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The Vampire Slayer #1-4
The Vampire Slayer, Vol. 1
After Buffy loses her powers, it’s up to a new Slayer to take up the mantle; are they ready?
In the first arc of WILLOWVERSE, trying to help Buffy heal from her trauma proves to be more than Giles and Willow bargained for! She’s left without her powers or identity, and it’s up to an unprepared and inexperienced new Slayer to take up the mantle—Willow. But thankfully Willow isn’t alone, as the spell also leads to another newly-activated Slayer, serving as a guide for this speed-run of training. But even with the threat of 4 terrifying and sometimes zany monsters, the darkest threat may be Willow herself, as she struggles to cope. Can Willow’s allies save her from herself? Writer Sarah Gailey (Eat the Rich) along with artists Michael Shelfer (Domino: Hotshots), Sonia Liao (A Spark Within the Forge), Puste (Rick and Morty Presents Morty’s Run), and Claudia Balboni (Fairlady) bring the first arc of a new Vampire Slayer! Collects The Vampire Slayer #1-4.
In the first arc of WILLOWVERSE, trying to help Buffy heal from her trauma proves to be more than Giles and Willow bargained for! She’s left without her powers or identity, and it’s up to an unprepared and inexperienced new Slayer to take up the mantle—Willow. But thankfully Willow isn’t alone, as the spell also leads to another newly-activated Slayer, serving as a guide for this speed-run of training. But even with the threat of 4 terrifying and sometimes zany monsters, the darkest threat may be Willow herself, as she struggles to cope. Can Willow’s allies save her from herself? Writer Sarah Gailey (Eat the Rich) along with artists Michael Shelfer (Domino: Hotshots), Sonia Liao (A Spark Within the Forge), Puste (Rick and Morty Presents Morty’s Run), and Claudia Balboni (Fairlady) bring the first arc of a new Vampire Slayer! Collects The Vampire Slayer #1-4.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 15, 2024
My daughter brought this and the next volume home and I'm reading them primarily to screen for TV show spoilers. She's only on season 5.
Spoiler report: don't read this unless you're up to at least season 4. Even though it's an alternate universe story, some characters and attributes will spoil some surprises, or leave you wondering who the heck someone is.
I didn't like it. The concept is fine, but the writing and artwork are both mid. Quips aren't funny; Xander's lines are not at all up to quality standards, and "Light Beers Away" is not a good name for a bar. The visual pacing isn't great. The artwork in chapter 4 in particular made me grimace, especially the awkward blocking in most scenes, especially while ordering at a food counter and sitting at a restaurant table (during which food disappeared and reappeared from the table). The artist changes every single issue, a pattern I always dislike.
I shouldn't expect much from any licensed IP that endlessly churns out iterations. It has been 21 years since the show concluded. The series finale can now legally drink in America. Go re-experience the thing if you want to re-experience the thing.
Spoiler report: don't read this unless you're up to at least season 4. Even though it's an alternate universe story, some characters and attributes will spoil some surprises, or leave you wondering who the heck someone is.
I didn't like it. The concept is fine, but the writing and artwork are both mid. Quips aren't funny; Xander's lines are not at all up to quality standards, and "Light Beers Away" is not a good name for a bar. The visual pacing isn't great. The artwork in chapter 4 in particular made me grimace, especially the awkward blocking in most scenes, especially while ordering at a food counter and sitting at a restaurant table (during which food disappeared and reappeared from the table). The artist changes every single issue, a pattern I always dislike.
I shouldn't expect much from any licensed IP that endlessly churns out iterations. It has been 21 years since the show concluded. The series finale can now legally drink in America. Go re-experience the thing if you want to re-experience the thing.
July 28, 2022
I will say that this is better than the last BOOM Buffy ongoing was for most of its duration (that's not hard to do), but it's still not that good. This is another AU fanfic scenario, and it's based on the reader believing that Giles and Willow would do something so reckless and dangerous as use magic on Buffy to remove her trauma without her knowing; Willow doing that? Sure, okay. Giles? So out of character. Whatever, just roll with it! This concept of Willow being the Slayer could be really fun, but the pace of this volume is really slow; it feels like the plot doesn't move forward at all by the end. That said, there's some good moments, and it's a very queer AU with Xander being bi, he has a thing for Spike which shook me, and there's something possibly between Willow and Faith. (When will I get a Buffy/Faith story???) Anyways, I'm tired of BOOM Buffy AUs, but this isn't the worst one. Yay? 3/5 stars.
January 19, 2023
Willow is the slayer and a powerful witch. Buffy is no longer a slayer and doesn’t remember being one. Xander is gay and being mistreated by his beau. Giles is… there.
Whilst not as poor as the initial BOOM foray in to the world of Buffy these modern comics lack the sense of knowledge and respect for these characters.
The art is different for every issue which always lets you know how valued a series is…
Whilst not as poor as the initial BOOM foray in to the world of Buffy these modern comics lack the sense of knowledge and respect for these characters.
The art is different for every issue which always lets you know how valued a series is…
February 22, 2024
#1 the vampire slayer, vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
#2 the vampire slayer, vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
#3 the vampire slayer, vol. 3 ★★☆☆☆
#4 the vampire slayer, vol. 4 ★★☆☆☆
the first issue jumps right into things without explanation and it’s a bit jarring. i thought i accidentally read an issue from the middle of the series instead, because the synopsis of the first issue is entirely about willow and giles doing a spell on buffy, who is having a hard time due to trauma, which leads to willow becoming the slayer, but none of that is in the first issue. and while i knew, obviously, that this is an au story, i thought it was more along the lines of canon divergence au, but it’s a complete au.
it’s also a very queer au, with queer xander and hints of a willow/faith romance. and the way that spike is introduced through xander, i got the vibe that maybe a romance is gonna develop there? idk though. while i’m not a fan of either of those ships, but i’m here for queering nonqueer characters!
my biggest gripe is the art. each issue has a different artist and style and i did not like any of them. what i look for in the art for buffy comics is some resemblance to the actors and this series is not giving that. buffy and willow go out to eat with another person and i didn’t even know it was faith until her name was mentioned, that’s how completely unrecognizable she was to the character. giles often looks like a college student. and in general, the only thing in common the characters have visually with the actors from the show are their hair color (with the exception of faith in that one issue where her hair was jet black) and clothing.
i also saw someone say willow and giles doing a spell on buffy to remove her trauma without her knowledge isn’t believable and i partly agree. it’s 100% believable that willow would do that, but it’s beyond out of character for giles to condone it, let alone participate in it.
content/trigger warnings; physical violence, trauma, ableism,
rep; willow (mc) is a lesbian. xander (mc) is queer. spike (mc) is queer. faith (mc) is queer. buffy (mc) is queer.
#2 the vampire slayer, vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
#3 the vampire slayer, vol. 3 ★★☆☆☆
#4 the vampire slayer, vol. 4 ★★☆☆☆
the first issue jumps right into things without explanation and it’s a bit jarring. i thought i accidentally read an issue from the middle of the series instead, because the synopsis of the first issue is entirely about willow and giles doing a spell on buffy, who is having a hard time due to trauma, which leads to willow becoming the slayer, but none of that is in the first issue. and while i knew, obviously, that this is an au story, i thought it was more along the lines of canon divergence au, but it’s a complete au.
it’s also a very queer au, with queer xander and hints of a willow/faith romance. and the way that spike is introduced through xander, i got the vibe that maybe a romance is gonna develop there? idk though. while i’m not a fan of either of those ships, but i’m here for queering nonqueer characters!
my biggest gripe is the art. each issue has a different artist and style and i did not like any of them. what i look for in the art for buffy comics is some resemblance to the actors and this series is not giving that. buffy and willow go out to eat with another person and i didn’t even know it was faith until her name was mentioned, that’s how completely unrecognizable she was to the character. giles often looks like a college student. and in general, the only thing in common the characters have visually with the actors from the show are their hair color (with the exception of faith in that one issue where her hair was jet black) and clothing.
i also saw someone say willow and giles doing a spell on buffy to remove her trauma without her knowledge isn’t believable and i partly agree. it’s 100% believable that willow would do that, but it’s beyond out of character for giles to condone it, let alone participate in it.
content/trigger warnings; physical violence, trauma, ableism,
rep; willow (mc) is a lesbian. xander (mc) is queer. spike (mc) is queer. faith (mc) is queer. buffy (mc) is queer.
May 14, 2023
Nice start..
Blend of humor and switching things up....works for me
Blend of humor and switching things up....works for me
April 1, 2024
I love the original Buffy so much that I was caught off guard by the little changes such as Buffy knowing Xander and Willow since they were kids (nuh uh, she did not!), and Xander being gay (what about all his iconically horrible relationships with women??), and Spike being nice enough to not even try to kill Xander (suspiciously out of character!), but hey, I love the Scooby Gang and I really want to read the second volume!
February 17, 2023
I think I skipped the fine print here, because for some reason I thought this was a new slayer story, as in something happening nowadays, with no Buffy, Willow, Xander, et al.
But nope, this is actually the start of the 'Willowverse' series, and, as that, it wasn't particularly new or refreshing. I mean, I love the classic characters, but I don't think I personally needed this twist.
The art is more than decent, but I guess the fact I stopped at the TV show (and not the whole thing), makes some things like Xander being gay kind of not my cup of tea... because it's not the old stuff I used to love.
Over all, fun, but not super catchy.
But nope, this is actually the start of the 'Willowverse' series, and, as that, it wasn't particularly new or refreshing. I mean, I love the classic characters, but I don't think I personally needed this twist.
The art is more than decent, but I guess the fact I stopped at the TV show (and not the whole thing), makes some things like Xander being gay kind of not my cup of tea... because it's not the old stuff I used to love.
Over all, fun, but not super catchy.
November 13, 2023
I’m sorry, I was hoping to enjoy this but I can’t. I love Buffy and the world of Buffy, but this?
If you are going into this thinking that it’s Buffy, it’s not. I mean I get it it’s supposed to Willow as the slayer and that’s the whole premise but I’m not a fan. The reason Buffy worked because it was Buffy not because of Willow even though she’s fantastic.
Another thing, the art is really driving me mad. They don’t look like the characters at all and it just declines as the chapters go on. That’s just my input.
If you are going into this thinking that it’s Buffy, it’s not. I mean I get it it’s supposed to Willow as the slayer and that’s the whole premise but I’m not a fan. The reason Buffy worked because it was Buffy not because of Willow even though she’s fantastic.
Another thing, the art is really driving me mad. They don’t look like the characters at all and it just declines as the chapters go on. That’s just my input.
February 13, 2023
I enjoyed this one, when it stayed on topic.
What if willow got buffys powers?
Writer seems a little obsessed with the newly changed to gay zander. Art was mostly nice apart from the last issue, it’s pretty bad and looks lifeless. I think more consistency in the art and less focus on zander in the next vol would be a big plus.
What if willow got buffys powers?
Writer seems a little obsessed with the newly changed to gay zander. Art was mostly nice apart from the last issue, it’s pretty bad and looks lifeless. I think more consistency in the art and less focus on zander in the next vol would be a big plus.
September 22, 2024
If you are a superfan of the show (like me), I think you will enjoy this! The writing by Gailey does a great job capturing the unique Buffy dialogue, and the alternate universe character changes are clever. I admit I want to read more.
Read
July 27, 2022Willow has become The Slayer and Buffy is clueless about fighting. The monster is a giant crab. Meh.
January 20, 2023
Overly altered - without apparent purpose or forethought or plan beyond 'more woke'. A giant disappointment after the quality of Buffy The Last Vampire Slayer.
April 16, 2025
The tv show was so good, how can they not get it right?! So disappointed with the first volume, I doubt it’ll get any better.
Read
February 25, 2023Fun. Strong premise, but no Buffy reboot really ever finds its feet, so I’m wary. Faith/Willow romance or even Spike/Xander romance threads could be very cute and gay and good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2023
Art leaves a lot to be desired but I’m really enjoying Gailey’s spin on things.
January 1, 2025
3.25 rounded. Interesting twists on the now "classic" BtVS. I'll continue this series but it's missing something for me. Some of the illustrations I liked and some were not a great match, I felt.
March 11, 2025
Not as iconic as the Original buffy series but it’s pretty ok
March 12, 2023
I struggled with this initially, I love Buffy so much as a character it was hard to see her as a weak/ incompetent version of herself. As I read on it made me realise however if this is potentially what Willow and Xander would have felt before Willow stepped into her own power that is so I stuck with it.
I will say the change of drawing style form comic to comic however completely threw me. I didn’t know I was reading one volume or multiple stories, as they all seemed to be a different artists take on the same arc, it wasn’t chronological and the random appearances of characters such as Spike and Faith, although welcomed, felt completely unnessecary and not cohesive to the actual storyline.
I wanted to like this so much and I love Buffy’s story but as time goes on and from each new volume of vampire slaying world building I read, I am met with the confirmation that perhaps, it should have been left where it was.
I will say the change of drawing style form comic to comic however completely threw me. I didn’t know I was reading one volume or multiple stories, as they all seemed to be a different artists take on the same arc, it wasn’t chronological and the random appearances of characters such as Spike and Faith, although welcomed, felt completely unnessecary and not cohesive to the actual storyline.
I wanted to like this so much and I love Buffy’s story but as time goes on and from each new volume of vampire slaying world building I read, I am met with the confirmation that perhaps, it should have been left where it was.
August 4, 2024
I got this graphic novel at my city's Book Festival and being a long time "Buffy" fan I had heard there was a comic reboot of the show set in present day so I was curious to check this out. Is interesting seeing how they did this and the characters don't feel that different from the show's, it's just that their much younger now. Also there were comics before this so I was a little out of place since I didn't read those, however this story where Willow accidently got Buffy's slayer powers while Buffy's memory of being the slayer was erased wasn't too hard to follow. I'm not sure if I'll continue since it's not the show I watched, but it is interesting to see how this has turned out and I'm happy that the comics and "Buffy" books are still going.
January 24, 2025
I love the idea of this and am intrigued as to where it is going. I hesitate to write it off because it is the first issue where they sort of have to establish some things. I love the differences that they included from the show (because if you're going to write a Buffy story you kinda have to deviate because the show was so strong).
Anyway. Liked it didn't love but I do have hope.
Anyway. Liked it didn't love but I do have hope.
November 28, 2023
2.5 stars...this was disappointing. I've read a number of Buffy graphic novels and this was by far my least favorite. The basic premise is interesting...but I felt very lost throughout this. I'm not sure exactly where this fits into the timeline and there was nothing in it to help me find my place. The other issue is that the character don't FEEL like themselves. Yes...the names are the same...but without any of the character traits that make them who they are.
I've got volume 2 lined up (both were free with Comixology Unlimited) but if it doesn't get better in volume 2 then it's not something I will continue.
I've got volume 2 lined up (both were free with Comixology Unlimited) but if it doesn't get better in volume 2 then it's not something I will continue.
March 11, 2024
I knew willow was going to be the slayer in this series (which was cancelled after only 16 issues, 4 trade paperbacks) but I didn't realize that buffy was still the rightful slayer (a spell went wrong). I feel like I would have been more interested in a total character shake up but I guess this is an interesting exploration of what makes the slayer a slayer. the monsters are described as "zany" on the cover, and I guess they are on the campy side - but there's a fine line between zany/campy and dumb. a crab god, a self-esteem demon that tries to grow your self-confidence so you taste better...
June 19, 2023
I thought this would be a fun AU Buffy comic but it just didn’t hold up. The plot was fine but I just don’t think that Willow holds up to being the Slayer like Buffy did. She doesn’t have the swagger, she just seems sad and overwhelmed the whole time with no support until another Slayer shows up. This is one I would skip honestly.
November 18, 2024
I like that the drawings are not of the TV show actors.
It’s a different take on the shows so feels like something new when you’re reading- threw me at first thinking this was a backwards retelling with Willow! Still keeps the goofiness of the show dialogue.
I like the style of drawings- doesn’t feel as ‘computerised’ as other comic books.
It’s a different take on the shows so feels like something new when you’re reading- threw me at first thinking this was a backwards retelling with Willow! Still keeps the goofiness of the show dialogue.
I like the style of drawings- doesn’t feel as ‘computerised’ as other comic books.
August 16, 2023
if you watched the all TV series and you deep love it , you kinda like this book. different pov , i want to read next one
October 1, 2023
Remember when we wrote Buffy fanfic on yahoogroups?
This is exactly that.
This is exactly that.
February 28, 2024
Love me an au that is more queer than the original
September 28, 2024
Fun enough, not a fan of all the art, but curious to see what happens next.
January 13, 2023
After the fiasco that was the last volume of Buffy at Boom!, we're starting fresh with The Vampire Slayer (note lack of Buffy in the title). In this universe, Willow and Giles have attempted to free Buffy of the pain of being the Slayer by transfering her powers to Willow. Shenanigans ensue. Also Xander's gay, which is neat.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this. I don't know if that's because the last Buffy comics got to be such a slog by the end that anything would be an improvement, or because it's genuinely an interesting premise, but either way, I'm glad for it. The 'mystery' isn't really played as such, and it's definitely just an extension of the usual 'friends keeping secrets from each other' trope that most dramas rely on, but it feels like a breath of fresh air.
The art is, apparently, by four different artists, but I genuinely don't remember there being much difference between them. Again, compared to the last volume where you literally couldn't tell any of the multiversal Buffys apart, I'm just glad to be able to see what's happening and who's who for a change.
The Vampire Slayer gets extra points for being readable compared to what came before, but that doesn't discount the fact that it's actually pretty good. I may judge it a little harsher in the future, but after 20 odd issues of 'what the hell am I reading' from the last series, my bar for enjoying Buffy comics is very low.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this. I don't know if that's because the last Buffy comics got to be such a slog by the end that anything would be an improvement, or because it's genuinely an interesting premise, but either way, I'm glad for it. The 'mystery' isn't really played as such, and it's definitely just an extension of the usual 'friends keeping secrets from each other' trope that most dramas rely on, but it feels like a breath of fresh air.
The art is, apparently, by four different artists, but I genuinely don't remember there being much difference between them. Again, compared to the last volume where you literally couldn't tell any of the multiversal Buffys apart, I'm just glad to be able to see what's happening and who's who for a change.
The Vampire Slayer gets extra points for being readable compared to what came before, but that doesn't discount the fact that it's actually pretty good. I may judge it a little harsher in the future, but after 20 odd issues of 'what the hell am I reading' from the last series, my bar for enjoying Buffy comics is very low.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews