http://www.freewebs.com/whedonpositive/

Her liaisons include Angel, a vampire who is arguably her true love; Riley, a military operative who combats the supernatural; Spike, another vampire; and Parker, a fellow college student and one-night stand.

In a new issue of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” comic book series, being released Wednesday, Buffy sleeps with a fellow slayer. And, oh yeah, she’s a woman.

It’s an unusual development for a lead character of a series, whether on television or in comic books.

The story line “evolved naturally,” said Joss Whedon, who created Buffy for the 1992 film and the 1997 television show, which ran for seven seasons. Mr. Whedon is also executive producer of the comic book, published by Dark Horse Comics and promoted as “Season Eight.”

He has written several stories for it, including an opening arc that introduces Satsu (pronounced SOUGHT-sue), one of nearly 2,000 slayers activated in the television show’s finale. One of Buffy’s prized disciples, she ends up sharing her bed.

Mr. Whedon has developed their liaison over several issues. In No. 3 Buffy is overcome by a “Sleeping Beauty” spell undone only by a kiss from someone who loves her. In No. 4 Buffy realizes that Satsu saved her. Last month the pair discussed Satsu’s feelings. Buffy, although flattered by Satsu’s attentions, said the risks of involvement were too great.

“People who love me tend to ... oh, die,” she said. Or, she added, they leave, because “sooner or later everybody realizes there’s something wrong ... something wrong with me, or around me.”

The matter seemed resolved, but in the newest issue, No. 12 — written by Drew Goddard, the screenwriter of “Cloverfield” — Buffy and Satsu are in bed, naked under the sheets. “It puts the reader in this ‘Oh my God’ moment,” Mr. Whedon said during a telephone interview. “And it puts Buffy in an ‘Oh my God, what did I just do?’ moment.”

But before fans start blogging frantically, they should know that Mr. Whedon is clear where this is headed. “We’re not going to make her gay, nor are we going to take the next 50 issues explaining that she’s not. She’s young and experimenting, and did I mention open-minded?”

This is not the first same-sex encounter to affect the Scooby Gang, as Buffy and her friends are known. Willow, the group’s spell-caster, came out in Season 4 of the television series. In response, Mr. Whedon said, “there was some prerecorded outrage,” including an Internet post from a fan who vowed never to watch again. He recalled his response: “We’ll miss you.”

Numerous fans appreciated Willow’s revelation. “When it became clear how much this meant to people, we knew we could not take it back,” Mr. Whedon said. “O.K., this was a life change.”

Not so for Buffy. “I wouldn’t even call it a phase,” he said of her intimate moment with Satsu. “It’s just something that happens.”

Still, most pleasing to Mr. Whedon is the feelings the encounter will evoke in the characters. He suggested that both Buffy and Satsu might think, “Did I use this person? I had a nice time, but does this make me a bad person emotionally?” Even more important, he added, is “the funny” it will bring: “Willow might be defensive about it: ‘Well, I didn’t want to sleep with you anyway.’ ”

He added, “It’s always fun to give Buffy something to feel awkward about besides ‘I’m lonely’ and ‘I don’t have a boyfriend.’ ”

And what of Satsu’s fate? “We’re not going to dump her off the face of the earth, unless we kill her, because we love to kill characters,” Mr. Whedon said in jest. “If we do, don’t worry, she’ll probably come back as a ghost.” More seriously, he said, “She’s in the rotation.” But then he added, “For as long as she can live.”

What of the viewer outrage when Willow’s girlfriend Tara was fatally shot?

“It’s something you have to factor in,” Mr. Whedon said. After Tara died, he said, he discovered that “there was a whole cliché about lesbians being killed.” He added: “You do have to be careful about the message you’re sending out. It’s a double-edged sword. You have to be responsible, but you also have to be irresponsible or you’re not telling the best stories.”

Looking for a CGC 9.8 Graded copy of Buffy: Season 8 #1? (WHEW! Try to say that all in one breath.) The K-Lounge Scouting Crew has spotted copies being sold on Wizard Magazine's Website (Wizardworld.com). We also spotted some Buffy #1 Limited Edition Sketch covers being sold on Ebay. Good hunting!

http://wizarduniverse.stores.yahoo.net/jan070051bc98.html

FROM DARKHORSE'S WEBSITE: Darkhorse editor, Scott Allie, talks about the SELL OUT BOOKS and Re-prints of Buffy...

... 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.

[ CLICK HERE FOR MORE ]

In Wizard Magazine #186, an article aptly called "SLAY RIDE" throws down a gauntlet of all-stars who will be writing the Buffy Comic after Joss, some will be working with our man Georges!

Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, "Lost")

Brad Meltzer (Justice League of America)

Jeph Loeb (Wolverine, "Heroes")

Former Show Writers: Jane Espenson, Drew Goddard, Drew Greenberg and Steven DeKight

No Buffy or Vampire puns this time... I promise:)

I just wanted to let you know that Entertainment Weekly #923, March 2, 2007, chose the "Buffy: Season 8 Comic Book" as one of their HOT PICKS of the MONTH.

BUFFY NEWS * 02.20.07

After Georges' months of labor, care to detail, and watching dozens of Buffy DVD's--- HERE IT IS--- THE FINISHED PRODUCT! The final countdown has started for it's official release, and Darkhorse wanted to get some buzz goin' by serving up some advance reviews.

NEWS-A-RAMA ISSUE #1 REVIEW

FOREVER GEEK ISSSUE #1 REVIEW

BUFFY NEWS * 02.15.07

DH 100: BUFFY #1 CONTEST - This spring, Dark Horse will be sending 100 winning retailers 10 FREE alternate cover versions of the season's most anticipated new series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Taking over where the television series left off, Joss Whedon, along with writers from the TV show and the comics world take all your favorite characters in directions you've never dreamed.

The copies have a cover reproduced from the original pencil art of the variant cover from artist Georges Jeanty.

http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/preview.php?theid=14-111

BUFFY NEWS * 02.05.07

LET THE REVIEWS BEGIN!

NEWS-A-RAMA POSTS FIRST REVIEW OF BUFFY ISSUE #1

To say that Whedon and company knock it out of the park is a disservice to baseball metaphors. The narration on the first page clicks right into that classic Buffy dialogue rhythm... MORE

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=100248

BUFFY NEWS * 02.02.07

MTV NEWS - Re-Buffed: New Comic Book Series Resurrects Vampire Slayer

So what if Buffy the Vampire Slayer has died twice? After all, nobody really passes away in the Buffyverse — there's always an afterlife for anyone with a good story line. In March, Buffy will get resurrected once again... MORE

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551286/20070131/index.jhtml

BUFFY NEWS * 02.01.07

The 2007 Preview Issue of Wizard magazine (#184) has come out with their “what’s hot in 2007 “ issue and nestled there near the top is our very own Slayer extrordinare, Buffy Summers! This issue of Wizard boost a full page article on the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8. It has a photo of Sarah Michelle Gellar and an inset photo of the cover to Buffy #1 by Jo Chen. There’s also a bit about Joss’s other franchise Firefly. The article goes on to quote Joss Whedon on his involment in the series, and hints at what might be coming in future issues of the Slayer’s 25-odd issue run over the next couple of years. There’s even a shout out to our very own Georges Jeanty who is handling the pencils (natch). The Lounge is buzzing with excitement about all this fanfare for the book and we will bring you more news as it comes to us!

BUFFY NEWS * 01.12.07

This week the Lounge brings you a Buffy sighting from the national magazine Entertainment Weekly (#915). Located in the News and Notes section of their magazine, under the article entitled 2007 Forecast. While there isn’t an article or too much said on the comic, EW does have Bufffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 listed as a “big event fro 2007” and they included the way cool center spread from Buffy #1where the Slayer is jumping out of the helicopter! It’s nice to read that EW is eagerly awaiting Season 8! So all f you long time fans rejoice. Buffy is back in a Big way!

BUFFY NEWS * 01.02.07

Dynamic Forces will offer special limited editions of Buffy #1, signed by Georges Jeanty. Versions will include a special limited edition and a special CGC Graded 9.8 edition. Click below for more info...

http://www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/p-C106819.html

CLICK HERE FOR MORE BUFFY NEWS!

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