If Sarah Michelle Gellar returning for a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel series was in your 2025 bingo card, congratulations, you are a leg up on the remainder of us. In keeping with Variety, the undertaking is nearing a pilot order at Hulu with Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman hooked up as writers and Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao behind the digital camera. Issues aren’t fairly set in stone, however that by no means stopped anybody from speculating on particulars. And in terms of a direct successor to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” there’s one specific element that may must be addressed (or, ideally, completely ignored) early on.
Devoted followers of the late-’90s supernatural motion/drama/comedy collection will know that there have been many extra “Buffy” tales instructed after the collection concluded on the finish of season 7. And no, I am not speaking about that final season of “Angel,” which prolonged previous the “Buffy” finale and introduced Spike (James Marsters) again. I am speaking concerning the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel comics written by collection creator Joss Whedon and others between 2007 and 2018. Dubiously titled “Season 8” via “Season 12,”
Whedon’s involvement alone could also be sufficient to beat back would-be readers, given the quite a few allegations of office toxicity, sexual misconduct, and total energy abuse which have come out lately. However that is not the one cause to dodge these comics utterly. Whedon himself was barely concerned for almost all of the additional “seasons,” selecting to duck out and in after in depth involvement in “Season 8.” The remaining was penned by comedian e book writers like Christos Gage and Corinna Bechko, however the brand new sequel collection would do finest by ignoring these follow-up tales solely.
What occurs within the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel comics?
The setup for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8” sees Buffy and the opposite slayers from season 7, together with longtime Scooby Gang members like Xander and Willow, shaped into a worldwide monster-fighting group. Varied chapters span the planet, with Buffy’s main headquarters primarily based out of a fort in Scotland. It is a main enlargement in scale in comparison with the TV collection, nevertheless it’s additionally one which is smart given the brand new medium. This international, well-funded group may as properly be S.H.I.E.L.D., and the principle characters are principally the Avengers.
That is not a foul idea on its face, and issues begin out fascinating sufficient with some fashionable artwork and a brand new mysterious villain on the free. However the storylines rapidly take a nosedive into the perplexing, upsetting, and downright dangerous. Within the curiosity of sparing you, I will run down among the most baffling narrative decisions beneath. Look away now in the event you do not need to be spoiled.
Amongst different issues, Angel will get seduced/possessed/tricked by the spirit of an alternate dimension, kills Giles, and learns to levitate. Buffy goes to the long run and kills Willow. Xander and Daybreak get collectively romantically — a transfer that is additional gross given the age hole, the truth that Whedon has stated Xander is the character he pertains to essentially the most, and the more moderen revelation that there was a rule on set that Whedon could not be alone with Michelle Trachtenberg.
And that is all simply within the first “season.” Whereas the later installments truthfully have some stronger materials (maybe as a consequence of Whedon not being so concerned), all of them work off of this basis, and issues get off the rails so quickly that it is onerous to advocate anybody sticking it out.
The brand new Buffy present must utterly ignore the comics
Hopefully, that transient listing of unhinged nonsense provides you some concept as to why the brand new “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel collection ought to utterly ignore the comics. Whereas the TV present actually embraced some sci-fi and fantasy comedian e book storylines infrequently (Whedon has lengthy been a fan of the medium), these indulgences had been by no means what made the present nice. Sturdy character writing, nice chemistry inside a core ensemble, goofy appeal, and plenty of heartfelt emotional moments — that is why most fans love “Buffy,” I believe, and it is actually why I do. The occasions when the present will get too caught up in high-concept style storytelling — seasons 4 and seven leap out — are usually when it is at its weakest.
In fact, the larger cause why the brand new present ought to (and absolutely will) utterly ignore the comics is {that a} tiny share of the oldsters who love “Buffy” have ever learn them. The present stays enormously well-liked, and there isn’t any cause to arbitrarily gatekeep nearly all of followers for a bunch of asinine storylines they’ve by no means even heard of. Will the brand new “Buffy” collection be any good? That is but to be confirmed. Heck, we do not even know for certain if it is occurring but. However it’s actually an thrilling prospect so long as the creatives behind the scenes give attention to what all the time made the unique robust.
Please, please do not pull a “Power Awakens”https://www.slashfilm.com/”Darkish Empire” with this one.
What may the brand new Buffy sequel collection be about?
If we take away the comics from the image, there’s plenty of potential for brand new storylines in a “Buffy” sequel collection. On the finish of the present, Buffy leads a complete workforce of slayers alongside her associates. You are able to do quite a bit with that setup with out going full-blown “Vampire Spec-Ops in a Fortress.” It stays to be seen if the occasions of “Angel” season 5 might be factored in, however on condition that most of “Angel” cuts back and forth with “Buffy,” it might be onerous (and nonsensical) to excise the spin-off. That places the traditional Spike/Angel romantic query again on the desk (it is Spike, everyone knows the best reply is Spike).
Given the period of time that is handed, in fact, the brand new present might be leaping forward a long time, which places a query mark on some actors returning. David Boreanaz and James Marsters, as an illustration, are a lot older now, however their vampire characters theoretically should not age. There is not any phrase even on if both may return, but when they do, some supernatural justification could also be so as. However hey, they’ve all died, been revived, and gotten new souls earlier than, in order that’s simple.
Whereas it might be nice to get extra of the outdated solid concerned, the Selection report solely mentions Gellar proper now. However hey, that is the one particular person you completely want, so we’re beginning heading in the right direction.
If Sarah Michelle Gellar returning for a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel series was in your 2025 bingo card, congratulations, you are a leg up on the remainder of us. In keeping with Variety, the undertaking is nearing a pilot order at Hulu with Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman hooked up as writers and Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao behind the digital camera. Issues aren’t fairly set in stone, however that by no means stopped anybody from speculating on particulars. And in terms of a direct successor to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” there’s one specific element that may must be addressed (or, ideally, completely ignored) early on.
Devoted followers of the late-’90s supernatural motion/drama/comedy collection will know that there have been many extra “Buffy” tales instructed after the collection concluded on the finish of season 7. And no, I am not speaking about that final season of “Angel,” which prolonged previous the “Buffy” finale and introduced Spike (James Marsters) again. I am speaking concerning the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel comics written by collection creator Joss Whedon and others between 2007 and 2018. Dubiously titled “Season 8” via “Season 12,”
Whedon’s involvement alone could also be sufficient to beat back would-be readers, given the quite a few allegations of office toxicity, sexual misconduct, and total energy abuse which have come out lately. However that is not the one cause to dodge these comics utterly. Whedon himself was barely concerned for almost all of the additional “seasons,” selecting to duck out and in after in depth involvement in “Season 8.” The remaining was penned by comedian e book writers like Christos Gage and Corinna Bechko, however the brand new sequel collection would do finest by ignoring these follow-up tales solely.
What occurs within the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sequel comics?
The setup for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8” sees Buffy and the opposite slayers from season 7, together with longtime Scooby Gang members like Xander and Willow, shaped into a worldwide monster-fighting group. Varied chapters span the planet, with Buffy’s main headquarters primarily based out of a fort in Scotland. It is a main enlargement in scale in comparison with the TV collection, nevertheless it’s additionally one which is smart given the brand new medium. This international, well-funded group may as properly be S.H.I.E.L.D., and the principle characters are principally the Avengers.
That is not a foul idea on its face, and issues begin out fascinating sufficient with some fashionable artwork and a brand new mysterious villain on the free. However the storylines rapidly take a nosedive into the perplexing, upsetting, and downright dangerous. Within the curiosity of sparing you, I will run down among the most baffling narrative decisions beneath. Look away now in the event you do not need to be spoiled.
Amongst different issues, Angel will get seduced/possessed/tricked by the spirit of an alternate dimension, kills Giles, and learns to levitate. Buffy goes to the long run and kills Willow. Xander and Daybreak get collectively romantically — a transfer that is additional gross given the age hole, the truth that Whedon has stated Xander is the character he pertains to essentially the most, and the more moderen revelation that there was a rule on set that Whedon could not be alone with Michelle Trachtenberg.
And that is all simply within the first “season.” Whereas the later installments truthfully have some stronger materials (maybe as a consequence of Whedon not being so concerned), all of them work off of this basis, and issues get off the rails so quickly that it is onerous to advocate anybody sticking it out.
The brand new Buffy present must utterly ignore the comics
Hopefully, that transient listing of unhinged nonsense provides you some concept as to why the brand new “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sequel collection ought to utterly ignore the comics. Whereas the TV present actually embraced some sci-fi and fantasy comedian e book storylines infrequently (Whedon has lengthy been a fan of the medium), these indulgences had been by no means what made the present nice. Sturdy character writing, nice chemistry inside a core ensemble, goofy appeal, and plenty of heartfelt emotional moments — that is why most fans love “Buffy,” I believe, and it is actually why I do. The occasions when the present will get too caught up in high-concept style storytelling — seasons 4 and seven leap out — are usually when it is at its weakest.
In fact, the larger cause why the brand new present ought to (and absolutely will) utterly ignore the comics is {that a} tiny share of the oldsters who love “Buffy” have ever learn them. The present stays enormously well-liked, and there isn’t any cause to arbitrarily gatekeep nearly all of followers for a bunch of asinine storylines they’ve by no means even heard of. Will the brand new “Buffy” collection be any good? That is but to be confirmed. Heck, we do not even know for certain if it is occurring but. However it’s actually an thrilling prospect so long as the creatives behind the scenes give attention to what all the time made the unique robust.
Please, please do not pull a “Power Awakens”https://www.slashfilm.com/”Darkish Empire” with this one.
What may the brand new Buffy sequel collection be about?
If we take away the comics from the image, there’s plenty of potential for brand new storylines in a “Buffy” sequel collection. On the finish of the present, Buffy leads a complete workforce of slayers alongside her associates. You are able to do quite a bit with that setup with out going full-blown “Vampire Spec-Ops in a Fortress.” It stays to be seen if the occasions of “Angel” season 5 might be factored in, however on condition that most of “Angel” cuts back and forth with “Buffy,” it might be onerous (and nonsensical) to excise the spin-off. That places the traditional Spike/Angel romantic query again on the desk (it is Spike, everyone knows the best reply is Spike).
Given the period of time that is handed, in fact, the brand new present might be leaping forward a long time, which places a query mark on some actors returning. David Boreanaz and James Marsters, as an illustration, are a lot older now, however their vampire characters theoretically should not age. There is not any phrase even on if both may return, but when they do, some supernatural justification could also be so as. However hey, they’ve all died, been revived, and gotten new souls earlier than, in order that’s simple.
Whereas it might be nice to get extra of the outdated solid concerned, the Selection report solely mentions Gellar proper now. However hey, that is the one particular person you completely want, so we’re beginning heading in the right direction.
