Freaks & Geeks

The canonicity of this article's subject remains dubious. Though it doesn't contradict official continuity, it has not been referenced in any confirmed canonical material.

Freaks & Geeks
Publication	June 01, 2016
Length	80 pages
“Buffy: The High School Years” #1
Next	“Glutton for Punishment”
Publisher	Dark Horse Comics
Writer(s)	Faith Erin Hicks
Penciller(s)	Yishan Li
Editor(s)	Freddye Miller & Sierra Hahn
Cover artist(s)	Scott Fischer
Inker(s)	Yishan Li
Colorist(s)	Rod Espinosa & Tony Galvan
Letterer(s)	Richard Starkings & ComiCraft’s Jimmy Betancourt

“Freaks & Geeks” is the first graphic novel of “Buffy: The High School Years” comic book miniseries. It was written by Faith Erin Hicks and illustrated by Yishan Li. Joss Whedon is the executive producer.

Synopsis

For a Slayer, high school is hell!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is back in classic action in a tale set during her first year at Sunnydale High School! Burdened with the stress of a new school, making new friends, and sleepless nights spent slaying the undead, Buffy becomes the target of a group of nerdy vampires hoping to climb the vampire social ladder.

• Set during Season 1 of the television series.

Continuity

• Buffy mentions being popular before being a Slayer, and Joyce referes to her past friends at her previous school ("The Origin").
• Buffy and Willow talk about Angel as a mysterious stranger; they’ll discover he’s a vampire in episode "Angel".
• Giles awkwardly consoles Buffy by saying “there there,” something he'll repeat with Cordelia in "Some Assembly Required".
• Xander will eventually deal with his self-confidence and his role in the Scooby Gang in episode "The Zeppo".
• In her “Dark” persona, Willow will once again describe her grudge with being a “side man” for the Slayer in "Two to Go".
• Buffy and Willow eating while waiting for Xander and Giles dig a grave is reminiscent from a similar scene in episode "Some Assembly Required".

Appearances

Individuals

• Angel (Only mentioned)
• Aura
• Cordelia Chase
• Fraser (Only mentioned)
• Rupert Giles
• Greg
• Xander Harris
• Hester
• Harmony Kendall
• Lisel
• Lucian
• Willow Rosenberg
• Stephen
• Buffy Summers
• Joyce Summers

Organizations and titles

• Cordettes
• Scooby Gang
• Slayer
• Watcher

Species

• Demon
• Human
• Vampire

Events

• Apocalypse (Only mentioned)

Locations

• Sunnydale
  • 1630 Revello Drive
  • The Bronze (Only mentioned)
  • Hellmouth (Only mentioned)
  • Sunnydale Cemetery
  • Sunnydale High School
    • Sunnydale High School library

Weapons and objects

• Gilesmobile
• Stake
• Sword

Death count

• Seven unidentified vampires, staked by Buffy Summers.
• Lisel, Stephen, and Greg, sacrificed by Hester.
• Hester, killed by the unidentified demon.
• Unidentified demon, slayed by Buffy.

Behind the scenes

Production

• The title is a likely reference to the TV series Freaks and Geeks.
• Writer Faith Erin Hicks as well as artist Yishan Li debuts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics in this issue. This makes Freaks & Geeks the second story to have female writer and illustrator working together (after Sonnenblume), and the first volume ever.

Distribution

• "Freaks & Geeks" was the sixteenth best selling graphic novel in its publication month, with 3,865 sales in June 2016 at comic specialty stores.

Pop culture references

• Buffy mentions eating Wheaties for breakfast.
• Buffy and Willow study about the French Revolution.
• Xander quotes “With great power comes great coolness,” in reference to the popular phrase from Spider-Man franchise: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
• Hester mentions buying a book on eBay and foresees the popularity of internet shopping.

Gallery

Cover artwork

Scott Fischer cover

Add a photo to this gallery

Preview

Add a photo to this gallery

Quotes

Giles: “You had a bit of luck with that slaying.”

Buffy: “C’mon, Giles, give a girl credit.”

Giles: “Nevertheless, your vampire-slaying skills have improved greatly in the last few months.”

Buffy: “All thanks to you, Giles. And a balanced breakfast of protein and Wheaties.”

Xander: “Okay, we’re not cool like Buffy. But as the Slayer’s friends, we provide an important service by hanging back and cheering on her exploits. Plus, sometimes she lets me hold her stakes.”

Willow: “You’re right. We’re an important part of Team Slayer.”

Buffy: “Maybe I was a popular girl once upon a time. Maybe I wore the right clothes and had a lot of friends. I’ve made mistakes dealing with people, but I was never cruel to my friends. I never used them so I could feel better about myself. You murdering your friends makes you cruel. Makes you a monster.” (pause) “Also, you’re a vampire. That also makes you a monster.”

Giles: “I’m thrilled by the show of camaraderie, but that creature’s body doesn’t seem to be vanishing the way a vampire body does. I suppose we must dispose of it the old fashioned way.”

Buffy: “Oh, Giles, so reliable. Of course you have shovels.”

Giles: “Yes, I am quite wonderful. Let’s get digging.”