Buffy Returns: Dynamite Unleashes a Bold New Era for the Slayer This July
Initially announced and teased at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Dynamite Entertainment has now revealed new details and a launch date for its highly anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book revival. This new era, led by writer Kelly Thompson (Absolute Wonder Woman) and artist Stephen Byrne, arrives July 22nd at comic shops everywhere.
Into every generation, a slayer is born. Headstrong, empathetic, and creative, Buffy Summers has always stood apart as a uniquely powerful hero. In the seemingly idyllic California town of Sunnydale, she built lasting friendships and alliances that made her not just effective—but beloved. She saved the world. A lot.
While Thompson has kept much of the story tightly under wraps, the oversized debut issue will launch a major event storyline that unites the casts of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Familiar faces will race to confront a dangerous new development in Sunnydale, where tensions are high and a mythic new villain emerges. After all, it wouldn’t be Sunnydale without a “big bad” threatening apocalypse amid deeply personal stakes.
Set at a pivotal moment in Buffy’s timeline, the series promises to satisfy longtime fans while offering an accessible entry point for newcomers. Along the way, readers can expect the comics debut of a beloved character and a major twist poised to shake the fandom to its core. This reimagining aims to capture the emotional heart and high-stakes drama that have defined Buffy for decades.
Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson continues her acclaimed run across titles like Birds of Prey, Captain Marvel, and Black Widow, now turning her attention to a franchise she’s long cherished. In addition to Buffy, she’ll also helm a companion Angel title, with more details coming soon.
"Buffy Summers is, in my opinion, one of the best modern heroes of science-fiction/fantasy," said Thompson. "The show was wildly inspirational for a young Kelly, and like so many things that feel very lucky in my life, I’m not sure I’m a writer today without encountering Buffy at the right moment. This idea for Buffy has been sitting with me for a long time – and so when the chance to grab both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel came along, I couldn’t resist trying it. I hope you guys will enjoy the ride -- it comes from a place of deep love for the franchise – and I’ll try my best to be worthy of it."
Artist Stephen Byrne, known for his work on Justice League / Power Rangers, Wonder Twins, Green Arrow, and Mera: Tidebreaker, brings his distinctive style to the Buffyverse. A lifelong fan, Byrne has already teased character designs and early artwork.
Byrne added, "I’ve been a lifelong Buffyverse obsessive and I’ve got the VHS boxsets and DVDs to prove it. Working on this comic with such a phenomenal writer is a surreal dream come true, and I still can’t quite believe it. I can’t wait for fans to see what Kelly has planned."
The creative team also includes Eisner-nominated colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Jeff Eckleberry, with editor Nate Cosby overseeing the project. Cosby has previously guided hit titles like Gargoyles, Darkwing Duck, and ThunderCats.
To celebrate the launch, Dynamite has enlisted an all-star lineup of cover artists, including David Nakayama, Amanda Conner, Joshua Swaby, and Juliet Nneka. The publisher is also remastering the first-ever Buffy comic cover from 1998 by legendary artist Arthur Adams.
Collectors can also grab a special blind bag edition, featuring three randomly selected premium variant covers—including logo-less versions, line art editions, and exclusive original artwork. Contributors to these variants include Byrne, Declan Shalvey, and iconic cover artist J. Scott Campbell.
With a powerhouse team and a story shrouded in mystery, this new Buffy era looks ready to make a serious impact when it hits shelves this summer.