Adam Baldwin vs Joss Whedon: Female Harrassment in the Video Game Industry

There's an interesting piece over at The Mary Sue about recent treatment of women in video games, both on-screen and behind-the-screen. Over the past week or so, Adam Baldwin and Joss Whedon both appear to have weighed in, on opposite sides.

http://www.themarysue.com/video-game-harassment-zoe-quinn-anita-sarkeesian/

SEASON 10: ANY PLACE BUT HERE // Issue 6

Last summer, I didn't have a job for a good 2 months. I was pretty good at the temping game. I only had a lag of a week between jobs - usually. During those two months, I didn't have much or any money. I ate packaged ramen w. dry powder packets for most meals. I ate mostly garbage. Thank god for $1 pizza restaurants. I was pretty anemic. Bruises started to appear. I didn't have an air conditioner during a blazing heatwave. So I sweated through till mid-October. I was out of a relationship. Had no interest in pursuing another relationship, because knowing me - I'd forget that I exist and just become whatever I thought the other person wanted. Then if and when that failed - back to Square One just older.

On top of that, I had spent a few years toiling at this art project that seemed to have lost steam. I really wanted to be a full-time artist, but no one seemed to want me any more. I did some soul-searching with a therapist I couldn't afford, because I needed some answers ASAP. Perhaps, a Swami, Palm-Reader, or Psychic Spiritual Advisor could've done me good, but I needed to get real. In the theme of being real, may I add that I was in my early 30s? I was 32 to be exact. I was 32 and realizing that there were some other things that I was good at and would love to continue doing for a job eventually a career. But such prospects require a lot of work, a lot of rejection and sometimes (a lot of the time) don't pan out. Some people might even consider me "Too Old."

Furthermore if I haven't mentioned, I'm gay. I came out on the late side. Aside from the after school special feeling of "Well he's fine, he found himself," dating people - I get judged a lot for not coming out sooner. Sometimes I get judged for not being up to speed on all the subcultures or all the know how of Gay. I felt like the kid in class that Can't Read as Good. To up the ante a bit more, I watched all my friends either gay or straight (there is no prejudice here) get into serious relationships, serious careers, serious babies, serious marriages, serious property ownerships. Meanwhile, I felt like I just got to the party. Boasting a furrowed brow and pursed lips, I felt like an Alien.

Maybe had I heard certain sentences from authority figures that built me up instead of making me feel confused and defeated, things MIGHT'VE been different. Maybe if something could get perfected back then, some THINGS would be PERFECT now. But I can't change that. I don't mean to throw the Most Raging Pity Party either! I admit things have gotten better since then, but that "Alien" feeling does come up here and there. I'm the emotional equivalent of a Single Mom Nodding Off During Night School.

Anyhow - if you at all related to the past few paragraphs with some empathy, you might enjoy this new issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for this very reason.

Exclusive Interview: Nicholas Brendon and Christos Gage SDCC

Last but definitely not least of our San Diego Comic Con coverage is this little gem of an interview coming right up. We have Buffy writer Christos Gage and actor/writer Nicholas Brendon talking about Buffy, Angel, Feet, Pancakes, Katherine Hepburn and there may have been some mention of diapers and sheep that landed on the cutting room floor. Maybe not, who's to say? The point is: We honestly don't know wtf happened here, but it is obviously whacked. Enjoy!

Thanks to Nick, Christos, everyone at Dark Horse and extra special thank you to San Diego for giving us a Hell of a time this year.

Nicholas Brendon & Christos Gage Interview Teaser

Look out for our final SDCC  interview tonight with Core Scooby Nicholas Brendon and Buffy main writer Christos Gage. It was a really weird time! DO. Not Miss. It.

Exclusive Interview: Whedonverse Artiste Georges Jeanty at SDCC 2014

Buffyfest was able to get a few minutes at the convention to talk with former Buffy artist Georges Jeanty about his recent work on the Serenity: Leaves on the Wind series for Dark Horse. The interview was great but unfortunately due to technical issues with our video recording, the audio of conversation has become badly corrupted; so a transcription of the interview is being made available instead. Sad face! Then again, some people prefer to read over video, so enjoy!

Thanks Georges for primping my hair before the interview began!

Buffyfest: Hi this is Tara with Buffyfest at San Diego Comic Con Day 2. I'm here with the very charming Georges Jeanty artist from Buffy, Serenity…long time with Dark Horse.

Georges Jeanty: Yes Ma'am.

Buffyfest: How are you?

GJ: I'm good!

Buffyfest: Now that Leaves on the Wind is done, what was your favorite part about that project?

GJ: Uh, the ending! Haha. The fact that it's over. Haha. I loved it, but man was it hard. It was something that was hard to do. I loved working with Zack Whedon. And… all of the characters. I loved Buffy for 6 years. I would never say no, but it was nice and refreshing to do something a little different - but still sticking with the Whedonverse because that style of writing is great, great storytelling. So, I had a blast.

Buffyest: Was it difficult going from these real life settings with grotesque monster faces on Buffy to nothing but humans in crazy Sci Fi environments [on Serenity]?

GJ: It was, and it was even more arduous because there were 7 characters you could argue the ship is the 9th or 8th character in this case. So it was, man I had references for everybody and every time I had to draw someone... God forbid they were all in the same room together I had to get references just for the little faces. So that's what was hard, that's what took a while. But it was great to do because everything was there. So it was almost like cooking this incredible stew and you had all the ingredients and it was just up to you to make sure they all came together well.

Buffyfest: And that leads nicely into this question: was it difficult to balance the visual dichotomy between Serenity’s tight, confined spaces and these huge open expanses with just a spaceship and maybe a rock in it?

GJ: Good use of the word dichotomy, and yes, you are right! I really tried, because of course when it comes to the show there is a sense of claustrophobia on the ship. It's not a fancy ship and it’s not a luxury ship. It’s a… it’s a “boat” they call it because it’s something that’s very functional but not luxurious. And you right, when they’re out in space I had freedom over pretty much what I wanted, as much space as I needed and how I wanted to go about that was totally up to me. So I was very conscious of the dichotomy and I really tried to space it so the interiors had the claustrophobic feel and then give the exteriors this very broad landscape.

Buffyfest: Now, between the Buffy books and Serenity, who is your favorite character to draw?

GJ: ....Aww, that's like picking your favorite kid.

Buffyfest: Your babies.

GJ: No, I can’t do that. Well… I loved Buffy. Buffy was great because… she’s the girl I came with to the dance. And, um… I will say Mal. Because he’s the one I had to draw the most, I felt the most comfortable with him. They were all great, but I’d go with the main characters of the shows.

Buffyfest: Now, how are things with Future’s End?

GJ: Future's End is good! That’s the new DC book that’s coming out now that I’m doing a few issues of. But I’m actually going from Future’s End to now I’m going to be the regular artist on Batwoman.

Buffyfest: Ooh, nice.

GJ: In another few months, that should be coming out. And, strangely enough, there’s going to be vampires. Wonder how that happened.

Buffyfest: I’m sure it’s a coincidence?

GJ: No, strangely enough I think they were thinking of me. Because they’re going, “Wait a minute, we’ve got Batwoman and vampires, who do we need? We need that Buffy guy!”

Buffyfest: So, when are you going to come back and do more Whedonverse?

GJ: ....Well, I'm still talking to the editor and I would never want to go too far away from Buffy, and we’re talking about a project later on that would be perfect for me to come back.

Buffyfest: We’ll love to have you back.

GJ: I’ll love it totally to be back.

Buffyfest: Thank you SO much for talking to us.

GJ: ....Anytime and I love the pancakes! (Editor’s note- The interviewer was wearing a stack of pancakes on her head.)

Buffyfest: Thank you so much!

Exclusive Interview: Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie at SDCC 2014

It was a wild and frantic Friday night at San Diego Comic Con. Parties were raging, traffic was bumper-to-bumper, the Hall H line for the next day's Marvel panel was longer than we'd ever seen it... stretching all the way across the bridge, INTO the bay area, past the basketball courts (for SDCC virgins, this is an area where it should never be!)

Directly above, in a cush room at the Hilton Bayfront overlooking this crazy scene, sat a semi-tired (but still totally on point) Super Scott Allie, Editor-in-Chief at Dark Horse Comics and overall Buffy boss. He's been doing this SDCC thing for over 20 years; perhaps this is why he seemed largely unfazed by the near-apocalyptic level of energy around him. We grilled him about all things Buffy Season 10. Check out the resulting interview below:

After our interview ended at 2 am, we decided to brave the Hall H scene to finish shooting a little documentary about that mess. As we were leaving, we asked Scott if he was going to sleep for the night. His response? "Nah, I'll walk out with you guys... I'm going to meet up with some colleagues at the Gaslamp."

What can we say? That Scott Allie, he's a pro.

Scott Allie Interview Teaser!

Coming up tomorrow, don't miss our #SDCC continuing covering where Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie reveals all! Robert Pattinson will cry tears of joy, Sesame Street will throw a block party. Our Comic Con coverage isn't even close to being done yet!

 

SDCC Day 4: Famous Bros, Broken Toes and Last Day Woes...

This is a little belated since we're already home, broken and jet lagged...but while we're getting all of our interviews edited we still wanted to recap our final day of Comic Con!

After waking up early, we headed over to the Supernatural Hall H line (Thanks so much to Tommy for holding our spot!) So lucky because that line was bonkers, as usual. But little did we know what surprises were ahead!

Like for instance how when frantically running at the Hall H line, I got turned around, bumped into someone who then accidentally stepped on my foot and broke 2 of my toes!

After seeing stars, we finally got on the line at which point Misha Collins (aka Supernatural's Castiel) came out and hung out with thousands of screaming fans on the line...taking pics, signing stuff, etc. Then he brought out coffee for everyone for like 2 hours! When he finally got by us, he graced Buffyfest's Ryan a cup 'o joe. It was AWESOME! And behind him was a bunch of assistants wearing coffee aprons with different little compartments saying "more cream? Sugar? Stirrer? Napkin?" Good service! Heh.

Misha Collins in the Hall H crowd. So brave!

The Cas Coffee Cup!

SPN Cosplayers!

On to the panel, I've said this before, but the single best thing about procuring a press pass is the Hall H experience. You still have to wait on line like everyone else, but even if youre at the back of the line it's ok because when you DO get in you can walk allll the way to the front Press Box where you get this vantage point:

Our Amazing Press Box Angle!

The Supernatural Panel:

 

So, that panel was awesome. I swear all the SPN guys are cuter than ever. Panel included EP Jeremy Carver, hottie Jensen Ackles, cutie Jared Padalecki, coffee fairy Misha Collins and the hilarious Mark Sheppard aka Badger. They showed a clip from S.10 and a blooper reel. The actor that plays Kevin Tran even pranked them by showing up on the Q&A line!

SPN's Osric Chau in the audience!

After that, we planned on hitting the Nintendo Gaming Lounge at the Marriot (which was great) but we got sidetracked along the way by a fellow con-goer who expressed concern over my ever blackening toes. Guess they really were broken! Thought I was just being dramatic. Off to First Aid, who were helpful but their bedside manner could use a little work. Guess they had the SDCC Sunday blues. Either way, thanks for your help, Comic Con medic squad!

Proving I may be becoming a better geek than Joss Whedon himself, I power limped through the crowd determined to not let some broken appendages ruin my Comic Con. Turns out Joss had been injured in London and decided to stay back, canceling his Marvel panel appearance and his scheduled Sunday 1:30 signing in one fell swoop. But maybe I don't deserve too much credit because it was at this point we decided it was best to skip Buffy "Once More, With Feeling" sing-along. I didn't think standing on line anymore was a good idea. Wah! Heard it was a good time though!

After playing some games in the Nintendo Gaming Lounge, that was pretty much it! Took the trolley out of the crowds and headed back to the east coast. We're editing all of our videos now, so check back for our exclusive interviews with Nick Brendon, Scott Allie and more!

Dark Horse Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2014

Earlier today was Dark Horse Comics' panel at #SDCC entitled "The Whedonverse." Panelists included Dark Horse editor-in-chief Scott Allie, Buffy season 10 writer Christos Gage, actor/writer and all-around Buffy alum Nicholas Brendon, writer Jane Espenson, and Buffy/Serenity artist Georges Jeanty. Some fun soundbites, especially from Nick Brendon and some nostaligic tales from Jane Espenson See below for the full panel. 

 

SDCC Day 3: Tech Problems, Tiny Crowns and Talky Panelists

Ohhh we had so many issues here at Comic Con today. Don't get me wrong it was still a fun time overall but we had gremlins in our machines like you wouldn't believe. Basically the tech problems ranged from crappy wifi (the usual) to a random computer virus (less usual). We still haven't successfully uploaded our interviews with Nicholas Brendon, Christos Gage, Georges Jeanty. Too much tech drama!

Oh and lets not forget Scott Allie...we met up with him at 11:30 pm last night for a fantastic interview. Then, after we left him we did a whole story on the epic Hall H line until 3 am...man was that crazy. I don't think SDCC has ever seen anything like it. People were all the way past the basketball courts in the bay area. And then Joss Whedon didn't even show up to the Marvel panel due to surgery he had on his ankle! We would've been so pissed if we waited on that line. Poor Joss though....missing Comic Con and stuff. Marvel panel was good though!

Anyway, here are some shots from today taken during today's Dark Horse panel. We'll have that video up asap.

 

Nicholas Brendon, of course!

Buffy's Christos Gage

and our fave, Super Scott Allie!

San Diego Comic Con: Day 2 - Boreano, the Coveted SPN Bag and more!

SDCC has been a whirlwind so far. Today we interviewed the hilarious core Scoob alum Nicholas Brendon (squee!), Buffy writer and fan-fave Christos Gage and artist Georges Jeanty! Look out for those posts in the coming days.

Now if you're following us on Twitter, you may have become aware of my desperate plea in search of a an official SDCC Supernatural bag. Well thanks for nothing, tweeps! I got no bites from that tactic! But by hook or by crook I was getting that mutha. In the end I had to play out a very complicated trading process with these picky and stingy con-goers (myself included!) This meant starting with a Hobbit bag, trading for an Originals style one...back to a Hobbit and then finally I accosted a poor family and pressured the father and his fabulous purple-headed wife to trade for his Supernatural bag while the horrified children watched on. 

And while that was HUGELY satisfying, the highlight of the day had to be a David Boreanaz sighting!! In all of our years of Buffyfest, this is the one of the few people we haven't seen at a panel or interviewed. Saw him randomly as he wasn't on the scheduled and swooned hard!

And then steps down from that booth, the fake Angel on Dark Horse Booth wall. Still swoon!

Good day so far! 

San Diego Comic Con Day 1- Whedonverse Exclusives!

Today is San Diego Comic Con day! Well, for us anyway…we skipped Preview Night this year. But we're so psyched to be here - and one of the reasons to attend any reputable comic convention are the merch exclusives of course! Check out some of the cooler ones we can expect to see this weekend below:

FUNKO is bringing 87 exclusives to SDCC. EIGHTY SEVEN. What in the world? Way to blow the rest of the toy companies out of the water! And some of them are extra-fab. Check out beaten and bruised (but still stylish!) Buffy in her Season 1 gear. Some awesome Firefly ones too.

CineQuest.com and Benson Entertainment have joined forces to offer a Buffy “Triangle” Tara Exclusive Figure at SDCC. Originally released as a signed edition to support Amber Benson’s film Lovers, Liars and Lunatics a few years back, this unsigned version of the figure is now being offered for the first time as a 2014 SDCC Exclusive. Limited to just 300, the figure includes a purse, potion bottle, candle, and book. The figure comes blister-carded in a white box mailer.

TITANS has announced their “Welcome to the Hellmouth” collection - a series of vinyl collectibles based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This set of 12 vinyls includes all the core cast – Buffy, Willow, Xander, Oz, Giles, Faith, Angelus, Spike, Drusilla, the Mayor, the Master and Buffy as a vampire. There won't be any exclusives here at SDCC from tho sline (from what I can tell), but since the press release came out around the same time as everything else, we still wanted to share.

Slated for release in December 2014, the figures will be 3″ vinyls in blind-box format, with character-specific accessories and 4 hidden chase figures to seek out with “one random figure supplied” for the collection.

And of course, as previously reported, Dark Horse's Comic Exclusive! 

 Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 10 #5 San Diego Comic-Con International 2014 Variant Cover 

Price: $5.00 Print Run: 1,000 Limit: Five per person

SEASON 10: LOVE ACTUALLY /// Issue 5 {SPOILERS}

ISSUE 5

Dracula gets really batshit. The book of VAMPYR is rewritten and Dracula comes back in the form of Maloker (huge monster - last seen in Season 9). Maloker is also enormous and takes a lot of effort to take down. Buffy and company freak out. Fight ensues. Dawn returns to giant mode (a la Season 8) for a few pages. Elaborate but kiiiiiinda funny plot to stake Maloker/Dracula with Stake-Shaped building. Also some sexy (lame perv weirdo here) butt shots of Dracula....for a comic book. If you were watching the TV show - this issue would be happening around the 8:45-9:00pm mark.

Porny

The thrust of this issue is mainly about Xander dealing with love. Xander has to make some choices when it comes down to Dracula and Dawn. "Ghost Anya" makes an appearance to remind Xander about what's important - serving as a voicebox for his subconscious (Six Feet Under-style). ALSO....I get the feeling Anya might be making more of a comeback this season. But I'm not exactly sure.... I am an amateur reviewer not a psychic.

Questions.

The issue ends with Buffy keeping the book of VAMPYR. It seems like this season will involve a lot of intrigue regarding the book. There is a sweet beat at the end with Spike and Buffy on a rooftop. I do miss the way the TV show ended. Where it would have a quick cut to black and the credits rolled.

Will She? Or Won't She Come Back?

Issues 3-5 play out as an episode. I have said it before. I enjoy the job that Christos Gage and Rebecca Isaacs are doing. We are really getting back to the tone and shape of Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv show. The beats in the new season are very respectful of what the show was about. Also I haven't talked about how Rebecca Isaacs really gets Buffy's "stylish" wardrobe and "funkaay" hairstyles. There's such a fun and bouncy vibe to this new season, it is hard not to like. It's real refreshing to get these stories. The style is reminiscent of the prior seasons where it wasn't so complicated with the new status quo and the blah blah blah. It seems to respect that there have been changes - but also wants to regard what was important. As a fan - THANK YOU. Although, it seems like one of those cases where you need some variety. I don't know if I could just read this Buffy comic if it was ALWAYS reminiscent of other good eras in Buffy. And to be honest, all Buffy seasons are pretty different. What it really comes down to is ...Can We Relate to Buffy and company? We get to see the characters go through something deeply human but we enjoy it through a really fun horror action comic. Like Friday Night Lights - It's about the lives of the people around the Vampire Slayer.

Add caption

I think people new to Buffy would be able to jump in. I think it's real important to know it from the start. At the same time, I don't want to be one of those backward looking nostalgic people where the best days were yesterday. It's hard to have that attitude with a comic based on a TV show that ended over 10 years ago. But as Buffy thrives and is still going through changes - Just like Life....I am curious to see where this all goes.

Next Month: ISSUE 6

SEASON 10: MAN SLAVES // Issues 3 & 4

Previously on the last Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 Review......

Dawn and Xander head to Transylvania to see Dracula. The actual Dracula - by Bram Stoker. Xander and Dawn go over to see what is up with the Vampyr book and how the book is being rewritten since Magic is now being reestablished. Xander becomes Dracula's man-slave. Man-Servant. What have you. It's been awhile since I saw the Season 5 episode starring Dracula. But I do remember Xander falling under Dracula's spell and that bordering on being kinda gay (in the best way of course).

Issue 3

Nicholas Brendon is collaborating (writing-wise) with Christos Gage on this story arc. I think it is an interesting choice to have a star of the show help write the comic. Having someone like Drew Goddard, Jane Espenson or David Fury help out on the comic is old-hat by now. Now, retaining some of the voicing of the show through its' actors is a new selling point. I can see the influence of Nicholas Brendon in this comic. Judging from his persona on twitter, the writing tends for the jokier and the hornier. The "Tuesday Night Orgy" joke, for instance.

However, as the issue stands - it is still an enjoyable read. So far, I am on board with the new team of Gage and Rebecca Isaacs. Their collaboration retains the voicing of the show that I enjoyed. This particular issue has a similar feeling to that of an earlier season. It feels serious but silly. The framing of characters seems very human and humble in this new season - thanks to Rebecca Isaacs. Gone are the Jim Lee-esque (you know who I am talking about?) poses and shots of Season 8 and 9. Isaacs is certainly a master at capturing the tone.

*SPOILERS*
In Issue 3, Dracula comes back to San Francisco and visits with the Scooby Gang to hear about the new breed of Vampires. The kind of Vampire that can change shape in the sunlight instead of running back into the dark. Xander and Dawn are experiencing some trouble in paradise. Xander still suffers from some guilt about not loving Dawn enough - from their experiences in Season 9. Buffy and Willow bond and have some girl-talk. Andrew becomes a fun Dracula man-slave. At the end, a fight ensues when Dracula wants to rewrite the book of Vampyr in his vision and he successfully nabs the book from Kid Giles, Spike, Dawn, and Xander.

Issue 4
*SPOILERS*

Dracula is on the loose - rewriting the book or having Xander rewrite the book. Dawn has a tear soaked moment explaining to Buffy that since she doesn't exactly feel that she LOVES Xander, which is actually rather touching. Xander meanwhile is giving Dracula baths and pedicures. We get a little peek at Kid Giles' burgeoning sexuality, which is funny. At the end, Dracula has rewritten himself to be the biggest, baddest Vampire. A lot of fighting ensues. I know I've left Spike out of my recap thus far. But he is definitely around as comic relief and helping the fight against Dracula.

Also - I particularly liked Xander's flashback to a prehistoric time when monsters ruled the Earth.

Overall - I am really liking the new season of Buffy comic. Again, I got used to the style of Seasons 8 & 9 - I assumed that was the new normal. Isaacs' drawings have always been good, I just wasn't sure if I was ready for them here. But I can see that I am growing with this new season and I am growing to really love her work here. Gage's writing seems to really tap into the voice of the show that I really loved. He is really nailing the balance of action, drama, and comedy that the show on the WB had. You can still hear the actors speak when you see them with word balloons. Also helps when you have Nicholas Brendon on staff.

THIS WEDNESDAY: ISSUE 5.

Buffyfest's Whedonverse Schedule for #SDCC!!

San Diego Comic Con can be a wild and maddening place for any Whedonverse fan. There are too many fantastic titles at this point in the game - and the events for each one all overlap with each other, just to ensure our collective nervous breakdowns. Firefly panels crossing over with Buffy things…and now Marvel-verse screenings coming in to c-block as well! It can drive a con-goer insane.

Lucky for you, dear reader, we gotcha covered. With SDCC just a few days away, we finally have all of our interviews planned, dinner reservations handled and most importantly, the crucial event schedule in order! We made a special extra one just for you guys so you don't have to fend for yourself. Every little Whedon-related morsel should be on the below schedule. Check it out, pick and choose what is most crucial to see and kill the other babies. Wah!

Oh and Right Click the image below>Open in new tab to enlarge or print the high-res version! Good luck fellow SDCC attendee!