going sloooowly) but I got the impression that no one really thought that far into the future. They just needed an army NOW to fight the First and demons coming out of hell.
That's part of the problem: none of them thought far enough ahead. There are consequences to using big, big magic like that, and we're starting to see them.
---------- Post added at 01:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:59 AM ----------
-"If you hate her she'll be harder to kill." Reminds me of Angelus' "You have to love her to kill her."
-Most important men in Buffy and Maleka's lives are vamps?? Are we going to go to the AngelandSpikearestillalive place? Or does that mean Harth is a vamp?
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