Willow and Spike Spin-Offs Coming From Dark Horse

Entertainment Weekly, which was all over the news of the now-in-limbo Drusilla miniseries, has news on new Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoffs. Accompanying the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine and Angel and Faith comics will be miniseries starring Willow and Spike. Marvel mainstays Jeff Parker and Victor Gischler are attached to the projects; Gischler will write the five-issue Spike mini scheduled for August, while Parker tackles Willow in November.

Drusilla Comic off the Schedule

In disappointing news for fans of Buffy and Angel, The Juliet Landau-written Drusilla miniseries has been removed from Dark Horse's publishing schedule. The series, which was set to release it's first issue in June, was cancelled on the grounds of "unavoidable scheduling issues," though it's not clear whether it was Landau's schedule or one of her collaborators such as artist Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), nor is it known whether the mini will one day see print.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Sale This Weekend from Dark Horse Digital

Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics are on sale through midnight Sunday, February 19, from Dark Horse Digital Comics. Buffy Season 8 issues #16-#20 are discounted to $0.99, and bundles are also available at discounted prices. Check out to https://digital.darkhorse.com/genre/43/ for the bargain slayage.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6 Preview

Nikki's in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6 from writer Andrew Chambliss and artist Georges Jeanty, in stores February 1.

The uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy's trail again--but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6 Geoges Jeanty cover

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #6 Phil Noto cover

'Buffy Season 9' Cover Honors 'Tomb of Dracula'

Georges Jeanty continues his run of brilliant, clever variants for the Dark Horse Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics with this cover for Buffy Season 9 #6. In addition to teasing the return of fan-favorite slayer Nikki, this issue pays tribute to Marvel's classic Tomb of Dracula.

The uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy's trail again--but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.

Angel & Faith #6 Preview

Here's a look at Angel & Faith #6 from writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs, in stores January 25.

A mysterious illness is plaguing the streets of London and turning everyday humans into emotionless killers. The Watcher's Files, which may be the key to unraveling this mystery, have led Angel and Faith to seek out a demon from Giles's past for answers. Meanwhile a peculiar friend and foe returns to London and to Angel's inner circle.

* Executive producer Joss Whedon!

* A great jumping-on point!

'Angel' Digital Comics on Sale from Dark Horse

Those who know me know I'm a hardcore Joss Whedon fan and of his many, many wonderful properties, none holds as much of my affection as Angel. Maybe it's his flaws, his search for redemption, any of the traits that make him so damn lovable yet forever doomed to struggle. He's the vampire antihero to which all others aspire, and as a member of the Buffyverse he has a long run of great comics from Dark Horse. That tradition continues to this day, with the excellent Angel and Faith from Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs. But Angel has deeper roots at Dark Horse than that, great comics going back to the first days of the late Angel television show. Those comics are on sale now from Dark Horse Digital, many stand alone issues at half-off ($0.99), discounted bundles with story lines and multi-issue packs, and - also $0.99 - The Cordelia Special.

They're all awesome comics, and if I didn't have them all in a longbow I'd be buying them today while this sale lasts. Fans of Joss, Buffy, and Vampire action would be remiss to pass this up.

Check out the Angel Dark Horse Digital sale today, I'm pretty sure it's the last day of a weekend deal.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #5 Preview

Zompire Scoobies invade Buffy's subconscious in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #5, in stores January 11, featuring art from Fray's Karl Moline.

Buffy's dreams have become all too real lately as she deals with a magicless world. She's still fighting creatures of the night, as Willow and Xander grow distant and nightmares plague the Slayer. But something is telling Buffy that there is more to her dreams than meets the eye . . . and that her greatest fears may yet become reality!

* Series writer Andrew Chambliss (Dollhouse, The Vampire Diaries) and guest artist Karl Moline (Fray).

* Executive producer Joss Whedon!

New Buffy Collections Coming in 2012 From Dark Horse

Dark Horse Comics is bringing Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the bookshelves with two new collections just announced for 2012.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 is being collected in four hardcover volumes. The first volume, the first two story arcs of the series, hits stores on May 30.

This hardcover edition contains the first two arcs of the series (Buffy Season 8 #1–#10), written by Joss Whedon and Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Runaways), with art by the acclaimed Georges Jeanty. It includes two one-shots, a cover gallery, and exclusive, never-before-seen sketch material!

After the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers—newly legion—have gotten organized, but it’s not long before new and old enemies begin popping up. Buffy, Xander, Willow, and a very different Dawn are introduced to the season’s big bad, Twilight, and are only beginning to understand the incredible reach of this mysterious threat. Meanwhile, rebel Slayer Faith teams up with Giles to handle a menace on the other side of the Atlantic. It’s a dirty job, and Faith is just the girl to do it!

August 1 sees the release of Freefall, the first trade paperback collecting Buffy season 9.

Season 8 ended with a bang that cut the world off from magic—culminating in another set of world-ending problems. Buffy has left her best friend, Willow, powerless, and brought an end to a millennia-long tradition of superpowered girls. By day, Buffy is a twenty-something waitress with no real direction, and even though magic is gone, she’s still a vampire Slayer by night. Bigger problem? Vampires are becoming an epidemic . . . of zompires!

Written by series creator Joss Whedon and Andrew Chambliss of the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, Freefall collects Buffy Season 9 #1–#5! On sale August 1, 2012.