Buffy Turns 30 As Season 8 Ends

Jill Pantozzi | January 4th, 2011

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40 sees the end of the groundbreaking Season 8 but also marks the Slayer herself turning 30. I remember first watching the television show and relating ever-so-well because I was close in age to the character. So Buffy turning 30 means I’m close to turning 30 and that’s just incomprehensible. It does, however, mean awesome things for you, the reader. Check out the latest press release from Dark Horse Comics…

Sad Buffy is sad.

Careful readers may have noticed that the release date of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #40 has been moved to January 19, 2011. The change in date is no accident. The final issue of the much-talked-about series will hit shelves on the birthday of Buffy Summers. In order to celebrate both the end of Season 8 and the birthday of the beloved character, Dark Horse is proud to announce six Buffy Birthday Parties across the country!

Dark Horse editor Scott Allie had this to say about the event: “It’s been a long, strange ride to the end of Buffy’s eighth season, and when we realized that her thirtieth birthday fell on a Wednesday, the day new comics go on sale, we realized we had to move our release date to coincide. We’re excited to celebrate this landmark occasion and hope we can gather good crowds of Buffy readers and fans together to wish her well as she heads off for Season 9, a little bit older, her head hung low. . . . “

It’s hard to believe the vampire slayer is another year older, but time and tide wait for no man, woman, or demon. If, while reading this, you notice your local comic shop is not listed as hosting a party, have the shop’s owner contact Dark Horse, and we’ll provide them with activity sheets to host their own event.

The following locations will have games, prizes, giveaways, and more for their Buffy Birthday Party! Details vary by location.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA
4:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Oxford Comics Games & More
2855 Piedmont Road NE
(404) 233-8682
http://www.oxfordcomics.com

Special Guest: Georges Jeanty, artist, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8

PORTLAND, OREGON
5:30 p.m.—7:45 p.m.
Multnomah County Library
Central Library, US Bank Room
801 SW 10th Ave.
(503) 988-5123
http://www.multcolib.org/events/

Special Guests: Scott Allie and Sierra Hahn, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 editors

*Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 comics will be available for sale at the event from Cosmic Monkey Comics.

MISSOULA, MONTANA
4:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.
Muse Comics & Games
2100 Stephens Ave., Suite 107
(406) 543-9944
http://www.musecomics.com/

NEW YORK, NEW YORK
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Midtown Comics Downtown
64 Fulton St.
(800) 411-3341 / (212) 302-8192
http://www.midtowncomics.com/

HURST, TEXAS
4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Lone Star Comics #6
931 Melbourne Rd.
(817) 595-4375
http://www.mycomicshop.com/ourstores/hurst

PLANO, TEXAS
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Lone Star Comics #8
3100 Independence Parkway #318
(972) 985-1593
http://www.mycomicshop.com/ourstores/plano

While I hate my comics being late, I think in this once instance I can give them a pass. This is just a great, fun idea.

In other Dark Horse news, the publisher is holding a contest right now to win every 2011 digital title of theirs. Just register for their digital newsletter at Digital.DarkHorse.com before Jan. 14th, 2011. If you’ve previously registered, you’re automatically eligible. It couldn’t be easier, give it a shot. They now have a Dark Horse Bookshelf app on iTunes too!

EDIT: Geek Girl Con has put together THREE more birthday parties for fans. The information is as follows:

SEATTLE, WA
7:00 pm at Comics Dungeon in Wallingford, WA
250 NE 45th Street
http://comicsdungeon.com/
Comics Dungeon will be providing discounts of up to 25% on Whedon titles! We will bring cake! There may be singing!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
7:00 pm at Isotope – The Comic Book Lounge
326 Fell Street
http://isotopecomics.com/
We’ll be holding a Buffy-themed cupcake contest!

LOS ANGELES, CA
6:00 pm at Meltdown Comics
7522 Sunset Blvd
http://www.meltcomics.com/

All three are expected to have “Once More, With Feeling” karaoke and cake! Check out their press release.