| Comic Issue | |
| The Origin, Part One | |
 | |
| Publication date | January 13, 1999 |
| Pages | 22 |
| Series | |
| The Origin #1 | |
| previous first issue in series | next The Origin, Part Two |
| Creative Team | |
| Published by | Dark Horse Comics |
| Writer(s) | Dan Brereton & Christopher Golden |
| Penciller(s) | Joe Bennett |
| Editor(s) | Scott Allie |
| Cover artist(s) | Joe Bennett, Hector Gomez, Jeromy Cox & Guy Major |
| Inker(s) | Rick Ketcham |
| Colorist(s) | Jeromy Cox Guy Major |
| Letterer(s) | Ken Bruzenak |
 | |
The Origin, Part One is the first issue of The Origin comic book miniseries. It was written by Dan Brereton and Christopher Golden, and illustrated by Joe Bennett.
Synopsis
The comic book adaption of the cult film starts the New Year off with a bang. Adapted from creator Joss Whedon's original screenplay, witness Buffy's humble beginnings as the Slayer! Follow her trials and tribulations as she comes to accept her destined role, and all the vampire slaying you can handle in a three-issue series. See the original Buffy before she set fire to the red-hot television show.[1]
Summary
A popular high school student, Buffy Summers, is planning her next big school dance, when she became the Slayer. Merrick, her Watcher, seek her out and informs her of her destiny.
Continuity
- The events take place before Buffy moves from Los Angeles to Sunnydale ("Welcome to the Hellmouth").
- Buffy's first encounter and patrol with Merrick had been shown as flashbacks in episode "Becoming, Part One".
- Buffy's fight against Robert Berman and the unidentified vampire, as well as the aftermath of this encounter, are eventually told to Dawn in the prose "The First Time".
Appearances
Individuals
- Amilyn
- Robert Berman
- Cassandra
- Consuela (Only mentioned)
- Grueller
- Kimberly Hannah
- Maryanne Heinel (Only mentioned)
- Mr. Howard (Only mentioned)
- Benny Jacks
- Jeffrey Kramer
- Lothos
- Merrick
- Oliver Pike
- Buffy Summers
- Hank Summers
- Joyce Summers
- Tyler (Only mentioned)
- Unidentified Bar Maiden Slayer
- Unidentified Dark Ages Slayer
- Unidentified Hong Kong Prostitute Slayer
Organizations and Titles
- Los Angeles Police Department (Only mentioned)
- Slayer
- Watcher
Species
Events
- Hemery High School Dance (Only mentioned)
Locations
- El Salvador
- Europe (Only mentioned)
- Los Angeles, USA
- Hong Kong, China (Only mentioned)
- Spain (Only mentioned)
Weapons and Objects
Death Count
- A vampire, staked by the Unidentified Bar Maiden Slayer (in flashback).
- Unidentified Bar Maiden Slayer, killed by Lothos (in flashback).
- Grueller, killed by Bessel.
- Robert Berman, sired by an unknown vampire (only mentioned).
- Robert, staked by Buffy Summers.
- Unidentified female vampire, staked by Buffy.
Behind the Scenes
Production
- According to editor Scott Allie, “established Buffy novelist Christopher Golden pitched an adaptation of Joss [Whedon]'s original screenplay, minus the camp of the film, and done in the style of the TV show.”[2]
- Unlike the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film, the comic's story is canon. About this, Joss Whedon has stated: "The origin comic, though I have issues with it, CAN pretty much be accepted as canonical. They did a cool job of combining the movie script (the SCRIPT) with the series, that was nice, and using the series Merrick and not a certain OTHER thespian [referring to Donald Sutherland] who shall remain hated."[3]
- The photo cover features a promotional picture taken for Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 1.
- Differently from other representations, at this point the comic issues had vampires also able to transform into green creatures with red eyes, pointy ears, a wide mouth, and long teeth. Although, this seems more like an artistic choice, not having direct consequence to the stories.
Collections
- "The Origin"
- "Omnibus: Volume 1"
- "Classic 2: The Origin"
Pop Culture References
- Buffy mentions shoplifting a lipstick at department store Macy's
- Buffy asks if singer Elvis Presley (1935–1977) have talked to Merrick, questioning his sanity.
Goofs, Bloopers & Continuity Errors
- Although Merrick affirms Robert had died three days before, his tombstone has his year of death as 1990, six years before the time this story takes place.
Gallery
Cover Artwork
Joe Bennett main cover
Original photo cover's picture
Add a photo to this gallery
- ↑ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Origin #1". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 07, 2018.
- ↑ "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Panel to Panel"
- ↑ "Bronze VIP Archive for January 17, 1999". Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering. Archived on April 12, 2016. Retrieved January 07, 2018.
