Happy Birthday Michelle!

We love you! Hope you have a fantastic birthday!

How awesome is this cake from fairytale frosting ? 

We Have an Advance copy of Buffy Issue #34 - Translation: "OMFGWTFCAKES!"

Michelle's take:
Scott Allie just gave me the bestest birthday present ever - Buffy Issue #34, two days early. That's right people, I've read it and wow, I'm just...wow. I've read some speculation on fan sites today and all I keep screaming in my head is, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" I'm not going to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that this issue is filled with lots and lots of information and lots and lots of...well, everything! If you're looking for Buffy and Buffy to move in a different direction then I'd say this issue is for you. If you're an extreme shipper on any side of the fence, I'd say, hold onto your hats for this one. The art is fantastic and the issue is choc full of lore. Every issue since #32 has had me jonesing for the next and this one's no exception. If I had money in internet stock right now, I'd sell because I'm pretty sure the internets might explode tomorrow.

Tara's take:

Michelle's birthday has become all of our birthday because I read it too and whoa-oah! This issue is Cra-a-azy! To quote Ryan "JOSS!" ::with fists in the air:: What can I say without SAYING it? Well, issue #34 definitely over the top in a way that only a comic could be (or I guess a blockbuster movie with a huge effects/costume/actor budget.) My mouth was open the entire time. It's totally and completely shocking, in more ways than one.

I'm not going to even pretend to gauge fan reaction to this one. Nope, not me! I can't even deal. I'll be over here assuming crash position...with popcorn, of course.

Bitsy's take:
What to say, really, without giving it away? I don't even think the issue can be fully processed on a single read. What's interesting is that a lot of things get explained but I still don't have a clue what's going on or why. There are so many layers to this story and the scope is so big that, the more you know, the more you don't. I feel like Brad's arc is saying "Hey, everybody? You're totally screwed. I've got to go but, here, I'll let Joss explain to you just exactly how screwed you really are." Oh, and one other thing: Buffy? I guess she's done baking because her and Angel are making cookies like there's no tomorrow. By the way: it's possible that there actually is no tomorrow.

You look Horribly 8-bit, Doctor

If there is one thing I might love more than the Whedonverse, it's old video games.  So imagine my delight when I started hearing that artist and musician, Doctor Octoroc, was working on an 8-bit version of Doctor Horrible's Sing-along Blog.  A few tracks were released here and there but now, at long last, the first act is out.  I'm embedding the video here but please see the high quality version at his site here.  Remember: it takes hard work to bring something this amazing to fans so, if you're so inclined, please donate or buy his amazing Christmas album, 8-bit Jesus.  Here's the video:

Exclusive Look at the Buffy #37 Cover (Spoiler)

We just got this, so make of it what you will. I know I'm scared!

Clearing Up Some Dark Horse News

With all the information coming out about Whedonverse comics this weekend it's hard to keep up, but some Dark Horse news from WonderCon today confused us. We spoke to Super Scott Allie this evening and it seems as if some of those things are either not new or not entirely accurate. Here's a run down:

Confirming S9 is old news, Scott has been quoted as such quite a few times now in previous interviews. Also, no specific creative decisions have been made about the length or style of Buffy Season 9, nor has an artist been finalized. Georges has said publicly he'd like to be involved somehow, but it doesn't sound like he'll be the main artist.

Finally, regarding the Dollhouse comic announcement, Dark Horse mentioned Dollhouse a while back, but has taken that announcement back repeatedly over the last five months. There is nothing new to report about it at this time. Hope that clears things up!

HUGE NEWS: IDW snags True Blood License

Huge news coming from Wonder Con. IDW will be bringing True Blood to the land of sequential art. This is a huge win for IDW who has already brought characters from Angel, Doctor Who, Star Trek, Transformers, and G.I. Joe to comics not to mention original series like Locke & Key and 30 Days of Night.

The series has been co-plotted by none other than Alan Ball himself. It will be co-written by Angel editor Mariah Huehner and author of previous IDW title Star Trek: Year Four and the upcoming Angel: Barbary Coast mini David Tischman. Keeping with the Angel theme, we'll have artwork from from fan favorite, David Messina who is currently doing the pencil work for Bill Williams' back up Angel story about Eddie Hope. Covers will come from David Messina, Joe Corroney, Andrew Currie, and the absolutely amazing J. Scott Campbell.

I am unbelievably thrilled at this news. True Blood has become a favorite of mine and definitely satisfies some of my old Buffy cravings. Seeing it in comic form is going to be such a treat and it's fantastic to see Alan Ball on board. Here's the official press release via HBO:

Alan Ball’s hit HBO series, the sensually sizzling story of the lives and loves of vampires, mind readers, and all manner of creature, comes to comics with IDW Publishing! This six-issue series kicks off in July, and True Blood fans can pre-order exclusively with HBO.com!

In this tantalizing series spinning out of the hit show, blood and sex mix on a hot rainy night at Merlotte's, when Sookie and her friends are trapped by a vengeful spirit who feeds on shame. People die and dirty secrets are revealed as Sookie, Bill, Eric, Sam, Tara, Jason, and Lafayette and are all coerced to dig deep and tell painful memories from their past—those things we all have locked within us that we never tell another living soul!

Bon Temps, Louisiana has never been stranger, or more twisted, than in this story co-plotted by TRUE BLOOD series creator Alan Ball, with a script by David Tischman (Bite Club) and Mariah Huehner, featuring lush art by David Messina.

* Bonus inside every issue: an exclusive pullout gatefold poster by David Messina!

EDIT: and here is the press release from IDW:

San Diego, CA (April 2, 2010) - HBO and IDW Publishing are thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership to produce a multiple, all-new comic book series based on the network's hit show True Blood.  Premiering at San Diego Comic-Con in July, this sexy, visually striking comic series will add new and unique layers of supernatural drama to the wildly original Emmy^®- and Golden Globe^®-winning television show.  Developed closely with the show's Oscar^®-winning creator, Alan Ball (HBO's Six Feet Under, American Beauty), IDW's True Blood series are the exclusive, official comics for the show and will be available in both print and digital formats.

"I am very excited to be introducing the True Blood comic book series," stated Ball.  "These graphic novels are a great companion to the series and we are pleased that the popularity of the show is allowing it to branch out into different mediums."

The first six-issue True Blood comic series offers the same erotically-charged romance, wry humor and intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for. The plot was developed with Ball, along with series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, and co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner.  Beautifully illustrated by top tier artist David Messina, the series captures all the bloody details and sexy reveals of this exciting new adventure.  Renowned artist J. Scott Campbell will join Messina in providing covers for each issue.

The comic series will explore the ongoing adventures of telepathic heroine Sookie Stackhouse, her vampire lover Bill Compton, best friend Tara Thornton, enigmatic and ancient vampire sheriff Eric Northman, loyal boss Sam Merlotte, brother Jason Stackhouse, perpetual-virgin vampire Jessica, and the flamboyant cook/drug dealer Lafayette Reynolds.

In the first storyline, Sookie and the rest of Bon Temps find themselves waiting in Merlotte's bar for a strangely portentous raging storm to subside.  Soon, they discover they've been trapped by an entity that feeds off of raw emotions and begins killing off the patrons one by one until his hunger is sated.

"True Blood is one of the most exciting dramas on television and has been eagerly anticipated by comics fans for a long time," said IDW CEO, Ted Adams. "We are very excited to bring more of this great entertainment franchise to fans."


True Blood #1 (of 6, 32 pages, full color, $3.99) will be available in stores in July.

We Have a Winner of The March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney - The Worst of the Lot!

But what has he won, really? Well, pretty much the hatred, disgust and frustration of many. The rolling eyes and frowns when he graces our screens. The urge to write Joss Whedon some good ole' fandom hate mail. That's right, by a slim margin of only 5 votes against Warren, "The Worst of the Lot" is:

Connor (no real last name)!

(also known as Connor Angel, Steven Franklin Thomas Holtz, Connor Reilly and The Destroyer)

As a child of two dead people, Angel and Darla (also no last names), Connor's birth is an impossible one, despite being prophesied, and concerns much of the show's third season. From his parents he has inherited many vampire-like powers and abilities. After the infant's painful estrangement from his father, he returns toward the end of the third season as an emotionally inexperienced and mentally unstable teenager who has grown up in a hell dimension and harbors resentment toward Angel.

Later, he had sex with Angel's love interest at that time, Cordelia Chase, whose body, unbeknownst to Connor, was actually being inhabited by the morally ambiguous fallen goddess Jasmine. This results in a mystical pregnancy birthing Jasmine herself, but not after a little kidnapping and murder of an innocent virgin to make it happen! By the end of Season 4 he was a faithful servant of Jasmine but finally had to kill her as well, which sends Connor down a twisted path of mass murder/suicide by bomb. In the end, Angel had to make a deal with the evil Wolfram & Hart to save Connor by killing him and raping the minds of everyone in the series, as he felt he had no other choice. Yay! (Read more about Connor, not that you'd want to from these results, here)

Connor is played by Vincent Kartheiser, who is currently playing another douche on the series Mad Men along with fellow Whedonverse alum Christina Hendricks.

Click here to see how the entire month of hatred went down!

Thanks so much to everyone who played this year's March Madness! We'll have another tourney in the fall for September Silliness, it's tradition now.

How To Throw Your Own Spuffyfest

Holy Spuffaliciousness! Having a Spuffy party a.k.a "Spuffyfest" can be as simple as getting a few friends together and Spuffying it up!

The Menu:
"Spuffalo Wings"
"Those Onion Blossom Things"

For the drinkers in the house, we suggest:
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktails
or
Bloody Marys

Spike is a vamp after all. So Blood=Yes, Garlic=No. ;)

The Episodes:
Well, we've been doing 'fest parties for years now and trust us, more than 3 eps becomes a problem. Of course it's up to you to decide for yourself, but we suggest you take a poll shortly after guests arrive and choose 3 eps or pass a hat around for people to pull 3 eps from. Some great Spuffy examples to choose from would be the following:

Halloween, Something Blue, Crush, Afterlife, OM,WF, Smashed, Wrecked, As You Were, Touched

There are, of course, many others.

The Games:
The Buffy Fantasy Game (right click, download here). It's an interactive DVD type game created by Julia, resident TV Geek at VelvetParkMedia.com. Great party game!

The Music:
May we suggest something in this free download (right click, save as). It's the Spuffy classic "Don't Spuff 'til You Spuff Enough".

Enjoy!

The Terrible Two: March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney - The Worst of the Lot

Holy shazbot!  It's the end, but the moment has been well prepared for... by poll daddy.  Sidebar: poll daddy is a number one jam.

So this is it, the dirty dos.  In two days we'll know, through the extremely scientific mode that is fan polling, who the worst of the worst in the Whedonverse is.  Before we get there though, let's reveal two folks who got the call from the governor just before we could pull the switch.

Kathy Newman - You really went the distance, didn't you?  You're a testament to just how much people hate cohabitation with Celine Dion fans.  Lesson learned: French Canadians are the devil.
Parker - I will never have sex with you, Parker.  Your eyebrows filled me with rage.  Get out of here before me and Buffy bust out the caveman clubs.

Here we go.  It's the dude with no skin vs. the dude who has sex with his dad's cast-offs.  Who will get an honorary degree in horribleness.  Cast your vote and make it count!

It will end in 48 hrs this time - April 2nd at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out the opponents below and if you're playing, make sure to click the name you DISLIKE.
Click here to view the full Tournament Bracket, updated with the winners so far.

I can't stress this enough...DON'T CLICK ON YOUR FAVORITES, VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITE!

We Don't Always Post the Comic Preview Pages

...but these seem particularly intriguing. Spoilers below for the Buffy issue out next Wednesday, April 7th! Click below to enlarge:

See? Ooooh, with the drama and the funny and the worried and the confusion. Things are not going to go well, my people. Not well at all.

Courtesy of Newsarama.

Here's sneak peak into what we thought:

Michelle: So Willow is just guessing about what Giles know, right?
Tara: I'm not sure, but it seems as if she's just talking about feeling an energy in the air, right?
Bitsy: I assumed that Willow has known since the end of the last issue tanks to the power of ZOMG magic.

Michelle: Is the Rorchach inkblot supposed to represent Buffy and Angel kissing?
Tara: I thought the same thing!
Bitsy: I wonder if it's supposed to be a test for the fans. Some people see Buffy and Angel kissing while others see their worst nightmares come to life while I sit in a plush chair in front of a fireplace, sipping chianti and laughing maniacally.

Michelle: Why are Warren and Andrew still here? Their stupid fight gave me a flashback to the annoying-ness of their stupid fights in Season 6.
Tara: Agree! Actually, as soon as I saw Warren walk in with his stupid skinless self I was like WTF is he even doing in this whole season! UGH! Wish he wins the tourney!
Bitsy: I think that Warren and Andrew are comic book nerds and that this book is written and edited by comic book nerds so it's not surprising seeing them take up some of the stage. I found it pretty amusing myself and you know how I feel about those two.

Michelle: Love "Ben is Glory."
Tara: Love
Bitsy: Love Angel Music Baby - the solo album by Gwen Stefani.

Michelle: Xander's "Angel is a douche and I am inferior" complex is boiling up in this preview.
Tara: He is SUCH a douche! Although I did chuckle a little when he said "Willow do a spell!"
Bitsy: I guess I'm a citizen of douche city because I totally got where he was coming from. If I were Xander, I'd probably be on full offensive.

Michelle: Willow's line "With these two being apart as long as they have" reminds me of Cordelia's comment about them in "I Will Remember You"
Tara: This is the one thing that actually annoyed me, though. They haven't been apart that long (1.5 yrs plus how ever long S.8 has been) and they weren't all like this during "Forever" or "End of Days" so WTF?
Bitsy: I thought the Comics take place like two years after the tv finale? It's been a while, I think and, plus, some stuff has happened in season eight. Like lots and lots of stuff. Conclusion? Stuff.

Michelle: Is that drawing of Buffy and Angel from the past or now? They look young (and the drawing of Angel is horrible)
Tara: Agree that the Angel drawing is terrible...thought the same thing.
Bitsy: It does look really off. I think Georges is still struggling with drawing Angel.

Michelle: I love Buffy's voice over and how it coincides/juxtaposes with what's happening in the story. So creepy.
Tara: Totally, it's so dark and moody and she's so happy and the whole thing is whacked out in a great way!
Bitsy: It's the side of Buffy I've been hoping to see, the side of her that's just had enough and will embrace a chance at happiness even if it means pain for everyone later. Can't say I blame her.

The Failure Four - March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney: The Worst of the Lot

I was going to say "The Fearsome Four" but, at this point, it's best not to kid ourselves.  These final four contestants represent the absolute bottom of the class, like telemarketing knock-off Snuggies to the elderly kind of bad.  Before we can yell at them for calling us during dinner, though, we need to bid a fond adieu to the four who only barely escaped by the skin of their fictional teeth.

Senator Helen Bruckner -  I never thought she was so bad.  I mean... it's not like she's (insert Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton depending upon your party affiliation here) or something!  Am I right?
Gwendolyn Post - You knocked out Giles.  Congratulations on accomplishing something that happens like every third episode, lady.
Rack - Just a general note: telling a girl she tastes like strawberries makes you super gross master 5000.  Also?  Your name means "boobies".
Numero Cinco - I've got a soft spot for the Number Brothers, myself.  Why Numero Cinco got treated like a steaming pile of numero dos, I'll never understand.  Adios, mi amigo.


This poll will end in 48 hrs this time - March 30th at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out the opponents below and if you're playing, make sure to click the name you DISLIKE.
Click here to view the full Tournament Bracket, updated with the winners so far.

I can't stress this enough...DON'T CLICK ON YOUR FAVORITES, VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITE!

Now onto the Fail Four. It's a Celine Dion fan, roommate from a super lame hell dimension vs. a robot-making, murdering, date rapist and a really bad one-night stand vs. a prophecized child from two vampires who has a bit of a lady's haircut.  Begin!

B is for Buffy!

This is the most amazingly geeked out alphabet with some great art to boot. Check out Neil Cameron's "A-Z of Awesomeness" which is a damn near perfect gift, people. Our affinity to the letters "B" and "J" are obvious, of course.

If you'd like to purchase a poster of the full alphabet, click here. All profits are donated to SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn And their Parents), a charity which supports the Intensive Special Care Nurseries (Neonatal Unit) at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

The Elite Eight - March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney: The Worst of the Lot

I'm not sure "elite" is the word we should be using here.  The Evil Eight?  The Hate Eight?  Yeah, I like that.  Hate Eight.  You picked 'em because they're probably not the sort of people you'd like to run into at speed dating.  But before we can get to that, let's see who managed to just barely skate by.

Balthazar - be fat shamed no more, buddy.   You're a free bowl full of evil, demonic jelly.
Der Kindestod - You look like a kiddie toucher to me but we're still letting you loose on the streets.  First, though, go door to door and introduce yourself.
Jesse - I heard you went on to be very good looking to girls who are into incredibly smarmy dudes.  Good on you, I guess.
Izzy the Devil - I think you being around this long was straight up racism.  Whedon fans hate red people.  I bet you they hate the Red Ranger from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, too.  WTH, man?
Justine Cooper - You hereby officially regain your bucket.  You feel free to do your business with slightly greater ease than letting loose on the floor.
The Anointed One - If you put a little mustache on this kid I swear he'd look like mini Hitler but, since he's a youngin', I guess he gets the pass
Veruca - I can't believe you're out.  You are the perfect mixture of vinegar and water.  Truly the Summer's Eve of the Buffyverse.  You're lucky, dude.  So lucky.
Uncle Enyos - So you think you are Uncle Calendar now?  I dunno, dude.  I got nothin'.  Beat it.

This poll will end in 48 hrs this time - March 28th at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out the opponents below and if you're playing, make sure to click the name you DISLIKE.
Click here to view the full Tournament Bracket, updated with the winners so far.



Now onto the Hate Eight.  What could be worse than fat, child molesting, smarmy, red, buckety, fascist, uncle douche bags?

I can't stress this enough...DON'T CLICK ON YOUR FAVORITES, VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITE!

The Skanky Sixteen - March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney: The Worst of the Lot

Oh boy. Whedonverse characters, if you made it this far, you truly suck...you're the 16 skankiest of them all.

If you're just landing here now, you've arrived at the final week of our March Madness tournament. One week from today, we'll know who is the Worst of the Lot. We thought we'd switch things up and try to find the opposite of 2009's Tourney. So far we've weeded out the top 112 best and most loved characters of the entire Whedonverse, which leaves us with these guys. We've been giving out randomized pairings of characters from Joss Whedon shows: Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible and will be for the rest of the month. So if the character sucks in your opinion, vote for them.

In the last half of Round 3, we found out that the following people have been saved from fandom hatred:

Sahjhan
Ted - This was a close one, but in the end, good cooking skills always wins out.
Electric Gwen
Linwood Murrow
Ubervamps - Who knew the son of 2 vamps is hated so much more than vamps that are uber?
Kennedy - This is a surprise! I guess skank beats out bitch.
Holland Manners
Dawn - Get out, get out, get out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next up is the Skanky Sixteen and has 8 matches listed below. It will end in 48 hrs this time - March 26th at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out the opponents below and if you're playing, make sure to click the name you DISLIKE.
Click here to view the full Tournament Bracket, updated with the winners so far.

I can't stress this enough...DON'T CLICK ON YOUR FAVORITES, VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITE!

Round 3 - March Madness Whedonverse Character Tourney: The Worst of the Lot

Here lies the final part of round 3. After this next round, we'll have your Sweet Sixteen...or, what, Skanky Sixteen? If you're totally confused and just joining us, we're having a March Madness tournament and so far we've weeded out the top 104 best and most loved characters of the entire Whedonverse which leaves us with these guys, otherwise known as "The Worst of the Lot."

Basically, we thought we'd switch things up and try to find the opposite of 2009's Tourney. In other words, who is the suckiest character of the entire Whedonverse? We've been giving out randomized pairings of characters from Joss Whedon shows: Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible and will be for the rest of the month. So if the character sucks in your opinion, vote for them.

In the first half of Round 3, we found out that the following people have been saved from fandom hatred:
Hank Summers - the deadbeat that he is was saved by a mere 3 votes!
Potential Rona - when Potentials are saved, you know the remaining characters suck.
Ben...is Glory...is Ben
Ugh, I hate to say it. EVE! Eve was saved as Der Kindestod, a legitimatly scary demon may I add, is apparently a more hated character.
Sunday - saved by Gwendolyn Post's suckage.
Whistler
Aprilbot - barely saved by Izzy the Devil (who I guess is REALLY hated since he's been against some real douche bags)
and Echo

Next up is the last part of Round 3 and has 8 matches listed below. It will end in 72 hrs - March 24th at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Check out the opponents below and if you're playing, make sure to click the name you DISLIKE. Don't get confused...we're trying to find the worst of the lot here. If they suck, click 'em.

Click here to view the full Tournament Bracket, updated with the winners so far.

I can't stress this enough...DON'T CLICK ON YOUR FAVORITES, VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITE!