Buffyverse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Buffyverse" is a term coined by fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel to refer to the shared fictional universe in which they are set. The boundaries of the Buffyverse have grown over the years.
The Buffyverse established by these many stories is a place in which supernatural phenomenon is undeniable. The existence of vampires and demons is challenged by people willing to fight against such forces.
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[edit] Alternate terms
The issues over the use of terminology to describe the fictional universe established by Buffy and Angel has not been clear cut, and in fact a number of terms are in use, of which 'Buffyverse' is the most common.
Buffyverse is by far the most commonly used phrase to describe the fictional universe of Buffy and Angel. However other terms are also sometimes used.
The main disadvantage of this term is that it might be mistakenly seen as excluding information from Angel. However, many fans argue that "Buffyverse" is appropriate to describe the fictional universe encompassing Buffy, Angel, and further expansions to the mythology, because Buffy was the original show, and all further mythology built upon that starting point.
- Slayerverse/Angelverse
Like "Buffyverse", these can be interpreted as being "tied" to only one particular show (Buffy, and Angel respectively). "Slayerverse" overlooks the fact that relatively few Angel episodes contained Slayers, while "Angelverse" suggests that the mythology built up in Angel takes place in a separate fictional universe from that of Buffy.
- Whedonverse/Jossverse/ME-verse (after Mutant Enemy, Whedon's production company)
The use of this term is growing, however it is often used to describe any or all of Joss Whedon's other work, and particularly Firefly. These other works including Firefly do not seem likely to take place in the same fictional universe as Buffy and Angel, therefore Buffyverse is more appropriate to describe the fictional universe at hand.
- Buffy/Angelverse
This explicitly refers to both shows. However, it is also rarely used and is arguably the least aesthetically pleasing option. However, even this term does not acknowledge additions such as Fray..
[edit] The construction of the Buffyverse
The fictional universe known as the Buffyverse is now considered the fictional construct created by hundreds of individual stories told through TV, novels, comics and more. It was initially being created only through Buffy episodes. The TV series Angel first aired in 1999. The popularity of these series led to licensed fiction carrying the Buffy and Angel labels, and resulted in fans beginning to distinguish between what they consider 'real' within the Buffyverse (canon).
Outside of the TV series, the Buffyverse has been expanded and elaborated on by various authors and artists in the so-called "Buffyverse Expanded Universe". The Buffyverse novels, Buffy video games and the vast majority of Buffyverse comics, are licensed by 20th Century Fox, but are generally considered 'less real' within the Buffyverse (apocryphal). The creators of these works are generally free to tell their own stories set in the Buffyverse, and may or may not keep to established continuity. Similarly writers for the TV series are under no obligation to use continuity which has been established by the Expanded Universe, and may contradict it.
The works sometimes flesh out background information on characters. For example Go Ask Malice provides essential information about the origins of the character, Faith Lehane.
The Buffyverse comics were first published by Dark Horse who have retained the right to produce Buffy comics. IDW now hold the license to produce Angel comics. Joss Whedon wrote an eight-issue miniseries for Dark Horse Comics entitled Fray, about a futuristic vampire slayer. Its final issue came out in August 2003. Pocket Books hold the license to produce Buffy novels, but their license to produce Angel novels expired in 2004.
The Buffyverse has also inspired several fan-made productions. For example, in recent years Buffyverse fan films have been created for distribution on the internet (considered fanon). In 2001 "Fluffy the English Vampire Slayer" was released, the computer-animated series, Consanguinity followed in 2004. Currently Cherub, a parody of Angel is already in its second season. Furthermore the upcoming Forgotten Memories will provide a direct continuation of Buffy (with all roles recast), the story will takes place 23 months after "Chosen".
Several adult parodies of Buffy have also been produced. None were licensed by 20th Century Fox as official Buffy merchandise: The graphic novel Boffy the Vampire Layer, and several pornographic films; Buffy the Vampire Layer, Muffy the Vampire Layer, and Muffy the Vampire Slayer.
[edit] Characteristics of the Buffyverse
In many ways this world is not dissimilar to ours. However, in the Buffyverse, elements of the supernatural are found throughout the world, though only a small proportion of the population are aware of this. It is interesting to note that although many unique aspects of the Buffyverse are introduced as "good" or "evil" and are usually treated as such, both "good" and "bad" tend to be forced into more ambiguous "grey areas". A few of the main aspects of the Buffyverse follow.
[edit] The Old Ones
- See slso: Old Ones (Buffyverse), Illyria
The world was originally ruled by powerful pure-breed demons, the Old Ones. The Old Ones were eventually driven out of this dimension. Any who remained were vanquished or imprisoned in the "Deeper Well", now hidden in England. These demons are the object of reverence and worship from lesser demon species.
[edit] Vampires
- See also: Vampire (Buffyverse)
According to legend in the Buffyverse, the last Old One to leave this dimension fed off a human and their blood mixed. A demon was trapped in the human body in the place of the soul. Giles describes how the being "bit another, and another, and so they walk the Earth" ("The Harvest"). Some elements of traditional vampire mythology are used whilst others are abandoned.
[edit] Demons
- See also: Demon (Buffyverse)
Very few pure demons exist in our world; most have some taint of humanity. Indeed Angel's first season features a number of half-demons, including Doyle: his mother is human, and his father is a Brachen demon.
The number of demon species is vast. Throughout most of Buffy and the beginning of Angel, demons were portrayed as intrinsically evil. To some extent, however, over the course of Angel, demons came to be portrayed with a range of moral positions, with some — notably Lorne and Clem — being benign. While demons are often said to lack souls, this apparently means human souls and the conscience that goes with them; the complete soullessness of the Mok'tagar is said to be distinctive ("Living Conditions").
[edit] Slayers
- Main articles Slayer (Buffyverse), The First Slayer
A group of shamans used the essence of a demon to produce the First Slayer. She was banished from her own village and forced to fight the forces of darkness alone. When she died another girl was "chosen" in her place. The line of Slayers is maintained right up until some point in the 21st century. The Slayer is given great strength and fast healing powers.
[edit] "The good fight"
Slayers are not the only people willing to face the forces of darkness. The Watchers' Council offer guidance and authority to the Slayer. Elsewhere some people/organizations who find out about demonic forces choose to fight against it. A group of socially disadvantaged black youngsters in L.A. attempts to fight back against the vampires which were destroying their community. (See Charles Gunn.) Even parts of the government and other authority figures are aware of the truth.
[edit] Magic
- See also: Witch (Buffyverse); Buffyverse magic users Willow Rosenberg, Tara Maclay, Amy Madison, Ethan Rayne, Jonathan Levinson
Magic in the Buffyverse can be used for all manner of control. Spells can be performed by anyone by use of magical items while saying particular words. Witches and warlocks however have more knowledge and power for using it for their purposes.
[edit] Technology
In the Buffyverse there seems to be some extraordinarily advanced technology available to some. For example, robots are living among the ordinary citizens of the Buffyverse: in the Internet ("I, Robot... You, Jane"), produced by people decades ago ("Ted"), produced by youngsters today ("I Was Made to Love You"), and even used by dark powers ("Lineage").
[edit] Footnotes and references
- ↑ - The use of the term "Whedonverse" is growing in Internet fandom but is often used to describe Firefly as well as Buffy/Angel (a few examples: Whedon.info, Slayage.tv, and Whedonverse Multimedia Project)
- ↑ - (Astonishing X-Men, Alien: Resurrection, Firefly, Roseanne, Speed, Toy Story, and Waterworld)
