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dr_matthew_lloyd's review
3.0
Tales of the Slayers is an odd one. I began to re-read it as my partner and I watched Buffy Season 7, because it was during the first time I watched Season 7 that I originally read it and it had a really good effect. I think, if I were to advise anyone to read this comic book, it would be to do so while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 7, preferably for the first time. In fact, at some point between the episodes "Potential" and "Touched" would be perfect.
The reason for this is because Tales of the Slayers isn't really very much on its own. It contributes nothing to anyone who hasn't watched Buffy, although to be honest those are people for whom I don't really care very much. It doesn't really have its own story. You should have seen "Restless" and it helps to have read Fray (although I hadn't, the first time). But this is a comic to add something to Buffy's story. To emphasise how alone she is. To remind us that throughout history there has been but one girl in all the world who alone must fight the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. Oh, there's that word again - alone.
The problem is that there isn't. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it transpires, is fiction. And in adding to a fictional world, Tales of the Slayers does pretty well. It fleshes out some past Slayers we knew about, such as Nikki (you should have seen "Fool for Love", too, although "Lies My Parents Told Me" can be subsequent), but these are predominantly western Slayers, and all, save the first, are CE. In fact, almost all of them are from the last two-and-a-half centuries (it's unclear which French Revolution Amber Benson meant in her story). For an archaeologist this limitation is a bit frustrating, but the main problem, I would suggest, is that Tales doesn't really have a through-point of its own which really works, when I quite easily could have: the women (or girls) who have been important in history but who we haven't seen. How they coped. What they did. There are hints at this, but the scope of the comic and the historical knowledge of the writers are limited. There's a great idea here, which could have been tied into the show and made a more dramatic finale. As it stands, there's a pretty good supporting volume which is enjoyable to read if you happen to be watching Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The reason for this is because Tales of the Slayers isn't really very much on its own. It contributes nothing to anyone who hasn't watched Buffy, although to be honest those are people for whom I don't really care very much. It doesn't really have its own story. You should have seen "Restless" and it helps to have read Fray (although I hadn't, the first time). But this is a comic to add something to Buffy's story. To emphasise how alone she is. To remind us that throughout history there has been but one girl in all the world who alone must fight the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. Oh, there's that word again - alone.
The problem is that there isn't. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it transpires, is fiction. And in adding to a fictional world, Tales of the Slayers does pretty well. It fleshes out some past Slayers we knew about, such as Nikki (you should have seen "Fool for Love", too, although "Lies My Parents Told Me" can be subsequent), but these are predominantly western Slayers, and all, save the first, are CE. In fact, almost all of them are from the last two-and-a-half centuries (it's unclear which French Revolution Amber Benson meant in her story). For an archaeologist this limitation is a bit frustrating, but the main problem, I would suggest, is that Tales doesn't really have a through-point of its own which really works, when I quite easily could have: the women (or girls) who have been important in history but who we haven't seen. How they coped. What they did. There are hints at this, but the scope of the comic and the historical knowledge of the writers are limited. There's a great idea here, which could have been tied into the show and made a more dramatic finale. As it stands, there's a pretty good supporting volume which is enjoyable to read if you happen to be watching Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
k_aldrich's review
4.0
I loved it, but I love this world. The stories are all told in different styles that emulate the time they take place which was fantastic! My favorite was the one that sounded like it would be told aloud and passed down that way. I got a kick out of the shift of the western tale near the end. It had me giggling. Highly recommend this if you like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer show.
reallifereading's review
4.0
Tales of the Slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) introduces the different Slayers over time. It begins with ‘Prologue’, which is set in ancient Africa and reveals the first Slayer. But my favourites have to be Righteous and Presumption. Righteous is set in a medieval town and Presumption begins in a Jane Austen-ish way, at a lovely ball, and has a wonderful twist that made me immediately reread it, and marvel at the storyline.
Joss Whedon (the creator of ‘Buffy’) wrote three out of eight of the stories, including Righteous, and the rest were written by those involved with the TV show. The amazing illustrations are by a wonderful mix of artists, (who are described as “comics’ greatest artists” – unfortunately, I am quite ignorant about things like that and have never heard of any of them, but now that I have, I’ll definitely look out for these artists!), including Gene Colan, Tim Sale and P. Craig Russell, who all bring their very unique styles to the Slayer universe. Gorgeous!
Joss Whedon (the creator of ‘Buffy’) wrote three out of eight of the stories, including Righteous, and the rest were written by those involved with the TV show. The amazing illustrations are by a wonderful mix of artists, (who are described as “comics’ greatest artists” – unfortunately, I am quite ignorant about things like that and have never heard of any of them, but now that I have, I’ll definitely look out for these artists!), including Gene Colan, Tim Sale and P. Craig Russell, who all bring their very unique styles to the Slayer universe. Gorgeous!
amythebookbat's review
3.0
Lots of short scenes of past slayers. Interesting to see the history. No Buffy in this one.
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