Into the Fandom…Buffy the Vampire Slayer Entry #1

Oh, Buffy. One of the most unlikely fandoms to ever emerge. This strange sounding show, that was originally a strange sounding movie, was created by the scarily talented Joss Whedon, himself. It’s the story of a teenage girl chosen to kill the creatures of the night. Basically, exactly what it says on the tin. Still, I like to think that there is so much more to Buffy than just camp, and horror. It’s a show that has become a favorite of academics everywhere, and for good reason. It’s fun, but also exceptionally well done. In fact, it has some of my favorite episodes of television of all time. And, now that I think about it, some of my favorite characters too. It’s fandom was created when online fandom was still an emerging concept, and it’s fans are still active today. Buffy inspired a lot of joy for me, so I will be providing some lists of my top ten favorite characters, episodes, soundtrack moments, and my favorite Buffy fanfics of all time. I will be starting, on this first entry, with the top ten best characters in the Buffyverse. Next post I will be picking the best soundtrack/music moments. Let’s get started!

 

Top Ten Favorite Buffyverse Characters:

 

10. Glory

I have to admit that I love, and will probably forever love, Glory to death. She’s one of my favorite Big Bads in the entire series. I love her attitude, personality, and overall feel. She’s a new, and fresh portrayal of a villian, who may seem completely comedic and silly at first, but can actually be quite terrifying in her ruthlessness. Glory was powerful, and most of all, fun to watch. After the trainwreck that was Adam, she was a breath of fresh air. And she was an actual god!

9. Anya Jenkins

Anya was easily one of the funniest characters on Buffy, at least in my opinion. She was a greedy demon who got transformed into…a greedy human. She was everything I like in a character, blunt, selfish, and strangely obsessed with bunnies. Seriously, a pathological fear of bunnies? Who comes up with that stuff? Anya was a part of quite a few of my favorite episodes, so I thank her for that.

 

8. Willow Rosenberg

The character of Willow has always fascinated me. Her evolution on the show is quite spectacular. She goes from a shy, awkward teen, to a powerful witch. She’s funny, smart, and although she has her negative moments, she’s a great character. Alyson Hannigan is an honest to goodness gift to humanity. And Willow was always a character that the average computer nerd could relate to, but incredibly strong in her own right. Also, that hair!

7. Rupert Giles

Rupert Giles is so amazingly British. Seriously, I think I just love British characters automatically. Still, Giles has a lot to love about him. He’s funny, awkward, and really cares about Buffy. But it was seeing Giles in Band Candy that made me really love him. It was just so ridiculous to see Giles acting like a teenager, and flirting with Joyce. Also, Giles and Joyce? Match made in heaven. Giles is just a charmer character that really evolved out of the mentor archetype.

6. Cordelia Chase

Cordelia Chase could have just been your average rich popular girl. But she ended up being so much more than that. Cordelia was a mean girl, but she was also a brave, smart, and strong girl. She knew when to call out the Scooby Gang for their terrible ideas, and provided deadpan humor. Cordy was not your average rich girl either. She had to deal with losing the life she was so used to, and struggling to get by. She was relatable in a way I never could have expected.

5. Tara Maclay

Tara is simply a loveable person. As a fan who loved Oz I tried very hard not to like her, but I was easily won over. She was just so sweet, and reliable. She was one of the most honest, loyal, and good characters on Buffy. Her relationship with Willow was lovely, and a new type of portrayal of a lesbian couple. She broke ground, and she shattered expectations. She also has the voice of an angel. Seriously, I love Tara Maclay and Amber Benson to death.

4. Buffy Summers

It’s Buffy Summer, Slayer of Vampires! I was tempted two put her as number one, but somehow she ended up here. Too many great characters I guess. Still, Buffy is always the character that I pictured myself as while watching the show. She was bold, brave, and an amazing and inspiring female heroine. I also could relate to her struggles with mental illness, and self hatred. Buffy was a character who was deep, complex, but still overtly female. She was a new kind of heroine, and made you root for her.

3. Drusilla

What can I say? I love Drusilla. I’ve always found her incredibly creepy, funny, and just plain entertaining. Everytime that she is on screen, I smile. She’s that cool. Her voice is haunting, and childish, and her romance with Spike was so deliciously evil. Still, she is a tragic character as well. She is truly, and completely insane. Her arrival really provided a haunt from Angel’s past. Her outfits, promotions, fits etc. are all charming and seductive. She’s such a strange character, that you find yourself wanting to join her crazy fantasy world.

2. Spike

Spike is one of my favorite characters on any show, ever. He was incredibly close to being number 1, but in the end I decided he would have to be second best. Spike was cool, punk, and deathly funny. Seriously, he had some of the best lines of the show. Who doesn’t love going out for a nice walk? His funny quips always had me laughing, and James Marsters is unfairly talented. He is one of the best actors that I have ever witnessed. He can be sarcastic, and uncaring or incredibly emotional. Also, I love me some William the Bloody. Also, those eyes.

And 1. is…..

Faith Lehane!

Faith is, in my humble opinion, the greatest rival ever created. She mirrors Buffy perfectly, and shows who she could have been. She’s a true “bad girl”, and has questionable morals. She really shows how even a chosen one can turn out bad. Still, you can’t help but feel for her. She’s a girl who never really had parents who watched over her, so she ended up turning to the Mayor. This choice was wrong, but understandable. Faith was also funny, quotable, and the perfect counter to Buffy. Whenever she shows up on the show, it gets better. Faith works perfectly as both a point of comparison to Buffy, and as her own fully realized character. Want. Take. Have.