Firstly it's better than Season 8, secondly I always feel that it is better to read things in the order in which they are published.
Strictly speaking, no. But you definitely want to read it before you get to the Season 8 story-arc in which Fray features because Season 8 will have spoilers for Fray.
Ultimately from Fray we know certain events have occurred. Events which it seems S8 is working towards. I think it's better to know about those events than not, as it seems that Whedon expects you to have that knowledge. But it is not crucial.
Yes, mainly because it is better than S8.
The S8 comics are admittedly uneven. Some are excellent and I would say as good as anything in the TV show, others are a bit weak (particularly those in the middle, e.g. the Prey and Predators arc) I'd advise sticking with them especially if you are buying them in the collections.
Not that I can think of. The one really good thing about Buffy S8 is that it is cannon, were as most comic book spin offs are not.
I am making long-term book-buying plans, and Buffy's season 8 is on there. I've tried as much as possible to avoid spoilers - couldn't avoid learning that one of the villains is called Twilight, is someone making a nasty dig? - but I gather that there's a time when there's a timeline crossover or whatever the term is?
a. Do I need to read Fray to understand what happens in BtVS:S8?
Strictly speaking, no. But you definitely want to read it before you get to the Season 8 story-arc in which Fray features because Season 8 will have spoilers for Fray.
Ultimately from Fray we know certain events have occurred. Events which it seems S8 is working towards. I think it's better to know about those events than not, as it seems that Whedon expects you to have that knowledge. But it is not crucial.
b. Should I read Fray anyway, whether it ties in or not?
Yes, mainly because it is better than S8.
c. Should I just drop the comics entirely?
The S8 comics are admittedly uneven. Some are excellent and I would say as good as anything in the TV show, others are a bit weak (particularly those in the middle, e.g. the Prey and Predators arc) I'd advise sticking with them especially if you are buying them in the collections.
d. Are there any other comic-television tie-ins I should look at?
Not that I can think of. The one really good thing about Buffy S8 is that it is cannon, were as most comic book spin offs are not.
I'm definitely buying Fray at some point, and I guess once I start I'll go on to to get Season 8 and the Angel follow-ups. I won't keep my hopes too high!
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~Roh
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Fray.
29/03/2010 08:21:53 PM
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I didn't even know there were comics so I'm no help. *NM*
29/03/2010 08:30:57 PM
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I don't know the answer to your questions, but let me know if they're worth reading
*NM*
29/03/2010 08:32:56 PM
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Re: You and Rebekah can form a "Didn't help Roh and are really sorry" club. *NM*
29/03/2010 08:34:23 PM
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Re: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Fray.
29/03/2010 09:06:10 PM
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You should read Fray first
30/03/2010 01:58:40 PM
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Re: Thanks! It's good to be warned.
02/04/2010 03:58:54 AM
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