Buffyverse
From Free net encyclopedia
"Buffyverse" is a term coined by fans of Joss Whedon's first two television shows to refer to the shared fictional universe in which they are set.
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Canonical issues
The following media are largely accepted by fans as "Buffyverse canon":
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Angel
- Fray (graphic novel based on the future mythology)
- Tales of the Vampires and Tales of the Slayers (graphic novels)
Other media have been produced as part of the Buffyverse, such as novels and comics. These are almost entirely considered by fans to be non-canon, and often unintentionally contradict canon continuity.
Terminology
"Buffyverse" is by far the most commonly used phrase to describe the fictional universe of Buffy and Angel. However other terms are also used.
Problematically attached to particular character/show
- Buffyverse
This term might be mistakenly seen as excluding information from Angel. However, many fans argue that "Buffyverse" is appropriate to describe the fictional universe encompassing both Buffy and Angel because Buffy was the original show, and the character Angel appeared in Buffy episodes before moving to Los Angeles. A second front at L.A. led by Angel, and other mythology set in this fictional universe (e.g. Fray, Tales of the Slayers, etc.), were all expansions to the mythology originating from Buffy, but not limited to it. Despite problems with the term, googling "Buffyverse" brings almost four times more hits than "Whedonverse" googled. Furthermore, "Buffyverse" is used on the vast majority of these links to describe the fictional universe encompassing both shows.
Recent uses also include:
- Slayerverse
- Angelverse
Like "Buffyverse", these can be interpreted as being "tied" to only one particular show (Buffy, and Angel respectively). "Slayerverse" overlooks the fact that relatively few Angel episodes contained Slayers, while "Angelverse" suggests that the mythology built up in Angel takes place in a separate fictional universe from that of Buffy.
Problematically attached to all works of Whedon
- Jossverse
- Whedonverse
These are often interpreted as including any or all of Joss Whedon's other work: Astonishing X-Men, Alien: Resurrection, Firefly, Roseanne, Speed, Toy Story, and Waterworld. These other works appear to have no connection whatsoever to what fans consider "the Buffyverse". The use of the term "Whedonverse" is growing in Internet fandom but is often used to describe Firefly as well as Buffy/Angel. Just a few of potentially thousands of examples follow:
- The popular Web site Whedon.info defines "Whedonverse" rather loosely: "Whedonverse Infos : Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Cast & Crew + News, Graphics, interviews" — in other words, any news, pictures, or interviews involving any of the cast or crew who worked on Buffy, Angel, or Firefly. This means that even Amy Acker's appearance on Alias is considered "Whedonverse information" and is covered by the Web site.
- Slayage.tv helps organize "conferences dedicated to the imaginative universes of Joss Whedon — the Jossverses or Whedonverses." Slayage.tv announced that "papers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly (both the television series and the forthcoming movie), Whedon's other screenwriting/script doctoring (Toy Story, Speed, Alien Resurrection, Goners), and his comic book contributions (Fray, Astonishing X-Men) will be sought."
- The Whedonverse Multimedia Project is concerned with raising money for local libraries to stock DVDs and books, not just relating to Buffy/Angel but also Firefly.
- ME-verse (after Mutant Enemy, Whedon's production company)
This might be also be interpreted as including Joss Whedon's third television series, Firefly, which was also produced by Mutant Enemy.
- Buffy/Angelverse
This is presently perhaps the most accurate terminology available since it explicitly refers to both shows. However, it is also rarely used and is arguably the least aesthetically pleasing option.
Alternatives
The success of Angel independent of its parent show, and speculation about future spin-offs that are unlikely to feature the characters of Buffy or Angel, have led to an increased desire for an alternative term which might try to avoid tying the concept to the name of one character or one show. No solution to these problems in terminology is likely to be found.
Supernatural
In many ways this world is not dissimilar to ours. However, in the Buffyverse, elements of the supernatural are found throughout the world, though only a small proportion of the population are aware of this. It is interesting to note that although many unique aspects of the Buffyverse are introduced as "good" or "evil" and are usually treated as such, both "good" and "bad" tend to be forced into more ambiguous "grey areas". A few of the main aspects of the Buffyverse follow.
The Old Ones
- See slso: Old Ones (Buffyverse), Illyria (Angel)
The world was originally ruled by powerful pure-breed demons, the Old Ones. The Old Ones were eventually driven out of this dimension. Any who remained were vanquished or imprisoned in the "Deeper Well", now hidden in England. These demons are the object of reverence and worship from lesser demon species.
Vampires
- See also: Vampire (Buffyverse)
According to legend in the Buffyverse, the last Old One to leave this dimension fed off a human, their blood mixed. A demon was trapped in the human body in the place of the soul. Giles describes how the being "bit another, and another, and so they walk the Earth" ("Welcome to the Hellmouth"). Some elements of traditional vampire mythology are used whilst others are abandoned.
Demons
- See also: Demon (Buffyverse)
Very few pure demons exist in our world; most have some taint of humanity. Indeed Angel's first season features a number of half-demons, including Doyle: his mother is human, and his father is a Brachen demon.
The number of demon species is vast. While it seems all are technically "evil" (whatever that means), some — notably Lorne and Clem — are benign. While demons are often said to lack souls, this apparently means human souls and the conscience that goes with them; the complete soullessness of the Mok'tagar is said to be distinctive (Living Conditions). There appears to be some level of discontinuity in regard to the intrinsic evilness of demons. Throughout most of Buffy and the beginning of Angel, demons were portrayed as intrinsically evil. To some extent, however, over the course of Angel, demons came to be more like Star Trek aliens (potentially good, bad, or morally neutral).
Slayers
- Main articles Slayer (Buffyverse), The First Slayer
A group of shamans used the essence of a demon to produce the First Slayer. She was banished from her own village and forced to fight the forces of darkness alone. When she died another girl was "chosen" in her place. The line of Slayers is maintained right up until some point in the 21st century. The Slayer is given great strength, fast healing powers.
"The good fight"
Slayers are not the only people willing to face the forces of darkness. The Watchers' Council offer guidance and authority to the Slayer. Elsewhere some people/organizations who find out about demonic forces choose to fight against it. A group of socially disadvantaged black youngsters in L.A. attempts to fight back against the vampires which were destroying their community. (See Charles Gunn.) Even parts of the government and other authority figures are aware of the truth.
Magic
- See also: Witch (Buffyverse); Buffyverse magic users Willow Rosenberg, Tara Maclay, Amy Madison, Ethan Rayne, Jonathan Levinson
Magic in the Buffyverse can be used for all manner of control. Spells can be performed by anyone by use of magical items while saying particular words. Witches and warlocks however have more knowledge and power for using it for their purposes.
Technology
In the Buffyverse there seems to be some extraordinarily advanced technology available to some. For example, robots are living among the ordinary citizens of the Buffyverse: in the Internet ("I, Robot... You, Jane"), produced by people decades ago ("Ted"), produced by youngsters today ("I Was Made to Love You"), and even used by dark powers ("Lineage").