In every generation, there's always a reboot or a sequel to an old classic, no matter what form it takes. It could be a TV show revival, a movie, a graphic novel, or even a video game. But in the case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the latest happens to be a brand-new novel.
The new book set within the Buffy universe has been announced by Disney Hyperion and will follow the daughter of nerdy wiccan Willow Rosenberg, a supporting character from the beloved fantasy TV show which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular hero.
But, while both Buffy and the spin-off series Angel ended in 2003 and 2004, that didn't stop the creative team, led by Joss Whedon, from penning a long-running canonical graphic novel that followed the surviving characters from each show. Now, the adventures continue, in the form of a brand-new novel ingeniously titled In Every Generation.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming novel that will take fans back to the world's sunniest Hellmouth...
In Every Generation Release Date
In Every Generation will be available to purchase on the TV show's 25th anniversary, January 4th, 2022. Suddenly feeling as old as a vampire?
In Every Generation Cover
The official book cover has been revealed, with a pun-tastic tagline that reads "The stakes have never been higher"
In Every Generation Plot
The book is said to be the first in a new trilogy of novels under Disney Hyperion, from writer Kendare Blake. The overall premise will feature a new Slayer named Frankie, who just so happens to be the daughter of Willow Rosenberg, which makes her a powerful witch too. But that's just a snapshot of the new story – Disney Hyperion has already released the official synopsis:
Frankie Rosenberg is passionate about the environment, a sophomore at New Sunnydale High School, and the daughter of the most powerful witch in Sunnydale history. Her mom, Willow, is slowly teaching her magic on the condition that she use it to better the world. But Frankie's happily quiet life is upended when new girl Hailey shows up with news that the annual Slayer convention has been the target of an attack, and all the Slayers—including Buffy, Faith, and Hailey's older sister Vi—might be dead. That means it's time for this generation's Slayer to be born.
But being the first-ever Slayer-Witch means learning how to wield a stake while trying to control her budding powers. With the help of Hailey, a werewolf named Jake, and a hot but nerdy sage demon, Frankie must become the Slayer, prevent the Hellmouth from opening again, and find out what happened to her Aunt Buffy, before she's next. Get ready for a whole new story within the world of Buffy!
In true sequel fashion, the story has many familiar beats, with a slight twist on the latest Slayer. While it doesn't sound particularly original, the final product is still likely to be eaten alive by fans of the hit TV show, of which there are many.
In Every Generation Characters
The book's main characters have already been revealed in the book's official synopsis – Frankie Rosenberg, the Witch-Slayer daughter to Willow Rosenberg, new girl Hailey, werewolf Jake, and a "hot but nerdy sage demon".
Joss Whedon's original TV show ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003 and followed the lives of Buffy Summers and her ‘Scooby Gang', which, in its maximum form, included Watcher Rupert Giles, comic Xander, nerd Willow, ex-demon Anya, wiccan Tara, werewolf Oz, semi-reformed vampire Spike, fellow slayer Faith, and Buffy's sister Dawn. Together, the characters battled demons in Sunnydale, a town that resides upon a ‘Hellmouth'.
Spin-off series Angel, which ran for five seasons from 1999 to 2004 and played alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer, focused on the ‘vampire with a soul' portrayed by David Boreanaz, as he led a demon-hunting detective agency based in Los Angeles, alongside characters such as former-Watcher Wesley Wyndam Pryce, street-wise fighter Charles Gunn, psychic demon Lorne aka ‘The Host', physicist Fred Burkle, and cheerleader-turned-‘seer' Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), who battled demonic law firm Wolfram and Hart.
However, with both shows dealing with daily threats of a demonic and apocalyptic nature, naturally, there were many casualties, which included Anya, Tara, Wesley, Fred, and Cordelia. But whether or not old familiars such as Buffy and the surviving members of the Scooby Gang, or the extended ‘LA' team, will make an appearance in the new novel, remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure – no one stays buried in Sunnydale for too long…
In Every Generation Author
The New York Times best-selling author Kendare Blake is most famous for her YA novels, Anna Dressed in Blood, Antigoddess, and the Three Dark Crowns series. In an interview with Polygon, she discussed the new trilogy of Buffy-inspired novels:
"I have been a Buffy fan since the womb, or at least that's what it feels like. Being a fan of Buffy was the whole reason for taking on In Every Generation. I had no choice. You don't say no to Buffy. If you want to visualize the writing of this book, just imagine the iconic scene from Singin' in the Rain. Except instead of Gene Kelly, it's me, and instead of that wet street with the lamp post, it's Sunnydale Cemetery full of vampires."
Oddly enough, Kendare's comparisons with Singin' in the Rain might evoke feelings of nostalgia where Buffy the Vampire Slayer is concerned, as its sixth season enjoyed its very own musical with the award-winning "Once More With Feeling", in which all the characters are forced to partake in whimsical musical numbers while under the curse of a demon with a penchant for such entertainment.
In fact, both shows often featured ‘experimental' episodes, including Buffy entries such as the silent "Hush", the almost equally quiet, grief-centered "The Body", and Angel's "Smile Time", which sees the titular hero turn into a puppet. Here's to hoping that Kendare's upcoming novel trilogy will follow suit and offer up some particularly strange strange-goings-on in Sunnydale.
In Every Generation News
It hasn't been confirmed whether the new novels will be in canon with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, or its accompanying graphic novels from Dark Horse Comics. However, the upcoming novel will be the first time Disney has acknowledged the property.
Here's what Disney Hyperion's editorial director Kieran Viola said of In Every Generation:
"The team at Disney Hyperion is excited to explore the 20th Century catalog and look for new ways to reimagine this incredible wealth of content that now falls under the Disney umbrella. There are so many fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on our team, this seemed like the perfect property to launch with, and an incredible way to help the company celebrate the show's 25th anniversary in 2022."
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and spin-off series Angel are currently streaming STAR through Disney+.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Fantasy & Science Fiction