"Buffy the Vampire Slayer": Season 8
When I found out that Dark Horse Comics was planning to release a "Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8" comic book series, I made sure to temper my excitement. Sure, I still refer to "Buffy" as 'The Best Show on Television, Ever!'. But, in my mind, I had put the series to bed in my mind already. I went through all the phases (you know...Denial, Hope for Renewal, Anger, Acceptance) and finally made peace with it.
So, I made sure that I didn't get too excited about this announcement. The fact that Joss Whedon himself was writing the first few books was very intriguing. Still, I didn't go overboard until I read this article in Wizard Magazine. I had no idea of the talent that Dark Horse and Whedon had recruited for the remainder of the books. The writers include Brian K. Vaughan ("Y: The Last Man" and “Lostâ€), Brad Meltzer ("Justice League of America"), Jeph Loeb ("Wolverine", “Heroesâ€), as well as former BTVS writers Jane Espenson ("Tru Calling", "The Inside"), Drew Goddard ("Angel", "Alias" and "Lost"), Drew Greenberg("Smallville", "Dexter") and Steven DeKnight ("Smallville", "Angel"). It doesn't get much better than that!
The article also has a good feature with Joss, Vaughn and Loeb that made me nostalgic for the old days in Sunnydale. In the spirit of getting really, really excited about the book, I added my answers the questions posed to the writers in the article. Here's my take:
FAVORITE BUFFY STORY/LEAST FAVORITE BUFFY STORY
There are many favorite episodes ("Hush" probably is #1, though). But, for a long arc, Spike's emergence as a real threat (rather than the little impotent guy in a wheelchair) is my favorite.
FAVORITE BIG BAD/LEAST FAVORITE BIG BAD
I am in agreement with Joss (how surprising!) with the proclaimation that the Mayor (Season 3) is the best Big Bad. Adam (from Season 4) was probably the weakest, although Glory had some weak spots also.
FAVORITE SEASON/LEAST FAVORITE SEASON
The writers' consensus has Season 2 as the favorite, with Season 4 as the least liked. For me, Seasons 2 & 3 were as good as television gets. Poor Season 4, which is by no means bad, is a victim of the brillance of the two prior seasons.
BEST LAUGH-OUT-LOUD ‘BUFFY’ MOMENT
It's funny - I picked a different moment from the same episode ("Hush" - Season 4) as Jeff Loeb. He liked when Willow used the chalkboard to write "Hi Giles!"; I crack up every time I think of Buffy making a gesture that Giles misinterprets to be sexual in the same scene. Trust me, if you've seen it, you know exactly what I am talking about.
CHARACTER YOU’D LIKE TO DATE
Jeff Loeb answered this question with "...It will surprise you—Joss always used to look at me like, “Huh?â€â€”but [actress] Julie Benz as Darla was just the hottest thing to hit the Earth, anytime, anyplace, anywhere." I am in 100% agreement - Cordelia, Anya, Willow, Dru...even Faith or Buffy herself did not compare to Darla! I'd date her...except, well, she's an evil vampire.
IF I HAD TO WRITE THE FINAL BUFFY STORY, I WOULD…not be that presumptuous to think anyone but Joss could perform that task. Period.
I am officially in line for issue #1, which will be released March 7th. Woo Hoo!
