Wu-Tang Fang

The subject of this article is non-canonical.
While created as part of licensed material, it has not been confirmed as part of the "real" Buffyverse continuity.

Wu-Tang Fang

Publication

September 23, 1998

Length

22 pages

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Classic #1

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Wu-Tang Fang is the first issue of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Classic comic book series. It was written by Andi Watson and illustrated by Joe Bennett.

Synopsis

Buffy Summers is not like other girls. She’s been chosen to save the world from the vampire plague, and balancing saving the world with high school is no easy task.^[1]

Summary

After getting beaten up by some vampires and watching Blood Fist Warriors of the Harvest Moon, Xander decides to take up martial arts. He joins a local Kung Fu school, but the instructor is disdainful, calls him “candy-boy”, and regularly roughs him up. Meanwhile, (and completely coincidentally), Lloyd Modano, the Sunnydale High “Karate Champion” is found murdered. Research by the Scoobies points to a legendary vampire Kung Fu master named San Sui, who travels the globe looking to challenge other martial artists in duels to the death. During one of Xander’s Kung Fu classes, San Sui attacks and kills his Sensei; fortunately, Buffy appears on the scene just in time and holds San Sui off long enough for Xander to plunge a stake in the vampire’s back. Buffy and Xander agree that, in the future, she’ll do the fighting and he’ll do the punning.

Continuity

Xander reminds Buffy that she had previously gotten into trouble by skipping training to go to a frat party, as seen in "Reptile Boy".
Xander eats a Twinkie snack cake, as he had notably shared with Ampata Gutierrez in "Inca Mummy Girl".

Appearances

Individuals

Organizations and Titles

Species

Demon (Only mentioned)
Human
Vampire

Locations

The Bronze
Hellmouth (Only mentioned)
Sunnydale High School
- Sunnydale High School library
Xiang River (Only mentioned)

Weapons and Objects

Stake

Death Count

San Sui, staked by Xander Harris.

Behind the Scenes

Production

Despite this is the first Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic issue, the series debuted a month earlier with the short story MacGuffins.
The main cover was also available with a golden foil logo, while the photo cover had a second printing. Two other variant photo covers were exceptionally available for this issue.
The photo covers feature promotional pictures taken for Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, in montage by Dave Stewart.
Wu-Tang Fang was reprinted in 2010 in Dark Horse Comics “one for one” series, with classic first issues for a dollar.^[2]
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.
The Bronze differs in his appearance as well in the comics at this point; as the “Bronze Club”, it has a consistent facade of two large statues.

Collections

"The Remaining Sunlight"
"Omnibus: Volume 3"
"Classic 13: Wu-Tang Fang"

Pop Culture References

Xander offers Buffy a Twinkie snack cake.
Xander suggests Springer Publishing should do a special on teens and paranormal denial.
Xander suggests that vampires should cure their hunger with 7-11 convenience stores.
Buffy wants to watch the romantic comedy movie The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996).
Oz mentions that he thinks stand-up comedian Janeane Garofalo is “cute”.
Xander compares San Sui to former boxer Mickey Rourke.
Giles mentions character Lu Zhishen, from the novel Water Margin.