New Willow and Tara Comic: Wilderness

[The Rose*]

ATTENTION KITTIES!!!!!!

Check this out.

This is the cover for the new W/T comic. It is not yet colored in, but it still looks OUTSTANDING!!! There are also some bits about Amber in the article.
www.darkhorse.com/products/zones/z_buffy/index.html

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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!

*reposted by WillTara from the Willow and Tara / BtVS Merchandise thread.

[xita]

Oh this is cool and I love his take on Amber and I am so excited to hear about how Amber works to make things cool!

BTW, here's the full text of that story:

First, some news: GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has nominated Buffy the Vampire Slayer as one of the five best comics for 2002. The American Library Association has awarded Buffy: Ring of Fire an award for Outstanding Graphic Novel. And in the second week of January, Diamond Comics named Buffy: Haunted #1 the top reordered comic, beating Superman #600 and Dark Knight Strikes Back #1. Thanks to everyone involved in those books.

What's on my mind this week? Artist approval ... it's the toughest thing about the Buffy comic. Anytime we want to get a new artist working on Buffy, we need to get him or her approved by whichever cast members he or she is going to draw.

Getting Terry Moore approved for last year's Willow and Tara comic was pretty easy. Amber Benson was writing the book, and loved his stuff already. And Alyson Hannigan is the easiest one in the cast to draw. It seems almost impossible to draw a picture of Willow that's not cute.

Terry's launched a new comic of his own (Paradise Too!), adding to his already busy schedule, so there was no way he'd be available to return for this summer's Willow and Tara II.
Three attempts by artist A.J. Jothikaumar at getting Dawn just right.
After a little bit of fishing around the industry for just the right artist, Jeff Matsuda introduced me to A.J. Jothikaumar, a newcomer to comics from the world of animation, a supremely talented artist with a great mix of anime and American animation. A.J. signed on for the book, and I was excited about it again. But we were already running late, and he still needed to be approved.

True to form, the Willow "audition" piece was beautiful. Amber called the drawing of Tara spectacular. This time, Dawn's also in the book. Michelle Trachtenberg's publicist, getting back to us after New Years--it seems that everyone in LA except Debbie Olshan takes a couple weeks off for the holidays--said no way. It didn't look enough like Michelle.

And so, Amber Benson once again became my hero. I faxed a new peice from A.J. to Amber, who was just then returning from Sundance Film Festival, where Chance, a film she wrote, produced, directed, and starred in, debuted to great response. Amber talked to Michelle and her mom, Lana, and came back to me with a couple more changes. The day this was happening, A.J. was at a doctor's appointment, and had to keep walking out of the hospital to call me on his cell phone to see what was happening. I'd ask for the changes; he'd do them on typing paper in the waiting room, and then call a friend to come get them and fax them to me from Kinkos. So he missed Amber's call, thanking him for doing such a good job on this, her third comics story. This was a Friday afternoon, and Amber was running into work later that night, where she'd show Michelle the new drawings.

Amber's call was at 6 that night; Michelle had already gone home for the weekend. On Monday, Amber had an early call--but Michelle was off on a photoshoot. Michelle's mom, Lana, called Diane Benson, because someone at either Fox or the publicist's office had sent her the wrong drawing--so it look to her like we hadn't changed a thing. Diane straightened that out, but then it was still a matter of getting the right drawing to her. The Bensons and Trachtenbergs made plans for dinner to discuss the whole mess.

I was taking some friends out for drinks, and we got a call from Amber right as the picture showed up. She was with Lana and Michelle, and everything was cool. Lana wanted to talk to me. We chatted about the whole confusing ordeal, and life in Hollywood. We barely talked about the drawings--Amber had worked all that out already. We talked about Michelle maybe writing a comic, maybe an introduction to False Memories, the collection of Buffy #35-38, which featured Dawn so prominently. Everything was happy, and A.J. could get on with the drawing ...

So in just a few months, you can look for Willow and Tara II: Wilderness, in which the lesbian witches and their ward, Dawn Summers, run off into the Northern California forests where loggers and other folks are meeting with pretty horrible ends at the hooves and paws of the local wildlife. The three girls from Sunnydale get in the middle of an eco-war--between the environment and the people living off it.

[This message has been edited by xita (edited February 02, 2002).]

[Warduke*]

Thanks Rose, this sounds so great, can't wait to read it

[Dr.G]

Thank you (again ) for posting that The Rose.
This is sounding very interesting, and if Dawn will be in the comic we are much further into the W/T relationship timeline as in WannabeBlessedBe, and seeing as we got smoochies in the regular Buffy comics, more chance of smoochies now, and yeah I want comic W/T to smooch as well.
I never thought a comic would make me all woo hooey, but the Buffy comics and Blessed Wannabe did, as surely as if they were great on screen W/T scenes. Hmmm, and I like the idea of the story taking place outside of Sunnydale.
Can't wait for this.

[This message has been edited by Dr.G (edited February 02, 2002).]

[tommo]

This sounds great. Any news on release dates or anything like that? I'm sure it'll be another sellout like Wannablessedbe.

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"Bitter, party of one. Bitter, party of one." she muttered... ~ Four Months After by Capt. Murdock

[Anakin1218]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! oooh I can't wait,intresting to read how everyone got things ironed out with the artwork;the artist need more credit than they sometimes get(but around here we all give em heaps of credit

[Scout]

Very excited here! I didn't realize each cast member has to sign-off on the artwork for their character. It makes sense, but I'd never heard that before. Love the environmental theme - should be great!

[bothered]

cool! thanks for posting that! I can't wait!!

quote:

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Originally posted by xita:
It seems almost impossible to draw a picture of Willow that's not cute.

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aaaawwww

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How are you?
A little confused. I mean, I'm all sweaty, and trapped, no memory, hiding in a pipe from a vampire. And I think I'm kinda gay...quote:

[april]

okay, this sounds awesome. if dawn is w/t's "ward" as the article suggests, this has to take place during the summer before S6, when w/t are taking care of dawn and buffy isn't back from the dead yet. the plot sounds fantastic (especially because w/t will have to be in every scene since there aren't any other scoobies to get in the way..oh i didn't just say that, did i? )

and how cool is it to read about how hard amber worked to get the artist approved? everyone loves amber... it's also neat the way the bensons and the trachtenbergs seem to be such good friends. so much happy goodness! a great way to start off my weekend.

edited to add: shanie, great minds think alike.

[This message has been edited by april (edited February 02, 2002).]

[Shaniezak]

I note that Dawn is referred to as W/T's "ward," which to me indicates that the story will take place somewhere between "The Gift" and "Bargaining." (And april was hitting enter on her phrasing of the comment right about the time I was typing it up, I see . . . well, guess that means we agree, right? )

A touch disappointed about Terry not being available (I finally got caught up on the last three issues of SiP last week), but it looks very good. I'm looking forward to this one.

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"And if there is a way to find you, I will find you . . . but threads that are golden don't break easily . . ." -- Tori Amos

"Love is lightning, love is ice; it only strikes the lucky twice--once so you will know the price, and once for crazy faith . . ." -- Alison Krauss and Union Station

[This message has been edited by Shaniezak (edited February 02, 2002).]

[xita]

My understanding is the plot takes place after The Body but before The Gift. I have NO clue where I read that.

[This message has been edited by xita (edited February 02, 2002).]

[Warduke]

xita, Rose posted this link in the merchandise thread and you did the transcript, that's where you got it from

Here's the transcript...

First off, actress Amber Benson, who plays Tara on Buffy has expressed interest in writing another Willow and Tara special. Given the state of the two characters’ relationship in the current series, however, it’s pretty much a given that it will deal with days past when they were a couple, said Buffy editor Scott Allie.

Still unscheduled, the new Willow and Tara project has an artist, one who calls animation home. “The artist is a new guy named A.J. Jothikaumar, an animation artist who Jeff Matsuda introduced me to,” Allie said. “His stuff is really fantastic, and I hope to do a lot more work with him after this. Although I should probably wait to say that until the art's started coming in. His samples were amazing.”

“The project will run two issues, written by Amber and Christopher Golden, set around the time of Buffy's death, though we're intentionally vague about whether before or after,” Allie continued. “They take Dawn camping in Northern California, and they realize that some wood spirits there are a little out of control, killing people. Turns out they have good reason, and Willow and Tara have to figure out how not to take sides in a battle where they really sympathize with the non-humans.”

[The Rose]

Too bad Terry Moore could not do the comic this time. He actually seems like he watches the show. His drawing in "Wanna Blessed Be" is amazing. The artist who does the regular Buffy comic can not quite get Amber's(Tara's) look correct.

This new artist looks very promising though.

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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!

[Puff]

quote:

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Originally posted by tommo:
This sounds great. Any news on release dates or anything like that? I'm sure it'll be another sellout like Wannablessedbe.

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I contacted Dark horse awhile back about this comic and my response from them is that it will be a 2 part comic that is due to be released in the spring (probably April or May)

As for being a sellout, I imagine this is one (or 2 in this case) that many kitties will preorder.

Thanks to The Rose for bringing our attention to the article, Amber always comes across as such a generous person and a real sweetie.

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“I…I love you. I just…I just don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to feel like I am living again.” Legends of the kiss by Mariacometquote:

[drlloyd11]

On a coincidence he signed my copy of "Wannablessedbe" last saturday. When I asked him about Amber he said he agonized over how to draw her since she is a person and does not want her to look ridiulous (unflattering or like a pinup). He was nice guy..

quote:

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Originally posted by The Rose:
Too bad Terry Moore could not do the comic this time. He actually seems like he watches the show. His drawing in "Wanna Blessed Be" is amazing. The artist who does the regular Buffy comic can not quite get Amber's(Tara's) look correct.

This new artist looks very promising though.

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quote:

[Kalita]

quote:

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Originally posted by Warduke:
set around the time of Buffy's death, though we're intentionally vague about whether before or after

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Well, it's hard to fit it in before, innit? You've got the extremely short strech between "Forever" and "Tough Love"; everything else before "The Gift" is pretty much there onscreen.

I'm just quibbling, but why are they being intentionally vague? So as not to spoil those who haven't seen "The Gift", or what?quote:

[Mara]

OMG!
Must...
Have....
Comic....

(and must find my 'Wannablessedbe' too... it's somewhere in my room... oO)

[TaraWannabe]

Wohow, two issues this time. That will be great!

When WannaBlessedBe came out I was travelling and was lucky to be able to pick up a copy in Sydney, Australia . . . one of the highlights of my trip (both the comic and Sydney)!

[TwiLightJoy]

Do you know if that is the largest file they have available of the cover art? I'm quite interested in coloring it in Photoshop.

Also, I need to find a comic shop that carries new issues of Buffy that's closer than Pasadena. And I need a job.

~Joy

[Dazey]

YAY YAY YAY!!! This comic is gonna rock! I love the whole story of Amber making it happen with the artist and all, thanks for the link/cut-and-paste job! Again I say YAY!

However, I'm a little bemused to hear that Chance debuted at Sundance "to great response"....

[Rosenberg]

Awww...Dawn going camping with her two mommies. That's just too cute. I can't wait to read it.

[The Rose]

I just want to expand on what Dr. G said.

In "Wanna Blessed Be" things are implied but not shown, so maybe in "Wilderness" we will be able to see the girls more intimate. That is; if Dawn isn't with them every moment of the day

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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!

[Web Warlock]

This should be good.

I just dropped a chunk of change for a mint copy of "WBB" on Ebay. So reading this has made feel better about my purchase. Ah, hell, I have wanted it for sometime now anyway.

Sorry I didn't let you all know about it being on Ebay, but I turn into a right bastard in an Ebay bid-war, and I haven't lost a purchase I wanted yet.

Warlock

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Web Warlock
web.warlock@attbi.com webwarlock@planetadnd.com
Author, the Netbooks of Witches and Warlocks
The Other Side: http://www.xtreme-gaming.com/theotherside/

--
Tom Servo: Oh my God. They killed Black Leaf!
Crow: You bastards!
- MST3k: Dark Dungeons

[Willowlicious]

Ooooh, I almost got into that bidding war! Glad I didn't mess with you, Warlock!

[Dr.G]

quote:

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Originally posted by The Rose:

maybe in "Wilderness" we will be able to see the girls more intimate. That is; if Dawn isn't with them every moment of the day

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Lets just hope they'll ditch her in the woods for a couple of hours.

And *whyyyyyyyyyy* didn't I think about bringing my own copy of WBB to Nocturnal to get it signed by Amber Benson and Chris Golden? I could be making money now. Stupid Garfield. Of course the others, not me, probably scared them away from ever doing European cons again, so I will never get another chance... quote:

[Twisted Rabbit]

Any idea where I can buy Wannablessedbe and Wilderness? I still haven't found the first comic...

[The Rose]

Twisted Rabbit,

Wilderness is not out yet, but try these places for Wanna Blessed Be.

Try here: www.tfaw.com

Or here: www.buffystore.com

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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!

[This message has been edited by The Rose (edited February 03, 2002).]

[Twisted Rabbit]

Thanks , The Rose!

[Puff]

Looks like you can still buy both covers from dark horse still.
http://www.darkhorse.com/search/index.html

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“I…I love you. I just…I just don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to feel like I am living again.” Legends of the kiss by Mariacomet

[Web Warlock]

Ebay doesn't hurt either. I have a few search-bots going always looking for stuff. Yes I am a 4-year Ebay addict. But given the stuff I have bought and stuff I have later sold, I am running a fairly small loss-margin.

I got the art-cover one, I liked it more than the photo.

Looking forward to getting it.

Warlock

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Web Warlock
web.warlock@attbi.com webwarlock@planetadnd.com
Author, the Netbooks of Witches and Warlocks
The Other Side: http://www.xtreme-gaming.com/theotherside/

--
Tom Servo: Oh my God. They killed Black Leaf!
Crow: You bastards!
- MST3k: Dark Dungeons