Fray, by Joss Whedon, Karl Moline, and Andy Owens

I pretty much grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I also grew up watching old Dracula and Frankenstein movies. Without my mom, I’m not sure I would have become the horror movie fanatic I am today — and I definitely wouldn’t be the horror novel genre fanatic I am. Because of Buffy, I fell in love with Joss Whedon, and I have seen almost everything he’s done. (Did you know he wrote the screenplay for Toy Story? His cool points skyrocketed when I found that out!)

So when I found out that Mike’s coworker Ary is also a huge Whedon fan, and when she offered to let me borrow Fray™, I couldn’t resist.

Fray™ is set two-hundred years after Buffy, in a post-apocalyptic world full of mutated humans and animals, and without very many demons — but there are the lurks, the world’s new name for vampires.

Melaka Fray is the new Slayer, but doesn’t know it yet; she hasn’t had any of the dreams or visions that all Slayers get. When Urkonn, a demon, comes to find her and tell her of her heritage, she blows him off. She just wants to continue living life the way she always has, grabbing for a water demon to make a living.

But when her past turns out to be entwined with her future as a Slayer, Mel doesn’t have a choice. She has to embrace her Slayer strength and use it to fight against evil, or let her little village come to an end.

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I loved Mel’s spunky personality. She reminded me of Faith, attitude-wise, and of Buffy because underneath the thieving and wisecracks, Mel has a heart of gold. (That’s not to say that Faith isn’t good underneath it all. Everyone know I love Faith more than I love Buffy. )

I also loved the beautiful artwork and brilliant color used throughout the book. As usual, Joss’s writing is a blend of humor and of a great narration that brings the world and characters to life. Even though the graphic novel was much shorter than a season of television, he still had a great handle on the world and characters. (And why shouldn’t he? Buffy is his baby, after all.)

I loved every second of Fray™. It never got dull, and the concept that the climax brought on was pretty interesting. The book really expanded the Buffyverse, and was pretty kickass for Joss’s first venture into the comic book world. (Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure it was the first, from what I read in the author’s notes and bios.)

I give Fray™ a “Freaking Rocks!” stamp and five big golden stars. What did you think?