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SYFY WIRE Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Alt-universe Buffy meets Anya's Suicide Squad in exclusive reveal for new 'Buffy' novel 'Big Bad'

Big Bad by Lily Anderson will flip the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on its undead head. 

By Brian Silliman
Buffy Once More With Feeling

The world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is continuing its legacy on the printed page, and its fangs are now turned to adult audiences. Buffy and her yam sham have already come to YA fiction, but a new novel by Lily Anderson will tell a darker story. 

Anderson’s new tale Big Bad takes place in an alternate version of Sunnydale, which is sunny no more. It is now called Demondale. It's 1999, and the villains of the original TV series reign. SYFY WIRE is happy to bring you an exclusive look at the cover of the new book. 

Described as “Buffy meets the Suicide Squad,” the novel depicts a version of "Demondale" with an open Hellmouth. The area has become a safe haven for vampires and all other manners of would-be villains, including some old favorites from the original series run. 

Vengeance demon Anya (who became a hero on the show) runs an evil juice bar. A man named “Ripper” runs the magic shop, and fans will know exactly who Ripper is. But things go sideways when a new big bad threatens Demondale, and Anya has to join with series villains Jonathan, Andrew, Angelus, Spike, and Drusilla (and Ripper too) to stop what they consider the worst thing of all coming to their town. It's the thing they definitely don't want: “good.” 

Take a look at the cover right here, with artwork by Mike Heath. 

Buffy Big Bad Book Cover PRESS

Who is the big bad that everyone is so afraid of? It’s none other than Buffy Summers herself. 

Going on sale on September 27, 2022, fans of the series will delight in meeting alternate versions of classic characters, which also include Glory and Vampire Willow. Will Buffy be able to bring “good” to Demondale, or will Anya’s squad take her down? We can’t wait to find out; anything can and almost certainly will happen in this alternate world. 

Anderson, a Buffy superfan, is the author of Undead Girl Gang, as well as the Messina Academy Duology, The Throwback List, and Scout’s Honor

Demondale will beckon Buffy fans both old and new on September 27, 2022 when Big Bad hits the shelves.