Hey, I Died Twice! - The verse that would not stay dead

by Faith McKay

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a tale that has been told in many forms. First, in 1992, it was a film. The film did ok, received mixed reviews, and by everyone else’s account the story was dead.

However, in 1997 BtVS returned as a hit television series that lasted for seven seasons. The show pulled off things many people didn’t think it could, including a musical episode. When I first heard that they were going to do a musical I thought “Hey now, that’s just going too far, even on this show!” And yet, it has turned out to be arguably one of the most popular episodes with its own soundtrack album. But alas, after seven seasons the show went off the air.

But one of the many things we learn from Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Buffy does not stay dead! BtVS fans kept trying to find a way for the story to be continued, if for no other reason, than that’s what Buffy taught us. From the musical:

"We have to try. We'll pay the price
It's do or die...hey, I died twice!"
-"Once More with Feeling", BtVS

In March 2007 our first taste of season eight of Buffy The Vampire Slayer was released in comic book form. I’m sure a lot of people heard this and went, eh, could they really pull it off? To which I can only respond by playing my soundtrack CD to the musical episode. The comic series for season eight is out and going strong, and it is reported that there will be a 40-issue run, with plans for spin-off mini series where side-stories outside of season eight would be played out.

Season eight takes place at least a year and a half after “Chosen”-the last episode of season seven – which puts us after the final episode of Angel as well. I won’t say anymore than that, so as not to spoil you. To catch up quickly, the issues are also being released in paperback format, with issues 1-5 currently in “The Long Way Home” and 6-10 in “No Future for You” which will be released on June 4th, 2008.

The series is doing so well in fact that they are now releasing a new series for Angel entitled “After the Fall”. The first issue in this series was released in November, 2007, and on March 11th, it was announced there will be a four issue spin-off titled “Spike: After the Fall” which will cover the time between the final episode of Angel season five, and the After the Fall series.

It’s important to note that BtVS and Angel were not Joss Whedon’s (BtVS and Angel creator) first adventure in comic book creating. Those who can’t get enough of the buffyverse comics should check out Fray, an eight-issue comic book series that is a futuristic spin-off of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon has said that eventually, there will be more comics in this series as well.

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