PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In 2003, we said goodbye to Buffy, Sunnydale and the rest of the Scooby Gang from our TV screens. But the fandom did not stop there; the fans were given seasons 8, 9, and 10 as comics to fulfill the gap left after the show went off the air. Once again, we can revisit the three original members: Buffy, Willow, and Xander, in their high school years in Buffy the High School Years: Freaks and Geeks. Come with us as we are taken back to the original roots that made the Joss Whedon TV series so great. These new graphic novels are based around the first season of the show.
Faith Erin Hicks (Zombies Calling, Demonology 101) is the writer on this new part of the continuing fandom. The story takes a look at high school insecurities. It starts off with a group of nerdy vampires that are not let into an exclusive vampire nightclub. Hence, they plan to kill the slayer to be liked by their cooler brethren. The vampires then been plant the notion in her mind that she is still the same popular cheerleader. The graphic novel plays on Buffy’s fears that maybe Willow and Xander are not her friends but just her slayer cheering section.
The artwork is completed by Yishan Li (Batwoman Annual 2, Paradox Girl). First off, the anime based art is something I have never seen in a Buffy comic. My favorite character depiction would have to be Xander. Li got his boyish charm down to a tee. My favorite panels would have to be the dream sequence Buffy has; the colors, which are done by Rod Espinosa (The Courageous Princess, Neotopia), are just fantastic.
Final thought: I enjoyed this graphic novel. It was nice to revisit the earlier years of Buffy. This new story definitely had to have taken place in the first season. The plot was okay.Iit wasn’t over the top or breaking boundaries but just something fun to read. For me, the art was what I enjoyed the most. I have never seen any Buffy comic like this. So I would give the art 10/10 and the story 7/10. Check back with PopHorror to see what is next for the Scooby Gang in the newest installment, titled Glutton for Punishment.
