Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Dark Horse Comics.
0 The Origin (3-issue mini; w Christopher Golden, Dan Brereton; a Joe Bennett). [From Dark Horse Comics: Bear witness to teenager Buffy Summers's transformation from simple high school student to super Vampire Slayer! Follow Buffy's trials and tribulations as she comes to accept her destined role to thwart the legions of the undead from spreading their veil of evil across Los Angeles. Adapted from creator Joss Whedon's original screenplay from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer feature film, The Origin updates the material to match the tone and characters of the hit television series, making this the official Buffy launching pad!] Also collected in Omnibus 1. 
1 The Dust Waltz (OGN; w Dan Brereton; a Hector Gomez & Sandu Florea). [From Dark Horse Comics: Who are the mysterious sisters who have come to Sunnydale, and what are those nasty beasts that they have brought with them? It's Buffy's job as the slayer to find out, and do it but good! Of course, things can't help but be complicated—one of the sister's has her sights on Angel! Balancing school books with the undead, Buffy takes the definition of awkward teen years to the extreme.] 
2 The Remaining Sunlight (1-3 and MacGuffins from DHP Annual 1998;
w Andi Watson; a Joe Bennett & Rick Ketcham). [From
Dark Horse Comics: For 17-year-old Buffy Summers, slaying vampires is
as common as doing homework—except she has better luck fighting the
undead than writing term papers! This volume collects the wildly popular
first three issues of the comic-book series based on the hit television
show. Included, at no extra charge, is the hard-to-find Dark Horse Presents
10-page adventure, presented in color for the first time.] Also collected in Omnibus 3.
3 Uninvited Guests (4-7; w Andi Watson & Dan Brereton; a Hector
Gomez & Sandu Florea). [From Dark Horse Comics:
Everyone's favorite champion of goodness is back in a new trade-paperback
edition, collecting issues four through seven of the hit ongoing series.
Follow Buffy as she battles ice imps, Puritans, hellhounds, and even a demon
for good measure! The fourth collection in the sell-out series, this one
is a must-have for Buffy aficionados. Otherwise, you're just a loser!] Also collected in Omnibus 3. 
3 Bad Blood (9-11, "Hello, Moon" from Dark Horse Presents
141; w Andi Watson; a Joe Bennett & Rick Ketcham).
[From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy the next runway supermodel? Believe
it! Buffy pursues a potential modeling career only to learn that beauty
isn't just skin deep. Selke, the vampire Buffy thought was killed in a mausoleum
fire, returns with a vengeance, and convinces a plastic surgeon to find
a solution to her "cosmetic" complaints. She's back, and she's
out for blood literally! Expanding the mythos of television's hottest horror/adventure
series, Bad Blood is high-stakes graphic-novel entertainment served up Buffy-style!]
4 Crash Test Demons (13-15; w Andi Watson; a Cliff Richards &
Rick Ketcham). [From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy the
Vampire Slayer is back, expanding the mythos of the wildly popular television
series. As Sunnydale becomes an increasingly hazardous place to re-kill
the undead, the ante is upped as Buffy must again confront her old enemy
Selke. And she's back with bad blood—a supernatural brew that can dramatically
increase a vampire's powers!] 
5 Pale Reflections (17-19, "Killing Time" from Dark Horse
Presents 150; w Andi Watson; a Cliff Richards & Joe Pimentel).
[From Dark Horse Comics: Here it is, fight fans—the last rounds
of the epic Buffy vs. Selke battle royale, and the conclusion of the Bad
Blood story line! Collecting issues #17-19 of the hit comics series, watch
as the Selke moves closer and closer to finishing off the Slayer. And Buffy
has to come to grips with her dark side...literally! If that's not enough
for you, how about a gigantic fight to the finish in the middle of Downtown
Sunnydale? Miss this one, and you'll be kicking yourself later!]
6 Blood of Carthage (21-25; w Christopher Golden; a Cliff Richards,
Chynna Clugston-Major, Paul Lee, Brian Horton) [From
Dark Horse Comics: The gang is off to college and Buffy's whole world
is changing. How much education does a girl who's destined to kill monsters
her whole life really need? To quell her confusion, Buffy throws herself
into Slaying with wild abandon and disastrous results. Her killing of Sunnydale's
answer to big foot may just bring about the rising of the demon Ky-Laag,
and the end of the world. And the only group who know what's going on and
who want to stop it, the mysterious Blood of Carthage, also want to kill
Buffy for starting it all. What's a gal to do? This trade paperback collects
issues #21-25 of the monthly series and is its longest and most involved
storyline to date. The events in this story will have repercussions in the
Buffy-verse for years to come, so do not miss it!] 
7 Food Chain (12, 16, 20, Stories from Buffy Annual 1999 & Lovers' Walk, Buffy/Angel: Wizard ½; w Christopher Golden & Doug Petrie & Jamie S. Rich & Chynna Clugston-Major & Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe; a Christian Zanier & Ryan Sook & Jason Minor & Chynna Clugston-Major & Cliff Richards; Andy Owens & Joe Pimentel & Tim Goodyear & Curtis P. Arnold & Jason Minor & P. Craig Russell). [From Dark Horse Comics: The largest Buffy collection ever! "Food Chain" presents such landmarks in Buffy's comics history as T.V. scribe Doug Petrie's first comics story, "Bad Dog," drawn by the notorious Ryan (The Spectre) Sook; Christian (Rising Stars) Zanier's first two-part Buffy tale; and Chris Golden and Tom Sniegoski's first Buffy collaboration, from the 1999 Buffy Annual. Also presented here is the unforgettable "Double Cross," Doug Petrie's epilogue to Buffy's third season, dealing with the night Angel left Sunnydale once and for all. These stories span three years of Buffy's history, taking us through the breakup with Angel, and into the college years.] 
8 Past Lives (29-30; Angel 15-16; w Chris Golden & Tom Sniegoski;
a Christian Zanier & Cliff Richards, Joe Pimentel & Digital Jump).
[From Dark Horse Comics: A huntress is stalking demons in L.A. Normally
this would be a good thing, except she's leaving survivors and telling them
Angel sent her. Now Angel has an army of demons on his tail, hell-bent on
revenge. What's a vampire to do? And how long can his human companions,
Cordelia and Wesley, remain safe? Meanwhile, monsters are fleeing the carnage
in L.A. and seeking refuge in Sunnydale, where they're being dealt with
by the Slayer. Buffy, Giles, and the gang learn about the havoc, and Buffy
determines that she must go to Angel's side to lend a hand; a decision that
does not sit at all well with Buffy's vampire-hunting boyfriend, Riley.]
9 Autumnal (26-28; w Chris Boal & Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe; a Cliff Richards & Joe Pimentel). [From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy is being stalked by a creature intent on killing her so that it can bring about the end of the world. So, what else is new? The only person who can save her is a Slayer who should have died a long time ago. Confused? Well, so are Buffy and the gang. If that's not weird enough, what's she to make of a backpack full of maggots? How about a herd of rats that overrun the cafeteria just as she's sitting down to eat? Just how much can Buffy take before she gets totally grossed out? Chris Boal, Tom Fassbender, and Jim Pascoe join Buffy artists Cliff Richards and Joe Pimentel to bring you two tales of revenge and retribution.] 
10 Out of the Woodwork (31-34; w Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe;
a Cliff Richards & Joe Pimentel). [From Dark Horse
Comics: In the midst of its hottest summer, the town of Sunnydale faces
the worst infestation of insects anyone has ever seen. Innocent people have
begun to transform into giant, demonic insects. Buffy and her friends have
to find a way to stop the supernatural force that's got everyone buzzing,
literally. Light up some citronella candles, remember to close the screen
door, and join us for the crunchiest, gooey, most creepy-crawliest adventure
in the history of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Novelists Tom Fassbender and
Jim Pascoe reveal Buffy's horrible summer between her freshman and sophomore
years of college with the help of the fan-favorite Buffy art team of Cliff
Richards and Joe Pimentel. Collecting issues #31-#34 of the ongoing series
and the newly colored, short story from the DHP 2000 Annual. Also includes
a special excerpt from a book on occult insects!] 
11 False Memories (35-38; w Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe; a Cliff
Richards, Joe Pimentel & Will Conrad). [From Dark
Horse Comics: Remember that time when Buffy's little sister Dawn first
found out that Buffy is the Slayer? And then when Angel almost killed Dawn,
because no one had told her that he'd turned evil again? Buffy and the gang
all have memories connected to Dawn, and only Buffy and Giles know they're
not real. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions as to how Dawn
came into Buffy's life, and where these memories come from. Now, Dawn has
vanished without a trace, and the Scooby gang has no clue where to find
her. But Buffy will stop at nothing to find her little sister, even if she
has to face off against a cadre of crazed, bloodsucking monks and a former
Vampire Slayer turned Slayer Vampire!] 
12 Ugly Little Monsters (39-42; w Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe;
a Cliff Richards, Joe Pimentel & Will Conrad).
[From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy's mom is dead, the emotions of Buffy
and her friends are running high, and lots of little things are causing
lots of little problems. With everybody preoccupied with grief, anger, guilt,
and regret the fight against the forces of darkness doesn't seem all that
crucial somehow. Somebody should have told that to the swarm of angry, deformed,
green demon-children that are tearing apart Buffy's house and trying to
chew off her face. Want it or not, Buffy has a fight on her hands. But one
of her closest friends is keeping a secret that is either the key to victory—or
could get them all killed. Collecting the four-issue series, plus the super-spooky,
slam-bang festival of fangs "Night of a Thousand Vampires" one-shot!]
13 Haunted (4-issue mini + comic strip from Dark Horse Extra 39-41; w Jane Espenson; a Cliff Richards & Julio Ferreira). [From Dark Horse Comics: A sinister presence stirs among the charred rubble of what used to be Sunnydale High. It seems that the ghost of Sunnydale's former Mayor has a bone to pick with Buffy. Now, on top of dealing with her nightmares about a certain raven-haired, trash-talking former Slayer, she's got a body-snatching, blood-sucking, poltergeist stalking her every moment she's awake. Buffy's left to face the thing without knowing whose hand guides it, armed only with an enigmatic message from Faith: "You're already dead." Fans of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show should not pass up the most Faithful collection of Buffy comics ever! Jane Espenson, long-time writer for the Buffy TV series, brings you the first and only appearance of Faith in comics, picking up directly from the Season Three finale!] 
14 The Death of Buffy (43-46 and Buffy: Lost & Found; w Fabian
Nicieza & Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe; a Cliff Richards, Joe Pimentel
& Will Conrad). [From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy
is dead. Her friends are trying to get on with their lives. Between them,
there is enough anger, frustration, loss, guilt, and tragedy to resurrect
an ancient demon. Things aren't looking too good for Willow, Xander, and
the gang. A lovelorn demon has been set free into our dimension, and its
food is the grief of Buffy's nearest and dearest. If that's not bad enough,
a horde of demonic reptilian sorcerers plan to resurrect their fallen comrade
and paint the town blood red. Can Buffy's friends face the threat without
a Slayer to defend them? Willow finds that she can learn a great deal from
these reptilian mystics. And if there's going to be one resurrection, why
can't there be TWO?] 
15 Viva Las Buffy (51-54; w Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza; a
Cliff Richards & Will Conrad). [From Dark Horse Comics:
The Buffy saga takes a bold new direction under the guidance of former X-Men
writers Lobdell and Nicieza—It's 1996, and Buffy Summers has just accepted
her role as the Vampire Slayer. After the destruction of her high school,
she flees to Las Vegas to sort out her life, but there's more than Wayne
Newton and hookers in the city of sin. A twisted coven den of vampires has
big plans for the strip. Dark Horse takes you where the TV show never did,
back to Buffy's roots, in the summer before she arrived in Sunnydale. And
there's a tall, dark, and handsome stranger keeping an eye on her during
those dangerous nights in Vegas.] Also collected in Omnibus 1.
16 Slayer, Interrupted (56-59; w Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza; a
Cliff Richards, Paul Lee). [From Dark Horse Comics:
Buffy Summers has burned down the school gym, run off to Vegas, and filled
her diary with tales of vampires and demons-her parents see no other choice
than to have her committed to a mental institution. During her stay, Buffy
finds that she likes not having to slay vampires and demons night after
night. But there's something sinister going on here as some of the doctors
may not be what they appear. Meanwhile, in England, Rupert Giles' use of
black magic has stopped a corrupt Watcher from destroying the Council. Collecting
issues #56 through #59 of the ongoing series. Plus: Paul Lee's hilarious
Dawn adventure, in which the Slayer's baby sister is mistaken for the Chosen
One, and teams with a demonic stuffed bear.] Also collected in Omnibus 1.
17 Stake through the Heart (60-63; w Fabian Nicieza; a Cliff Richards, Brian Horton). [From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy Summers has faced vampires, demons, and monsters, but now she must face there scariest thing of all: the divorce of her parents. No vampire is safe as the tortured young Slayer takes her anger and frustrations to the streets of L.A., all the while being closely watched by the mysterious vampire with a soul, known as Angel. In a failed attempt to alleviate her pain, Angel accidentally unleashes the Malignancy Demons upon her and her family, each of which personifies and draws its power from particular bad feelings.] Also collected in Omnibus 2.
Omnibus 1 (51-59, The Origin 1-3, Spike & Dru 3; w Fabian Nicieza, Christopher Golden, Dan Brereton, Scott Lobdell, Paul Lee; a Cliff Richards, Paul Lee, Eric Powell, Joe Bennett, Hector Gomez, Will Conrad). [From Dark Horse Comics: The definitive comics collection of all things Buffy starts here. This first massive volume begins at the beginning-The Origin, a faithful adaptation of creator Joss Whedon's original screenplay for the film that started it all. The newly chosen Slayer's road to Sunnydale continues in Viva Las Buffy and Slayer, Interrupted. Next, Sunnydale, the Scoobies, and an English librarian lead the way into Season One continuity. Plus, The Goon creator Eric Powell provides pencils to “All's Fair,” featuring Spike and Drusilla at the 1933 World's Fair. The smash TV hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer led to nearly a decade of comics at Dark Horse-including multiple specials, one-shots, and guest miniseries. This omnibus series is the ultimate compilation of the Buffy comics Dark Horse has published, and runs along the TV series' timeline. A fitting companion to Whedon's comics-based relaunch of the show.] 
Omnibus 2 (Ring of Fire OGN, Dust Waltz OGN, Spike & Dru: Queen of Hearts OGN, Spike & Dru: Paint the Town Red OGN, stories from Reveal Magazine, DHP Annual 1998, 60-63; w Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, Christopher Golden, Doug Petrie, James Marsters, Dan Brereton and Andi Watson; a Jeff Matsuda, Cliff Richards, Brian Horton, Ryan Sook and Luke Ross). [From Dark Horse Comics: This second volume of our Buffy omnibus series collects many of the best Buffy comics to see print. As we follow the newly chosen Slayer from Los Angeles to Sunnydale and through her parents' divorce -- with Dawn in tow - the souled vampire Angel makes his first appearance and the not-so-souled Spike and Drusilla cleave a bloody path toward the West Coast. This collection includes the critically acclaimed graphic novel Ring of Fire and the miniseries A Stake to the Heart, and reflects the Season One to Season Three timeline of the cult-hit TV series. A fitting companion to Joss Whedon's comics-based relaunch of the show.] 
Omnibus 3 (Play With Fire [shorts previously collected only in UK trade], Spike & Dru OGN, 1-8; w Andi Watson, Christopher Golden, Dan Brereton, Tom Sniegoski; a Hector Gomez, Eric Powell, Cliff Richards). [From Dark Horse Comics: The third volume of our Buffy omnibus series follows the gang through harrowing trials and tribulations -- slaying vampires, going to high school, and young love. Angel has lost his soul and found it again, Xander and Cordelia kiss and make up, and Willow and Oz confront his inner beast. With so much romance in the air it seems only natural that we would catch up with Spike and Dru in the short story "Who Made Who". We meet the twisted duo in Brazil following a brutal break-up involving Dru's sire and former love interest, Angelus.] 
Omnibus 4 (9-11, 13-15, 17-20, Bad Dog, Spike & Dru, Who Made Who, The Hollower; w Andi Watson, Doug Petrie, Christopher Golden; a Eric Powell, Ryan Sook, Cliff Richards). [From Dark Horse Comics: Volume Four of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus series concludes Buffy's high school career, wrapping up Season Three of the show's storyline. Collected in this volume are: The complete ³Bad Blood,² saga written by Andi Watson, the first attempt at making a ³season² of the comics, where Buffy battles a sultry vampire who hungers for a lot more than blood; the first comics work by Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series writer Doug Petrie, and artists Eric Powell, Ryan Sook, and Cliff Richards, whose stories follow the Scoobies through their final year at Sunnydale High; and includes the first Angel miniseries, The Hollower, written by acclaimed Buffy novelist, Christopher Golden.] 
The Long Way Home (1-5; w Joss Whedon; a Georges Jeanty). [From Dark Horse Comics: 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.] 
Note from the Underground (47-50; w Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza; a Cliff Richards & Will Conrad). [From Dark Horse Comics: This volume collects Buffy newcomer Scott Lobdell's (X-men, Highroads) debut story arc along side veteran Buffy scribe Fabian Nicieza! Joining established Buffy artist Cliff Richards, Lobdell and Nicieza begin their run by wrapping up four years worth of stories, featuring many returning faces. This story paves the way for a whole new direction for the Buffy comics.] 
Oz (3-issue mini; w Christopher Golden; a Logan Lubera & Valentine
De Landro & Herb Apon & Craig Yeung). [From
Dark Horse Comics: When Oz left Sunnydale to search for a way to control
his werewolf nature, he found what he needed in the Far East. Now that untold
story is revealed in comics, as it could never be told on the small screen!
Christopher Golden, fan-fave writer of Buffy novels and comics, takes Oz
across the world to a secret monastery to find inner peace. But when he
gets there, he finds that many of the monks have been kidnapped by a race
of demons. Now, if Oz is ever going to master the beast within, he has to
rescue the monks and defeat a terrible demon. This collection includes the
entire three-issue miniseries plus new pages, and a sketchbook section featuring
the work of cover artist John Totleben and series artist Logan Lubera.]
Ring of Fire (OGN; w Doug Petrie; a Ryan Sook).
[From Dark Horse Comics: From the writer of the television series
and the most talked about artist on the comics series comes an intricate
and explosive graphic novel. Set in Season Two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer,
the story begins just after Angel killed Jenny Calendar. Giles is a wreck,
and Buffy's not much better, knowing the man she loves is a homicidal maniac.
But when the armor of a samurai demon is stolen from a cargo ship, a new
battle is pitched to determine who will master the Ring of Fire. With Angel
teamed with Spike and Dru, and Giles nearly out of commission, Buffy, Willow,
Xander, and Kendra hardly stand a chance.] Also collected in Omnibus 2.
Spike and Dru (One-shot + misc. shorts; w Christopher Golden &
James Marsters; a Ryan Sook & Eric Powell). [From
Dark Horse Comics: Four tales of the most vile, murderous, and destructive—not
to mention codependent—couple ever to visit Sunnydale are presented
in one volume, covering an entire century of bloodshed, from China in 1900
to Rio in 1999. This 96-page book collects the original Spike and Dru one-shot
by TV star James "Spike" Marsters, Christopher Golden, and Ryan
Sook, which was heralded by Buffy creator Joss Whedon as the model for future
Buffy comics. Also included are the two follow-ups by Golden and artists
Sook and Eric Powell, plus the final word on the duo, the 10-page epilogue
"Who Made Who?" telling the story of their final farewell in Brazil,
refered to but never delved into on the show.] Also collected in Omnibus 3.
Tales of the Slayer (Misc. shorts; w & a various).
[From Dark Horse Comics: 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.] 
Tales of the Vampires (5-issue mini; w Joss Whedon, Ben Edlund,
Jane Espenson, Brett Matthews; a Drew Goodard, Tim Sale, Scott Morse).
[From Dark Horse Comics: The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
reunites with the writers from his hit TV shows including Tick creator and
Angel Executive Producer Ben Edlund for an imaginative and frightening look
into the history of vampires in the world of the Slayer. Intricately woven
around a central story by Whedon featuring a group of young Watchers in
training meeting their first undead, Whedon's staff of writers present stories
ranging from medieval times to the Depression to today, as well as Buffy's
rematch with Dracula and Angels ongoing battle with his own demons.]
Willow and Tara (Misc. shorts; w Amber Benson & Christopher
Golden; a Terry Moore & Andi Watson with Eric Powell).
[From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy the Vampire Slayer's own Amber "Tara"
Benson takes up scripting duties on these collected stories of everyone's
favorite Wiccan couple with the help of writer Christopher Golden (Angel,
Buffy TVS: The Watcher's Guide, BPRD). This volume will collect the Willow
and Tara one-shot "WannaBlessedBe" drawn by Terry Moore, the two-part
Willow and Tara: "Wilderness" story and Andi Watson's two- part
Willow and Tara comic strip featured in Dark Horse Extra!] Angel
Surrogates (1-3; w Christopher Golden; a Christian Zanier).
[From Dark Horse Comics: Angel is in deep trouble as he tries to
solve a case involving a demonic fertility clinic. Just why are mothers
being murdered and husbands turned into zombie-like guards? With the help
of his sidekicks, Cordelia and Doyle, Angel is hot on the trail of the woman
who may be responsible for the homicidal mayhem. But Angel is about to find
out that catching up with her is the last thing he wants to do! Surrogates
collects the first three issues of the hit Angel monthly comic series and
follows the vampire avenger as he turns L.A. upside down!] 
Earthly Possessions (5-7; w Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski;
a Christian Zanier & Andy Owens). [From Dark Horse
Comics: While attempting to drive a demon out of a possessed lawyer,
Angel is given a well-timed hand by Father Noe, an excommunicated priest.
Noe seems to be an expert at driving out demons, he's known as "The
Exorcist to the Stars." But Angel has reason to believe there's a darker
reason for the Father's success.] 
Hunting Ground (9-10, Angel stories from Dark Horse Presents 153-155.;
w Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski; a Eric Powell & Paul Lee).
[From Dark Horse Comics: There's a killer tossing dead bodies out
of L.A. sewers like hot potatoes, and all the evidence points Detective
Kate Lockley towards one man: a certain vampire named Angel. But Angel knows
there are a lot more monsters in L.A.—he just doesn't know which one's
trying to set him up. In "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" (from Dark Horse
Presents, colored by Matt Hollingsworth) Cordelia lands the starring role
in a Blair Witch rip-off about three filmmakers searching for the legendary
Helm of Haraxis. But what she doesn't know is that the film is a sham and
the Helm's the real thing. Angel, who smelled a rat from the beginning,
has to rescue Cordelia and her fellow filmmakers from a cabal of Hollywood
demons and angry forest spirits, who all want to keep the Helm of Haraxis
and the power it gives them.] 
Autumnal (12-14; w Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski; a Eric
Powell & Christian Zanier). [From Dark Horse Comics:
Angel searches an abandoned amusement park to rescue a little girl from
a vicious gang of kidnappers. But the kidnappers aren't the only things
Angel must contend with -- he, the girl, and the thugs have to fight their
way past an army of demonic rats! In "Vermin" we find out why
Angel has such a dislike for the furry little buggers. Then in "Little
Girl Lost," Angel investigates a series of bizarre deaths caused by
spontaneous combustion. He soon links the deaths to a teenage runaway and
a demon spellcaster. What's the connection? Angel better find out or he
might be the one in the hot seat.] Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Past Lives (15-16, Buffy 29-30; w Chris
Golden & Tom Sniegoski; a Christian Zanier & Cliff Richards, Joe
Pimentel & Digital Jump). [From Dark Horse Comics:
A huntress is stalking demons in L.A. Normally this would be a good thing,
except she's leaving survivors and telling them Angel sent her. Now Angel
has an army of demons on his tail, hell-bent on revenge. What's a vampire
to do? And how long can his human companions, Cordelia and Wesley, remain
safe? Meanwhile, monsters are fleeing the carnage in L.A. and seeking refuge
in Sunnydale, where they're being dealt with by the Slayer. Buffy, Giles,
and the gang learn about the havoc, and Buffy determines that she must go
to Angel's side to lend a hand; a decision that does not sit at all well
with Buffy's vampire-hunting boyfriend, Riley.] 
Strange Bedfellows and Other Stories (4, 10-11, 17; w Christopher
Golden & Tom Sniegoski; a Eric Powell & Christian Zanier & Marcin
Mariano). [From Dark Horse Comics: The largest book
of Angel stories yet, this volume completes the collection of Angel Volume
1, featuring stores set in the first season of the hit television series.
It sees the evolution of the team of vampire hunters from the very beginning,
through the death of sidekick Doyle. The title story, drawn by Rising Stars
artist Christian Zanier, features a vampire brothel, in which the bloodsucking
madam tries to lure Angel into unholy congress with his own kind. This volume
also features the first solo Cordelia story, in which she and her haunted
apartment defend themselves against a demonic intruder. Collecting issues
#4, #10, #11, and #17 of the ongoing series, plus a story previously available
only in T.V. Guide!] 
Auld Lang Syne (4-issue mini?; w Scott Tipton; a David Messina). [From IDW: While tracking a mysterious cult in Los Angeles in hopes of solving a kidnapping, Angel Finds himself face to face with some familiar faces -- faces he shouldn't be seeing! As if that isn't confusing enough to our embattled vampire with a soul, what is Spike doing lurking around in the shadows? Find out for yourself in this collection featuring the greatest head-to-head Angel/Spike battle ever!] The Curse (5-issue mini; w Jeff Mariotte; a David Messina). [From IDW: Joss Whedon's classic vampire character returns to comics and IDW's got him! This book, collecting issues 1-5 of the Angel: The Curse series and written by fan-favorite Angel author Jeff Mariotte, will be of sure-fire appeal to fans of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel alike.] 
Old Friends (4-issue mini; w Jeff Mariotte; a David Messina). [From IDW: Joss Whedon¹s classic character returns for his next all-new adventure! When a strangely familiar, seemingly vampiric figure is spotted killing victims in Los Angeles, Angel, alone in semi-retired retreat while he figures out what's next for him, is lured back to the city to put a stop to the string of slayings. The case will reunite the vampire with a soul with old friends and old enemiesbut it's impossible to tell which is which! If you¹ve been waiting to see Angel¹s supporting cast join him on a new comic book adventure, this one¹s for you.] 
The Hollower (3-issue mini; w Christopher Golden; a Hector Gomez & Sandu Florea). [From Dark Horse Comics: Buffy the Vampire Slayer has taken television audiences by storm and has brought its rabid audience to the world of comics. And now on the white-hot heels of Buffy's spin-off companion series comes Angel: vampire hero, hunky heartthrob, and new comics icon. Following an encounter with a figure from his past, Angel must now face a horror that he had thought long destroyed: the Hollower, the only natural predator of the vampire. This hideous abomination, however, could hold the key to Angel's salvation . . . or his destruction! And you can bet that if Angel's in danger, a certain Slayer named Buffy's not about to sit on the sidelines!] 
Long Night's Journey (4-issue mini; w Brett Matthews & Joss
Whedon; a Mel Rubi & Chris Dreier). [From Dark Horse
Comics: Angel searches for a kidnapped child and stumbles upon a force
of unspeakable evil and unimaginable power. It seems some insidious character
has an old bone to pick with L.A.'s resident vampire detective. Now Angel
must go toe to toe with some of the toughest monsters around. Artist Mel
Rubi takes us from the darkened mean streets of Los Angeles, to the dizzying
heights of the city's skyscrapers, and face to face with some of the strangest,
most grotesque, and most unsettlingly seductive creatures Angel has ever
faced. Brett Matthews and Angel creator Joss Whedon have retooled and reinvented
Angel, giving us a story that is much too big for the small screen.]
Spotlight (5-issue mini; w Peter David, Jay Faerber, Dan Jolley, Jeff Mariotte, Scott Tipton; a Robert Gill, David Messina, Mike Norton, Mark Pennington, Nicola Scott). [From IDW: This special collection compiles five one-shots focusing on different members of Angel's supporting cast, each from a different creative team -- Peter David and Nicoloa Scott focus on Illyria; Dan Jolly and Mark Pennington handle Gunn; Scott Tipton and Mike Norton feature Wesley; Jeff Mariotte and David Messina present Doyle; And Jay Faerber and Bob Gill offer up a tale of Conner.] Spike
Spike (Old Times, Old Wounds, Lost & Found one-shots; w Peter David, Scott Tipton; a Fernando Goni). [From IDW: Joss Whedon's fan-favorite character Spike goes solo in three extra-length tales collected here. This special trade paperback presents the sold-out "Spike: Old Times," written by Peter David (Fallen Angel), as well as Scott Tipton's "Spike: Old Wounds," and "Spike: Lost & Found" in one attractive collection. All three tales feature photorealistic art from artist Fernando Goni.] 
Spike: Asylum (5-issue mini; w Brian Lynch; a Franco Urru). [From IDW: When the Monahan Family asks Spike to find their daughter Ruby, he accepts. The problem? Ruby's a half-demon and has been checked into the Mosaic Wellness Center, a rehab facility for vampires, demons, and other creatures of the night. The solution -- Spike checks himself in as a patient. But there's another, slightly bigger problem -- the hundreds of super-powered, supernatural patients at Mosaic know Spike, and want him dead. If the therapy doesn't kill him, the other patients will.] 
Spike vs. Dracula (5-issue mini; w Peter David; a Joe Corroney). [From IDW: This work presents an incredible Spike saga spanning centuries! A hundred and twenty years ago, a tribe of gypsies inflicted a terrible curse upon the vampire known as Angelus - a curse that brought a terrible vengeance upon the tribe in the form of Angelus' family: Darla, Drusilla and most notably, William the Bloody, a.k.a. "Spike." But the gypsy clan has a dark and powerful supporter: Count Dracula. Outraged over the slaughter of the gypsies, Dracula seeks revenge upon the three vampires and thus begins a rivalry between Spike and Dracula that will cover decades. It is a rivalry steeped in blood, honor, and eleven quid.] 
Spike Premiere Edition (All of the above). [From IDW: Wisecracking, skull-smashing Spike is out on his own in this oversize Premiere hardcover collection from IDW. Whether he's chasing Dracula through the ages (Spike vs. Dracula), investigating an unusual "treatment" center (Spike: Asylum) or just mixing it up with his old enemies (Spike: Old Times, Spike: Old Wounds, Spike: Lost & Found), Spike keeps his cool -- and it shows. Presented in a special oversized format for the first time, this collector's edition is sure to make the Spike fans in your life "vamp out" all over again.] 
Spike: Shadow Puppets (5-issue mini?; w Brian Lynch; a Franco Urru). [From IDW: Angel once put a stop to an evil children’s show, but not before being turned into a puppet during his fight. Now, fresh out of the Asylum, it’s Spike’s turn! Writer Brian Lynch and artist Franco Urru, the creative force behind the all-new Angel: After the Fall series, are reunited in this collection that sees Spike and Lorne heading off to Japan to stop the latest Japanese kids’ show… Smile Time! Will they become “puppetized” themselves? And along the way, find themselves in a fight with hundreds of ninja-puppets, reuniting with fellow Asylum inmates, and be at extreme odds with one other? We’re not telling (but, um, yes)! Featuring a cover gallery by Urru and David Messina and annotations by Lynch!] Fray
Fray: Future Slayer (8-issue mini; w Joss Whedon;
a Karl Moline & Andy Owens). [From Dark Horse Comics:
Hundreds of years in the future, Manhattan has become a deadly slum, run
by mutant crime-lords and disinterested cops. Stuck in the middle is a young
girl who thought she had no future, but learns she has a great destiny.
In a world so poisoned that it doesn't notice the monsters on its streets,
how can a street kid like Fray unite a fallen city against a demonic plot
to consume mankind? Joss Whedon, the celebrated creator of Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, brings his vision to the future in this unique tale. As inventive
in the comics medium as in that of television or film, Whedon spins a complex
tale of a skilled thief coming of age without the help of friends or family,
guided only by a demonic Watcher.] Book of the Week 11/26/03