They finally did it. I wondered when this would happen. X-Files and Stargate had their turn, now it's ours.

Simon | February 23, 15:43 CET

You know, I'd pay good money for some sort of DVD set that alternated between Buffy and Angel episodes for seasons 4-7/1-4 (though I guess there might be some points where they don't quite sync up, like the end of 7). But this is also neat-ish.

sumogrip | February 23, 18:24 CET

Jobo, by the looks of things they aren't going to be like that - there was a separate set of "spines" for each of Buffy and Angel.

I totally get what you're saying though - watching through Buffy6/Angel3 right now, trying to watch in broadcast order (which I didn't the first time round) and keep having to switch the DVDs in and out of the machine.

daylight | February 23, 20:10 CET

Wow, and by 'parts of UK' it means Aberdeen... nice.

Oh well, probably rescued me from the financial disaster of mindlessly buying every episode of the two all over again. I do love these things though. Just so I can buy only the first episodes of a random show for small change.

uber josh | February 23, 20:13 CET

If this magazine/DVD hybrid is only going to be available in the Grampian television region the total population is less than four million - and that includes an awful lot of people who will have no interest in it (my various relatives, for example). That would suggest sales are not expected to be high. Would I be right in thinking the magazine will be slowly released into other regions across the UK, assuming initial sales warrant it?

alien lanes | February 23, 20:20 CET

As far as I understand it the usual pattern is to release it in one region , presumably see how sales go , and then release it in other regions.

The only releases that were worth getting was the "Only Fools and Horses" ones since some of the DVDs had different versions of the programmes than the BBC released.

garda39 | February 23, 21:53 CET

What will the magazines have in them ? Just episode synopses and maybe the odd retrospective article from the mag's writers on what impact specific episodes had ? If they feature brand new interviews with writers and creators, they might almost be worth the purchase for someone like me who doesn't own any of Buffy (except for those first two North American VHS releases).

I keep almost buying the Complete Series sets of Buffy & Angel when they're on sale for $99 on Amazon.com, but then I talk myself out of it with the realization that there'll 100% definitely be HD releases in the near-future (well, I guess Blu-Ray now, since the format war's won).

I just read it tonight--anyone wanna continue to discuss Buffy #11 in the "Discuss Buffy #11" thread (linked on the right sidebar of the front page of this site). I've read through the 150+ comments, I posted what I think are some new thoughts/theories that haven't been hashed to death of my own...

Kris | February 23, 23:00 CET

Lanes, I found those copies in Manchester - I would presume it is being rolled out now. (I'm not convinced these things always run to completion, mind.)

Kris, I don't know what the magazine's like - I have heard good things about the Marvel Figurine magazine they put out, in terms of detailed profiles, etc, but I doubt there will be any new information to hardcore types like us. (It's also not clear whether DVD extras and commentaries are included.)

daylight | February 24, 07:36 CET

Well, I bought it - just to see what it was like and, you know, support Buffy. The disc is exactly the same as season 1, disc 1 in the boxed set, same extras, same artwork.

The magazine is 16pp, nicely produced on thick paper with lots of photos. There is a very general article about the creation of the show, a two page Sarah Michelle Gellar profile and episode guides which don't go into much detail interspersed with little 'Buffylore' boxes. There is also a one page 'Survival Guide' - a rather sweet five point guide to dating in Sunnydale by Xander.

There are six other leaflets in the package enticing you to subscribe to the whole run of the magazine with offers of free binders, dvd cases, posters and a (rather nice looking) Buffy/Angel mug.

All in all, it is quite a creditable production.

silvius | February 24, 15:02 CET