By Andi Watson, Dan Brereton, Hector Gomez & Sandu Florea (Dark Horse/Titan Books)
ISBN: 978-1-84023-140-3
Having conquered television, Buffy the Vampire Slayer began a similar campaign with her monthly comicbook, launched in 1998 and offering smart, sassy tales which perfectly complimented the funny, action-packed and Tres Hip onscreen entertainment.
Following an original graphic novel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: the Dust Waltz) the character quickly became a major draw for publisher Dark Horse – whose line of licensed comicbook successes included Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Aliens and Predator – and her solo exploits were substantially supplemented by many short stories in the company’s showcase anthology Dark Horse Presents and other venues.
This particular UK Titan Books edition – with depiction and delineation from Hector Gomez & Sandu Florea – features more stories set during TV Season 2 and collects issues #4-7 of the Dark Horse comicbook, scripted by Andi Watson who also provides an endearing illustrated Introduction before opening with a minor seasonal sensation…
‘White Christmas’ finds the Slayer strapped for cash and forced to work at the local Mall to make money for gifts and a new party dress.
However, as Sunnydale is situated on The Hellmouth and Buffy is a certified weirdness magnet, her shifts at The Popsicle Parlor inevitably lead to demon-denting overtime when she discovers her boss Mr. Richter spending all his idle moments in the Big Freezer summoning infuriating ice imps and giant killer Frost Elementals…
Having survived that cataclysmic Yule duel relatively unscathed, the Scooby Gang – Willow, Cordelia, Oz, Xander and Buffy – look forward to a ‘Happy New Year’ party, until dusty, crusty Lore Librarian (and Buffy’s supernature tutor) Giles discovers a gigantic hell-hound raiding his book stacks and the crazy kids are set hot on its heels.
The trail leads to doomed, damned lovers, a guiltily romantic triangle and an ancient curse from witch-haunted Salem before the savage crescendo almost ends Willow’s life…
Xander found himself obsessed with pretty transfer student Cynthia in ‘New Kid on the Block Part 1’ (co-written with Dan Brereton), with his pathetic, fawning, drooling attentions cruelly mocked by his best friends – and rightly so….
His infantile ardour is hardly halted when the girls decide to have a slumber party even though he’s not invited. Determined not to miss out (and certainly not creepy at all), the hapless idiot decides to sneak into the night of nail varnish, romcoms and pink pyjamas but is horrified to discover that he’s not the only intruder…
Buffy, exhausted from staking a new band of bloodsuckers plaguing the town, is almost too late to save the day in ‘New Kid on the Block Part 2’, but after driving off the monster party-crashers, confers with noble vampire boyfriend Angel and realises that even though able to move around in daylight, Cyn might not be all she seems…
With covers by Gomez, Randy Green, Rick Ketchum, Arthur Adams and Joyce Chin, this is a stunning, enchanting mix of post-ironic Archie Comics hijinks and madcap magical martial arts mysteries, this batch of early Buffy yarns are pure, light-hearted rollercoaster thrills, spills and chills no comics fan could resist
Uninvited Guests is an easily accessible romp even if you’re not familiar with the vast backstory: a creepy chronicle of short stirring sagas as easily enjoyed by the most callow neophyte as by any dedicated devotee.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ™ & © 1999 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.