However, hundreds of critics are divided on how "feminist" the show really is. Certainly, the female characters, strong and weak, embody a spectrum of archetypes--widow queens, warrior women, damsels in distress, career women, priestesses, crones, mothers, and maidens. However, the problematic area is that most play a single role without nuance--even the "strong women" have little to do besides strut about as one-note characters. This book analyzes the women and their portrayals one by one, along with their historical inspirations. Accompanying issues in television studies also appear, from the male gaze to depiction of race. How these characters are treated in the series and how they treat themselves becomes central, as many strip for the pleasure of men or are sacrificed as pawns. Some nude scenes or moments of male violence are fetishized and filmed to tantalize, while others show the women's trauma and attempt to identify with the scene's female perspective. The key is whether the characters break out of their traditional roles and become multifaceted.

    In his ongoing search for redemption, Angel firmly believes he's found a way to make amends - by reviving the dead! Cue Faith - rebel Slayer charged with helping Angel recover in the aftermath of his biggest misdeed. Out of fierce loyalty she supports his ridiculous scheme, if only to prevent him from going too far to attain his goal. Past, present, and potential future threats emerge as this unlikely duo struggles against real and personal demons while hitting the dark streets of London.Comic scribe Christos Gage (Avengers Academy) and series artist Rebekah Isaacs (DVS) launch readers into the heart of Angel & Faith, the newest addition to Joss Whedon's world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! This collection also features a one-shot starring vampire Harmony, with art by Phil Noto.

    But now, on the trail of the most recent demonic uprising, he realizes that the redemption he seeks can only come with a price.Torn between his self-sworn mission to protect humanity and his desire to rid himself of his curse, he stumbles across the legend of a demon, a trickster who claims they can cure vampirisim and restore his humanity for a small cost: a sacrifice...a Slayer.Written by Bryan Hill (Detective Comics, Hulu's Titans) with art from Gleb Melnikov. Discover a brand new, modern take on one of the best and broodiest vampires in pop culture, perfect for fans and new readers alike!

    a curse that brought a terrible vengeance upon the tribe in the form of Angelus' family: Darla, Drusilla and most notably, William the Bloody, a.k.a. "Spike." But the gypsy clan has a dark and powerful supporter: Count Dracula. Outraged over the slaughter of the gypsies, Dracula seeks revenge upon the three vampires... and thus begins a rivalry between Spike and Dracula that will cover decades. A rivalry steeped in blood... honor... and eleven quid.

    As Giles and Willow each take drastic measures to find a cure, Buffy must face the hardest choice of her already not-so-easy life: save her friend or stop her new enemies, Drusilla (AKA The Mistress) and Spike from opening the Hellmouth. But where does the mysterious vampire with a soul named Angel fit into this mess? And what secret is he hiding that will forever change the war between the Slayer and the Mistress?Eisner Award-nominated writer Jordie Bellaire (Redlands) and artist David López (Captain Marvel) present the next chapter of the fearless pop culture reimagining that generated headlines worldwide.Collects Buffy the Vampire Slayer #5-8.

    Nearly every year since, the rich thematic material of good vs. evil, Slayer vs. vampire, friendship vs. isolation, and black vs. the new black has been explored at Dark Horse in over a hundred different issues - and by the biggest luminaries in the business. The stunning visuals unachievable on a small-screen budget have come to life, realized by Chris Bachalo, J. Scott Campbell, Jeff Matsuda, Mike Mignola, Terry Moore, Eric Powell, Tim Sale and Ryan Sook, among others. Take a look back at the most dynamic and memorable line art and paintings from the first ten years of the Slayer in comics - the best visions of Buffy that comics have to offer is finally given the deluxe coffee-table treatment, in a tradition started by our popular Star Wars: Panel to Panel series.

    The promise of escape draws people from all backgrounds to speculative fiction, but when people of color seek passageways into the fantastic, the doors are often barred. This problem lies not only with children’s publishing, but also with the television and film executives tasked with adapting these stories into a visual world. When characters of color do appear, they are often marginalized or subjected to violence, reinforcing for audiences that not all lives matter. The Dark Fantastic is an engaging and provocative exploration of race in popular youth and young adult speculative fiction. Grounded in her experiences as YA novelist, fanfiction writer, and scholar of education, Thomas considers four black girl protagonists from some of the most popular stories of the early 21st century: Bonnie Bennett from the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, Rue from Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, Gwen from the BBC’s Merlin, and Angelina Johnson from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Analyzing their narratives and audience reactions to them reveals how these characters mirror the violence against black and brown people in our own world. In response, Thomas uncovers and builds upon a tradition of fantasy and radical imagination in Black feminism and Afrofuturism to reveal new possibilities. Through fanfiction and other modes of counter-storytelling, young people of color have reinvisioned fantastic worlds that reflect their own experiences, their own lives. As Thomas powerfully asserts, “we dark girls deserve more, because we are more.”

    For Faith, emotions run high after her Slayer comrades discover her long-standing relationship with public enemy number one, Angel. And if that wasn’t enough, Slayers start turning into zombies!Collects the fourth and fifth volumes of Angel & Faith in a deluxe hardcover format with extended sketchbook section!

    With never-before-seen notes, sketches, and photographs taken directly from the visionary director's personal notebook, this book includes everything from her visual inspirations, to step-by-step breakdowns of action sequences, to a behind the scenes look at some of the most pivotal moments in the creation of the film, and much more.Get the inside story - this collectible notebook will be a must-have addition to every Twilight fan's bookshelf!

    The fight is just beginning.Battlestar Galactica is back. The "re-imagined" version of the cult 1970s series has quickly become one of the most critically acclaimed shows on TV. With its suburb ensemble cast, cutting-edge special effects, outstanding production design, and gritty, adult-oriented scripts, the new Battlestar Galactica is both a worthy successor to a classic original, and a stunning piece of television in its own right.Author David Bassom was granted full access to the production for this official companion, which is packed with exclusive cast and crew interviews, previously unseen photos, behind-the-scenes revelations, and a complete episode guide to the miniseries and first season.Launch when ready!

    has disappeared in less than two months! But Buffy's oblivious. She's brainstorming a theme for the senior dance. One nightmare later, she meets a stranger named Merrick who tells her she bears the mark of the order: only she - the Pom-Pom Princess of California cheerleaders - can stop the vampires before they engulf L.A. They're everywhere... she can't even trust her best friends! Merrick has brought her knowledge, physical and mental powers beyond her wildest dreams, and a terrifying enemy: Lothos, King of the Vampires, who is determined to have Buffy for himself! All she has are a stake, a cross and a mission: destroy the evil - even if it takes her own life!

    Complete with gorgeous illustrations by Pop Classics artist Kim Smith, this sweet, silly, and not-so-scary book makes a perfect bedtime story.Series Overview: The films and TV shows that families love are reimagined as lively, colorful picture books featuring the iconic moments and characters of the original. Simple words are paired with a kid-friendly storybook format that’s perfect for bedtime or storytime, plus all-new illustrations done in classic picture book style to make this series a great way for parents to share their pop culture favorites with a new generation. Though the movie and TV versions came first, you’ll wonder if they weren’t adaptations of these books, instead of the other way around!

    DJs will be mixing up somebody- moving grooves, smart drinks will be available at the bar, and we'll be giving up a virgin sacrifice for the blood goddess. An old friend of Spike is in town, and he's getting every teenager in Sunnydale to trip the light fantastic at some very special, underground raves. He has a plan that could mean big things for vampires everywhere, and Spike agrees to help him out. Everyone who is anyone is rolling at these after-hour parties, including a whole posse of vampires. Buffy and the Scooby gang are going out and getting down to put an end to what's become a euphoric feeding frenzy for some of the baddest baddies in town.

    She must keep her darkest self at bay while she battles demons—the scaly and horned type as well as her own! Collects the five-issue miniseries.

    Now, Wizarding World Press takes that one step further by collecting the best pieces from 50 budding authors, ages 7 to 47 -- and representing 9 countries -- from the most popular Harry Potter fan site, MuggleNet.com. Sure to spark lively debate among Harry Potter sleuths and fans, these essays are as entertaining as they are thought-provoking.