Tales of the Vampires

I enjoyed reading Tales of the Vampires very much. I have missed BTVS ever since it ended in 2003 and this provided me with a much needed fix. I also found the artwork to be pretty cool. And as everyone keeps pointing out to me special effects are a lot easier in comic books than on tv.

Absent the Buffy series this is the closest we can come (along with the Buffy Season 8 comics)

Where "Tales of the Slayers" was entertaining, "Tales of the Vampires" is, to say the least, a spectacular collection of stories tied together by a first-rate tale which gives insight into the mythology of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It's the best Buffyverse comic that I've read (other than Season Eight and Spike: Asylum, of course), and that's saying a lot. This collection simply has so much to offer. There's stories with drama, stories with depth, stories that explore and expand the mythology, and a few simply funny tales. It's clear to see that this was penned by people who loved writing for the show (Whedon, Espenson, Goddard) and others who loved watching the show (anyone with eyes/ears). While "Tales of the Vampires" can be described as a collection of short graphic stories about vampires, it also tells a cohesive story about one vampire named Roche telling tales of the undead to a group of young watchers. As the stories unfold, it is simply a pleasure to see the young watcher named Edna realize what Roche's true reason for telling these tales is. The Roche/Edna plot that unfolds over the length of this book is written by Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy and Angel. Some of the most interesting stories in this edition are about vampires we've never met before, but what fans will surely be most interested in is the stories about characters who have already been established in the Buffyverse. There are plenty of those. Spike and Drusilla's love story in "The Problem With Vampires" is touching, classic, and leads right up to their first appearance in the show. "Antique" is the first we hear of Buffy since the end of the series (this is pre-season eight) and it has her battling with Dracula for Xander's freedom. The closing story is one about Angel called "Numb" which takes place during the Season Three episode "Amends." It expands on the dreams that are tormenting Angel about his past, and has some of the most beautiful comic art I've ever seen. It really fits with the snowy mood of the episode. The writing, as I mentioned above, is top-notch. The art, different for each story, is almost always great--except for, perhaps, the depiction of Buffy, Xander, and Dracula in "Antique." A bit to blagh for me. But all else is well. If you're interested in vampires, Buffy, comics, or are currently reading "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight", then this is the book for you. 9/10

An amalgam of stories about vampires - familiar vampires, new vampires, male vampires, female vampires, modern vampires, vampires of old. What makes them different, alien, and what makes them just like us. All set in the frame of an old, chained story-telling vampire, deep in the catacombs beneath the Watcher's Guild. Brilliant, imaginative, often lyrical, and highly enjoyable.

I grew up reading japanese mangas and therefore not very into american comic books in general. At least that was my impression about classics such as Superman or Spiderman. Hence I am very nicely surprised when I received and read my copies of Tales of the Slayers (not to be confused with the Tales of the Slayer Series) and Tales of the Vampires. Both books are mostly written by the writers on the BTVS show. Both books are very much similar in style and in quality. I put down the comparison so that people who had read the other book can get a rough idea how this book is. Each story is a very well-structured short story with interesting twist. Sophiscted enough for adult readers such as myself. It is fun to see the diverse styles in art and in script in this book. I like that the art plays just as important a part as the story. It's very similar to the kind of manga I read, only that this is even more fun since it is in full color. A plus for the Buffyverse fans. Angel, Spike and Drusilla, together with Giles' parents are featured in this book. There is also a hilarious story starring Dracula, Xander and Buffy Summers! I wish to see Joss Whedon and team writing more vampire stories, and I can't wait for the sequal in the Fray series to come out soon enough.