Disclaimer: I've never seen a single episode of the series or read any of the comics before, but I got this in a Humble Bundle, which I finally got around to reading.

I don't know. I think it would have been much more fun if I had grown up with the series, so there would have been nostalgia involved. Because as it was, I thought both the comic and Buffy felt rather dated and the stories predictable. The artwork also was nothing special, though not bad. I think it wasn't for me.

I decided to start the reboot of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book series. As with the TV series, it has plenty of vampires, as well as other supernatural creatures like demons, making it perfect for the Cryptozoologist square. It would have also worked for the Dark Academia, Film at 11, Deadlands, and Spellbound squares.

This is a Buffy reboot; once again Buffy is a new student at Sunnydale High School, but this time around, the setting is our present time. So everyone has a cell phone. The primary cast is introduced in this volume, but there are immediately certain differences. Willow and Xander form the Scooby Gang almost immediately, with only a pro forma objection from Giles. Willow already has a girlfriend, Rose, so I guess this likely means no Oz? No Oz makes me sad. Other differences are that Cordelia is nice to everyone, Spike and Dru show up already, and Anya already has a magic shop. Oh, and Buffy's mother, Joyce, has a live-in boyfriend who is a doctor.

I like this so far, but it feels as though the reboot is getting its bearings, so I'll need to wait and see how the story develops. I surprise myself by not recoiling against the differences (but it's not supposed to be like this!). I'm curious to see what happens next.

The fact that it's redoing the series isn't taken too seriously, but at the same time they make some serious nods to the TV show.  Like I didn't see this ending to this coming, because I though all the main characters were safe (I do not consider this a spoiler since the description on Amazon says someone makes a sacrifice) but when I read it, I immediately thought of the first couple episodes and how this mirrored what happened to a character in that episode.   It's clever, and better than that, it's subtle about how it's clever and that makes me very, very happy. 

Loving the writing and art and the small twists on this world that add up to, well, a whole new BtVS world. 

Book source ~ Library

Buffy and gang have been living their life in the wake of the last big near-apocalypse. Magical creatures are laying low and life is quiet. Buffy and Spike have broken up, Dawn and Xander are married with a baby and living in the burbs of San Fran, Giles is his old self again, and Willow is teaching women how to empower themselves. But something big is coming. Bigger than anything they’ve ever faced before. And they’ll need everyone on board to stop it.

This graphic novel says Volume One, but it feels an awful like The End to me. I know I read that Joss Whedon and Dark Horse were parting ways after Season 12, but I’m not sure if there will be a Volume Two to this one. Maybe?

I’m really not happy with the fast forward. What the fuck? So many changes and no explanations. Then Angel and Illyria show up and I find out they are lovers? Again, I say wtf?! Where is all this coming from? Apparently the Angel and other comics have some major shit going on that I missed.

What I like about this last gasp: The humor, the appearance of some major characters, the fight scenes.

What I don’t like: the fast forward, the huge changes dumped on me with no explanation, a lot of the artwork is just…off. There were many times I couldn’t tell who was who in this. Ugh.

I really get the feeling this is it – the end. So, good-bye, my friends. I’ll miss you.