An early convert to
Buffymania were the good folks at Dark Horse Comics. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
#1 was released September 23, 1998, a week before the premiere of the third
season. Written by Andi Watson, with interior art by Joe Bennett (p), Rick
Ketcham (i) & Guy Major (c), the comic featured either a photo cover, or a
cover with artwork by Art Adams. So anticipated was this new series that it was
featured as the lead story for Comic Shop News the month before its release!
1998 also saw the
launch of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Official Fan Club! For a nominal fee, which
included a subscription to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine, the new member
was sent a welcome package chock full of glossy ephemera. Buffy the Vampire
Slayer Magazine was also published by Dark Horse Comics, with its premiere
issue hitting the shelves in September 1998. For the ardent fan who signed up
for the fan club, the real reward of membership was often the “special cover
version” of this magazine, which was put to good use showcasing great
photography of the cast.
To serve this growing
fandom, 1998 also saw the release of several other items by various
manufacturers. These included a bedroom doorknob hanger produced by Antioch
Publishing of Ohio, t-shirts, and, of course, the first release of Buffy the
Vampire Slayer VHS tapes for the home video market!
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Coming up next: graduation, action figures, and more!!
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