The sequel series (New Sunnydale) had nothing to do with us, so it was not really a factor.
It's possible the cancellation is slightly good for us in an approvals sense (less concern about protecting the show story points) -- but a reboot show with everyone older is SO different from what we're doing that I don't know that it would have had any affect.
Obviously I'm bummed about the show cancellation for folks that were excited -- and certainly for the creatives that were involved -- but it really has nothing to do with us one way or another.
ππΎ Iβll be reading regardless and understand if you canβt tell me but is it new reader friendly? I never watched but I vaguely remember my father doing so.
So. The brass tacks of this is...you will absolutely get more from it if you're already a fan of the show.
BUT.
Most of the oversized first Buffy issue panel time goes to showing new readers some of what came before -- what a Slayer is, what the world is like, and most importantly WHO Buffy is -- the type of hero, etc.
And all of that content is both launching pad for fans to remember what they loved so much before plunging into this new tale AND primer for our NEW readers -- to help them have the best handhold possible as we launch into a whole new story.
Reading this back, it sounds like we're just re-creating old scenes...and that's not quite right either. Lol. I'm sorry, this is all very hard to talk about!
Part of the problem really is that, like most comic book fans, Buffy fans are SMART. And they know their shit. And I KNOW they can figure these twists out before we reveal them if I'm not super cagey. But this does make things incredibly hard to promote and talk about in ways that don't feel like "nonsense PR speak."
I truly appreciate the desire to avoid spoilers through indirect information. I'm often annoyed when one second of a trailer gives away enough information to work out what the ending of a thing is going to be. However, I really wanted to rewatch the show right up until the point where the comic takes place and stop, and it has been frustrating not knowing when that is. The art in the article features both Tara and Dawn so that suggests a very specific time period. But everything else suggests a weirder game is afoot. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Oh, that's so nice of you to offer to help, but I'm afraid my answer won't make it any less hard. I can't even give you a straightforward answer to your question because I'm not at the start. I'm currently in the middle of season 4/ season 1, from a slow rewatch that gained a different level of urgency when your new run got announced . That gives me 3 months to watch 175 episodes if the goal is to watch everything made for both shows. If the goal is to watch to around the end of season five/ season 2, that's more like 60 episodes. And if the goal is to get to season 3 because things are complicated, then I've overshot.
Going back to your question, a comfortable pace would be 3 episodes a week, a pedal-to-the-medal pace could probably top out at 10 episodes a week if I could get my wife onboard.
I haven't watched much Buffy. I saw a little bit, but I did enjoy what I've seen and I read a couple of Buffy comics. I'm going to ask my local comic shop to add Buffy to my subscriptions and am excited to read it! I support you and believe in you, Kelly!! :)
The cover of AWW #22 looks great, and I love the previews from #19 look awesome too!!
Also, it's neat how you got name dropped on Boston Blue! And it's so awesome that the actress who mentioned you is Xochiti Gomez! :) She's cool and I enjoyed her portrayal of America in the Multiverse of Madness :). Also, I really enjoy your portrayal of America in your Kate Bishop Hawkeye, West Coast Avengers, and Jeff comics!
Have a nice weekend, Kelly!
Also, what you said at the end really resonates with me:
"Take care of yourselves out there. And if you can, help someone who needs it. <3"
I'm slowly improving on self-care. And, what you said about helping someone who needs it means a lot because I've had a really rough start to the year, and what helped me through it was the support of my loved ones. :)
I always appreciate your posts (glad I found your substack last year) and wish you all the best :) Take care :).
But honestly, it would be a great help to me if you read the first issue and let me know what you think as a non-fan. It will be super educational for me, even if the response is negative or has negatives -- all helpful to me in figuring out if we calibrated correctly!
I'm so glad your loved ones were there for you through tough stuff. And glad to hear you're doing better. <3
Sure, I will be sure to read it and let you know my thoughts. Would you prefer me to email you my thoughts (via the email on your store website) or to post them on Substack?
Awwww thank you so much!! That means a lot to me. Thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness :).
So exciting!! This Buffy book sure seems like a long time coming since the initial announcement! Cannot wait to see all it unveils.
Also, holy hell these Wonder Woman pages continue to just amaze. Truly been my favorite of the line and all credit goes to you, Hayden and the whole team. Loving every page.
Yeah, I think A) they announced it a bit too early (in my opinion) and B) we had some some stuff behind the scenes as we were building that slowed us down.
But I hope you'll dig it now that we're finally getting there.
BUFFY!! Seen every ep of BtvS, most with my significant other, some (like ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING and THE ZEPPO) multiple times. And for all the credit that goes to the male-type creatives, it was also a great introduction to some wonderful female creatives like Jane Espensen, a mighty warrior herself in the 2023 WGA Strike and a great social media follow for her frequent Writer Sprints.
All of this to say that there are few writers I would entrust with the Slayerβs legacy, and you, Kelly, are most definitely one of that few. Adding BUFFY to my pull, pulling for you as you roll out what you have in store for The Scoobies. Slay, Queen, Slay!
Oh man can't wait for the Buffy/Absolute Wonder Woman crossover π π
Hahaha.
I feel similarly about characters Kelly. Never watched Buffy but Iβll be reading.
β¦π I understand if you canβt answer but did the sequel series and or lack thereof change your plans for it?
The sequel series (New Sunnydale) had nothing to do with us, so it was not really a factor.
It's possible the cancellation is slightly good for us in an approvals sense (less concern about protecting the show story points) -- but a reboot show with everyone older is SO different from what we're doing that I don't know that it would have had any affect.
Obviously I'm bummed about the show cancellation for folks that were excited -- and certainly for the creatives that were involved -- but it really has nothing to do with us one way or another.
ππΎ Iβll be reading regardless and understand if you canβt tell me but is it new reader friendly? I never watched but I vaguely remember my father doing so.
So. The brass tacks of this is...you will absolutely get more from it if you're already a fan of the show.
BUT.
Most of the oversized first Buffy issue panel time goes to showing new readers some of what came before -- what a Slayer is, what the world is like, and most importantly WHO Buffy is -- the type of hero, etc.
And all of that content is both launching pad for fans to remember what they loved so much before plunging into this new tale AND primer for our NEW readers -- to help them have the best handhold possible as we launch into a whole new story.
Reading this back, it sounds like we're just re-creating old scenes...and that's not quite right either. Lol. I'm sorry, this is all very hard to talk about!
Part of the problem really is that, like most comic book fans, Buffy fans are SMART. And they know their shit. And I KNOW they can figure these twists out before we reveal them if I'm not super cagey. But this does make things incredibly hard to promote and talk about in ways that don't feel like "nonsense PR speak."
Super excited for Buffy!
The author of Absolute Wonder Woman being a Buffy fan makes so much sense. Looking forward to this now.
Thanks, Jesse!
Canβt wait to read it, Iβve never loved a show more than Buffy (and the whole Whedon-thing still hurts)! Yay, Kelly!
<3
I truly appreciate the desire to avoid spoilers through indirect information. I'm often annoyed when one second of a trailer gives away enough information to work out what the ending of a thing is going to be. However, I really wanted to rewatch the show right up until the point where the comic takes place and stop, and it has been frustrating not knowing when that is. The art in the article features both Tara and Dawn so that suggests a very specific time period. But everything else suggests a weirder game is afoot. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Saaaame.
But it is HARD to play this game.
Lemme interrogate you a little bit on your re-watch and maybe I can help... how many are you going to do a week?
Oh, that's so nice of you to offer to help, but I'm afraid my answer won't make it any less hard. I can't even give you a straightforward answer to your question because I'm not at the start. I'm currently in the middle of season 4/ season 1, from a slow rewatch that gained a different level of urgency when your new run got announced . That gives me 3 months to watch 175 episodes if the goal is to watch everything made for both shows. If the goal is to watch to around the end of season five/ season 2, that's more like 60 episodes. And if the goal is to get to season 3 because things are complicated, then I've overshot.
Going back to your question, a comfortable pace would be 3 episodes a week, a pedal-to-the-medal pace could probably top out at 10 episodes a week if I could get my wife onboard.
I haven't watched much Buffy. I saw a little bit, but I did enjoy what I've seen and I read a couple of Buffy comics. I'm going to ask my local comic shop to add Buffy to my subscriptions and am excited to read it! I support you and believe in you, Kelly!! :)
The cover of AWW #22 looks great, and I love the previews from #19 look awesome too!!
Also, it's neat how you got name dropped on Boston Blue! And it's so awesome that the actress who mentioned you is Xochiti Gomez! :) She's cool and I enjoyed her portrayal of America in the Multiverse of Madness :). Also, I really enjoy your portrayal of America in your Kate Bishop Hawkeye, West Coast Avengers, and Jeff comics!
Have a nice weekend, Kelly!
Also, what you said at the end really resonates with me:
"Take care of yourselves out there. And if you can, help someone who needs it. <3"
I'm slowly improving on self-care. And, what you said about helping someone who needs it means a lot because I've had a really rough start to the year, and what helped me through it was the support of my loved ones. :)
I always appreciate your posts (glad I found your substack last year) and wish you all the best :) Take care :).
I hope you like it, Alex.
But honestly, it would be a great help to me if you read the first issue and let me know what you think as a non-fan. It will be super educational for me, even if the response is negative or has negatives -- all helpful to me in figuring out if we calibrated correctly!
I'm so glad your loved ones were there for you through tough stuff. And glad to hear you're doing better. <3
I'm sure I will. I believe in you :)
Sure, I will be sure to read it and let you know my thoughts. Would you prefer me to email you my thoughts (via the email on your store website) or to post them on Substack?
Awwww thank you so much!! That means a lot to me. Thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness :).
You can just put them in a comment -- I can take it! :D
Will do! :)
Wishing you a great evening and great rest of the week! :D
Congratulations on BUFFY. Please, no robots or fake pregnancies.
But the Buffy Bot is one of my favorite Buffy supporting characters, so I don't know if I can promise this. : /
Yess the Buffy Bot is so fun but the reason why it exists is so disgusting eugh
Buffy was so formative to me as a fan and as a writer, so Iβm stoked for this. Is this going to be set during the showβs run or after?
You can't trick me with that simple question! lol
The answer is...neither? But more the former than the latter?
IT'S HARD TO TALK ABOUT.
Color me even more intrigued!
NGL, can't believe that worked.
You're VERY generous. lol
Iβm easy to please.
You should teach a class!
So exciting!! This Buffy book sure seems like a long time coming since the initial announcement! Cannot wait to see all it unveils.
Also, holy hell these Wonder Woman pages continue to just amaze. Truly been my favorite of the line and all credit goes to you, Hayden and the whole team. Loving every page.
Yeah, I think A) they announced it a bit too early (in my opinion) and B) we had some some stuff behind the scenes as we were building that slowed us down.
But I hope you'll dig it now that we're finally getting there.
I still owe you an email, I'm sorry!
Iβm sure it will absolutely be worth the wait!
Looking forward to hearing back from you soon!
I know nothing of Buffy, but I plan to check out your book. Probably in trade (I'm sorry, my shortboxes are full of Scarlett issues).
BUFFY!! Seen every ep of BtvS, most with my significant other, some (like ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING and THE ZEPPO) multiple times. And for all the credit that goes to the male-type creatives, it was also a great introduction to some wonderful female creatives like Jane Espensen, a mighty warrior herself in the 2023 WGA Strike and a great social media follow for her frequent Writer Sprints.
All of this to say that there are few writers I would entrust with the Slayerβs legacy, and you, Kelly, are most definitely one of that few. Adding BUFFY to my pull, pulling for you as you roll out what you have in store for The Scoobies. Slay, Queen, Slay!
βKα΄Ι΄π