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What's in Buffy's future? You decide.

Sometimes, a list appears that just begs for AfterEllen.com readers' comments. And most of the time, your suggestions result in a list vastly superior to the original. I fully expect that to be the case with this week's effort from IF Magazine: “The Top Ten Things We'd Like to See in 'Buffy' and 'Angel' Comics.”

The list proposes situations and returning characters that would make for good reading. Here are some of the highlights:

Bring back Tara and Joyce

As the article puts it, “If bad guys can come back, why not good guys?” True enough. While I doubt that anyone here would disagree that killing Tara was a bad move, do we really want her to come back now?

To my surprise, I have mixed feelings about it. Love, love, love Tara. But Willow has grown and changed a lot, and I don't think I want Tara to return to Willow unless they can live happily ever after. One thing is certain: I wouldn't want anyone but Joss to write that story line.

IF proposes that Joyce could return as a sort of spiritual guide to the slayerettes — I'm thinking Grams on Charmed. Hmm. I don't see a reason for this one. Nothing against Joyce, but she wasn't a slayer, so would be short on slayerish wisdom. I think her ghost days are over.

Resurrect Anya for another “Doppelgangland” story line

The theory is that D'Hoffryn might bring Anya back to make her pay for her betrayal or to finally win her love, leading to an alternate reality story such as “what if Buffy hadn't returned from the dead?” I actually kind of like this idea. I'm a sucker for alternate reality scenarios. And before Season 8 started, Joss told MTV that Anya is “definitely dead — but that doesn't mean she's gone.” Bring on the bunnies!

Return Oz to the fold

Actually, Oz is coming back to the fold, according to Joss. But I'll assume the list maker didn't know about PaleyFest.

Let Dru reappear to avenge Spike's death

This one makes a lot of sense, from a storytelling perspective. Drusilla just disappeared after she found out that Spike loved Buffy, but nothing indicated that she'd given up on the hope that she, Darla and Spike could eventually be a “family.” As IF points out, “Dru was always one of the best and most demented Buffy bads and she would be fun to see again.” Agreed.

I don't have much of an opinion about the rest of the list (except for the slight suggestion of a three-way between Buffy, Spike and Angel — ew). But it does spark some thoughts of a resurrected Glory or more Buffybots or a comic book musical episode. (Nanochip-infused ink. You heard it here first.)

Now for the best part of the list: yours. What would you like to see happen in the future Buffyverse? Any characters that you'd like to have return? Any story lines you'd like to see in Buffy? Anyone you wish had been a dream all along (cough-Dawn-cough)?

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  • wickedgrrl's picture

    Waaaahhhh!!

    I'm late for work and don't dare read this or I'll be REALLY late.  Stupid musicians don't need mics and amps anyways.  Just sing over the crowd damn it.

    I'll be back soon to show this post some love. 

    ETA: 

    Tara needs to not be dead.  Tara does not need to be with Willow.  I'm a bit of a Buffy/Tara shipper so the idea after recent developements holds lots of appeal. 

    We totally need to see Faith's reaction to Buffy sleeping with a slayer.  I love the idea of Faith being with one of the Buffy look-alikes as mentioned below.  Jealous Buffy and Faith is always good fodder, I'd much rather it not involve Angel. 

    Something else I completely agree with is more alternate universe "episodes".  The need for continuity is blown out the window; it allows stories to be told that might not otherwise fly in the buffyverse.

    Its hard to go wrong with more Anya (ever) as long as they cont. to nail the voices.

    For some reason I really want them to give more definition or a "label" if you will to Andrew.  I guess I really just want vyndication like I got with Buffy's heteroflexible status.

    I want to see so much but really my greatest wish would be to see them flush out Buffy and Faith more.  There is so much story telling potential there and character growth/development.

    McManus in '08!  Vote now.  Vote often.  www.curvemag.com

    maylith's picture

    Hmmmmm, Buffy ideas

    I'm a Buffy/Tara shipper.....so now that the comic book Buffy has expierenced a woman, its time for Tara to come back and create some odd love triangle.

    Faith needs to learn of Buffy's time with a woman, and maybe start dating one of the Buffy look-a-likes (as shown in issue 5)

    Return Jenny Calander, either good or evil, she could be a great foil for Giles.

    On the Angel comic book, they could bring in The Inititive/Riley in to Hellish LA.

     

     

     

     

    apollo's picture

    Jenny Calendar!

    Wow, great idea.  I loved her storyline - and find Passions one of the hardest episodes to watch.  I was sorry she didn't return in s7 with the First, considering it took her form when Buffy had to banish it back in - what was it, s3?  I mean, they brought the Mayor back as a Faith foil. 

    Re: Tara, I want her back.  Period.  I would imagine she and Willow wouldn't end up together, at least without a big story arc that earned it, but I hate her dead.  And bringing her back would create odd and interesting tensions after so much time.

    ginaji's picture

    Willow and Anya

    get it on!
    --
    "One does not see anything until one sees its beauty" - Oscar Wilde
    Evchen's picture

    Hell yeah!

    But I'm equally happy if they just bring anya back ... just love her, especially in season 7
    MidnightWolf's picture

    Yay!


    Well im afraid i didnt agree with the whole bringing warren back thing cause i hated him lol  so my list would be...

    ( now i haven't gotten around to reading the comics yet so i appologise if any of it has already happened!)

    Bring the mayor back to mess with Faiths head! (loved him!)

    Dark Willow and Vampire Willow join forces :D

    More scarier baddies like Angel...hes the only one who freaked me out a little

    oo Jenny calendar and Tara doing magicks from beyond the grave


    I'd love to see Tara come back and to see who Willow would pick...and if she chooses Tara can i have Kennedy please?








    ~~~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~~~~

    Shall I abide in this dull world, which in her absence is no better then a sty?
    Mel-Lehane-Gal's picture

    Faith

    Faith i want Faith Back Lol. Faith And Buffy Should Finally Work Off Some Of That Tension. Come On You All Want It To Happen Hehe. Im Sorry But That Should Have Happened I Loved Faith. Hey I Stil Loved Her When She Went Evil So Lets Hope She Comes Back And Finds Out About Buffy And Satsu ;).

    Lol xx

    4sakenshadowxsoldierlette's picture

    hmm

    i love drusilla!!! she's crazy and always fun. i think bring her back and somehow darla too and they'll somehow have this giant hold on angel and it all ties in with each comic!

    also bring anya and jenny back i thought they were great!

    i read one of the novels that is set after the season 7 finale aroudn the 8th i'm guessing and tara actually did come back but as some witch apprentice cat thingy. but as it was said when willow tried to bring her back she died of "natural" causes, not magickal, and it just is not right with the world and costs it a price. as much as i want tara back again i like willow now how she is.

    faith and buffy definately need to get something started bc they just do. that's the end of that story.

    and spike, my dear spike, oh how i cried watching the series finale. i think he should come back but something more powerful and mystickal! 

    ~*~"That's what we all dream about isn't it? Someone who looks so deeply into our soul that...they'd find something worth dying for."---Gabrielle~*~

    Xandra318's picture

    <333

    Ok I so didn't just shriek when I saw a post about Buffy! :P

    Wow what a question, there are so many things that should've happened in the Buffyverse! (for starters having seasons 8 - a million because we could never get tired of the Buffster!!)

    I would have to agree with Mel, it's way past time to let Buffy and Faith hook up! It really seemed to be heading that way in Season 3 till Faith up and went evil on us. Which actually made her way hotter - and you know Buffy thought so to! I think B's more than ready for Faith to rock her world!

    I would bring sweet, adorable Tara back! I think her and Willow could work it out because I truly believe they're soulmates!

    I would also bring Dru and Jenny Calendar back because I adored them as well! Dru was just the right amount of insane and Jenny was sweet and sexy! I think the first time I cried while watching Buffy was when she died! "Passions" still upsets me every time I watch it (and that moment where Angel kills her *sniffle* *tear*). Yeah Jenny definitely needs to come back. Now.

    Oh yeah and I know Cordelia went to Angel but I loved her! She started off the typical ditz we all loved to hate but she really grew as a person. Plus she was smokin' hot!

    Wow after all that I really need to go watch me some Buffy! Now which episode to watch...

    amyliz430's picture

    I have always felt

    that Tara was meant to come back to Willow. Maybe it was the, "I will always find you" line that Willow said to her at the end of Season 5, I don't know. I just feel like they had that whole soulmate thing going on, and that them finding each other again was meant to happen according to the way their relationship was portrayed. But I wouldn't want Willow to bring her back or anything. I know that Joss once had the idea during Season 7 for Buffy to wish Tara back. He's creative, I'm sure that he could find some way to do it that wouldn't be all angsty like with Buffy's resurrection. But yes, he should definitely be the one to write that if it were to happen. And since I personally can only live with a happy ending, together forever Willow and Tara, it should happen near the end of the Buffyverse run.

    Dru would be a great villain to bring back, Oz I have always adored and am glad to here he's making a return (just so long as Willow stays on our team!), Anya would be great to bring back as well. Joyce coming back seems unncessary, although she was of course a wonderful character.

    I'm not saying that I think we should see a Buffy/Faith relationship (as much as I love the idea), but I do think that their feelings for one another should be explored more. I always felt as though Faith loved Buffy in a very confused way.

    Anyway, I just love how the world of Buffy has continued on, even though it has been five years since the show ended. Talk about a devoted fan following!

    electrocutie912's picture

    I agree with you! I mean I

    I agree with you! I mean I loved Kennedy and Willow as much as the next girl, but Willow and Tara were meant to be. They were the epitome of soul mates. Willow's reaction to losing Tara should be enough to prove that! I mean she turned into Dark Willow for goodness sake! They are meant to be reunited...somehow...

     

    [["And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives."]]

    Batman's picture

    BTVS!!

    Love Jenny and Anya.   Can we trade Dawn for Anya?

    jenny_faye's picture

    All Tara, all the time

    I miss Tara, so she's what I would wish for.  I haven't read the comics yet... waiting until the season is done.  But, as someone commented earlier, I know Joss had an idea brewing for bringing her back before, so I'm hoping he still wants to do that. 
    capoeira's picture

    Faith and Buffy should

    Faith and Buffy should totally get it on!!!c'mon!you know that there was something there ever since Faith showed up way back in s3..

    and i also hope they bring Anya back...she was so funny!and Dru was pretty cool...sure,she talked to dolls and had voices in her head,but she was badass...

    on Angel,it would be cool that Illyria was still there..i liked her.

    and i hope they keep Spike there (on Angel)...no crossing over to Buffy,cause that would just gets us back to pining-for-buffy-and-i-have-a-soul-now-please-love-me Spike instead of cool Spike that keeps Angel on his toes..

    gejino's picture

    Drusilla back? That would be great...

    ...but I think it would be cheesy if Tara came back.  I think I'm one of the few lesbians who didn't object to her death- the fact that Willow took her death so hard testified to the meaning and the significance of their relationship.

    LoveLillianGish's picture

    Buffy Comic

    I would love to see Anya come into season 8 of Buffy because I think humor is needed and Dawn is utterly pointless to me. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure Joss Whedon has written Tara and Anya will not be brought back. I'm interested to see who Twilight is and Faith's storyline and how Giles is dealing with not being Buffy's watcher (again) But back to Dawn, waste of a character. She's just as annoying in the comic as the show and she rarely acts her age, once in a blue moon does she. I'd like to see Willow be supportive of Buffy's openess to her own sexuality but say no Buff, it's not a problem, why would it be Buff, just like Buffy did when Willow came out to her. I'd like to see Tara come back because I'm sick of Kennedy but I don't see it happening. It would be really interesting to see Jenny Calender come back and tell Giles some wisdom and such because to me she was never truly good, she drifted. as a side note: I wish the illustrators for the covers were more anatomically correct because its distracting how off they are sometimes. 
    crystalsinger's picture

    As Tara goes, so goes my nation...

    Joss ~must~ bring Tara back at some point, and reunite her and Willow in a 'happily ever after' kind of way. Of course, the road would have to be long and winding, and full of angst, twists, and turns - but we know they belong together, right?

    Until then... fanfic FTW! ;-)

    glwtta's picture

    "Of course, the road would

    "Of course, the road would have to be long and winding, and full of angst, twists, and turns"

    I think they've dropped enough hints that it actually will happen, but given the general timelines Joss has sketched out in interviews, I think it very unlikely we'll see it happen before Season 9 (if not later) - so it's literally years away.

    Nathiest's picture

    I like to see the return of

    I like to see the return of Ozz and I would like to see a fallow up to the Secret Service Invisible Assassins storyline.

    oh and yeah the return on Anya!!!!

    -Nathiest
    live for lust die for love

    Denbo is My HomeGirl's picture

    Sometimes I crave a non-fat yogurt afterwards...

    OK,

    I am def joining the Buffy/Faith hook-up camp. I mean, if Buffy is gonna get it on with Satsu, is she really gonna ignore the smokin chemistry she has with Faith?

    And I want Anya and Cordelia to come back! They are both such funny characters, and I think they could have a great Laverne and Shirley thing going on together...maybe with Andrew tagging along? Someone get these girls a sitcom, stat!

    And did I mention Faith and Buffy hooking up? Because it bears repeating... 

     

    Dawn: It's on. All right? It's f---in' ON.

    ferpsi88's picture

    I'm gonna have to disagree

    I'm gonna have to disagree with everyone and say that I don't want Tara back. Yes, she was adorable with Willow, but they were so boring. Willow is so much cooler now. And for some reason I'm more attracted to Kennedy. I think she's good for making Willow loosen up and get some excitement in her life. Make her do things she never would otherwise.

    Tara was important for Willows growth, but I think it's better if she stays 

    as a beautiful memory. 

    Anya is definitely cool and I want her to come back cause she's so funny.

    I agree there's no point in Joice coming back.

    I do like nutty people so Dru should definitely come stir things up a little. 

    Giles needs to get laid(or just get in a relationship), and Jenny was great so she could come back. 

    I also miss when there were really scary demons who wasn't trying to end or take over the world, 

    but were just plain evil and scary. Like the demon killing off children with fever...He freaks the hell out of me. 

    kate_ruth's picture

    I would love Tara to come

    I would love Tara to come back but I am not sure in what capacity. I think that Willow and Tara's love will always be the classic love story in buffy a bit like Romeo and Juliet. No one can come close to it, it is the ideal. But I also think Willow has moved on and I kind of like the weird, strained relationship she has with Kennedy now (I didn't like her in the tv show weirdly)

     I would like to have Tara come back as an advisory role. Buffy seems lost and reverting back to I am a leader and all alone and I think that Tara could help her alot. I liked the begining of true friendship between Tara and Buffy in the sixth season, and also she was close to Dawn, perhaps she could bridge the gap between the sisters.

     

     

    imthey's picture

    Drusilla...

    My brain is still attempting to reset itself after far too many nights with barely any sleep, so at this point I can't think of much to say, save for DRUSILLA!

    Juliet Landau as Drusilla was one of my favorite things about Buffy and Angel. I don't know if it's just some secret lust for "bad girls" or what, but Drusilla was always a high point for me. The other was Faith. I'd be happy if someone just built a show around slayer Faith and if that show had Drusilla and Darla in the mix.

     

    (Self Appointed) "#1 Bridget McManus Fan"

    I M THEY ("Think Sideways")

    luispquis's picture

    Want, Take, Have

    I literally starting peeing my pants when I read that Buffy got jiggy with Satsu.  And the number one reason for that is obviously because it breathes hope into all us sad obsessive Fuffy shipper's sails.  Ooh, a weird, grammatically awful analogy.  Clever me. 

    But as much as I'd like to see something happen, even for their sexual tension and chemistry just to be ADDRESSED would be cause for much scooby dance elation.

    I'm not really into the idea of Tara returning.  In dream sequences or as a spirit maybe, but I think it would take too much away from the enormity of what happened if she was to return fully.  I like the bittersweet ending they had and Willow wouldn't be Willow wouthout it. 

     Andrew should get even more camped up and have some classic Storyteller opportunities.  And I'm all for the return of Anya.  Give them a comedy spin-off, it'd be comedy gold!  

    And speaking of a nano-chip musical issue, how about a Hush style story?  You wouldn't even need any technology, just artwork and the readers would have to make their own analysis of what they thought was happening.  Maybe that's a bit adventurous.....but everyone would love pretending to be Joss for 10 minutes. 

    If  homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work:  "Hello.  Can't work today, still queer."  ~Robin Tyler

    redraisin's picture

    Buffy/Faith

    I'm joining the chorus of more Buffy/ Faith interaction. Preferably of the horizontal variety.
    chloe121212's picture

    "The King of cups expects a picnic, but it is not his birthday."

    Bring Drusilla back!  Nuff said.  Well actually I liked her and Darla together especially when thecrossed over to Angel, but BRING BACK DRUSILLA!!!!

    "I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"

     

    Batman's picture

    Dru

    I'm with you on this one.  She was awesome....and good one with the Dru quote...it goes to show just how...???...she was.
    Amy M's picture

    Buffy Angel Spike Three-Way?

    Actually, I have to disagree. A Buffy-Spike-Angel threeway would rock.

     

    ---------or maybe I just  have to rebel against the stereotype that bi girls are into girl-boy-girl threesomes by condoning the opposite.-)

     

    And yes-bring back Anya, she had the best lines after Cordy left for Angel. I even named my Russian Blue cat after her.

    Betazoid Android's picture

    Drusilla

    Dru was also a fave of mine and maybe she is Buffy's most formidable enemy afterall considering that she is still dead and well as opposed to ther big bads who are just dead. Id love to see where they would take her story line.
    NorthGeo's picture

    Ultimate Big Bad: Dark Wicca Vamp Willow

    I LOVE the idea of bringing back Vampire Willow then giving her an education in black magic (maybe through an evil spell by Amy or D'Hoffryn). It could also involve Anya somehow since her powers created Vamp Willow to begin with.

    With Dark Vamp Willow using magic, the two willows would be connected and perhaps that would cut Willows powers in half (shes just too powerful now for things to be really interesting I think) and I think thatd make sense.

    Oh and maybe Willow could stop dressing like shes attending a renassaince festival all the time. Did she trade her sense of style for Goddess-level powers? Its worse than back when she knew the softer side of Sears.

    renatalie's picture

    Lose Dawn

    actually my first thought was that Joss should lose Dawn... let her go... far far away from my sights...

    never did like her from the first moment.

    And of course I would also love some more interaction between Buffy and Faith, just as LuisPQuis said if they would only address their amazing chemistry I would be totally happy. Getting them together would be like a dream come true, but I really dont think it would go that direction...

    as for the Tara/Willow/Kennedy discussion... I liked Tara fine, but I actually thought that Kennedy was way hotter and pushed Willow's buttons in a way that I always liked.

    ---------------------------------
    www.oraculodelesbos.blogspot.com

    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    The Faith arc was probably

    The Faith arc was probably the strongest that the season 8 comic has seen, so I think we need more Faith.
    As for who to bring back, definitely Anya. Possibly Dru. It depends on what they're going to do with Dru. She has to be accompanied by someone who can manage the crazy for her. That might be a nice window to introduce a new a character.
    Basically I'm lovin' the comic, even if there seems to be no end to Dawn being a giant.
    onedimpledcheek's picture

    I love how Faith wasn't

    I love how Faith wasn't mentioned once. I mean, come on. We all know how much potential that pairing had.

    If I had my way, there would be a bit more Fuffy interaction...if you know what I mean. Lord knows it was just under the surface the whole time.

     

    -------------------------------------------------- 

    "I exist as I am; that is enough."

    avab80's picture

    More Willow!

    There needs to be more Willow, in general. So far she's just popped in and out of the castle (or where ever it is they are) whenever it suits the story. I'd love to see Willow get her own story arc eventually, like Faith did.

    Dawn has also been conspicuously absent from the last few issues. Not that I'm really complaining, but I want to know if they figured out how to shrink her back to normal size.

    I haven't read any of the Angel comics yet, but I also think it would be cool if Fred made an appearance in the Buffyverse. Perhaps she & Willow can team up in a situation that needs a lot of brain power.

    GrrrlRomeo's picture

    Tara and Single

    I actually like Tara as a character in her own right and not soley as Willow's girlfriend. I would want her to come back and continue developing as an individual. Of course if she hooks up with Willow again, that would be awesome. But not if the relationship didn't evolve and Tara didn't evolve.

    I probably would've liked Kennedy if she had never hooked up with Willow. It all seemed a little too "hey, here's two lesbians...they must date...as they are the only two lesbians in town." Or "Willow needs a girlfriend to take Tara's place...lets make one up and not take into consideration what Willow's type is aside from the fact that she likes people with girl parts"

    Which makes no sense, Willow was attracted to Xander and Oz on some level. They're kind and not pushy and not big with the ego. Tara is like that, and with the girl parts...so... all levels of love achieved.

    See, I think Kennedy is a bit like Faith. And I like Faith. But never in a hundred years would Willow date Faith if Faith was gay.

    But back to Tara...she was just starting to come into her own. We saw only glimpses of her inner strength. I say she comes back and knocks Warren on his ass. It's all always about what he did to Willow...taking Tara away from her. F that. Bring Tara back for Tara.

    I don't think Joss made a retcon when he brought Warren back. I think there's some reason we don't know about yet. I think Amy and Warren made that crap up to hide how he really came back. And it's possible that when the Scoobies uncover it, they will bring someone else back the same way.

    daz00's picture

    Hmm...

    Well, first and most important - Faith and Buffy need to do something! Anything. This thing has been going on since third season and all the sexual tension was there, the itch that needed to be scratched and then... Bam, Buffy throws her off the roof with a knife in her gut. Not exactly, the release of tension I was expecting from those two.

    Then season seven ends and Faith is the one of few standing there with Buffy, even saying the second to last line of the show and then the comics come and something good happens in Fuffy world - Buffy starts to look girls. Yeah, a totally different girl though -_-

    So, Buffy and Faith... Something has to come out of that. Right?

    Anyways, Anya would be a welcome returning character. She was the comic relief through the later seasons and was a very lovable character. Bringing her back would be great! Dawn's just... Dawn -_-

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