Fray

Rating:
Summary: MIddling extension of the Buffyverse
Review: "Fray" is a graphic novel that extends the mythos of Buffy the Vampire Slayer into a distant and not very pleasant future. But its reference to the standard BTVS canon are just that--vague references. The world of "Fray" is a totally different realm in which Slayers and vampires alike are forgotten (although the latter exist as "Lurkers") and Watchers are ineffectual madmen. The title character, Fray, is a petty thief called to be a new Slayer and guided by a demon of dubious intentions. The storyline follows her as she learns what her destiny is, how her mission is intertwined with her own family troubles, and how she accepts her new role as Slayer.

I picked this up basically because it was written by Joss Whedon and because even a story tangentially related to Buffy sounded intriguing. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the quality of the story. I didn't find the characters particularly sympathetic nor was I bowled over by the artwork. Compared to other comics and graphic novels that I've read, this one was lacking. Some readers may find it enjoyable; frankly, I didn't. If you're a fan of graphic novels generally, the odds are higher that you'll like this one. But if what you're really looking for is a Buffy fix, you can do better elsewhere.


Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon wrote this eight issue mini-series for Dark Horse Comics. Taking place in the 23rd century in a Blade Runner-esque world; young "grabber" (pretty much a thief) Melaka Fray finds her world turned upside down when a mysterious demon named Urkonn tells her that she is the Slayer. Faced with a newfound destiny, a tragic past, and plot twists and turns galore; Joss Whedon's Fray is pure brilliance from beginning to end. Whedon's interpretation of future dialogue is amusing to say the least, and his quirky humor which has always been apparent throughout his various television shows is here as well. The art by Karl Moline and Andy Owens is amazing stuff indeed; bringing a surreal look to the dark and gritty future world while showing Mel mature more and more as each chapter passes. The only problem with Fray is in it's pacing. From the time that Mel accepts her destiny to the end of the book, the war against the vampires happens too quickly. If you can get past that though, you'll find some pure comic genius here, Joss Whedon style. Hopefully, Joss will do a much requested follow up to Fray after his current run on Marvel's Astonishing X-Men (also highly recommended).

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon wrote this eight issue mini-series for Dark Horse Comics. Taking place in the 23rd century in a Blade Runner-esque world; young "grabber" (pretty much a thief) Melaka Fray finds her world turned upside down when a mysterious demon named Urkonn tells her that she is the Slayer. Faced with a newfound destiny, a tragic past, and plot twists and turns galore; Joss Whedon's Fray is pure brilliance from beginning to end. Whedon's interpretation of future dialogue is amusing to say the least, and his quirky humor which has always been apparent throughout his various television shows is here as well. The art by Karl Moline and Andy Owens is amazing stuff indeed; bringing a surreal look to the dark and gritty future world while showing Mel mature more and more as each chapter passes. The only problem with Fray is in it's pacing. From the time that Mel accepts her destiny to the end of the book, the war against the vampires happens too quickly. If you can get past that though, you'll find some pure comic genius here, Joss Whedon style. Hopefully, Joss will do a much requested follow up to Fray after his current run on Marvel's Astonishing X-Men (also highly recommended).

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Chapter in the History of the Slayers
Review: Fray is a new chapter in the history of the Slayer. Buffy is long gone and so is the vampire menace. But as the years have gone by, the demons are slowly managing to get back into our world.

Fray is thief, plain and simple. But she does have a good heart and tries to take care of others. But years ago her antics resulted in the death of her twin brother. Little does she know she is about to be tapped for something greater.

First a man tells her she is the chosen one (then he sets himself on fire). Next, a huge demon tells her the same thing. But Fray has not been experiencing the signs the demon tells her about; there are no dreams. The demon must convince her of her heritage and train her before another power can open a gateway that will let all of demonkind ravage the Earth once more.

This is a very-well crafted tale and shows the Joss Whedon's genius. One can only hope that there will be more tales of Fray in some form or another. If you like Buffy, you will love Fray.

Rating:
Summary: Great artwork, interesting take on the Slayer storyline
Review: I bought this book in part because Joss Whedon is the writer of this and is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The storyline is set centuries after Buffy and is the story of a young slayer who is more like the Faith we know than Buffy.
I found the setting to be depressing, if that is the future it's sure going to be miserable, but the artwork is great- and the story isn't too bad either.

Rating:
Summary: Joss Whedon can do everything!
Review: I loved this book! It is really good. The characters are interesting, although I don't like some of them, such as the villain (I won't name as I don't want to spoil). He didn't look scary at all. I know it was supposed to be a big shocker but they should have made him look scary now. Also, the end seemed kind of rushed. (Spoiler) The big demon whose stomach would open all demensions was a little out there. If you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel this is a good book, and I have a feeling a 2nd is on the way.

Rating:
Summary: Joss Whedon can do everything!
Review: I loved this book! It is really good. The characters are interesting, although I don't like some of them, such as the villain (I won't name as I don't want to spoil). He didn't look scary at all. I know it was supposed to be a big shocker but they should have made him look scary now. Also, the end seemed kind of rushed. (Spoiler) The big demon whose stomach would open all demensions was a little out there. If you are a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel this is a good book, and I have a feeling a 2nd is on the way.

Rating:
Summary: Not Just For Buffy Fans...
Review: I must be ernest, I am not a fan of buffy..Yet the story of fray isn't so mutch a new instalment of slayor mythose.
even if you know nothing of joss whedons former work, know the man can write a comic book to make it both engaguing and accessable.
the plot is standerd fare, "cool, kinda bad chick is hauled reluctantly into saving the post modern world".
that is where the simmilarities to other silicone heroines stop and whedons tallent as an author and the other artists that created fray shines. the story brings you to the razor edge of the make or break point of any good comic "is it cliche?" but what we learn about frey from the hip neo-english slang to the sometimes gutwrenching fight sceens is the fact that it takes the tough chick storyline and reinvents it to both be familliar ground and yet something fresh and new.
I want to save the fun for the readers but lets just say when you finish it you will be yurning for a sequel...

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant alternate take on the Slayer mythology
Review: I was really impressed by this superb graphic novel written by Buffy creator Joss Whedon. While I was expecting a fun and interesting addition to the Slayerverse mythology, I wasn't expecting such a surprisingly nifty take on the mythology that Whedon had established in Buffy and Angel.

The story takes place at some indeterminate place in the future a couple of hundreds years in the future. No Slayer had been called in ages because magic had moved out of earth's dimension. But the vampires have returned, and for the first time in generations a new slayer has been called. The trouble is, apart from being a thief, she doesn't have many of the marks of a slayer--no dreams, no instincts, only the raw physical fighting ability. She is a slayer, but a flawed one.

FRAY is filled with great graphic designs, a fine central storyline, a remarkably complex set of character relations, and some quite stunning plot reversals. I love the conceit of a not-quite-complete-slayer. The fighting skills are clearly the most important part of being a slayer, but Fray has no sense of her heritage, of her destiny, of her vocation. If Buffy at least struggled against her fate, Fray hasn't a hint of what her fate is. When tells the demon who would train her that she really hasn't had the dreams or visions of previous slayers, she is telling the truth. This makes her even more isolated than other slayers, more a loner.

I think anyone who enjoys either graphic novels or any of the work of Joss Whedon is going to love this. Hopefully there will be a follow up. The story ends with things definitely open to future development. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant alternate take on the Slayer mythology
Review: I was really impressed by this superb graphic novel written by Buffy creator Joss Whedon. While I was expecting a fun and interesting addition to the Slayerverse mythology, I wasn't expecting such a surprisingly nifty take on the mythology that Whedon had established in Buffy and Angel.

The story takes place at some indeterminate place in the future a couple of hundreds years in the future. No Slayer had been called in ages because magic had moved out of earth's dimension. But the vampires have returned, and for the first time in generations a new slayer has been called. The trouble is, apart from being a thief, she doesn't have many of the marks of a slayer--no dreams, no instincts, only the raw physical fighting ability. She is a slayer, but a flawed one.

FRAY is filled with great graphic designs, a fine central storyline, a remarkably complex set of character relations, and some quite stunning plot reversals. I love the conceit of a not-quite-complete-slayer. The fighting skills are clearly the most important part of being a slayer, but Fray has no sense of her heritage, of her destiny, of her vocation. If Buffy at least struggled against her fate, Fray hasn't a hint of what her fate is. When tells the demon who would train her that she really hasn't had the dreams or visions of previous slayers, she is telling the truth. This makes her even more isolated than other slayers, more a loner.

I think anyone who enjoys either graphic novels or any of the work of Joss Whedon is going to love this. Hopefully there will be a follow up. The story ends with things definitely open to future development. I'll keep my fingers crossed.