Tales of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) [Paperback]

Joss Whedon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the latest in a long tradition of young women who've been trained to give their lives in the war against vampires. We've gotten glimpses of these other women over the years on T.V., in comics, and in books. Now for the first time, the writers from the television series, including the show's creator, Joss Whedon, and one of its stars, Amber "Tara" Benson, present the tales of these girls, with the help of comics' greatest artists. Gene Colan, co-creator of Marvel's Blade and Tomb of Dracula, returns to Dark Horse for the story of a young girl in 1970s New York, battling vampires. Tim Sale, artist of recent epics Batman: The Long Halloween and Superman for All Seasons teams with Joss Whedon for a grim tale of a medieval slayer. American comics legend P. Craig Russell (Dr. Strange, The Ring of the Nibelung) and international rising star Mira Friedmann (Actus Tragicus) also join the stellar lineup.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Oscar nominee Joss Whedon is one of Hollywood's hottest writers, having scripted several hit films and created one of television's most critically praised shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Last year he debuted Angel, a new series combining supernatural adventure and dark humor in which David Boreanaz and Charisma Carpenter reprised their roles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay with Disney's box-office smash Toy Story, starring Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. His big-screen writing credits also include the feature film Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alien Resurrection. He has also worked on the screenplays for the runaway hit Speed, Steven Spielberg's action-packed adventure, Twister, and 2000's summer blockbuster, X-Men. This summer Whedon is expanding his creative endeavors and pursuing his life-long dream to write a comic-book series by teaming up with Dark Horse Comics on the eight-issue miniseries Fray, a futuristic tale based on the supernatural mythology he created for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon is married and lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569716056
• ISBN-13: 978-1569716052
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Buffy Newcomers Will Enjoy This Book, December 26, 2002

By 

Daniel V. Reilly (Upstate New York, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tales of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Paperback)

I've never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not the movie, not the TV show, never read any of the books or comics, nada, zip, nothing. I bought Tales of the Slayers because I'm a big fan of artist Gene Colan. The reason I'm spelling all of this out is to convince potential buyers that the 8 stories in this book stand up well on their own; No previous knowledge of the Buffy Universe is required.

Of the eight stories, three are written by Buffy creator Joss Whedon, including my favorite, "Righteous", illustrated by artist Tim Sale, where a Slayer saves a French village from a horde of Bloodsuckers, only to face a very different fate. Whedon also contributes a "Fray" tale, which sees the future Slayer (Star of the Dark Horse Comics mini-series which is about a Year behind schedule...) discovering her legacy. Jane Espenson & P. Craig Russell contribute "Presumption" which delivers one hell of a surprising twist, so don't peek at the ending! All of the stories are excellent, with even the weakest one being well worth reading. Tales of the Slayers is well worth purchasing if you're a fan of Buffy and/or Vampire stories in general. Hey Dark Horse- Any chance of a sequel?

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eight Tales a Telling, August 13, 2002

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Tales of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Paperback)

I should probably start out by mentioning that this is the Dark Horse comic novel, and not 'Tales of the Slayer, Part 1' issued by Pocket Books. While both are stories about 'ye slayers of olde,' they really are different. So, if you want everything you will have to buy both. If you are confused, don't feel bad, I thought I orders the other, and did all this research just so you wouldn't have to do so.

Of the eight stories in this collection, Joss Whedon wrote three, and the rest are all individual stars in their own right. Amber Benson also turns up as a writer in 'The Innocent,' a story of betrayal in pre-revolutionary France. Now that Tara is at least temporarily defunct, it appears she has great possibilities as a comic writer, with several Willow and Tara comics to her credit as well as the little showpiece she has here. The artists involved in this effort are to numerous to catalog. Whit the exception of Dave Stewart, no one does the same task twice.

The stories are in order by time, with 'Prologue' set in ancient Africa, and the finale, 'Tales,' set some time in the future. All of the stories have a certain poignant touch, as each Slayer must come to terms with the tragic nature of their existence, their sense of community based on the Slayer's historical continuity rather than the friendships they build during their 'turn.' Buffy (who does not appear here) truly was the only exception who formed a loyal company of friends. This, of course, is one of the most important reasons why she has lasted through six seasons (only dying twice).

Readers will find themselves in Africa, England, France, Germany, the U.S., and a few places if which I'm not entirely. All of the tales are notable. Perhaps my two favorites were 'Sonnenblume' about a Slayer in Nazi Germany who discovers that evil has many faces, and the final story, 'Tales,' in which a Slayer (Fray) who never had a watcher rediscovers her heritage. There is enough here for everyone to find some that are particularly meaningful. If I have any real complaint, it is that this volume is way too short. Everything feels abridged, especially at the very beginning when a very interesting fact about the nature of the Slayer is revealed. Fortunately, there is more to come.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Style with Style, March 11, 2002

By 

Summer Bradshaw (Maine USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Paperback)

I loved this book! Finally those of us who loved the episodes where we meet other slayers can have peace as this book brings a full course meal to ease all cravings. There are a bunch of stories each with a different attitude, plot, author, and artist. Starting with the first Slayer jumping a bit and ending eventually Fray (a great comic on it's own right). No Buffy. No Faith. We do get to see the Slayer in New York that Spike killed though. The stories are all great and somehow all keep the tone of they slayer universe..action, drama, humor, and a touch of sadness. I personaly think Joss (the creator) should make a series called Tales of the Slayers. Why? Because a few of the Slayers of the past have personalities and stories I find more remarkable than even Buffy.