List of Buffyverse guidebooks
Encyclopedia
The success of the TV series, Buffy and Angel
have led to a number of published guidebooks both official and unofficial. Such books are used as sources of information, and opinions on the two TV series.
Watcher's Guide Volume III opted to include only an episode guide (Seasons 5–7), and a number of essays:
Volume I covers Angel Seasons 1 & 2.
Volume II covers Angel Seasons 3 & 4.
as official Buffy/Angel merchandise.
has written several unofficial guide books to television series such as The X Files, The Avengers, The Sweeney and The Professionals. He has also written guides to both Buffy ("Slayer"), and Angel ("Hollywood Vampire").
The style of the guides analytically studies each episode in categories, drawing attention to things which may otherwise have not been noticed by viewers.
The categories which Topping uses to analyse each episode include:
The layout of the guide follows that of "Slayer" using categories for each episode, some of which are different than its predecessor:
, who usually focuses on fiction, here offers his opinions on seven seasons of Buffy. The guide contains a comprehensive episode guide and a brief guide to the Buffy comics and novels that had been published prior to 2003.
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
have led to a number of published guidebooks both official and unofficial. Such books are used as sources of information, and opinions on the two TV series.
"Watcher's Guides"
The Official guides to Buffy the Vampire Slayer offer a comprehensive guide to the show. The episode guides include synopses, lines from the shooting scripts that were deleted, biographies, interviews, music listings, monster listings, special notes, pictures, quotes, and lots of behind the scenes information.| Vol. 1 Key Contents | Description |
|---|---|
| "Mythology of Buffy" | Mythology surrounding slayers and vampires. |
| "Sunnydale Guidebook" | Tour of the town. |
| "Character Guide" | Profiles of key characters |
| "Episode Guide" | Buffy Seasons 1 & 2. |
| "Monster Guide" | Profiles on key vampires demon.. |
| "Bloodlust" | Sunnydale Love connections. |
| "Behind the Scenes" | Interviews with many key cast & crew members. |
| "Music" | Info on main songs that appeared in Seasons 1–2. |
| Vol. 2 Key Contents | Description |
|---|---|
| "Buffyverse: Character Guide" | Profiles of key characters. |
| "Buffyverse: The Pain" | Extended commentary on love and loss in Sunnydale. |
| "Episode Guide" | Buffy Seasons 3 & 4. |
| "Cast Profiles" | Profiles of key actors |
| "Creating Buffy" | Set report on "The I in Team" and interviews with cast & crew. |
| "Bands of Buffy" | Interviews with bands who appeared on the show. |
| "Meranandising" | Guide to spinoff products. |
Watcher's Guide Volume III opted to include only an episode guide (Seasons 5–7), and a number of essays:
| Author | Vol. 3 Essays |
|---|---|
| Ginger Buchanan | "The Journey of Jonathan Levinson" |
| Hank Wagner | "The Family Hour" |
| Rob Francis | "Buffy from a British perspective" |
| Maryelizabeth Hart | Slaying the Big Lies: Love conquers all, and other monstrous myths" |
| Allie Costa | "A Part of Something, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer: My First Long-Term Relationship" |
| Scott and Denise Cienin | "I Know You Are, but Who Am I?: Dawn" |
| Charles De Lint | "Why I Like Buffy" |
| James Moore | "Monsters Made to Order" |
| Joss Whedon ("Restless" teleplay), Paul Ruditis (commentary) | "Restless: A Path to Premonitions" |
| Micol Ostow | "Chosen: A Postmodern Postmortem of Buffy as a Contemporary Icon" |
"Casefiles"
The official companions to Angel. The content of these books follows similar standards set by the "Watcher's Guides", including comprehensive episodes guides, images, quotes and behind the scenes information.Volume I covers Angel Seasons 1 & 2.
Volume II covers Angel Seasons 3 & 4.
Unofficial guidebooks
These books were not licensed by 20th Century Fox20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
as official Buffy/Angel merchandise.
Keith Topping
Keith ToppingKeith Topping
Keith Andrew Topping , is an author, journalist and broadcaster most closely associated with his work relating to the BBC Television series Doctor Who and for writing numerous official and unofficial guide books to a wide variety of television and film series, specifically Buffy the Vampire...
has written several unofficial guide books to television series such as The X Files, The Avengers, The Sweeney and The Professionals. He has also written guides to both Buffy ("Slayer"), and Angel ("Hollywood Vampire").
The style of the guides analytically studies each episode in categories, drawing attention to things which may otherwise have not been noticed by viewers.
"Slayer"
The first edition of "Slayer" was released in the UK in December 1999, and offered a guide to the first three seasons of Buffy. The book has undergone numerous editions, the most recent of which, "Complete Slayer" includes information on all seven seasons of Buffy.The categories which Topping uses to analyse each episode include:
| "Slayer" categories | Information |
|---|---|
| "Dreaming (As Blondie Once Said) is Free" | Commentary on dream sequences. |
| "Dudes and Babes" | Commentary on "who's hot and who's not" |
| "Authority Sucks" | Buffy's run ins with authority. |
| "Mom's Apple Pie" | Commentary on aspects of family life and in particular the relationship between Buffy and Joyce. |
| "Denial Thy Name is Joyce" | Details of Buffy's mother's abilities in self-delusion. |
| "It's a Designer Label" | Details of fashion tips, statements and victims. |
| "References" | Brings attention to subtle and unsubtle cultural references. |
| "Geek-Speak" | Notes cultural references from the Trio (Warren Mears Warren Mears Warren Mears is a fictional character portrayed by Adam Busch in the American television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as its canonical comic book series continuation.-Television:... , Andrew Wells Andrew Wells Andrew Wells is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, played by Tom Lenk. The character also appears in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, the canonical continuation of the series.... & Jonathan Levinson Jonathan Levinson Jonathan Levinson is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Danny Strong.-Character history:Jonathan was born in 1981 and raised in Sunnydale, California... ) |
| "Bitch!" | Notes moments of female meaness. |
| "Awesome!" | Notes Topping's preferred sequences of action, or comedy. |
| "Valley-Speak" | Notes the speech patterns of Californian teens. |
| "Cigarettes and Alcohol" | Notes teenage naughtiness. |
| "Logic Let Me Introduce You to This Window" | Goofs and errors in continuity. |
| "I Just Love Your Accent" | Commentary on perceptions of Britain and Britishness. |
| "Quote/Unquote" | Topping's preferred dialogue. |
"Hollywood Vampire"
Hollywood Vampire" has gone through several editions, the most comprehensive of which (February 2004), includes Angel seasons 1–4. The 228-page guide to Angel Season 5, Hollywood Vampire: The Apocalypse, also by Topping, was released in May 2005.The layout of the guide follows that of "Slayer" using categories for each episode, some of which are different than its predecessor:
| "Hollywood Vampire" categories | Information |
|---|---|
| "Dreaming (As Buffy often proved) is Free" | Commentary on dream sequences. |
| "Dudes and Babes" | Commentary on "who's hot and who's not" |
| "It's a Designer Label" | Details of fashion tips, statements and victims. |
| "References" | Brings attention to subtle and unsubtle cultural references. |
| "West Hollywood" | Notes humorous references to Angel's sexuality. |
| "The Charisma Show" | Notes important Cordelia scenes. |
| "L.A.-Speak" | Notes the speech patterns of wealthy Californians. |
| "There's a Ghost in my House" | Appearances from Phantom Dennis. |
| "Sex, Drugs, and Rock'n Roll" | Mentions of characters walking on the wilder side of life. |
| "Logic Let Me Introduce You to This Window" | Goofs and errors in continuity. |
| "I Just Love Your Accent" | Commentary on perceptions of Britain and Britishness. |
| "Quote/Unquote" | Topping's preferred dialogue. |
Nikki Stafford
Nikki Stafford has written guides on both Buffy ("Bite Me") and Angel ("Once Bitten")."Bite Me"
The most recent edition (September 2002) includes Seasons 1-6. It also gives capsule reviews to Angel (Seasons 1-3). Additionally it includes behind scenes information, and a biography of Sarah Michelle Gellar."Once Bitten"
A guide to Angel seasons 1-5. Features a history of the show, a section profiling the best websites, a look at Buffy and Angel's recognition in academic circles, , behind-the-scenes information."Dusted"
Lawrence MilesLawrence Miles
Lawrence Miles is a science fiction author known for his work on original Doctor Who novels and the subsequent spin-off Faction Paradox...
, who usually focuses on fiction, here offers his opinions on seven seasons of Buffy. The guide contains a comprehensive episode guide and a brief guide to the Buffy comics and novels that had been published prior to 2003.
"The Girl's Got Bite"
The second edition (May 2003) of this book covers up to mid-way through the seventh season of Buffy (and therefore is not a guide to the entirety of the series) and features episode guides, cast biographies, Buffy trivia and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.Official guides
- Nika-summers.com - Review of Watcher's Guides I
- Revolutionsf.com - Review of Watcher's Guides I
- Nika-summers.com - Review of Watcher's Guides II
- The11thhour.com - Review of Watcher's Guides II