Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1

Writer: Jordie Bellaire Artist: Dan Mora Publisher: Boom! Studios Release Date: January 23, 2019 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 25 User Reviews: 15
8.5Critic Rating
7.9User Rating

• Go back to the beginning as the critically acclaimed pop culture phenomenon Buffy The Vampire Slayer is reimagined under the guidance of series creator Joss Whedon.
• This is the Buffy Summers you know, who wants what every average teenager wants: friends at her new school, decent grades, and to escape her imposed destiny as the next in a long line of vampire slayers tasked with defeating the forces of evil.
• But her world looks a lot more like the one outside your window, as Eisner Award-Nominated writer Jordie Bellaire (Redlands) and Russ Manning Award-Winner Dan Mora (Saban's Go Go Power Rangers) bring Buffy into a new er more

  • 10
    Comics: The Gathering - Nathan Koffler Jan 23, 2019

    Boom! Studios has hit a homerun by rebooting a Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book series and executing it perfectly. This first issue is thrilling and humorous and is guaranteed to make some old Buffy fans happy while also collecting some new ones. Read Full Review

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - Kate Sanchez Jan 23, 2019

    Overall, it's a testament to the talent of the creative team that I am able to hear the voices of the actors when I read the dialogue, or immediately feel like I'm watching a new pilot as I flip the pages. With the book sold out before it even launches and already announced for third reprinting, I hope every Scooby out there feels the same. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Horror DNA - James Ferguson Feb 5, 2019

    A new Buffy series is going to come under a lot of scrutiny, as the TV show is near and dear to so many people. I'm happy to say that this book delivers on everything you know and love about the show and then some. It has the same witty dialogue, action-packed fight scenes, and fun characters, but with a fresh, new take. It's sure to delight new and old fans alike. Read Full Review

  • 9.8
    The Brazen Bull - Jaimee Nadzan Jan 23, 2019

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 is a fantastic debut issue. Jordan Bellaire writes Buffy as the same thoughtful, spunky slayer that fans love, but with playful new twists. Dan Mora's art and Ral Angulo's colors bring the Bellaire's script to life, striking that perfect balance between soft and intense. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - Jason A. Fleece Jan 23, 2019

    This debut issue is a promising beginning, reuniting the reader with beloved characters and dropping seeds for new and exciting storylines. After years at Dark Horse, its clear that moving the Buffy franchise to Boom! Studios was a great opportunity to revitalize the beloved property. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Corps - Sophie Buijsen Jan 23, 2019

    The writing of this reboot has captured the voices of the original cast well, and Dan Mora has done a brilliant job reimagining modern looks for the characters (well, excluding Giles obviously). In the next issue we will be introduced to the reboot's first Big Bad, and given the ending of this comic and the cover of next month's issue; I can't wait! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Robert Reed Jan 14, 2019

    Ultimately, Jordie Bellaire and Dan Mora have found the right pace for this new adventure. Rather than rush through a Wikipedia section of "Differences from the Source Material," Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 makes its mark by putting the characters first. Strong character moments make the book stand out, and that makes it the perfect new start. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - Gemma Koreski Jan 22, 2019

    A fun and punchy re-invention of Buffy, BOOM! is off to a good start here. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Jan 23, 2019

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 manages to reboot a long-running franchise without losing its core appeal. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jan 23, 2019

    Dan Mora has some beautiful art in this first issue. All of the characters look great and there is an amazing sequence in the cemetery that allows the art to standout. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Darryll Robson Jan 22, 2019

    Reinventing a classic in the best possible way. The creators show respect for the original source material while producing an outstanding first issue. Buffy The Vampire Slayer is set to impress and shock you all over again. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Comic Watch - C. A. Wylie Jan 24, 2019

    The first issue drew me in with its differences. I am curious where Boom! Studios will take the story. It was a strong first installment that kept the heart of the original, but gives it a modern flavor. Looking forward to the next issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Geeked Out Nation - Jideobi Odunze Jan 23, 2019

    Our welcome back to the Hellmouth for the first time was indeed worth the wait. My confidence about this new start to Buffy The Vampire Slayer was shaky up to this point, but right now I feel that we are already in a comfortable place after the events of this first issue. This was endearing, it had action, and it reminded us of the true vulnerabilities these characters faced in their early days. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Sequential Planet - Marcus Orchard Jan 19, 2019

    The Scooby Gang is back and adjusting to the modern era well. This is a great read for both fans and newcomers. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Big Comic Page - Jonathan Mullen Jan 23, 2019

    An impressively strong start then, and if youre a fan of Buffy Id highly recommend picking this one up. Youll find the same quality found in early episodes of the TV show here but its packaged in such a way as to make it feel remarkably fresh and exciting for all of us whove seen it before. So if youre new to Buffy or you just miss it being a part of your life, this gets an easy recommendation from me. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Jan 23, 2019

    As fun as this book feels, I am not sure of the reason for it. Dark Horse has previously published the Buffy book set after the TV show as cannon which was really popular. So why go back to the start and re-vamp (no pun intended) the whole thing? I am sure that there will be elements of fun as we get to meet the newer versions of Mr Pointy, Kendra, Spike, Angel, Faith et al but is that enough for you to buy into this book? Whilst I am on the fence at this stage, the quality of the work and clear love for the show is evident throughout the books pages . Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Multiversity Comics - Jonathan O'Neal Jan 24, 2019

    Boom! Studios's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" gets off to a nice start with a solid first issue that hopefully sets a course for more outlandish and creative risks to come. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Jamie Lovett Jan 23, 2019

    Buffy fans new and old will likely find themselves hooked on this modern reimagining of the Buffyverse. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Milo Milton Jefferies Jan 25, 2019

    The book ticks all the right boxes for what a Buffy comic should do and it's clear that the creative team have a love and understanding of the series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Jan 30, 2019

    There are some differences including introducing Anya in the new series' first issue not as a vengeance demon but as an underground broker of mystical artifacts. Also noticeable by their absence are Cordelia, Angel, and the Master. Nor do we see Dawn, so it seems Buffy will start high school sister-free. I'll be curious to see who makes the cut into the new Buffyverse (and what other differences may be in store for all involved). Worth a look. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Richard Gray Jan 25, 2019

    While some may feel that Buffy is just fine without a reboot, try thinking of this as a journey through the Buffy Multiverse (or Tuna Verse) where you know all the players but everything else is up for grabs. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes Jan 26, 2019

    An enjoyable first issue that's a fine introduction for new fans that maintains enough familiar elements to please faithful followers. It will take a while for me to get used to the changes in the story, but this was fun. The visuals are good, with the majority of characters resembling their television personas and the action being solid. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    Word Of The Nerd - Brent Jackson Jan 23, 2019

    All in all, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 was a good start for BOOM! Studios' updated relaunch of the series. As someone who has no feelings for the show good or bad, I had a pretty good time. Jordie Bellaire did a good job of bringing the reader into the story and not letting you feel lost or like you had missed something. The art team is excellent and, as always, does an incredible job. I would be very interested to hear from actual Buffy fans what they thought of the issue in the comments. For me, though, this has me on for at least a few more issues; and, hey, it might light that fire to start season 1 episode 1! Read Full Review

  • 7.3
    On Comics Ground - Bailie Scheer Jan 25, 2019

    We're back to the beginning but is that a good thing? Hopefully it gets better as we progress. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Jan 24, 2019

    When I first read about BOOM! Studios' plans for their Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, it reminded me a lot of Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley's UltimateSpider-Manor Stjepan Sejic's sadly shortlived Switch.These comics were contemporary takes on the classic characters, Spider-Man and Witchblade respectively, and introduced their mythos to new fans. However, cheesy effects and bad fashion choices aside, “Welcome to the Hellmouth” does a better job of introducing Buffy, Willow, and Xander than this comic so it fails at being a gateway to these pop culture icons for a new generation of fans. Dan Mora is one hell of an artist though. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Psycamorean Jan 24, 2019

    This was really cool! I'm a huge fan of both Buffy and Angel, so I had to check out this reboot. This is like if they took the later elements of the show, such as Willow's lesbianism, Anya and the magic shop, Buffy getting a job, and infused it into the earlier parts of the series. With just a little hint of Angel in there, too, with the inclusion of Wolfram and Hart. And also it's modern. But that doesn't really take away from the charm that the show had, which is probably always a worry when they attempt a "modern reboot". But yeah, I loved this. I don't know if it is as great for people who didn't see the show. If you've never seen Buffy before, you could start here. I just think that maybe without knowing these characters, you won't be more

  • 8.5
    KFuqua Jan 24, 2019

    Off to a really good start. I look forward to more.

  • 6.5
    Simon DelMonte Jan 23, 2019

    Did the critics read the same comic I did? The story was bland and undermined the art and script.

  • 3.0
    Full Spread Jan 25, 2019

    SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    I would consider myself a fan of the show. It's got plenty of problems (whether we're talking episodes, seasons, or "Go Fish"), but it's overall well paced, has brilliant character arcs, and overwhelming charisma.

    So it's an accursed shame that this reboot(?) is so clumsy. I can't imagine somebody completely new to Buffy getting anything out of this. There's no weight to anything here. #1 feels like a sped-up "best of hits" only understandable by somebody who already knows the original source material. On the other hand, I can't imagine preexisting fans getting any enjoyment from this rushed, illogical cluster**** of the original's acute vision.

    Willow is a shell of wha more

  • 10
    Raist819 Mar 9, 2019

  • 10
    wadrz Feb 13, 2019

  • 10
    Greg Hound Jan 23, 2019

  • 9.0
    axdn Jan 23, 2019

  • 8.5
    aquarius Feb 2, 2019

  • 8.5
    mikesbr42 Jan 27, 2019

  • 8.0
    Khan/Murdock Nov 12, 2022

  • 8.0
    EvilPenguin543 Jan 29, 2019

  • 8.0
    Jason The Dude Jan 23, 2019

  • 7.0
    Soos X Feb 24, 2019

  • 4.5
    Raspiutin Jan 24, 2019

Reviews for the Week of...

November

October

More