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SCOTT ALLIE- DARKHORSE WEBSITE- BUFFY ZONE
4/25/07: The last time I
wrote something for this space, the first issue was just off to the
printer, with the highest orders we'd had for a single-issue comic in
years. When the book came out, it sold out overnight, and we've since
gone back to print twice on issue one. Issue two came out, with
an even higher print run, and that issue's gone back to press. Good
times at Dark Horse.
Issue three is at the printer as we speak, due out in just a couple
weeks, in early May. It reintroduces yet another major character, and
this one, I think will be a bigger surprise than Amy was at the end of
issue one. Andy Owens and Dave Stewart are currently putting the
finishing touches on issue four, and Paul Lee has just finished
pencilling #5. Just an hour ago I got Jo Chen's final cover art for
Buffy #7, after getting the final draft of that script a couple days
ago from Brian K. Vaughan.
We're busy 'round the clock.
MySpace was a major factor in our marketing for Buffy, notably a contest
that we held in which Buffy fans were to write essays about how the show
affected their lives. We got a few thousand entries, all over the
charts. There were some recurring themes--a lot of kids who felt like
they didn't belong in high school, learning that they were better off
being themselves. Closeted gay kids who found the courage to come out by
seeing the characters on the show. A few real good letters from soldiers
who talked about how Buffy continues to be a comfort and a way to blow
off steam in the desert.
The winner, Robin Balzer, will be drawn into issue ten of the comic.
Joss was working on the story for that issue around the time he was
judging the entries, and Robin's story about battling mental illness
really connected with what he was doing, so while the contest promised
the winner a cameo in a comic, Robin will get a real role in the history
of these characters.
The response to Robin's win was interesting. As I'd expect from Joss's
fans, a lot of people were touched by Robin's story, congratulated her,
and gave Joss kudos for making such a unique and big-hearted choice.
What I wouldn't expect from Joss fans--and sort of assume these guys
might not really be fans of the material--was a smattering of sarcasm
and derision, saying Robin didn't deserve it, that this was somehow "b.s."
To read so many great entries about how Buffy had taught viewers about
selflessness, about learning to respect themselves for being different,
I wondered what these people thought they'd gotten out of the show.
Besides picking a winner and writing her into a comic, Joss also had to
select five runners-up, who'd get signed copies of #1 (first printing).
Joss, who often delivers over and above, wrote personal notes in Sharpie
on the covers of the five books. He clearly went back to the entries as
he signed the books, because each note specifically referenced the
runner-up's story. I can't wait until they get their books. I'm pretty
sure no one's gonna feel like a runner-up. And going beyond those five
people, you can see a
MySpace blog where other essays are being posted. It's a hell of a
community out there.
The first arc of Season Eight is wrapping up fairly soon. Keep your
letters coming to let us know what you think. We're having a blast here.
Brian K. Vaughan's scripts are fantastic--he's captured Faith's voice
brilliantly, with all the bravado and balls of that great Boston girl.
And don't worry--he's getting his chance to write Buffy herself too.
Just because Faith blotted out the logo doesn't mean she's dominating
all twenty-two pages of each issue. Buffy has her issues to work out too
. . .
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