Interview with Ms. Erin Stein (Editor for Buffy Cine Manga - TOKYOPOP)

By David Rasmussen
27th Aug 05

Ms. Stein : Hi! Thanks for your interest in Buffy.

Rasmussen : You’re quite welcome, Ms. Stein. Tell us abit more about yourself, if you please. How did you come to join TOKYOPOP, and what work did you do prior to working with TOKYOPOP?
Ms. Stein : I've been at TOKYOPOP for a year and a half. Before coming here I worked in magazine publishing. I was excited to have a chance to work on books for a youth audience, having edited a teen magazine before.

Rasmussen : Tell us abit about the Buffy Cine-Manga. How did that come about in the first place?
Ms. Stein : I am a HUGE Buffy fan myself. The first day I started at TOKYOPOP, I asked if we could do a Buffy Cine-Manga(R) book. They were already talking about it, of course, since Buffy is such a notable property. I was thrilled when we got the deal signed with FOX.

Rasmussen : Why “The Gift”? It’s at the far end of the series! Why not the Gentlemen one shot episode? Or (yes) the “musical”? Why “The Gift”? And were there any other episodes in the running for this first book which were close, but didn’t quite make the cut?
Ms. Stein : I thought about what to put in the book for a long time. I had lists and more lists of episodes and ideas. I considered "Hush" with The Gentlemen right from the beginning, but decided against it because we're making a book, and the lack of dialogue doesn't necessarily lend itself to a print medium. I also considered the musical episode, and still may want to do it in the future, but it's such an isolated event in the history of the series. I wanted to do an episode that everyone loves, that also sort of encompasses as much of the show's themes as possible.

Aside from being fan-favorite episode, and one of my favorites, The Gift is a landmark episode for many reasons. It was the 100th episode, the last episode that aired on The WB network, and in many ways, was set up to be a possible series finale, if the show hadn't been picked up by UPN.
It also references so much that came before, not just from season five, but from the entire series. And I feel that Buffy's sacrifice was the most moving and dramatic event in the show's history.

I also loved that The Gift had the teaser at the beginning...the "previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer" that was a montage of scenes from most of the previous episodes. It was not included on the DVD, but we have it in the book. I sat down and went through the sequence frame by frame to figure out the episodes. I spent days going over it! and I came to the conclusion that it does NOT include shots from all the previous 99 episodes! A few are missing, which readers can see in our book.

Rasmussen : In the press release concerning the upcoming Buffy Cine Manga release it’s noted that Buffy is an icon. True, but Buffy is mainly an icon associated with rival company Dark Horse! What can we expect from TOKYOPOP’s foray into Buffy, and how can it compete against (or surpass) rival Dark Horse’s efforts in the field of Buffy publishing?
Ms. Stein : I don't feel that our book really competes with Dark Horse's graphic novels. Our Cine-Manga book is another way to experiece the show itself, whereas their graphic novels are telling different stories. The universe is so large, and there are so many opportunities for Buffy narratives, that I feel there's room for all the Buffy products out there.
I myself enjoy reading the graphic novels, the novels, our Cine-Manga and watching the DVDs. Each one is a different type of Buffy experience. And with the ending of the show, I also feel that fans are thirsting for some Buffy goodness. Our book is different than any other because we have actual screen captures from the episode with all the dialogue, and alongside the panels I have put in trivia, relevant commentary from Joss Whedon, Doug Petrie, James Marsters and others, and everything that was cut from Joss' original script.
I love that you can see the shot from the episode and read Joss' hilarious stage direction right next to it. And you can see where everything that was cut from the script would have fit in to the episode. We called our book "The Ultimate Buffy the Vampire Slayer" to try and express the fact that there's all this great extra content in the book. We even have some great photos of them doing the stunts for the show.
I believe that fans are still looking for new ways to experience Buffy. I hope our book will get out there, that fans will find it and like it, and ask us for more. The bottom line is that if people buy it, we'll produce future volumes.

Rasmussen : Hypothetical question. Hypothetically let’s say that this is a hit, and Joss Whedon & TOKYOPOP agree to do more. Now, let’s say Joss Whedon and the higher ups at TOKYOPOP were to come to you, and ask you to select FIVE additional episodes of your own selection to kick start this “continuation”. If you were calling the shots what episodes would YOU pick, and why?
Ms. Stein : I'd like to do a Spike book, and showcase the best Spike scenes from many different Buffy episodes, and tell his story in Cine-Manga format. The hard part would be not including ALL of Spike's scenes! I'd also like to do "Once More With Feeling," and I think "Restless" is one of the most fascinating episodes of Buffy.

Rasmussen : Will this expand past Buffy? Go into, say, Angel or perhaps Firefly? (Especially in light of the upcoming Firefly theatrical movie)?
Ms. Stein : We currently do not have plans to do Cine-Manga books based on any more of Joss' shows, although if Buffy is a success we will certainly look at that.

Rasmussen : Is there any plans to do a Cine Manga of the rumored Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie that is supposed to be in the works?
Ms. Stein : If a Buffy feature film materializes we would definitely be interested.

Rasmussen : In your opinion what is it about the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise (Buffy and it’s spinoff Angel) which appeals to fans? What is it about the series that sets it apart from other series in it’s genre?
Ms. Stein : I really think Joss Whedon's shows appeal to fans so much because they are character-based. Yes, the Buffy and Angel world is a fantastical realm where everything is a metaphor, but when it comes right down to it, it's not about the vampires or the demons...it's about Buffy. It's *her* story, and the stories of all her friends, that keep us coming back for more.

Rasmussen : Is there anything manga or anime wise that you’re watching now? If so what are you presently into in those fields (and why)?
Ms. Stein : Before I worked at TOKYOPOP I was not very familiar with manga or anime. I've enjoyed catching up on some titles. Recently I've been reading both Peach Girl and Lament of the Lamb...I like to mix it up!

Rasmussen : Any final words for our readers?
Ms. Stein : I hope Buffy fans will check out our book. And I encourage them to let us know how we did, and to let us know what other episodes they'd like to see!

-- David Rasmussen 27th Aug 05