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Tales of the Vampires is an anthology comic book miniseries from the Tales meta-series. The five issues were originally published from December 2003 to April 2004 by Dark Horse Comics.

Premise[]

A group of young Watchers-in-training learn the secrets of the undead listening to the tales from an ancient vampire kept in chains in the basement of the Watchers Academy.

Continuity[]

Publications[]

The series includes five issues and three extra stories, collected in a trade paperback, a hardcover, and an omnibus.

Issues[]

Cover Title Issue Release date
Tales of the Vampires 1 Tales of the Vampires, Part One 1 December 22, 2003
Writers: Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard Artists: Alex Sanchez, Paul Lee, Cameron Stewart
Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, regroups with the writers from the hit TV show to examine the monsters who've challenged the Slayers through the ages. Kicking off the new series, Whedon teams with one of comics' hottest new stars, Catwoman artist Cameron Stewart, for a look at what happens when disaffected youth turns to vampirism. Also Drew Goddard brings us the story of how Drusilla (of the infamous Spike and Dru) went crazy during their time in Prague before reigning their terror on Sunnydale.
Tales of the Vampires 2 Tales of the Vampires, Part Two 2 January 14, 2004
Writers: Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Brett Matthews Artists: Alex Sanchez, Scott Morse, Vatche Mavlian
Whedon and newcomer Alex Sanchez continue their framing sequence, in which a group of young Watchers-in-training learn the secrets of the undead from an ancient vampire kept in chains in the basement of the Watchers Council. Scott Morse (Ancient Joe, Barefoot Serpent) illustrates Jane Espenson's poem Spot the Vampire, a cross between a New Yorker cartoon and a children's book, in which evil hides in plain sight. And the centerpiece of the issue is the fourteen page Jack story by Spider-man/Wolverine creative team Brett Matthews and Vatche Mavlian — a Victorian vampire mystery.
Tales of the Vampires 3 Tales of the Vampires, Part Three 3 February 11, 2004
Writers: Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Drew Goddard Artists: Alex Sanchez, Jason Alexander, Ben Stenbeck
The writers of the legendary television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunite for this chilling five-issue series, masterminded and overseen by Joss Whedon himself! In this issue, Drew Goddard pokes fun at the King of Vampires, Dracula. Jane Espenson looks at the bond between a vampire father and his aging son, and Joss Whedon continues his ongoing story of young watchers in training as they meet their first vampire.
  • Features "Father," "Antique," and the third part of the framing story.
Tales of the Vampires 4 Tales of the Vampires, Part Four 4 March 17, 2004
Writers: Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Ben Edlund Artists: Alex Sanchez, Jeff Parker, Ben Edlund
In Joss Whedon's continuing serial, a group of precocious young Watchers is schooled on the mysteries and treacheries of vampires. Ben Edlund, creator of The Tick and current staff writer on Whedon's Angel show, returns to comics with a cover and a story this issue, once again pointing to Whedon's world as the ultimate melting pot of TV and comic books.
Tales of the Vampires 5 Tales of the Vampires, Part Five 5 April 28, 2004
Writers: Joss Whedon, Sam Loeb, Brett Matthews Artists: Alex Sanchez, Tim Sale, Cliff Richards
Joss Whedon wraps up his "Tales of the Vampires" series, finally revealing the truth behind the young Watchers' training program and their introduction to their ancient vampire tutor. Brett Matthews (Spiderman/Wolverine) returns with a story of Buffy's favorite vampire — Angel.

Issues[]

Cover Title Release date
DamesTA "Dames" September 10, 2003
Writer: Brett Matthews Artist: Sean Phillips
Brett Matthews, who wrote the Angel comic with Joss Whedon and has written Spiderman/Daredevil and Spiderman/Wolverine for Marvel, and artist Sean Phillips (Sleeper), give us a twisted taste of the upcoming Tales of the Vampires, the new series of comics written by Joss Whedon and the writers from his TV show.
TheThrill The Thrill June 3, 2009
Writer: Becky Cloonan Artist: Vasilis Lolos
In a small town in Massachusetts, a young man named Jacob goes about his day as usual — wakes early, eats breakfast with his mom, and heads to school. He's a hard worker and a reliable friend to Alexia, an athletic and headstrong young woman. But at night Jacob likes to cut loose at the local arcade, where he's befriended a reckless gang of vampires who enjoy drinking his blood. Jacob craves the high and the easy escape from the monotony of his life that this "bloodletting" provides. Enter the mysterious and sultry May, who can help Jacob leave those high-school days behind — that is, if Alexia doesn't stop her first.
Carpenoctem1TA "Carpe Noctem" February 1–March 1, 2010
Writer: Jackie Kessler Artist: Paul Lee

Collections[]

Cover Title Issues Release date
Tales of the Vampires Tales of the Vampires 1–5, "Dames" November 24, 2004
The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunites with the writers from his hit TV shows including Tick creator and Angel Executive Producer Ben Edlund for an imaginative and frightening look into the history of vampires in the world of the Slayer. Intricately woven around a central story by Whedon featuring a group of young Watchers in training meeting their first undead, Whedon's staff of writers present stories ranging from medieval times to the Depression to today, as well as Buffy's rematch with Dracula and Angel's ongoing battle with his own demons. Wrapped in a haunting cover by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.
Buffy tales cover Tales 1–5, extras, others January 12, 2011
Before Season Eight, Joss Whedon brought generations of Slayers and vampires to comics with the help of his acclaimed TV writing team and some of the best artists to ever grace the comics page. Now all those stories, plus selected stories from Season Eight, are collected in one deluxe hardcover with a new cover by Jo Chen. Joss writes multiple tales: a somber vamp tale, drawn by Cameron Stewart; the story of the first Slayer, drawn by Leinil Yu; and more. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales" also reprints for the first time new Season Eight stories written by novelist Jackie Kessler (Hell's Belles) and award-winning cartoonist Becky Cloonan (Demo), featuring vampires living in the public eye, killing Slayers and killing each other.
Buffy Omnibus Tales Omnibus: Tales 1–5, extras, others September 25, 2018
Buffy was never the first Slayer, nor will she be the last… Here we delve deep into the histories of the young women — Slayers — destined to fight against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. You'll find stories of Buffy, Nikki Wood, Melaka Fray, and even the primitive first Slayer, among others. In the tales of the vampires, you'll find stories of dungeon-dwelling vampires and also those in the modern age — including a few dealing with the latest in vampire trends from Season 8: living in the public eye. And you'll see some familiar vampires as well, like Angel, Spike, Drusilla, and Dracula…
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