Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Season 8, #1)

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 11,710 ratings · 628 reviews

Collects: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, #1–5

Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her...more

Paperback, 136 pages

Published October 31st 2007 by Dark Horse Comics

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Apr 20, 2008 Jlawrence rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a big Buffy and Joss Whedon fan, I really, really wanted to love this and expected to be giving it five stars, but I was somewhat disappointed. First, the good -- it's a fun and fast-paced read, the art is excellent overall, and it's of course great to see these characters again. Whedon's patented snappy dialog is in full effect, providing several awesome laugh-out-loud moments.

Small things that bothered me: Amy and a bizarrely resurrected Warren are not the most interesting villians; likewis...more

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Jun 06, 2010 The Flooze rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic_novel, urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010

I initially scoffed at the thought of a GN continuation of the television series. I'll admit that I wasn't particularly enthused by graphic novels in general, plus part of me thought this was merely a way to keep the franchise making money. Having read this first one, I was pleasantly surprised (although, since the script is from Whedon himself, I should have had more faith).

The story stayed true to the feel of the TV show: Buffy kicking butt while still feeling oddly detached, Xander cracking...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Part 1 of my shameless attempt to get my Reading Tracker back on track.

This totally, totally counts as a book.

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 27, 2008 Evan rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Tamara, TJ, other Buffy fans

Recommended to Evan by: Jordan

Shelves: graphic-novel

I was a late convert to Buffy--Season 7 to be exact. My ex LOVED the series, and initially I scoffed. But with his help, and armed with previous seasons on DVD, I too fell in love with these wonderful characters.

This trade paperback collects the first several issues of the newly-sanctioned, Joss Whedon-written and approved "Season 8" comic book. Whedon's trademark gift for gab is delightfully present, as were most of my favorite characters. His Buffy, Xander, and Willow are spot-on. So much so,...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reading the series with my Son :) The graphics were cool - the characters looked like the TV show cast - the story was a little short and had a confusing ending - must lead into the other three he got me :)

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Dec 30, 2007 Charles rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: hardcore fans

I finally got my hands on some Buffy comics, which totally exposes my nerddom, but I can't hold it in.

This collection of the first four comics of the "Season 8" series are shocking and interesting, going places the television show never could while remaining true to the characters and their histories. What's most surprising are the voices here, consistent with each actors' portrayals, and the new mysteries created by the time gap between the episode "Chosen" and the first panel of the comic.

I ca...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Jenni Noordhoek rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: speculative-fiction, fantasy, action-adventure, comics-manga

SPOILERS THROUGH SEASON SEVEN

Pros:
MORE BUFFY! and Giles and Xander and Willow and everyone. And they can do things they never did in the series such as lots of Willow levitating on top of all of the normal shiny magic.

And the overall plot looks like it could possibly go someplace. We'll see. I can't get all of the volumes from my library.

Cons:
(There may be some plot-related cons but without more volumes I really am not sure if plot elements will be pros or cons)
Am I the only one who thought...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Xavier Guillaume rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those who have seen all of Buffy

Recommended to Xavier by: Rahdne

Shelves: graphic-novel

I strongly recommend giving this book a shot if you're a fan of the Buffy series, but only if you've seen all of Buffy because a lot of this wouldn't make sense if you haven't.

This book takes place about 3 months after season 7 of Buffy. Even though the First was pushed back to God knows where, and Buffy stopped the what was it? 10th apocalypse on Sunnydale? There are still tons of underground demons that are doing your usual killing and mayhem. However, this time there are 1800 slayers around t...more I strongly recommend giving this book a shot if you're a fan of the Buffy series, but only if you've seen all of Buffy because a lot of this wouldn't make sense if you haven't.

This book takes place about 3 months after season 7 of Buffy. Even though the First was pushed back to God knows where, and Buffy stopped the what was it? 10th apocalypse on Sunnydale? There are still tons of underground demons that are doing your usual killing and mayhem. However, this time there are 1800 slayers around the world, 500 of whom are working with Team Buffy. Still the Scooby Gang still have a lot cut out for them especially since there is a new mysterious threat known as "Twilight". Yes, there is a new cult, well it's probably a very, very old cult, but new to the Buffyverse, and it's bent on destroying Buffy herself. Something about her destroying the fate of the world, yaddy yaddy yadda. And yes, I realize "Twilight" is an ironic name choice given the Twilight cult following; however, this book came out in 2007, when Twilight didn't come out until 2008.

I do not want to spoil anything with this book, but let's just say that a certain confusing element in the TV series Angel gets cleared up, and a certain someone we thought was dead is back. I know that sounds cliché to bring back a dead person, but trust me, this is not what you'd expect and it leads to a very interesting turning of events.

I really have to hand it to Joss Whedon for a fantastic continuation of the Buffy story. The book is even called Season 8, so it's really a must for people who want a complete knowledge of all that is Buffy.

You may note, however, that I only give this book 4 stars. Unfortunately issue #5 is lackluster at best, and it ended up being too confusing and strange, and slightly pointless. Yes, there is a point to it, but I wish they could have tied in more of the story that was left in issue #4. Instead it felt more like an uninspiring side issue.

Also, I feel like Whedon was slightly carried away with the punnage and wordplay. It works remarkably well in the TV series, but it doesn't work as well in the graphic novel for me, and it simply felt too campy. Perhaps it's because the art itself looks very cartoonish, so if you pile on camp it's just too much.

Those are my only two complaints, the rest of the novel is spectacular, and I strongly recommend the book. I for one can't wait to read volume 2. I'm psyched to learn what happens next.

P.S. I absolutely loved Andrew in this book. He's the ambiguously closeted-homosexual nerd pseudo-genius ex-villain. Despite being incredibly awkward, Andrew has a real knack for humoring up the audience, and there is one cel in particular during a phone conversation with Xander, that really cracks me up. Just thinking about it has me chuckling.(less)

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Oct 05, 2012 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, supernat-paranorm

(From my blog, Misprinted Pages,)

I’m a big Buffy fan, as you can probably guess by my recent spotlight of the current comic book series and my review of Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion. But I need to step back to Buffy’s first outing in what’s considered “season eight,” an extension of the popular television show, only in print. The Long Way Home kicks it off.

(view spoiler)...more (From my blog, Misprinted Pages,)

I’m a big Buffy fan, as you can probably guess by my recent spotlight of the current comic book series and my review of Joss Whedon: The Complete Companion. But I need to step back to Buffy’s first outing in what’s considered “season eight,” an extension of the popular television show, only in print. The Long Way Home kicks it off.

(view spoiler)[Whedon begins the series by giving the main characters a moment to reflect on how leaving Sunnydale and breaking the chain of chosen ones has affected their lives.

“The thing about changing the world…. Once you do it, the world’s all different,” the opening line reads.

We start with Buffy, who’s now called “ma’am” more often than “Buf,” her usual nickname, and who’s leading an army of Slayers these days — not just potentials, but real Slayers. They might possess as much physical power as she does, but they need to learn how to fight together, not separately. Buffy’s experience in battle and knowledge of the demon world sets her ahead of the girls who are now her peers.

A lot has changed with the Scooby gang, too. Xander is a sort of sergeant of the troops, organizing their efforts against vampires and other baddies. His new role is a far cry from the old Xander, who worked construction and lived the most “normal” life of his friends, residing for a long while in his parents’ musty basement. He’s eased comfortably into his new position, and the girls respect him — especially a recruit named Renee.

And Dawn…well, she’s grown. By a large margin. We’re talking giant here, and she’s tight-lipped as to why she’s gone up fifty pant sizes. Of course, knowing Dawn, it probably has to do with her very small need for attention. ;P

A new threat is rising. Not only is there the whisper of something called Twilight, but the government isn’t happy with the “superior race” that’s running around the world. They’ve gone back to Buffy’s hometown (no longer a dot on the map) and enlisted the help of two old enemies to stop the Slayers. It’s a weird tag-team, but it’s a start — one that presents a believable danger to Buffy’s team, particularly her closest friends.

Everyone has a suitable place in the comic, which I like. Except Ethan Rayne. I don’t get his involvement at all.

The story isn’t the best — how did Willow not die, exactly? — but even having a story at all was and is a big deal to Buffy fans. Georges Jeanty is still feeling his way around the artwork, perfecting the characters’ likenesses (his work is highly regarded because of how well he manages to represent the show’s actors). The final issue in this volume doesn’t quite mesh with the rest of the book, but I like it anyway — it’s a look at one of the “decoy” Buffy Summers that the Scoobies planted to confuse their enemies.

Recommendation: A rocky beginning, but a definite read for anyone who loves the TV series. Find it for about $10. (hide spoiler)](less)

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Jun 16, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

I was a devout Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan from 1997-2003. Watching Buffy on Tuesday nights was almost ritual and when I couldn’t watch it I diligently set up two VCRs to record it. Back then we had to set a timer on a VCR to record shows we were going to miss. We didn’t have DVR. Or Hulu.

When Buffy ended in 2001 I cried. When it ended again in 2003 I cried again. And when Dark Horse Comic released Season 8 I cried with joy (for the first time in regards to a Joss Whedon creation. The man is wi...more I was a devout Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan from 1997-2003. Watching Buffy on Tuesday nights was almost ritual and when I couldn’t watch it I diligently set up two VCRs to record it. Back then we had to set a timer on a VCR to record shows we were going to miss. We didn’t have DVR. Or Hulu.

When Buffy ended in 2001 I cried. When it ended again in 2003 I cried again. And when Dark Horse Comic released Season 8 I cried with joy (for the first time in regards to a Joss Whedon creation. The man is wicked!)

If you were a fan of the series you should pick up the first comic and check it out. While the format has changed, Whedon hasn’t lost his fantastic plot lines, character relationships and off-beat banter that we all loved. In fact its almost better because they aren’t limited to pesky things like physics, current special effects and the FCC. Don’t worry, its still kept clean, but he investigates subjects that network execs would have shrieked in horror over 6 years ago.

Season 8 seems more grown up than the TV show– and it should. As fans we grew and matured with Buffy. We went through first days first loves and first jobs with her. We went through bad breakups, ending friendships and parental disagreements with her. We saved the world with her (many times!) So it makes sense that the subjects and plots are also more grown up than they were. Buffy has grown up. And so have we.

But the true meaning of the show has not been lost. We can still relate to Buffy’s story in regards to our own. Instead of worrying about what to wear to the Bronze, Buffy worrys about which weapons to take into battle. But it was never about what to wear to a club, it was always about something greater, about making a decision that really could end the world. And that’s sort of how teenagers feel about everything, right? (As Joyce unknowingly pointed out several times, it really was for Buffy!) As we get older, our world expands, our perspective expands– and so has Buffy’s.

Along with the trifles of high school, the episodic ‘creature features’ are also gone. In the show there was a larger plot every season with ‘creature features’ peppered in here and there. The main plot made tiny appearances during the entire show; with major events usually happening in the beginning, middle and the big finale of the season. The new comics are completely about the larger plot, which also allows Whedon to grow those plots into something more than can just be carried by a 45 minute TV show. There isn’t just one main plot anymore, there are several that all weave in and out of one another in some “big picture” way that you could never get away with in a TV show back then. Though as we’ve seen with shows like 24 and LOST, its pretty acceptable now. Its a shame the networks didn’t realize Whedon’s genius back then.

If you were a fan of the show, you will be a fan of the comics. Even if you don’t really like comics. Dark Horse Comics has really allowed Whedon to express his true genius and talents. When you think about it, comics aren’t that different from a story board. Its obvious Whedon has true gift for conveying a story and a feeling in panels. I do hope he keeps making fantastic TV shows, but I wouldn’t mind it if he just stuck to comics either.

So far five volumes have been released in Season 8 with volume 6 out in March. (Volumes are collections of five comic books. The volumes are also paperback bound, so they feel more like a book than a comic. )(less)

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Apr 10, 2012 Bree rated it 4 of 5 stars

As excited about the idea as I was, I put off reading Season 8 for a lot longer than I probably should have. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed in the least by the first five "episodes" of this new season. For the most part, the character development has obviously continued, and by the way each character is presented you can almost get a feel for what they went through in the time between the end of the show and the beginning of the comic. They have changed, grown, matured but most importantly, t...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Rhi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ah-feminism, comics-graphic-novels, books-with-brilliant-females, 3-stars

As a bit of a Buffy purist (read: loving the earlier seasons best) I had mixed feelings about this series. I guess my stars echo that also.

On the one hand: OMG! BUFFY! IT CONTINUES! AND JOSS WHEDON IS DOING IT! *Cue fangirl squealing*

And on the other: Oh gosh. Just let it die. Season 6 and 7 were pretty dire. The plot lines were contrived, all the love between the scoobies had disappeared and Buffy was interminably annoying.

But I cracked it open anyway, and was pleasantly surprised. This really...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Tanabrus rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics

2003.
Finisce la settima stagione di Buffy. L’ultima stagione, teoricamente.
Lo scontro definitivo, morti eroiche, momenti drammatici.
Sunnydale che scompare, i nostri superstiti che osservano il tutto.

Ma non è finita qui.

Infatti Whedon tira fuori un’ottava stagione.
Non più in tv, ma come fumetto pubblicato dalla Dark Horse.

E questo fumetto spacca.

The long way home è il primo numero dell’ottava stagione.

E’ passato diverso tempo dalla fine della serie tv.
Ora le Cacciatrici vivono in un castello in S...more

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Oct 26, 2011 Fizzgig76 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels-and-trade-paperbacks

Reprints Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Season 8 #1-5 (March 2007--July 2007). Sunnydale is destroyed, and Buffy is now leading an army of Slayers. The Slayers are being trained all over the world and Buffy's friends are helping her. While trying to deal with her overgrown sister Dawn, a new threat has emerged in the threat of two old enemy, the military, and a mysterious cult. Plus, with Slayers all over the world, there missions could get deadly, and a new recruit has the ultimate mission to the un...more Reprints Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Season 8 #1-5 (March 2007--July 2007). Sunnydale is destroyed, and Buffy is now leading an army of Slayers. The Slayers are being trained all over the world and Buffy's friends are helping her. While trying to deal with her overgrown sister Dawn, a new threat has emerged in the threat of two old enemy, the military, and a mysterious cult. Plus, with Slayers all over the world, there missions could get deadly, and a new recruit has the ultimate mission to the underworld.

Written by Joss Whedon, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Season 8 takes place after the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the series. For fans of the show this can be a nice return to familiar characters and storylines since some feel the show ended too abruptly. In the last season, Buffy changed the world and as everyone knows change isn't always accepted.

Season 8 picks up maybe a year after the destruction of Sunnydale and has Buffy leading a group (as even joked about in the series, it is kind of like S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Xander is helping coordinate the attacks as a quasi-Watcher. Giles does make a few cameos as one of the trainers around the world, and Dawn is revealed to have been turned into a giant when she had sex. Willow returns a couple of issues in as Buffy falls under attack from rival witch Amy who's working with a military operation that isn't too happy about Buffy's new found army. It does feel like the TV series, but also has no budget limits, making it on a grander scale that viewers might not be use to.

The art is pretty basic comic art, but it always is weird when artists are trying to turn actors into characters. If they are drawn wrong, it makes them look really weird, so it often feels like they are just putting a ton of detail into the heads. It also means that when a new character shows up (or some that look different than the actors), it can be a bit confusing as to who they are suppose to be (it also doesn't help that Buffy continues to draw from all seasons of her show for plot points so the reader has to keep up).

The stand-alone issue #5 shows potential for the series, but I really doubt it would have happened as a stand alone episode if there had been a Season 8 which defeats the purpose of the series. It feels like something that should be in another Buffy comic or something like a "Friends of Buffy" or "Buffy's Army" title. I doubt that TV would devote a whole episode to this unknown Slayer and if the point of the series is to really feel that it is a continuation of the series, they probably should avoid issues like this (or put them out as specials).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Season 8 works just like Buffy the Vampire Slayer: either you like it or you don't. It is hard to be on the fence on a series like this, but I was actually always on the fence about Buffy after the first couple seasons. There was creative writing that was highly influential, but there was also a lot of stuff I didn't like. Kind of like here. It is a real mixed bag, but real fans won't care and people who weren't fans probably shouldn't read on.(less)

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Oct 25, 2011 Kaion rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-ser, unfinshed

Have I mentioned I'm moving about six hundred times? I was going through my old floppies from when I was bright-eyed and excited about the return of Buffy in any form (though also wary from the hot mess that Season 6 and 7 turned out to be).

On the plus side? Jo Chen's covers are gorgeous. On the minus side, the first four issues of this volume ("The Long Way Home") show a really uneasy move from the TV format to the comic format. Pacing is off, for one; Whedon seems to be reveling in the "infin...more Have I mentioned I'm moving about six hundred times? I was going through my old floppies from when I was bright-eyed and excited about the return of Buffy in any form (though also wary from the hot mess that Season 6 and 7 turned out to be).

On the plus side? Jo Chen's covers are gorgeous. On the minus side, the first four issues of this volume ("The Long Way Home") show a really uneasy move from the TV format to the comic format. Pacing is off, for one; Whedon seems to be reveling in the "infinite budget" which throws off the balance of the series and slows down the introduction of where all the characters are a couple of years after the fall of the Hellmouth. His witty dialogue's there, but it too seems just a little disjointed in the new format (lacking the right delivery). This is fair of a new title however, but the conflict introduced here feels tired with the return of two old villains and a governmental enemy that too feels like a retread of the Intiative. The artwork is pleasant and playful (Jeantes likenesses aren't bad, and though occasionally I saw problems with legs full body fighting positions, this was before this monstrously large heads started to distract).

I was really all forgiving of this on my original read, but the "off"ness and lack of driving vision really stick out on a reread. However, the fifth issue, ironically a oneshot featuring none of our main characters, is really the only one that heralds true promise and a return to form. "The Chain", from the perspective of a new slayer who doubles for Buffy in the underworld, is a tight and moving adventure story that fits within its 22 pages excellently. But more importantly, through an outside perspective we really get to understand the new paradigm of many slayers. For an issue with no Buffy at all, it is the first issue to really pose the struggle Buffy will face in Season 8: how to be a leader of an army of slayers.

The second major arc, "No Future For You" was a more assured, but that's no surprise as its penned by Vaughan. I can't not enjoy a Faith/Giles team-up and Vaughan clearly has a lot of fun with the blueblood world Faith infiltrates, but I do have to set aside a few continuity questions because last we saw her at the end of S7, Faith was pretty well into the fold with Buffy and crew. The antics back at home base however are a little tiresome, with some vague murmurings of the Big Bad and even vaguer interpersonal conflict between the major Scoobies (and I couldn't get more tired of giant Dawn).

I followed a little irregularly for the next two major arcs (Vol 3 and 4) but eventually lost interest in the title. This was partially out of me not being used to following the comic monthly schedule (the pacing is just so slow, and this is before all the delays came in). But I also think the whole project really suffered from indulgence: too much action and too little character grounding. The best Buffy was always that which was a potent metaphor for growing up, and the comic seemed more interested in rehashing old villains (and a vague, vague Big Bad) and old interpersonal dramas than forging the new future for the characters. Also the cartoon heads got giant and distracting and magic!Dawn was the plot that would never die.

~Reread 10/25/2011; Vol 1 = 3 stars; Vol 2 = 3.5 stars(less)

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Oct 07, 2011 Rose Heredia rated it 2 of 5 stars

As much as I proclaim myself to be a complete Whedonite, I read this under an hour and didn't love it. I thought, "Whedon dialogue on page with kool illustrations? Winning!" but no, no win for me. What made the show amazing was not only the dialogue but the performances by those actors - the inflections of their voices, the expressions on their faces, their hand gestures, etc. I can say the dialogue was just as funny as the TV show but the comic didn't pop to me. Additionally, perhaps because it...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Shazza Maddog rated it 2 of 5 stars

So, when I finally found out that there was a comic version of Buffy under the supervision of Joss Whedon, I was kinda excited. Having read some of the comics not under his supervision and been less than impressed, I'd hoped if he had his fingers in the pie, I'd get the storylines I'd come to expect, witty banter, you know. All the good stuff.

Well, okay. There was that. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what didn't grab me but I remember reading halfway through the book, saying, "Meh," and returning t...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Marvin rated it 2 of 5 stars

I probably shouldn't be reviewing this. I never cared for graphic novels. Except for the parent-approved Illustrated Classics and an occasional DC or Spidey, I rarely read comic books as a kid. The few graphic novels I've seen as an adult never impressed me...except for The Dark Knight. That was cool.

But I love Buffy the TV series...all seven seasons. So when I learned that this graphic novel started where season seven left off I was hopeful.

Well, as Thomas Wolfe said, you can't go home again. T...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Dee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Grade A-:
The comic picks up right where the TV series stops - Season 7 ends, Season 8 is seamlessly picked up in comic book format.Since I missed some episodes in season 7, a quick wikipedia refresher helped me remember some of the newer plot twists (Recommended). It is written by Josh Whedon, the creator of Buffy, who has plenty of street cred.

Plus: While the narrative is different, stylistically it is true to the fast-paced, dramatic visual format of the TV series. GREAT GREAT cover art - almo...more

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Jun 25, 2011 Literary Demon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, magic

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 volume 1 The Long way Home

Official Synopsis: Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her own.

Review:

I used to be a big fan of Buffy back in the day. I even enjoyed up to about season 5 o...more Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 volume 1 The Long way Home

Official Synopsis: Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers-newly legion-have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything's fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, one of the "Buffy" decoy slayers is going through major pain of her own.

Review:

I used to be a big fan of Buffy back in the day. I even enjoyed up to about season 5 of the television series, and then I just lost interest, so it took a lot for me to pick up a comic based on this world and based on this world three seasons ahead of anything I might have remembered. So here are a few things I learned from this comic. One, a whole helluva lot has gone on in the last three seasons. Willow has disappeared, there is an army of slayers being trained for an end all type fight, and Giles is no longer watching buffy. These are not spoilers as you will find them out from the comic if you didn't already know it from the previous season of comics.
So fast forward to this story. The Long way Home. Visually it was a complete joy,The characters are very much the same from the television series I think partially because Joss Wheadon also produced the comic. The characters that we all know and love are back though some have taken on a different look. If you were a fan of the television series you will have no trouble picking out the main characters. The enemies or baddies in this book are so much more terrifying and well bad a$$ then the tv series could ever portray. The Demons and undead creatures just accentuate how powerful Buffy and her ilk can be. It makes you appreciate more when Buffy takes down 3 demons in one fell swoop when the images show these towering behemoths with razor sharp teeth and horns and claws all bent on her destruction. But this is just the start of the comic and the tip of the iceberg. the only problem I found with the artwork wasw durring a few of the scenes where buffy seemed excited or agitated and the artist's rendition of her eyes made her seem too comical in an anime sort of way and took away from the human realism shown in the rest of the comic.
Storywise I think its important to say it was easy to pick back up where I left off. If you have never seen or read a Buffy book or show you will not be completely lost although having a basic background of who the characters are and what has happened in the world deffinitely makes the plot more enjoyable. There is a great story to be had and its easy to get wrapped up in it. AN old friend makes a new enemy, a government conspiracy pulls in a magical character to helptake down the slayer. The slayer dies and a new one emerges... or does she? Willow resurfaces after being MIA for the last year and confronts the magical enemy only to fall victim to a trap used to try and destroy the slayer. Buffy falls prey to a trap of her own that puts her in a magical coma that only true loves kiss can wake her from, meanwhile an army of undead have just broken through the castles defenses and the rest of the slayer army is called into battle. Can Buffy awaken to help take down the undead army and save Willow from the mad man about to carve her up like a christmas ham? The story delves deeper into the background of the slayer chain and the road seems to bring the gang back to Sunnydale but things are far from the same.

Things that worked for me: I really enjoyed the familiar characters, the visually refreshing similarities from the book and the tv show as well as the same witty banter between the two made me remember what I liked about the series to begin with. Major boss fight scenes and awesome magic really pack a punch that left me wanting more.

Things that Didn't work for me: As much as they tried to info dump the past there was just too much that went on in previous installments for me to feel truly in the know on what was going on. I got the basic jist of the story but was still left scratching my head on more than one occasion, that said they did flow between characters rather well.

Overall Rating: Buffy the Vampire slayer Season 8 Volume 1 the Long Way Home was a wonderful read. The images and plotline drew me into a world I was once familiar with and put my beloved characters through an intriguing story that had me wanting more. Buffy fights her inner demons as well as her outer demons in a world where shes not sure who is real and who to trust. When everyone seems to want you dead and you get accused of trying to destroy the entire human race whats a girl to do? Kick butt and do it with style, and Buffy does just that. Loveable characters and entertaining dialog create a bond of friendship that is tangible and enjoyable and makes you care for the outcome of these friends. If you have never read a buffy story this is as good a place as any to start but once you read the Long Way Home I'm sure you will want to start at the beginning and soak up the world and lore that brings you to this point in time of the series. Joss does a great job of bringing his characters back to life on paper as he did with the television series. I would rate this story a 4 out of 5 stars. I loved it plain and simple. The only reason it didn't receive 5 stars is the fact that a new reader would become lost and not be able to appreciate the comic fully.(less)

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Jun 17, 2011 Andrew Shuping rated it 4 of 5 stars

Galley provided by NetGalley

Like many fans of the TV show I wondered..what happened to Buffy and the gang after the show ended? Where did they go and would we ever see them again? Thankfully Joss and his crew have created a new season of Buffy adventures in comic book form that answers all of these questions and more.

Buffy and the Slayers are still out there. Fighting to protect the world from the monsters and the demons...and of course the vampires. Xander runs central command now, directing th...more

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May 22, 2011 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

If you thought Buffy ended after seven seasons, you're wrong. Buffy and the gang, well most of it anyway, are back. Of course, the gang's a bit bigger these days, what with there now being over a thousand slayers and all. Now though, the enemy might be harder to fight in a new way. It could be that humans, those the slayer was made to protect will be a bit uncomfortable with all of these superwomen running around. Backfire.

This first volume was pretty much like watching Buffy, only with subtitle...more

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May 21, 2011 Vicky N. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

Rating: 4.5

I never watched Buffy when I was younger. And not because of lack of interest, but because I was not allowed to watch the show. I remember begging to grow up faster & for the show not to stop airing when I did. But eventually Buffy ended & I forgot about it.

So when I heard about the graphic novel I was instantly excited to read it because it would be my chance to discover the amazingness of the fandom.

Firstly, in my opinion, you do NOT need to have watched the series to under...more

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May 17, 2011 Lisa MH rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novel, urban-fantasy

Thank you, Joss Whedon, for bringing Buffy back to us. The television show was my first experience with urban fantasy and lead to my current obsession with it. I have missed Buffy, the characters, humor, the world, everything. Reading this was like coming home after a long trip away. All Buffy fans need to read this.

Pros -

It's Buffy. Not only is it Buffy, it's by the original mastermind Joss Whedon himself. His trademark humor is peppered throughout, and reads just like watching an episode. It p...more

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May 11, 2011 Chibineko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cool, comics, demons, fairies, netgalley, vampires, butt-kicking-heroines

Reading this graphic novel took me back to when I used to religiously watch my taped seasons of Buffy, hanging onto each & every thing that happened. I mourned when Oz & Willow broke up, when Angel went evil, & when Tara was killed. I've followed the comic sporadically but due to empty-wallet-itis & the fact that my local library is unable to keep entire collections of graphic novels on the shelves (they either get stolen or shredded after a year of circulation), I've been unable...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Myth Girl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pop-culture

I originally started reading the Season 8 issues as they came out. I found that process torturous! Each issue so short, and the time between issues so long! (Can you tell I'm new to the comic world?) About 30 or so issues in, I decided I needed to just wait until I could get 'em all in a collection. Then season 8 ended last week, & I'm dying to know how!!! And then I read the Omnibus with EVERYTHING is penciled for release in 2015!! So, I'm getting the volumes at my local library. :)
I enjoye...more

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Oct 04, 2009 Tim Pendry rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, popular-culture, north-american

Unengaging graphic sequel - apparently the first 'episodes' in a notional Season 8 - to the TV Series, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. It misses the point - the Buffy series was fantasy, sure, but it was also about the psychological development of, and the tensions within, its Scooby Gang.

'Season 8' (at least based on reading this first volume) is filled with stereotypes and seems a forced attempt to drive the 'girl power' message of the last minutes of the final show of Season 7 to ridiculous leng...more

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Jul 20, 2009 Casey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fantastic artwork, particularly for the main characters (Buffy, Willow, Xander). The facial expressions are often perfectly matched to the actors who portrayed them. But the artwork for a lot of the minor characters is not as exact (which I suspect is on purpose) which doesn't help when you're trying to remember who all these people are. The Long Way Home resurrects a lot of characters that were long gone even as the series ended in 2003. I pretty much remembered--and sometimes guessed--who they...more Fantastic artwork, particularly for the main characters (Buffy, Willow, Xander). The facial expressions are often perfectly matched to the actors who portrayed them. But the artwork for a lot of the minor characters is not as exact (which I suspect is on purpose) which doesn't help when you're trying to remember who all these people are. The Long Way Home resurrects a lot of characters that were long gone even as the series ended in 2003. I pretty much remembered--and sometimes guessed--who they were and what function they played in the series, but it's been a while! The dialogue is the right Whedon-esque mix of snappy one-liners and exposition. Occasionally a character says something that jumps out at you in the actor's voice, which was fun. Story-wise, I'm not sure there's enough action to really jump-start a new season (Volume 1 is a collection of four or five comic books, I believe). It feels like they drag out things that would never fly as long-term storylines on TV: Who woke Buffy from the true-love spell? Where did Willow disappear for a whole freaking year? When will Dawn get back to normal-human-size? And hey, where is Giles and why isn't he more involved?
My biggest question: where did the Scooby Gang get all the money to run a super-secret super-high-tech worldwide operation? Did the Watcher's Council set up a trust fund before they got blown up back in the series-days? Did they perhaps, as my brother suggested, sell off valuable demon artifacts to raise the cash? I suppose my one other quibble with the multiple-slayer storyline is that there are just too many slayers--thousands, apparently--which makes them interchangeable and expendable. I would much rather they focus on a group of, say, a few hundred! Perhaps that is where the comics could eventually take us: to a paring down of the slayer group, cycling back to the days when there was only one girl. That would make a nice conclusion, I think, as Buffy heads off into the sunset, or the grave, for the last time, to complete the Slayer saga. (less)

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Jun 23, 2009 Beth rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novels

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have to say, the first story arc of Season 8 really isn't that interesting. My favorite story in the bunch was the final one - it was the only one that had any genuine emotion. Buffy says she's isolated, but we don't really feel her isolation; there's a lot of exposition about what all of the Scoobies have been up to since the destruction of Sunnydale. Everything seems to happen because we have to have something happen - the plot as deus ex machina. There's really no focus to this installment....more

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May 28, 2009 Michele Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, graphic-novels, urban-fantasy, reviewed

The Long Way Home doesn't start exactly where the last television season of Buffy left off, instead it starts a little past that, after Buffy and her crew have restarted their lives. In some ways, things are very different, but in others, they're exactly the same. Each character seems to have taken a level of bad ass as they push forward in the fight against evil in their own ways.

Training the new slayers for a fight that's longer and more eventful than the epic big bad battle season seven kisse...more

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About Joss Whedon

Joss Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon) is an American screenwriter, executive producer, film and television director, comic book writer, occasional composer, and actor, and the founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures.

He is best known as the creator and showrunner of the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)', 'Angel (1999–2004)', 'Firefly (2002)'...more

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1)

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