5. Buffy and Angel comics that don’t Suck

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Originally Aired on:  Dec 21, 2008

You know, initially when “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” came out, I was beyond the hype. Weirdly enough I found the movie to be charming. The first role I actually enjoyed Luke Perry in, plus it was the first time I had seen Paul Reubens after his masturbation debacle. Fast forward a few years later, Buffy’s in college now and bored one night, I started watching an episode. It defied every TV convention I could think of and from that point on I was hooked.

It was only natural that I would turn to the comic world to continue my “Buffy” and “Angel” fix after both shows ended. But my god was there ever a dearth of material. And every time I opened an issue, I was usually disappointed with the art. Half of it seemed so phoned in.

As a huge Joss Whedon fan I’ve never quite understood why Dark Horse tends to pair their “Buffy” franchise with some really crappy artists. They do the same thing with “Star Wars.” If they stuck to the good ones, I’m positive more people would read them.

But they did odd things like get Andi Watson and Dan Brereton to write the issues instead of illustrate, while both are fantastic artists in their own right that would’ve done interesting and innovative takes on the BuffyU. The new series I find especially heartbreaking because they have such beautiful covers by Jo Chen and the interiors just don’t even compare.

Jo Chen

This week we will be examining the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” comics that have been published by Dark Horse Comics. Specifically the ones with good art.

We will be talking about the excellent Ryan Sook,

Ryan Sook

the superb Eric Powell

Eric Powell

and the awesome team of Brian Horton and Paul Lee.

Brian Horton and Paul Lee

All these artists get their representations of the actors bang on, and add their own accomplished, slick style to the proceedings too.

Some of the issues we will be discussing will be the Terry Moore, “Willow and Tara”

Terry Moore, “Willow and Tara”

As well as the Willow and Tara story illustrated by AJ and Klebs Jr. “Fray” by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline.

“Fray” by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline.

Andi Watson actually getting to draw a few “Buffy” pages, and the “Tales of the Slayers” TP.

“Tales of the Slayers” by Andi Watson

POSTSCRIPT

In scanning the pages for the site, I was overcome by Ryan Sooks art. I know he’s gone on to better and brighter things, but to me, he was the quentiessential ‘Buffy’ artist.

Currently ‘Angel ‘is being published by IDW. I’ve flipped through some, but none have really caught my eye.

A couple of weeks later I did exactly as I said I would. Used my year old gift certificate and bought the ‘Fray/Buffy’ crossover as well as the animated ‘Buffy’ issue.

The animated issue was really cute and funny. Written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Eric Wright, Ethen Beavers and Adam Van Wyk. it was an awesome one shot.

PLAYLIST

• Breeders – ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ theme
• Darling Violetta – ‘Angel’ theme
• Dream Warriors – Man smart, Woman smarter (fr. The ‘BVS Movie’ sdtrk)
• Rasputina – Transylvanian Concubine (guest on BVS TV Show)
• Cibo Matto – Sugar Water (guest on BVS TV Show)
• Velvet Chain – Buffy *Buffy cast – I’ve got a theory (fr. BVS musical episode, ‘Once More With Feeling’)

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