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The success of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer 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.
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 much behind-the-scenes information.
| Author | Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | October 1, 1998 |
| Pages | 304 |
| 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. |
| Author | Nancy Holder, Jeff Mariotte, Maryelizabeth Hart |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | October 31, 2000 |
| Pages | 304 |
| 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. |
| Author | Paul Ruditis |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | July 6, 2004 |
| Pages | 368 |
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" |
| Author | Nancy Holder, Jeff Mariotte, Maryelizabeth Hart |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | June 1, 2002 |
| Pages | 416 |
| Author | Paul Ruditis, Diana G. Gallagher |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster, (Simon Spotlight Entertainment) |
Publication date | November 30, 2004 |
| Pages | 304 |
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.
These books were not licensed by 20th Century Fox as official Buffy/Angel merchandise.
Keith Topping 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.
| Author | Keith Topping |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Virgin Publishing |
Publication date | December 1, 2004 |
| Pages | 702 |
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" [1] |
| "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, Andrew Wells & Jonathan Levinson) |
| "Bitch!" | Notes moments of female meanness. |
| "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. |
| Author | Keith Topping |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Virgin Publishing |
Publication date | February 2004 |
| Pages | 432 |
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" [1] |
| "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 has written guides on both Buffy (Bite Me) and Angel (Once Bitten).
| Author | Nikki Stafford |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ECW Press |
Publication date | September 2002 |
| Pages | 450 |
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.
| Author | Nikki Stafford |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ecw Press |
Publication date | October 28, 2004 |
| Pages | 300 |
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.
| Author | Lawrence Miles, Pearson Lars, Dickson Christa |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Mad Norwegian Press |
Publication date | November 2003 |
| Pages | 336 |
Lawrence Miles, 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.
| Author | Kathleen Tracy |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Griffin |
Publication date | May 2003 |
| Pages | 384 |
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.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American supernatural drama television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon. It is based on the 1992 film of the same name, also written by Whedon, although they are separate and otherwise unrelated productions. Whedon served as executive producer and showrunner under his production tag Mutant Enemy Productions.
Angel is an American supernatural television series, a spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffy's creator, writer and director Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt. It aired on The WB from October 5, 1999, to May 19, 2004, consisting of five seasons and 110 episodes. Like Buffy, it was produced by Whedon's production company, Mutant Enemy.
Jenny Calendar is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003). Played by Robia LaMorte, Jenny is the computer teacher at Sunnydale High School. Unbeknownst to Buffy or anyone else, Jenny Calendar has been sent to Sunnydale to keep an eye on Angel.
The Master is a fictional character on the action-horror/fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003). He is a centuries-old vampire portrayed by Mark Metcalf, determined to open the portal to hell below Sunnydale High School in the fictional town of Sunnydale where the main character Buffy Summers lives. The premise of the series is that Buffy is a Slayer, a teenage girl endowed with superhuman strength and other powers, which she uses to kill vampires and other evil beings. Each season of the series Buffy and the small group of family and friends who work with her, nicknamed the Scooby Gang, must defeat an evil force referred to as the Big Bad; the villain is usually trying to bring on an apocalypse. The Master is the first season's Big Bad.
Richard Wilkins III is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003). Portrayed by Harry Groener, he is the mayor of Sunnydale, a fictional town rife with vampires and demons in which the main character, Buffy Summers lives. The premise of the series is that Buffy is a Slayer, a young girl endowed with superhuman powers to fight evil, which she accomplishes with the help of a small group of friends and family, called the Scooby Gang. During the show's second season, it becomes apparent that local authorities are aware of the endemic evil in the town, and either ignore it or are complicit in making it worse. The third season reveals that the Mayor is behind this conspiracy to hide and worsen Sunnydale's supernatural phenomena, as part of his century-long plot to take over the world, making him the season's primary villain, or Big Bad. His genial demeanor, promotion of family values, casual phobia of germs, and dislike of swearing belie his evil nature. The series regularly employs monsters and elements of horror to symbolize real problems, and the abuse of power in relation to the forces of darkness is a repeated theme throughout the series, as well as in its spin-off Angel.
Joyce Summers is a fictional character in the action-horror television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003). Played by Kristine Sutherland, Joyce is the mother of the main character, Buffy Summers, and appears in 58 of the 144 episodes.
"The Body" is the sixteenth episode of the fifth season of the supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The episode was written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon and originally aired on The WB in the United States on February 27, 2001. In the series, Buffy Summers is a teenager chosen by mystical forces and endowed with superhuman powers to defeat vampires, demons, and other evils in the fictional town of Sunnydale. She is supported in her struggles by a close circle of friends and family, nicknamed the "Scooby Gang". In "The Body", Buffy is powerless as she comes upon her lifeless mother, who has died of a brain aneurysm.
"This Year's Girl" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Written by Doug Petrie and directed by Michael Gershman, it originally aired on The WB on February 22, 2000. In the series, Buffy Summers is a Slayer, a teenage girl endowed with superhuman powers to fight evil forces. "This Year's Girl" is the first half of a two-part story arc featuring the return of the rogue Slayer Faith, who Buffy put into a coma in the season three finale. In this episode, Faith wakes up to find that months have passed and the Mayor is dead. She then exacts revenge by swapping bodies with Buffy in a cliffhanger ending.
"Who Are You?" is the sixteenth episode of the fourth season of the American supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon and originally aired on The WB on February 29, 2000.
Unseen is a horror trilogy, written by Nancy Holder and Jeff Mariotte and published in 2001 by Pocket Books. It is part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series.
Heat is an original novel based on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Tagline: "An original crossover novel based on the hit television series created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt"
Halloween Rain is an original novel based on the U.S. television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Visitors is an original novel based on the U.S. television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Tagline: "The slayer is being stalked".
The Lost Slayer is a series of four novels written by Christopher Golden. It was later collected together in one omnibus paperback. Each was published by Pocket Books
Keith Andrew Topping is an author, journalist and broadcaster. He is most well known for 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, particularly Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
"Welcome to the Hellmouth" is the series premiere of the American supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It originally aired on The WB on March 10, 1997 in a two-hour premiere along with the following episode, "The Harvest". The episode was written by the series creator and executive producer Joss Whedon and directed by Charles Martin Smith. "Welcome to the Hellmouth" received a Nielsen rating of 3.4 upon its original airing and received largely positive reviews from critics.
The first season of the American supernatural drama television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer originally aired between March 10 and June 2, 1997, on The WB. Conceived as a mid-season replacement, the season consists of twelve episodes, each running approximately 45 minutes in length, and originally aired on Mondays at 9:00 pm ET.
The fifth season of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on September 26, 2000, on The WB and concluded its 22-episode season on May 22, 2001. It maintained its previous timeslot, airing Tuesdays at 8:00 pm ET. This was the final season to air on The WB before it moved to UPN; The WB billed the season five finale as "The WB series finale".
The seventh and final season of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered on September 24, 2002 on UPN and concluded its 22-episode run on May 20, 2003. It maintained its previous timeslot, airing Tuesdays at 8:00 pm ET.
The first season of the television series Angel, the spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, premiered on October 5, 1999, on The WB and concluded its 22-episode season on May 23, 2000. The season aired on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm ET, following Buffy.
