10 Biggest Changes In Boom! Studios’ Buffy Reboot

Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise began with the camp but fun 1992 movie. There was clear unrealised potential and Whedon was left unsatisfied with the final product. Five years later, he released the iconic spin-off TV series, with much of Buffy’s life prior to Sunnydale retconned.

The show lasted for seven seasons on TV, and another five as a comic series published by Dark Horse. Though there was a fan outcry over the direction of season eight, with the creative team embracing the comic genre in too fantastical a way for some fans, the Dark Horse continuation built a loyal fanbase.

When Boom! Studios took on the franchise, they decided to reboot it, taking The Scoobies back to high school. It surprisingly drew little ire for a reboot of a ‘90s cult classic. The first issue went to print in January 2019 and has since done an excellent job of reinvigorating the franchise while keeping devotees to the classic series awaiting the next issue.

However, more has changed than social media and selfies…

Then:

Buffy met the core Scoobies on her first day at Sunnydale High. Xander helped after she accidently spilled the contents of her purse, including a stake, in the school corridor. Buffy took Willow under her wing after she witnessed Cordelia’s cruelty towards her. Giles freaked her out immediately presenting her with the Vampyr, “the Slayer handbook”. However, many viewers forget there was another friend. Jesse, a long-term friend of Xander and Willow, was sired by Darla in the first episode and accidently staked by Xander in the second.

Now:

Boom! Studios’ Buffy opens with ‘The Chosen One’ working “octo-gunk duty” at Tuna Verse. In the original series, Buffy avoided fast food employment until season six. She knows only one person in Sunnydale, Giles. She notices Xander and Willow goofing around while she listlessly works. The pair are fortunate that Buffy is on a break when they are attacked by vampires. Though she outs herself as a Slayer, there is an instant rapport between the three. With Willow remarking “you’re weird, I like you”.