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SciFi/Fantasy Resources on the Web University of Michigan Science Fiction & Fantasy Web Site * Course Materials for the Study of SciFi/Fantasy * The High School Teacher's Guide to The Time Machine * Houghton Mifflin's Sites on The Hobbit Include Teacher's Guides & more
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Buffy Books There are more Buffy books out there then can be covered here, but these are a few of the ones Buffy fans won't want to miss...
Comics & Graphic Novels Those who want to "fill in the blanks" between the movie and the show might want to check out some of the Buffy graphic novels. Also, don't miss the stories of past and future Slayers...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Origin Bear witness to teenager Buffy Summers`s transformation from simple high school student to super Vampire Slayer! Follow Buffy`s trials and tribulations as she comes to accept her destined role to thwart the legions of the undead from spreading their veil of evil across Los Angeles. Adapted from creator Joss Whedon`s original screenplay from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer feature film, The Origin updates the material to match the tone and characters of the hit television series, making this the official Buffy launching pad!
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Viva Las Buffy The Buffy
saga takes a bold new direction under the guidance of former X-Men
writers Lobdell and Nicieza. It's 1996, and Buffy Summers has just
accepted her role as the Vampire Slayer. After the destruction of her
high school, she flees to Las Vegas to sort her life out, but there's
more than Wayne Newton and hookers in the city of sin. A twisted coven
den of vampires has big plans for the strip. And there's a tall, dark,
and handsome stranger keeping an eye on her during those dangerous
nights in Vegas.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Slayer, Interrupted
Considering how Buffy Summers has burned down the school gym, run off to
Vegas, and filled her diary with tales of vampires and demons, her
parents see no other choice than to have her committed to a mental
institution for a nice long rest. During her stay, Buffy finds that she
rather likes not having to slay vampires and demons night after night.
But there's something sinister going on here as some of the doctors may
not be what they appear. Meanwhile, in England, Rupert Giles' use of
black magic has stopped a corrupt Watcher from destroying the Council,
but now, to prove himself worthy of the title Watcher, he must face the
consequences of dabbling in the forbidden arts. Dark Horse recounts this
turning point in Buffy's history before she got to Sunnydale, in a story
we only saw a glimpse of in the television show. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Stake to the Heart Set earlier than any events in the TV show, this graphic novel--the last story arc of the five-year run of the monthly Buffy the Vampire Slayer--focuses on Buffy and her sister Dawn's reaction to their parents' announcement that they are going to divorce. Watching Buffy from afar, Angel, the vampire with a soul, decides to help her but inadvertently sets loose a group of demons that eat at her insecurities and grief over her parents' separation. The first demon plants ideas in her head about why her father left, playing on her fears that there may have been another woman. Another tries to make her blame herself. The story winds through the stages of grief quite effectively, employing some of the clever dialogue and creepy creatures that have always distinguished Buffy. Vividly depicted by artists Cliff Richards and Brian Horton, Nicieza's metaphorical story is in line with the show's clever device of having monsters symbolically represent trials in the characters' personal lives.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayer Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the latest in a long tradition of young women who've been trained to give their lives in the war against vampires. We've gotten glimpses of these other women over the years on TV, in comics, and in books. Now for the first time, the writers from the television series, including the show's creator, Joss Whedon, and one of its stars, Amber `Tara` Benson, present the tales of these girls, with the help of comics greatest artists. Gene Colan, co-creator of Marvel's Blade and Tomb of Dracula, returns to Dark Horse for the story of a young black girl in 1970s New York, battling vampires. Tim Sale, fan-favorite artist of recent epics Batman: The Long Halloween and Superman for All Seasons teams with Joss Whedon for a grim tale of a medieval slayer.
Fray by Joss Whedon Hundreds of years in the future, Manhattan has become a deadly slum, run by mutant crime-lords and disinterested cops. Stuck in the middle is a young girl who thought she had no future, but learns she has a great destiny. In a world so poisoned that it doesn't notice the monsters on its streets, how can a street kid like Fray unite a fallen city against a demonic plot to consume mankind? Joss Whedon, the celebrated creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brings his vision to the future in this unique tale. As inventive in the comics medium as in that of television of film, Whedon spins a complex tale of a skilled thief coming of age without the help of friends or family, guided only by a demonic Watcher.
More Buffy & Angel Stories: After the TV Shows End... Queen of the Slayers With the closing of the Hellmouth and the awakening of hundreds of potential slayers, Buffy Summers thought she had overturned the Slayer's self-sacrifice and earned herself a much-deserved break. But the thrill of victory is short-lived. The Forces of Darkness are not ones to graciously accept defeat, and the collective rage unites disparate and powerful parties more eager than ever to reclaim dominance. Willow's magickal distribution of the slayer essence left girls across the world discovering their latent power. Giles races to reorganize the now much-needed Watchers Council, and the Scoobies relocate to Europe. And there in Rome, Buffy is drawn to the Immortal -- a charismatic, if inscrutable, figure. But then comes word that a number of the fresh slayers are being coerced to join an army of slayers -- governed by the mysterious "Queen of the Slayers," an awesome evil determined to claim the intoxicating slayer essence for herself. Xander is sent to Africa to learn more about the origin of the slayer essence. Instead, he returns to report that, alarmingly, there's not enough good in the world to counteract the overabundance of evil, and that the deciding apocalypse is drawing much too near. Alliances are formed and loyalties betrayed as it comes down to slayer versus slayer, leading to an ultimate battle of champions -- from Buffy's past and present. And then an unimaginable gift arrives...
Angel: The Curse (graphic novel) Joss Whedon's classic vampire character returns to comics and IDW's got him! This book, collecting the Angel: The Curse series written by fan-favorite Angel author Jeff Mariotte, will be sure to appeal to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel alike!
Angel: Old Friends (graphic novel) Joss Whedon's classic character returns for his next all-new adventure! When a strangely familiar, seemingly vampiric figure is spotted killing victims in Los Angeles, Angel, alone in semi-retired retreat while he figures out what's next for him, is lured back to the city to put a stop to the string of slayings. The case will reunite the vampire that has a soul with old friends and old enemies - but it's impossible to tell which is which!
And More Slayer Stories... Tales of
the Slayer, Volume 1
What Does it All Mean? Criticism and Analysis of Buffy Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show This
collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular
television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes pieces by
leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include
bestselling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott
Westerfield, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and
award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such
critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans's “Matchmaking in Hellmouth” and
Sherrilyn Kenyon's “The Search for Spike's Balls.” An informed
introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source
of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting
questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic.
Fighting The Forces: What's At Stake In Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
(Paperback) Fighting the Forces explores the struggle to create meaning in an impressive example of popular culture, the television series phenomenon Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the essays collected here, contributors examine the series using a variety of techniques and viewpoints. They analyze the social and cultural issues implicit in the series and place it in its literary context, not only by examining its literary influences (from German liebestod to Huckleberry Finn) but also by exploring the series' purposeful literary allusions.
Sex and the Slayer: A Gender Studies Primer
for the Buffy Fan
During its seven-year run, Buffy the Vampire Slayer attracted a wide
range of viewers and almost unprecedented academic interest. Sex and the
Slayer explores one of the most talked-about topics in relation to this
pioneering TV series--gender. As fantasy, Buffy potentially opens up a
space for alternative representations of gender. But how alternative can
popular television be?
Televised Morality: The Case of Buffy the
Vampire Slayer The
increasing frequency of moralist critiques of television shows is an
acknowledgment of television's growing role in the shaping of a
culture's moral values. Yet many moralist critiques misconstrue the full
moral message of a show due to a restrictive focus on sex, violence, and
profanity. Televised Morality explores the nature of moral discourse on
television by using Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a case study. Blood Relations: Chosen Families In Buffy The Vampire Slayer And Angel The television series Buffy and Angel revolve around radical conceptions of family. Indeed, their coherence depends on the establishment of nontraditional families that admit vampires, demons, witches, werewolves, and other bizarre characters without censuring them for their peculiarities. This work argues that what makes these characters enduring and engaging is their critical family connectionsfor their most involved struggles occur not within the graveyard, but around the dinner table, just as the most challenging adversarial forces that they must face are not demons or vampires but the stuff of everyday life. What does family encompass within these two series? How does it relate to concepts of gender, sexuality, power and the supernatural as they emerge from the shows complex narratives? This book explores such questions. It also examines the chosen family (an idea marketed specifically by successful programs such as Friends and Sex in the City within the past ten years), juxtaposing it against various images of the fractured biological family displayed in both Buffy and Angel. Through eight chapters addressing various family-related aspects within both shows, this work plots the trajectory of this unstable notion of family, even as it is transformed, remediated, and rendered unrecognizable from a family values perspective by the unique and supernatural relationships that proliferate in Buffy and Angel.
Dusted: The Unauthorized Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer The ultimate guide for every Buffy fan, the unauthorized "Dusted" details and reviews all seven seasons (144 episodes) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in exhaustive detail—with story summaries, reviews, pop culture references, details on magic use, character development, a rolling Slayer Kill-Count and more. Also included: Loads of behind-the-scenes information, detailed coverage of the "Buffy" comic book series, appendices to the "Buffy" novels, the music performed on Buffy and much, much more.
How can
Buffy's religious symbolism be squared with creator Joss Whedon's
professed atheism? Is Buffy truly a Kierkegaardian knight of faith? Do
Faith's corruption and return to the good life demonstrate Platonic
eudaimonism? Or do they illustrate the flaws in Nietzsche's superman
concept? What does the show's treatment of vampires, demons, and other
entities say about ethical attitudes toward nonhumans? These are some of
the questions asked and answered in this lively collection of essays
that link classical philosophy to the long-running series Buffy the
Vampire Slayer. Buffy's status as the leading vehicle for exploring the
evil underlying everyday life has made it ripe for the kind of witty,
penetrating philosophical analysis this book delivers -- fully
disintering the intellectual issues that underlie this cult favorite. Beloved by
critics and fans alike, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a rare television
treat, building haunting story lines of love, death, trust, and betrayal
into a powerful and encompassing mythology. In a format that includes
both critique and deserved praise, this guide to the show is thoroughly
up-to-date, with complete season episode guides as well as discussion of
the show's controversial move from the WB to UPN and capsule reviews of
the first three full seasons of Angel. In addition to in-depth analysis
of events, characters, and villains within the show, attention is given
to the personalities and influences behind the scenes and the show's
effect on popular culture. What
Would Buffy Do? explores the fascinating spiritual, religious, and
mythological ideas of television's hit series Buffy the Vampire
Slayer--from apocalypse and sacrifice to self-reliance, redemption,
and the need for humor when fighting our spiritual battles. A
celebration of TVs Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the woman CNN hailed as
the Mother of Buffy Studies Rhonda Wilcox is the worlds foremost
authority on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, and its themes.
Wilcox argues that Buffy is enduring as art by exploring its excellence
in both long-term story arc construction and in producing individual
episodes that are powerful on their own. She examines the larger
patterns that extend through all seven seasons: the hero myth, imagery
of light, naming symbolism, Buffys relationship with Spike, sex, and
redemption. Wilcox also focuses on acclaimed and noteworthy episodes,
including the musical Once More, with Feeling, the largely silent and
wordless Hush, and the dream episode Restless. She examines Buffys
literary narrative, symbolism, visual imagery, and sound. Combining
great intelligence and wit, written for fans, this is the worthy
companion to the show that has claimed and kept the minds and hearts of
watchers worldwide. Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy This biography of Joss Whedon, creator of television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, offers a compelling look at one of the most talented television writers, directors, and producers of this generation. It explains how Whedon turned a midseason replacement show on the fledgling WB network into one of the most beloved shows of all time. Examined is Whedon’s life from childhood to the present; his successful screenwriting career, which includes Toy Story, Speed, and X-Men; the development of Buffy and Angel; and the launch of his much-anticipated science fiction series, Firefly. Discussed are Whedon as a producer with a self-proclaimed “feminist agenda,” as a genre fan writing for genre fans, and as a leader and mentor.
Existential Joss Whedon: Evil And Human Freedom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly And Serenity by J. Michael Richardson To be released November 2006
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