Buffy: The High School Years - Glutton for Punishment

Buffy: The High School Years #2

by Kel McDonald (Script), Yishan Li (Art), Rod Espinosa (Colors)

When Buffy and Xander sign up for home ec, assuming it will be an extra-credit cakewalk, they aren’t aware that the teacher is a ravenous tiger demon in disguise. The demon’s unquenchable appetite has him kidnapping his top students and forcing them to cook for him, and when Xander claims some store-bought treats are his own creations, he becomes the demon’s next victim! It’s not enough that Buffy has to keep her grades up, but she also has to rescue her friends and fellow students-and give the tiger demon his just desserts!

Author Kel McDonald (Misfits of Avalon) and artist Yishan Li bring monsters and more high-school high jinks into the life of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Vampires, Young Adult, Supernatural

80 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2016

Reviews

[Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunger is murderous!


This is the second book of three, part of “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer – The High School Years”, featuring new stories set at the very early arrival of Buffy to Sunnydale. Most likely before the TV episode “The Pack”, even I guess that they’re set even before of “Teacher’s Pet”. Published in prestige format and in a special reduced size. Each story is stand-alone, therefore each book (of three) can be read in any order.


Creative Team:

Writer: Kel McDonald

Illustrator: Yishan Li

Cover artist: Scott Fischer


GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT

This second book isn’t as good as the first one (Freaks & Geeks), certainly the change of writer affected since in this second story, you may find a compelling one, but using an angle quite often used in the High School TV season, therefore, I expected something more original to justify returning to that particular time of the franchise.

The good ol’ high school years!

This kinda of miniseries, featuring three separate stories, not only set in Buffy’s High School Years, BUT set back when Buffy was just beginning her Slayer duties in Sunnydale…

…The Slayer is still only one in the world, Cordelia is still antagonist to the “Scooby Gang”, Willow is just a computer hacker, Buffy doesn’t know that Angel is a vampire (with soul), and even Flutie is still principal of Sunnydale High School.

HERE…

…a teacher in Sunnydale is substituted by a paranormal monster…

…mmh…

…where have I heard this before?

…oh, yes! Almost once (if not more) in every High School season! Geez!

Still, it was fun to read, so there’s that at least.

Xander (of course, Xander must be involved!) and Buffy are taking Cooking Class, hoping to get easy credits in their High School grades, but their new teacher is gr-r-reat (in the weird not-great really sense!), so while the new teacher is quite hungry…

…don’t offer him Froasted Flakes!

Ah! By the way! There is a “Hell’s Kitchen” reference joke, that shouldn’t be there since the story is happening in 1997.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it!!!
From the start to finish I simply couldn't put down the story. It's a fantastic take on Buffy , the character as well as the series and I trully enjoyed the fresh plot with the tiger. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see the tiger instead of another evil vampire. The tiger looked compared to that like a spoiled kitty with a sweet tooth. Still dangerous but much cuter. We still get lots of action and funny moments and I also enjoyed the artwork, I felt the characters stayed true to the TV series and to the previous comic volumes.
All in all, I'm really happy to have read this story and I definitely recommend it to others!

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Artemy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although Kel McDonald can certainly write convincing Buffy dialogue, that's pretty much the only good thing about this comic. The story is ridiculously over the top, even by Season 1 standards. For one thing, the Scoobies spend most of this comic... cooking. And the monster is just laughable — a weretiger who likes to eat delicious food so he enslaves every good cook he comes across, tell me that doesn't sound idiotic. And then the story takes an unexpectedly dark turn, as Buffy defeats this silly and relatively harmless monster by murdering him with a sword. Ugh.

Overall, it's a terrible book that I wouldn't recommend to anyone, even to die hard Buffy fans. If you miss Buffy having good times at high school, just rewatch some of the early episodes of the show, because this comic is garbage.

[Magdalena · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to read a bland and unimaginative graphic novel then why not try out Buffy: The High School Years - Glutton for Punishment? The art is bland and the story is bland and I breezed through it really fast. Do the characters look like the characters from the TV series? Not that much, I mean they have the coloring, and if you are familiar with the TV series will you know who is who. However, frankly, they could be anyone. And they are so BLAND, the colors are bland the backgrounds are bland. I was thinking about it especially when Willow and Buffy were baking together and the house looked like no one lived there. I mean just make it simple and don't make the house look cozy or anything. Floor, walls and a staircase, that's fine.

And, the story, GAH, boring!!!! It's the typical monster of the week kind of story, and who the monster is so obvious that it's silly.

I gave it 2 stars at first, but frankly, it's not worth it!

[Silence · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can find this and other reviews at: owlsandvowels.org

I love Buffy, I really do, but I felt a bit cheated by this volume. Let me explain. The story is super fluffy and revolves around a Home-Ec teacher who goes missing. It moves at a breakneck speed only to wrap up way too neatly without any highs or lows in between. Now, I understand that there is a fair amount of cheese that goes along with Buffy, but I feel that as a new series that’s trying to snag younger / new readers, it would have been better served by ramping up the plot development and fleshing out the backstory. Granted, with only 80 pages of story to work with, the options might be limited for McDonald, but this volume was sloppy and rushed. It’s basically a watered-down version of Buffy, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s due to the fact that they don’t understand their audience.

Why does this aggravate me so? It cheapens comics and readers alike, especially in relation to younger readers. Maybe it’s the librarian in me that picks up on this, but I feel that there is a miscommunication between what comic creators think tweens and teens can handle, and what those readers actually want and need. More often than not, comic creators shoot too high or too low when they try to break into the YA market. They create caricatures of teens that lack depth and authenticity, and often depict them doing and saying things that most teens would never do. In this case, it feels like a kindergarten storyline with high school characters.
Why? Buffy and her slaying had about as much bite as an old man gumming applesauce. Getting bent about cookies? Oversized tiger as a villain? Really? What teen is going to baulk at that? The answer is none, and that’s a huge problem when the protagonist is a high schooler. The cast of characters are predominantly teens. It is directed at teens and adults. Readers need to be able to look at Buffy and say “yeah, that mirrors / mirrored my life in high school”. The intended audience is going to reject this for feeling unauthentic and juvenile.

How did this happen? I hate to say it, but I think they made a huge mistake by pulling Hicks off this series. She had a way better grasp on what it will take to bring Buffy to a new generation of readers. Here’s to hoping that they correct this, but if not I’m dropping the series.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Who Should Snag It: Pick this one up only if you really liked the first volume and want to keep going…

*I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*

[Penelope (Penelope’s Picks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lamer than the Teacher's Pet episode from season one, (which I shudder to think is possible) but it's Buffy...so my love for the fandom obligates me to not rate it below a 3 star. Still, a rewatch of that episode would still be much better than reading this graphic novel. Not gonna lie.

[Victoria Hawco · Rating 4 out of 5]

All towns have a Rainforest Cafe confirmed.

[Arie ☂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Quick and cute. I'm delighted that this one was much better than the first volume. Maybe all it needed to work was losing the vampires that looked like a cross between Voldemort and a Shar-Pei?

[Ivonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buffy has always been a huge part of my life and I was so excited to read a "new" Buffy story, but unfortunately it wasn't exactly what I hoped for. It was a bit weird though, but the art is great. Liked it anyhow since I'm obsessed with everything Buffy but still ... this could have been better.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Fluffy fun for Buffy fans that you can read in 20 minutes or less.
Quiet, Beth. I'm counting it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This definitely qualifies as BtVS Season One material. I half expected the art to be so dark I could barely see what was happening. The likenesses are best for Giles and Buffy. Willow looks nothing like Willow. The dialogue isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn close.

Don't go in expecting Season 7 depth, and you won't be disappointed. Enjoy the witty. Celebrate Xander as monster bait. Cheer at the 'return' of Principal Flutie.

I am definitely looking forward to the next installment. Added bonus: I plan to share this with my 12 year old daughter to pass down the joy.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. That was.... Something. Not sure how a comic so short could feel padded out, but this did. Tries valiantly to capture the feel of season 1 of the show, but it just doesn't have the heart.
The art is a little to Manga-ish, with little definition to the characters.
All-in-all a wasted opportunity.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-establishes the goofiness of the early Buffy seasons. Fun with very good anime inspired art that captures the look of the characters. I really liked this book.

Received an advance copy from Dark Horse and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um. So...I enjoyed it for the sake of being Buffy, but the plot that plays out with this one reminds me of a 'bad' Buffy episode. Someone said this story lacked the 'heart' of Buffy and I think that's where we have a problem.

[Meg Grehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, fluffy and fun with gorgeous art!

[Matthew Lloyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cordelia: "When did you become Martha Stewart?"
Buffy: "First of all, Martha Stewart knows jack about hand-cut prosciutto."
Xander: "I don't believe she slays, either."
Oz: "Oh, I hear she can, but she doesn't like to."

"Faith, Hope and Trick" (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3Ep3)

Did you ever wonder what the answer to Cordelia's rhetorical question in "Faith, Hope and Trick" was? When you heard that Sarah Michelle Gellar was releasing a cookbook was your first reaction "I wonder if Buffy could bake?" If it was, you should've gone back and watched "Faith, Hope and Trick". But maybe you're in the USA and have been missing out since Buffy moved from Netflix to Hulu. Nevertheless, the questions literally no-one was asking can still be answered in the second volume of Buffy: The High School Years.

The problem is that virtually none of the problems I had with volume one have been corrected in volume two, and so this still reads like someone had heard the basic concept of Buffy, but hadn't really grasped it. It's difficult to ascertain what exactly the high school fear that is masquerading as a monster here actually is - fear of not being able to bake? Fear of Cordelia not comparing you to Martha Stewart in a year-and-a-half? Arguably, this wouldn't matter if the story were executed with any flair; but despite the change in writer the dialogue still feels flat (reminding me, once again, how much the actors really brought to the characters in a show largely praised for its writing), and in a second volume I even began to find the art lacking in any dynamism. I did, however, actually laugh at one of the jokes (it was early on and gave me a renewed sense of optimism that didn't last).

I will continue to read this series because (a) I get them from the library and thus it costs me nothing but time; but mostly (b) the next volume promises a mystical child that hypnotizes Buffy's Mom and I want to see if this works in a world where, soon enough, Buffy will have an actual mystical little sibling. In general, though, I do not recommend them.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this one pulls from previous Buffy episodes and lacks the originality I love in Buffy storytelling. Examples being: Principal Flutie’s push for the gang to be a part of extra-curricular activities (ie ‘The Puppet Show’ when Principal Snyder told them to participate in the school talent show), how Willow tries to do something new and be someone else by doing the art class (akin to the ‘Halloween’ episode where she wears something more ‘daring’) and the biggest being how the ‘big bad’ in this one takes the teacher and replaces her, and then Xander finds himself in trouble with this new teacher (ie ‘Teacher’s Pet’). You get my point. It lacks originality.

I also thought the choice of a tiger, as what the person transforms into, lacked reasoning. At least with a crap episode like ‘Go Fish’ it made some sense why a swim team turned into fish. Whedon and all other collaborators worked to have reasoning and meaning in every choice.

Yet, with all that, I found myself enjoying this one a tad bit more than the last. I think it is because I do very much enjoy being taken back to the times of Season 1. Back when things were simpler and relationships not muddied. I felt myself as a little girl again, while reading it, back in a time when my issues felt so big but I was too naïve to know what life can bring. It’s quick readability added to that. This series is definitely up the ally of any fan.

[Jim C · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel based on the television series and it takes place during the first season. In this one, a weretiger is kidnapping people who are adept in the culinary arts.

I so wanted to like these collections that take place during the first season but they are not doing it for me. I will say that they do capture the mood of the first season especially with the dialogue. The dialogue is perfect and one can hear the voices of the original Scooby gang. I thought the artwork was better for this second offering. I believe this happened because I was use to it by now. The problem with this collection is the story is just silly even for season one. This is saying something considering there was an episode in the first season where a giant praying mantis was collecting virgin males to mate with. This collection makes that episode look intelligent.

I love the concept of these collections but not the execution. They do know the history of the show and fans of the show will appreciate this knowledge. I don't think these collections would entice new fans and I believe old fans will not really care for the silliness of this novel.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definitely felt like returning to Buffy in the high school years which I really enjoyed. The story was a bit ridiculous, but looking back on those early episodes I loved, honestly, this plot fits right in.

My biggest issue was the art. I really liked it, EXCEPT for a few of the characters. While Giles and Xander looked so much like the original actors, Willow and especially Buffy, looked nothing like their counterparts. This bothered me, and kept distracting me from my reading. I would have preferred that all the characters looked like the actors or even the opposite where all were loose interpretations, and not identical. I didn't like the mix with some being so similar and others not at all. A minor quibble, I know, but something that just didn't sit well with me.

That said, this was an enjoyable read and I will be looking for the other stories in this series.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow! And I thought the first volume was bad. Here the creators give us something that should never have seen the light of day. Asinine plot, terrible dialogue, basic art, and most maddening a complete mishandling of the source material. The beauty of doing a comic version of Buffy is no budgetary constraints for special effects. You couldn't tell that here. I can't get over how Joss let this be produced. I don't know who this is supposed to appeal to. Overall, an enormous miss. I'm upset I paid for this.

[Kay ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. This was bad. No point in reviewing when most of the 1 star reviews are spot on. I gave this 3 stars because I am a Buffy stan.

What I liked: I liked the thought of Xander getting chewed or mauled by a tiger.

What I didn't like: The plot was garbage and very childish. The villain was a tiger who liked to eat. Really? All the things in the world to write about and that's your villain? Really?

Artwork: Is still bad. Very anime / manga looking. Still clean and neat but the style to me isn't appropriate for Buffy.

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, the most important thing to do while reading is not taking it seriously...

The villain is hilarious, the plot is a bit on the silly side and the ending is quite ridiculous. But I like the art and it's nice to see Buffy after so many years.

You know, if it were longer maybe, it could have been improved a little bit.

[Nathan Haines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the chosen one from that generation of Buffy.

I'm surprised that with the executive producer of this comic being Joss Whedon, that it is lacking so much of what makes Buffy Buffy.

Its not that it was bad, hence the three stars rather than less - more that it was just missing the quirky goodness and quality of artwork i have grown accustomed to with literally everything else Buffy.

[Edward Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another surprisingly speedy read. I'd like these more if they read as long (or almost as long) as an actual episode. The page count should mean it would last at least thirty minutes, but I usually read these in half that time. Still ,the story was fun and the artwork wasn't that bad.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, a distinct improvement from the first one I read. I met the author and she said that after the first book she felt that she and the artist understood each other better, and I can tell in this volume. Good story, good art.

[Bells · Rating 3 out of 5]

O primeiro volume foi um pouco melhor, mas, ainda assim, Glutton for Punishment foi bastante divertido. Ótima ideia para uma história, aposto que seria ainda melhor se tivesse sido um episódio da série.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other entries in the series, this hold its own as essentially a lost episode of the series - not one that influences, effects, or alters our views or undermines previous works in the 'verse, but rather one that serves as a reminder of what was - and enjoyably so.

[Printed Pages and Coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick read! Really cool to dive (briefly) back into the world of BtVS, especially when it's something you haven't actually seen before. This was gifted to me by a friend, and honestly I'm now considering looking up the rest of the series...

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember that episode where Xander is attacked by the teacher that is really a praying mantis creature? Yeah, that is basically this book. Only instead of sex, it’s food. It’s not horrible, but it is definitely not great. It is kind of enjoyably bad.

[Daria M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is supposed to be set during season 1 but Xander makes pop culture references to a show that didn't start until years after Buffy had ended.