Customer Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Motion Comic (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review comes from the perspective of an a) Buffy/Angel fan and b) a non-comic reader-- except for the Angel: After the Fall (aka Angel: Season 6) run.

I bought this set because I wanted to know what became of the characters I spent 7 (12 if you count 'Angel') seasons with. Which is the same reason I bought the printed Angel: After the Fall volumes. Unfortunetly, I just couldn't get into those volumes all that much. The artwork was interesting, the writing is Whedon-esque and all but the story just didn't hit me. And that's probably mostly due to my hang ups/weaknesses as a comic reader. The non-sequential nature of comics leave me wondering how what I'm reading fits into the overall story. There are side stories, spin-offs, one-offs and time jumps that make the plot hard to follow. I had hoped to avoid some of that confusion with Buffy: Season 8 by going the motion comic route.

The most important thing you need to know about this product is that it only features 19 motion comic "issues." Season 8's printed comic run is 40+ issues. Why this is being promoted as "Season 8" when it's really less than 1/2 of Season 8 is beyond me. There's no reason FOX couldn't have slapped a "Volume One" below the title. Fans and nerds would get it. I mean, it's not like they're ripping us on the content. Each motion comic "issue" runs between 10 and 15 minutes. That's A LOT of Buffy. Nerds have waited months between seasons, years between movies... They can take being told what they're about to buy is only "Volume One."

Once you've swallowed that pill...

The voice actors--Faith being an exception--don't sound anything like the real actors. Worse than that, often they don't try to read the lines the way I believe the writer intended. If even 50% of the cast tried as hard as the actress who played Faith did then I would've been happy. The Xander comes in at a far second. Willow and Andrew miss the mark the most. The Whedon voice, which is on the page, just doesn't shine through. I've found myself rethinking most of the lines as if the actor I know would have said them. It's a bit frustrating and takes an "issue" or two to get used to but rethinking and interpreting how lines should sound is actually a perfect re-creation of reading a comic, right? Not so sure that's a plus to a motion comic with voice actors.

When it comes down to it though, would I rather have the actors from the series or the writers? I'd go writers. And you get `em. These 19 motion issues were written by staff writers Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. Comic writer and "LOST" alumni Brian K. Vaughn makes his first visit to the Buffyverse in this motion comic. Unfortunately, issues by Buffy/Angel writers Jane Espenson, Steven S. DeKnight, Drew Greenberg and Doug Petrie were not produced or included here as they are from the second half of Season 8. Joss and Co. haven't forgotten the voice and soul of the show--even if the limitations of a comic, a MOTION comic and "fake" versions of our characters don't always allow it to come through.

"'Limitations of a comic?' What are those?" It's tough to tell who's talking sometimes. This is due to both the actors AND the images. While it's a stylistic choice, the artwork is not always detailed enough to figure out who's talking when you don't recognize the voice. It's quite easy to mix up Willow, Dawn, Buffy and random slayer soldiers.

Now, in some ways "limitations" was a poor word choice since there are NO limitations in comics. But some people may not like that. This isn't exactly like the show you know and love. The monsters and situations are bigger and odder. Because we never saw creatures/situations like that on broadcast television, they seem a bit out of place here. It's a different world than the one we knew before. And some of that is actually due to the events in the series finale. So, while it works for the comic medium, you should not expect to see something exactly like you're used to.

In my opinion there are two really involving and satisfying arcs. Arcs where I was able to ignore all the negatives and just get into the story. Oddly, they each contain one of my favorite and least favorite characters from all the Buffy-verse. Character appearance SPOILER ONLY... Those two arcs are Faith's "No Future For You" and "Wolves at the Gate," which features the return of Dracula. He's the character I never liked. I love the last moment of his episode but otherwise found it to be disposable and a wasted opportunity. Here he is funnier and just all-around more interesting than in Season Five's "Buffy vs. Dracula."

EDIT: Since first writing this review, I've read the rest of Buffy: Season 8-- issues 20-40 and 2 one-offs.

It's really a shame they haven't committed to producing the other issues in this format. While the story only gets odder and more divisive among fans, there are 2 or 3 more arcs I'd love to see done this way. But this release does what it's supposed to do. It tells you half(-ish)the story of Buffy: Season 8. The actors aren't perfect, the story/action doesn't always make the most sense-- and for that matter neither does the source material-- but it's an entertaining story starring great characters whose lives didn't stop just because production did.

FOX has done something very stupid with the packaging on this release. Something which I believe was done on the Dollhouse: Season One sets. There is a fairly nice quality artwork slip on the front of the packaging. NOT the Blu-Ray case. The PACKAGING. It's on top of and glued to the shrink wrap. I guess maybe this was a last minute addition? And oh, yeah... the artwork DOES NOT fit inside the Blu-Ray case. The all-around inclusion, placement and size of that artwork is just another nonsensical choice from FOX on this release. A mini version of Buffy: Season 8, Issue #1 is included, though. I'm unsure if it will be included with every release of this set or just the first printing.

If you haven't read the comics, can put up with different voices and want to catch up with characters you loved for seven seasons then this is for you. Just have realistic expectations about what you're getting and think of this as a radio play with pictures-- which, by the way, look great in HD despite the lack of detail provided by the artist. Unfortunately, you must be willing to accept an incomplete release. Had it contained all 40+ issues on 2 or 3 Blu-Rays, then it would be a no-brainer of a "yes." Sadly, the story is incomplete and purchasers should be prepared for a re-release or Volume 2 in the future.

Overall, what you get here is what it sounds like: A motion comic version of the Season 8 comic series with adequate (though not exceptional) voice acting. However, the title of this set is misleading. This is NOT the entire "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8" series as motion comics. Instead, this is the first 19 issues (out of 40 total) in that form, up through the "Time of Your Life" storyline. In other words, you get about 1/2 of the series here (19/40 issues or 4/8 collected editions), rather than the entire "season." The packaging does not make this obvious at all, unless you happen to know that the series runs 40 issues so that you recognize the big red flag that emerges when it says "All 19 Issues" on the packaging. It's an okay set, but it is not what it purports itself to be in the way that matters most: being the full season.

While most Buffy fans will jump at the chance to get the Season 8 comic book as a motion comic blu ray and DVD, definetly look into it a bit closer before you do. Firstly, its NOT the entire Season 8 comic book series, which ran 40 issues. This is essentially Part 1 of the season, only the first 19 issues. Second, the characters are NOT voiced by any of the actors from the Television show, which while not surprising, is still monumentally disappointing. The actors hired for the voicework often don't come close to the character they are voicing, especially Andrew and Willow. Also, in typical motion comic fashion, frames from the comic are often repeated several times to "piece together" a scene, which can be annoying, especially since its done so often. Lastly, the "Season Play" (or "Play All") function still stops inbetween chapters, forcing you to view the beginning and end credits to every single episode as you go. What is nice is that it at least remembers where you were, an all too uncommon feature on most Blu-Rays, so when you restart the disc, it will ask if you want to resume or not. The music is from the show, mostly, but they heavily use the segments of music they chose, so it gets repetitive. All in all, it was quite disappointing, especially for the price ($25+) is way too much for 1/2 a "season" of a comic book with some music put to it, in my opinion.

But you get what you're paying for, just be aware of what that is.

I was unaware at the time of purchase that this isn't the entirety of season 8. No where in the product description does it say this.

I only watched the first episode, but the voices were terrible, so I couldn't bring myself to watch another one. Not only do they not sound anything like the original actors, but they get the cadence of the Buffy-speak all wrong. And maybe someone can verify or debunk this story, but when the trailer came out, an unnamed source claimed that none of the original writers or artists were being paid royalties for the motion comic. If it's true, that alone is enough reason not to buy the motion comic.

I have to disagree with some of the other reviewers who dislike the comics. Personally, I found them perfect. Logically, I think the main premise follows and they do a great job of maintaining the insanity and humor that made the show great. Also, they still manage to step up the intensity, which they did pretty much every season, and that alone is impressive.

As far as the motion comic, I have been watching them online and they are pretty good. Nowhere near as well done as many of the other motion comics out there, but still enjoyable. As others have said, the voices they got for this leave something to be desired, mainly the voice of buffy, but it is tolerable. Alot of people aruge that motion comics are pointless, and while I see their point I still really enjoy them. However in this case it makes a lot of sense. In a perfect world this would have been on television, either live action or at least as a well done cartoon, so bringing it to life is a great idea. I think I will buy these, but I would try and watch one before committing.

Cannot believe Amazon didn't disclose this tiny little fact that there are only 19 issues in this release! Seen the box specs and guess what, right there in the back it says "19 issues".

Way to mislead you customers.

It's a little upsetting hearing so many people complain about the voice actors. Ive watched Buffy since day one, even the movie, and while the series in my opinion is near perfection, Im open to a continuation of the storyline even if SMG isnt Buffy, or Alison isnt Willow. The storyline speaks for itself. The motion comic brings something new to the buffyverse, but instead of enjoying it, we complain. Whether or not we see the gang back together for another live action project or not--there's no denying this continuation is anything but magic and a welcome gift.

Its okay, but if you've never watched a graphic novel, its soooo easy to get confused on what is going on. In this "season" a lot of the characters look a like, you don't see mouths moving much, most of the characters don't look like themselves, the voices are done by other actors(you'll see in the credits), and it starts off with too much time in between the ending of Season 7 and the beginning of Season 8. It's real easy to be lost straight off. Each episode is about 15 mins long, not 45 mins like the previous 7 seasons. Nice to have for collection, but don't expect too much.

Quite honestly, when I ordered this DVD, I was expecting to get the entire season in one disk. However, Amazon made NO notes about that particular detail and it is only the first 19 issues. And as many others have said, the voices didn't seem right. But the more you watch it, the less annoying it gets. It seems the voice actors understand the characters on a level fans can relate to. I was one of those hoping for original voice acting, if only from a few original actors, but it just didn't happen. I'm not disappointed in this by any means. The art is beautiful, just as in the comics (as I own the first edition of each of the comics) and I think a great job was done animating the series. I would like to know when the second half is going to be released, because I can't wait to "watch" the rest of the season (even though I've already read it.)