Writer Kelly Thompson has been tight-lipped about what she has in store for Dynamite’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1, as there’s some sort of big twist/surprise/delicious candy center waiting for those who pick up the issue in July. Well, that surprise — whatever it is — continues with Angel #1 in August, which will feature art by Giulia Giacomino.
“Starting with a big universe-defining event book opening feels risky and like a big ask of the readers, but for the idea itself to be done properly – for all the character moments and action set pieces, and emotional tumult to land, we really needed the page real estate,” said Thompson via press release. “And the idea demanded most of the main cast from both books to be involved, which is something that can easily tip a book over – but combining the two books for the first arc and telling one big interconnected Buffyverse story gave us the room to do the concept justice.”
As for what’s in store for the vampire with a soul once known as Angelus? Here’s what Dynamite has to say, per PR:
Things don’t always go according to plan however and sometimes you do have to go home again. But what if in trying to set something right, chaos follows? This is that story.
Okay, synopsis. Keep your secrets. We do know that this crossover event will set the table for a whole new status quo for the Buffyverse, and Dynamite is really pushing that they won’t reveal what the central concept is of this new Buffy U (perhaps she’s extremely large, a la Absolute Batman?). But they do clarify that though both Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 and Angel #1 spin out of this twist that will allow fans “to see the relationships and emotional ties between these iconic characters in visually stunning ways,” each title has its own distinct identity, with Angel narrating his series, while Buffy narrates hers.
Angel #1 will feature covers by David Nakayama, Clayton Crain (whose cover is redacted for spoiler reasons below), Meredith McClaren, and Meghan Hetrick. There will also, of course, be a mystery blind bag that is FULL OF BLOOD OH MY GOD just kidding, it’ll three premium variant covers, randomly selected.
Interestingly, in an email to press Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci notes that, “Right now, we think that Buffy and Angel are going to do great, but both going to be underordered with Buffy in July considering the surprises Kelly has in the launch issue and throughout the series, and then Angel will be even more so underordered. Angel has historically sold about 85% of Buffy, which again, will be even more so underordered.”
Ah yes, the classic “gender comic gap” where men only get 85% of the orders of women. So go ahead! Bump up those orders, friends. Angel #1 debuts in August.
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