Glutton for Punishment

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.

"Glutton for Punishment" is the second graphic novel of Buffy: The High School Years comic book series. It was written by Kel McDonald and illustrated by Yishan Li. Joss Whedon is the executive producer.

Synopsis

If you’re cheatin’, you’re eaten!

When Buffy and Xander sign up for Home Ec, assuming it will be an extra-credit cakewalk, they aren’t aware that the teacher is a ravenous tiger demon in disguise! When he’s found to be kidnapping his top students and forcing them to cook for him, Buffy must rescue her fellow students — and give the tiger demon his just desserts!

• Set during Season 1 of the television series.^[1]

Continuity

• Robert Flutie is the Sunnydale High School principal, making this story previous to his death ("The Pack").
• Giles describes Ms. Miller as “very fair”; indeed, she'll eventually help Cordelia with her paper in episode "Out of Mind, Out of Sight"

Appearances

Individuals

• Mr. Blake
• Matthew Erwin
• Robert Flutie
• Rupert Giles
• Xander Harris
• Maria
• Ms. Miller
• Willow Rosenberg
• Buffy Summers
• Joyce Summers (Only mentioned)
• Unidentified Baker

Organizations and Titles

• Scooby Gang
• Slayer
• Watcher

Species

• Demon
• Human
• Spirit
• Vampire

Locations

• Sunnydale
  • Fry the Tiger Café
  • Just Desserts
  • Hellmouth (Only mentioned)
  • Sunnydale Cemetery
  • Sunnydale High School
    • Sunnydale High School library

Weapons and Objects

• Stake
• Sword

Death Count

• An unidentified vampire, staked by Buffy.
• Mr. Blake, slayed by Buffy.

Behind the Scenes

Production

• Kel McDonald describes her inspiration for this issue as from “a folktale where a tiger pretends to be human so it can get a human bride to make him tasty human food.”^[2]

Distribution

• "Glutton for Punishment" was the twentieth best selling graphic novel in its publication month, with 2,951 sales in October 2016 at comic specialty stores.^[3]

Pop Culture References

• Xander mentions the cookery reality TV show Hell’s Kitchen.
• Willow mentions Disneyland.
• Buffy compares herself to Betty Crocker, a fictional character used in advertising campaigns for food and recipes.
• Xander mentions fictional superhero Superman, and his planet’s element, Krypton.
• Buffy calls the tiger spirit “Tony” in reference to Tony the Tiger advertising cartoon mascot.
• Xander mentions Meow Mix cat food.

Goofs, Bloopers & Continuity Errors

• The mention of TV show Hell’s Kitchen may be considered a mistake, since this story takes place during the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in 1997, and the reality show would first air only in 2004.

Gallery

Cover Artwork

Scott Fischer cover

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Preview

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