Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 11, Vol. 1: The Spread of Their Evil

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 11

by Christos Gage, Rebekah Isaacs (Illustrator), Dan Jackson (Illustrator)

Buffy and the Scoobies weren’t ready for this kind of disaster to strike San Francisco. When a tsunami and an enormous dragon of storms devastate the Bay area, the supernatural folk in the world—witches, demons, and the like—are blamed as if they deliberately caused the catastrophe. In the midst of San Francisco’s ruin, the team is surprised by the action taken by the government: restrictions are placed on the supernatural in the name of safety. Never one to balk at slaying evil demons, Buffy knows that not all demons are evil and in this case it isn’t clear who—if anyone—was behind the disaster…But she has to find out. Buffy must choose a side, find a way for herself and her friends to survive, and not lose who she is in the process.

This is the first of 2 volumes for Buffy Season 11. This collects issues #1-6 of Season 11.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Vampires, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2017

About the author

Chris N. Gage is a writer for comic books and television.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought a Buffy title could be so timely? A supernatural spawned natural disaster has caused the government to round up all supernatural creatures and put them in internment camps. Tackling issues of racism, isolationism, and totalitarianism Buffy is more relevant than ever.

I really don't understand how this series could be so good when Angel Season 11 is so bad.

Received a free copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Artemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of Buffy's new comic season is really good, offering a strong commentary on racism, harassment and Trump's America in general. It's a painful read at times, but this feels like the fight Buffy should be fighting in 2017 (happy 20th birthday to Buffy this year, by the way!), so kudos to Christos Gage and presumably Joss himself (is he actually still involved in writing these comics?) for going in that direction.

I didn't like a few things about this season so far, which are:

— lack of Xander, Dawn and Giles
— Georges Jeanty's fugly artwork in issues 4 and 5
— where the hell is Faith and how could they cancel Angel & Faith in favour of that godawful solo Angel series?

But other than that, this season is pretty great. Not quite up to Season 10 standards, but really damn close.

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story line they started. I really like where they took the story and its different and interesting and I can't wait to see how they get out of this. There is a cliff hanger.

Buffy and the gang are going about their normal lives when a huge sea monster attacks San Francisco for no reason and kill loads of people. All the magical, demon and supernatural people and things like vampires are rounded up into interment camps. Willow, Buffy and Spike are sent to this camp. It's pretty rough there.

We find out the dastardly deeds the government is planning and can Buffy and company stop this spread of evil. It's engaging and there are only 2 more volumes left before I am done. I'm ready for an ending of endings. It's been quite a run.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]
Buffy's back, and this season is a doozy. Condensed into twelve issues rather than the usual 25-30, this volume collects the first six. When a magical dragon absolutely destroys San Francisco, the world turns against supernatural creatures in the worst way possible, creating internment camps for magical beings - which includes Buffy, Spike, and Willow. Sad faces.

This is a very different type of story to what Buffy's used to. There's no one person she can punch, there's no real Big Bad - instead, she's fighting public opinion and government officials, which isn't a fight she can win with her usual tactics. I love that even now, four seasons after the show ended, the creators are coming up with fresh new ideas to move the characters forward and challenge them with.

Of course, that's no surprise since Season 10 stars Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs (joined by Buffy veteran Georges Jeanty) are still on hand to churn out this awesome series. High praise for all involved, they're currently on a three year roll and counting.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the best arcs for Buffy in awhile.

What happens when a dragon flys through a city and destroys it? Well, the world reacts of course. Putting all demons, magic users, and more into containment camps. Sound familiar, huh? And so with that Buffy tries her balance of protecting her friends inside the camps as well as trying to run the outside of it so no one gets hurts.

This is a interesting take on the world events and also pretty good pacing. Buffy feels more contained, not as stretched out, and the plotting way better. Some funny moments in a otherwise serious situations. This is what I've been wanting. A 4 out of 5.

[Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so proud of what they have done in these comics. I was hard to read this one, becuase of similarities to current events, (natural disasters and political) and also events of the past. But it was worth it and they did a great job.

The art in this one is also beautiful.

[A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review upcoming

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had the possibility of being a little too on-point, with the idea of rounding up all magic users and locking them up in an internment camp. This follows after a momentary happy phase for all the characters, just setting them up for the significant fall. The idea of the internment is disturbingly believable, and the way the concept plays out is very well done, explaining how Buffy ends up inside, and gives her a chance to really return to form. There are lots of hard decisions being made by all the characters, and there's a sense of concern and actual stakes for everyone here (Willow's decision is especially heart-rending). The art is strong, the action is well done, the overarching story has lots of possibilities built into it. It makes for a very strong start to a new series and I look forward to seeing more of it.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cool season! It's very relevant to modern day politics. I'm so happy that the creative team is still going strong! While the tighter focus on Buffy, Willow, and Spike is nice, I definitely feel the loss of Xander, Dawn, Giles, and Andrew! I hope we get them all back together by the end! I think Season 10 is still my favorite (besides Angel & Faith Season 9), but Season 11 is a great follow-up! Can't wait to see Faith in the next volume! 5/5 stars!

[kory. · Rating 2 out of 5]

#1 buffy the vampire slayer: the spread of their evil ★★☆☆☆
#2 buffy the vampire slayer: one girl in the world ★★★★☆

ugh the whole plot is so tiring and boring and i hate it.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collecting Issues #1 - #6 of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 comic series, this collection kicks off Season 11 with Buffy and her friends living life in San Francisco.

The supernatural is public knowledge now and Buffy and Spike are consultants for the SFPD. But when an attack levels a good portion of the city, the federal government begins marginalizing those with magical powers and then separating them out into internment camps.

The story is a little heavy handed but you can understand the parallels quite easily. When Spike and Willow are ordered to the internment camp, Buffy ends up going with them. Like any history, you can imagine the conditions of said camp.

What's worse is that all those Slayers that Buffy perhaps now mistakenly shared her power with, are this storyline's Gestapo. And if that isn't bad enough, the gang soon stumble upon the truth of the matter as to what the government is REALLY up to.

Besides the story lacking any degree of finesse or subtlety, it is a decent read. And once the truth is revealed you can just imagine how Buffy is going to react to what the powers that be plan to do to their prisoners.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Nice to see Buffy and the Scoobies again. Wonder who the Big Bad is. Putting people with powers into internment camps isn't right. It's like the Holocaust or the Japanese internment camps. It's not someone's fault if theyre different. Glad they are being able to have somewhat normal lives besides that. Hope the government will take the internment camp away soon. Also hope Buffy and Spike will have lots of fun together.

Can't wait to read Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 11, volume 2: One Girl in all the World!!!

Re-read July 2018

5 🌟

Glad to refresh my memory on what happened before reading the rest of the series. Still as good as I remembered.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great! My only complaint is that I just don't want anyone except Rebekah Isaacs to do the artwork (sorry other person, but you're just not nearly as good). Plenty of cute Spuffy moments here. ❤❤

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not madly in love with the new arc, and I hope it's of short duration. I still love my scoobies, though, so I'll stay on board for the next.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been keeping with this series and glad there's another season. Another good volume. Also the art style was good.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting to have new Buffy today, so topical - looking forward to the next volume.

[Jessamyn Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too real

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After San Francisco is attacked by a massively powerful Shenlong Dragon, the Scoobies are left scrambling trying to figure out who would have sent it and why. However, humans are not taking this latest assault lying down and have started turning against their magical fellow citizens. Consequently, the president appoints Ophelia Reyes as the new Secretary of the Supernatural. As attacks against magicals increase, Reyes finally declares a Safety Zone for magicals - essentially, as Buffy says, "bringing internment camps back to America."
Giles manages to obtains forged papers, designating him as full human. Xander and Dawn pass more official channels, although they believe Dawn passed only because the magic that created her was meant to hide her. Andrew decides to flee the county, like Harmony, but promises to find an Underground Railroad option to get everyone out, if necessary.
At one point, Willow flies to save some baby Wiccans, but gets so upset over the attack that she comes across as the attacker, instead of the defender through an online video. A Slayer, Jordan, approaches Buffy to become part of the official guards against these anti-magic attacks. Buffy turns them down hard.
Soon, Jordan shows up to escort Willow and Spike to the Safety Zone. Buffy is infuriated and insulted when Jordan tries to say she's weak. After Spike surrenders to keep Buffy and Jordan from killing each other, Buffy declares that she too will go to the Safety Zone.
Unsurprisingly, the Safety Zone is not. Vampires are given weekly rations of blood, but it's not nearly enough. Buffy demands that Spike drink from here to keep himself fed. Willow continues training young Wiccas inside the camps. We see a vamp try to make a break for it, only to be zapped by a force field around the camp. An Ogre tries repeatedly to cause trouble for everyone. Some of the magicals see Buffy as a traitor, encouraged by the Ogre. We hear rumors of water-based magicals dying off. After a fight with the Ogre and his goons, Spike bites into a demon, frightening Buffy. She negotiates to be a Trustee - a guard within the camp's force field to keep order - in exchange for extra blood rations for Spike.
Willow confesses that she could start draining the baby Wiccas, leaving the unable to use magic, but able to leave the camp. Buffy hears of an uprising that the Ogre is planning - he intends to attack the gates when they open to let in water. She moves to stop it, eventually fighting off the Ogre and most of his goons. Jordan and the other camp guards move to help, but Buffy tells them to stay away. She defeats them all and Jordan points out that she might be"the least popular girl on campus" encouraging her to work outside the force field for a few days.
She investigates the work happening outside and discovers demons making magical runes and coding, as well as a blocked off restricted area. A magical comes forward to tell Jordan that water magicals are dying more often and Jordan dismisses him. When the magical makes a break to escape, it's gunned down from a guard tower, shocking Buffy.
Later, the Ogre and some of his compadres attack Buffy in an ambush. She defeats them all and breaks the Ogre's wrists. He confesses to working with the other guards. He confesses that he helps them find magicals for the work crew "no one too smart".
With Spike's help, Willow casts a portal spell to get outside the force field and follows Buffy around. Soon, she figures out that they are building a magical draining and storage device, which could not only drain many of their powers (e.g. witches) but, for many magicals, end up killing them, because they are inherently magical: "The fliers ... humanoid bodies aren't structured for flight. ... Some body types would be completely immobile. ... And those who are only alive because of magic ... they'd definitely die."
They recognize that destroying the device won't help - it would just be rebuilt somewhere else - nor will outing its existence - "They'd deny it ... a fair chunk o' the world might think it's a brilliant idea" - they decide to break out, find who's behind it, and wreck everything.

[Pervinca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa this season starts of strong!!! The "displaced camps" for the supernatural beings show a reality of what is happening in some parts of the world even now... I thought it was a good representation of what it is like or feels like to imprision someone for their race, beliefs, etc. Perhaps this will be eye opening for some!

[Evan Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another year, another Buffy comic binge!

Given how quickly my focus tends to shift, anything with a slow release schedule tends to fall off my radar pretty quickly, and the biggest offenders here are comic books. One issue per month is a ridiculous wait time that far exceeds my attention span, a failing that has repeatedly pushed such fine titles as Atomic Robo and Saga right out of my mind through no other fault of their own. Given this failing, my custom has been to wait until an entire season releases to round up a year of comics to read them all in one go, and this year, apparently, I'm telling Goodreads about it. :)

The canon Buffy comics took a little while to find their feet (Season 8 was overambitious and often weirdly uneven, not to mention marred by some bizarre character choices), but once they did, the comics became genuinely fun to read. Seasons 9 and 10 were both a delight, and Season 11 continues to deliver a rough but perfectly serviceable impression of the TV show. Gage's dialogue doesn't often match the quippy Buffyspeak of Whedon's Mutant Enemy writers team. But that's a pretty high bar (that sometimes episodes of the show itself didn't quite meet), and the writing remains obviously Buffyesque. All of the characters you know and love are present and recognizable, continuing to mature and evolve in believable ways, and the world is still there, ready to keep growing and changing. Great stuff. :)

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Kudos to the team for choosing to tackle a far more serious plotline for Season 11 (no coincidence, I'm sure, that the timelines seem to reflect Trump coming into office). Season 10 had the to be expected fare of Buffy-Spike, Spike-Angel, Spike with kittens, interdimensional travel, and angry demon lords. Season 11 deals with the ramifications of everything the Scooby gang have done, supernatural terrorism, a city in ruins, an increasingly fascist government, hate crimes, inter-species love, persecution, internment camps, and the threat of genocide.

It's refreshing to see the romantic relationships of the team solidify and take a back seat to perseverance, survival, and standing up to do what's right (even in circumstances when they can't kill people). For once angst takes a backseat and a far more mature Buffy / Spike are portrayed for a change.

[David Cowpar · Rating 5 out of 5]

So a fricken magic dragon thing is summoned and shows up and destroys San Fran.

In response the government need to come up with measures to protect American citizens. They decide to “temporarily” round up all magical people and creatures and bring them to a safe camp.

Here they ration blood and it’s pretty disastrous. The Slayers are guards and the government are even paying people to start revolts inside.

Buffy becomes an inside guard to get Spike more blood. She gets to see the work projects in this role too and sees something more sinister is coming.

They need to be on the outside to stop the evil plans of members of the US government.

[Jinni Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Buffy comics yet. This is familiar comic book territory: world finds out about supernatural beings, world freaks out, world gathers all “others” together and contemplates genocide. But it’s nice to see the Buffyverse get a strong story arch after the vagueness of “the seed” storyline. This volume has very little Of any of the characters besides Buffy, Spike, and Willow which is disappointing but hopefully is leading to a big climax. I have high hopes for the whole season with the first volume being this strong.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another natural progression to the consequences of last season, but done in the most Buffy way. The world knows about magic? Is magic something to be afraid of? Yes! So lock it all up! I'm curious to see how Buffy and the Scoobies deals with this season's Big Bad...mostly because the scariest thing out in Buffy's world is prejudice and fear. It's hard to kick ass when the Big Bad isn't physical. But, hey, maybe another dragon will show up? I'd be down for that.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesitant to jump back into the comics as I never made it past twilight but I liked this. The casual aspect of buffy and spike feels off because they've never had so little tension but it's nice I guess and I'm happy for them? The way I'm happy for Alanis Morrisette but her music was better when she was pissed. I like the vibe of the scoobies in this though and willow is still a Powerhouse so I'm happy. Ready for the next one.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting new developments! I was glad there was no romantic drama in this, and for some reason it just makes me happy that Buffy always has her scythe with her. It's getting a little political maybe? But there was still some good fighting stuff.

And, I agree Lara, the art occasionally got weird and their faces looked wrong!

[Devvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a different take on what feels like a mixture between the 1930's and present day. This is Buffy's best season yet. But I am wondering what will happen with the others as they are not as involved this season (trying to be as vague as possible so not to reveal spoilers). But I seriously love this and am so glad Gage is still writing for this season.

[Margaret Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the season where it really starts to get good, in my opinion! I have so much more to say, but I'm going to submit a proposal for The 2019 Comics and Popular Arts Conference at DragonCon, so hopefully I'll get to say it then. For now, I'll say that I think Season 11 is amazing, and so very timely!

[E.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot going on in this one. A pretty big change to the overall universe and not a happy one. It lacked the humor and romance of the end of season ten but they are definitely setting up something big in this current season.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep trying to satisfy my jones for new Buffy, but I just don't love it in comics form. Still, it is all I will get (barring a reboot of the show, which I would not watch) so I will keep on with them.