Why Buffy Matters to Me

A few weeks ago Dark Horse Comics held an essay contest concerning the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic that Joss Whedon is writing. The comic is meant to be read as the "8th season" of the hit TV show. The contest stated that all interested contestants should submit a 250 word essay describing how and why Buffy impacted their lives. The grand prize winner would be used as a model for a character appearing in one of the comics and would also be given a autographed copy of the first issue. Several other entries would also be given an autographed #1. Huge Buffy fan that I am, I couldn't resist such a request to write about my love for the show and went ahead and sent in the below entry. The winners were announced today and though I didn't win at all, I don't feel bad about it. To see why follow this link. Otherwise, enjoy the ramblings that follow. 5 by 5, out!

Ever since She-Ra I have been enamored with the female heroine. It made
perfect sense then that my TV guide through adolescence would be Buffy. I
still vividly remember the first night I sat down for the premier,
"Welcome to the Hellmouth", and feeling that perhaps being a freshman in
high school was not such a lonely and misunderstood experience after all.
Subsequently I found myself eagerly anticipating every episode, sharing in
the Scooby Gang's adventures and especially identifying with Xander's
hopeless crush on the Slayer. What guy doesn't yearn after that impossibly
beautiful female friend who no matter how hard you dream will never be right for you? After high school Buffy still remained highly relevant to my life,
particularly impacting my relationships with women. I wanted to be near
those that had an uncompromising strength and desire to change the world
for the better and after all this time that remains the one thing all of
my partners have had in common. With Buffy you were never really alone.
In college bringing up the show was like a secret password that got you
into all the clubs you ever wanted to be a part of, bringing you into
contact with others who highly valued their ideals and had a strong
respect and admiration for their fellow human being. You knew you were in
good company, and as you settled in with these seemingly long lost friends
you looked forward to any future journeys Whedon would take you on
together.