One thing Buffy was not, however, is diverse. The show has rightly been critiqued for its treatment of what few characters of color appeared in the course of its seven season run. The population of Sunnydale simply did not look like the California town it was meant to be. It is fair to say that most of the people of color who appeared on the show were either villains (Mr. Trick), short-lived (Kendra, who was additionally made to speak with a bad Jamaican accent), or both. There’s also the very problematic figure of Sineya, the First Slayer, who was sometimes called “The Primitive.” The writing team for the original show, and for the early 2000s novels, was very white. The more recent additions to the Buffy canon include more diverse voices, which is a welcome and necessary change for both old-timers and for new fans just discovering the show. So many people were and are responsible for making Buffy what it was, the writers of these books included, so I feel all right about returning to this story over and over again. Buffy and her friends taught me that there were all different kinds of strength and not all of them were a lone blonde woman with a stake or crossbow. There was strength in showing up when you were afraid and least wanted to. There was strength in telling people things that they didn’t necessarily want to hear (for example, maybe they shouldn’t be visiting the sketchy magic dealer). There was strength in walking away when staying was inhibiting someone else’s growth. So, I guess there’s only one question for all of you Potential Slayers still out there: are you ready to be strong?
Books For Younger Readers
Young Adult
Comics
The Classics
There were a large number of Buffy novels published in the late 1990s and early 2000s and many of them are now available as Kindle books. This is by no means a complete list — just a few of my very favorites. The wonderful thing about novel and comic book continuations of beloved television shows is that the story doesn’t have to end if you don’t want it to. The more recent adaptations also will usher in a generation of new fans (there’s a version of Buffy now that’s the same age as I was when I was first watching the show!) As for me, I will read anything about the last Slayer, the last Potential Slayer, and the last last Potential Slayer Who is Also a Witch — I am here for all of it. I hope you’ll be there too. And if you can’t get enough Buffy, try these books for people who love Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
