TheBuffy the Vampire Slayerfranchise -Angelincluded - has always been linked with celebrities. The original series had numerous celebrity cameos - including the likes of Ashanti and John Ritter - while also providing a career jumping off point forfuture stars like Pedro Pascaland Amy Adams. Meanwhile, numerous celebs have been mentioned in its lore, such as Billy Idol canonically taking inspiration from Spike for his iconic look.
Perhaps the strangest celebrity cameo in the history of the franchise comes inAngel: After the Fall#2 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru, a canonicalcomic book continuation ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerthat shows howSpike officially replaces Hugh Hefner, the Playboy founder.
In an arc that is further elaborated on two years later in theSpike: After the Fallprequel, Spike takes residence at the Playboy Mansion, surrounded by a bevy of women, who worship him as the Lord of Beverly Hills. Seeing how Spike gains this mantle highlights how some of the franchise’s most whimsical moments come from delivering unique takes on real-world celebrities.
How Spike Takes Hugh Hefner’s Place at the Playboy Mansion
Angel: After the Fall#2 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, Franco Urru, Ilaria Traversi, Robbie Robbins, and Chris Ryall
TheBuffy the Vampire Slayertelevision shows officially concluded with the Angel series finale, but the universe continued in the comics. WhileAngel turned into a dragon-taming humanand Los Angeles into a literal Hell, Spike’s story begins inSpike: After the Fall.Alongside Illyria,Spike takes in a group of survivorslooking for a safe haven. Along the way, Team Spike is confronted by a group of leather-clad women claiming to be followers of the Lord of Beverly Hills, Non. Upon defeating Non inSpike:After the Fall#4 by Brian Lynch and Franco Urru, the"Spikettes" become Spike’s followers, and Spike takes Non’s title.
Buffyverse fans already view Spike as a sex symbol, so having him replace the face of sex symbols in the Playboy founder is fitting.
Trying to take refuge, Spike takes his flock to the Playboy Mansion, where they’re greeted by a vampiric Hugh Hefner. After staking him, Spike takes residence there, posing as a demon lord to ward off intruding demons and training the ladies to protect themselves. It’sa natural, almost meta evolution for Spike. Buffyverse fans already view Spike as a sex symbol, so having him replace the face of sex symbols in the Playboy founder is fitting. At the same time,Spike stays true to his evolutionas a vampire warrior by training his followers.
Spike Killing Hugh Hefner Pinpoints Why Buffy’s Celebrity Cameos Are Perfect
Canonizing Icons in Fun Ways
Whether it’s naming a celebrity in reference or actually featuring them onscreen and on-panel,Buffy the Vampire Slayerhas always been self-aware about celebrities' place in pop culture. It’s why John Ritter’s innocent boy next door image from the ’70s is replaced with a menacing villain in Season 2’s episode “Ted.“This moment inAfter the Fallis a moment of such self-awareness, leaning into Spike’s reputation inBuffy the Vampire Slayeras an irresistible womanizer and catering to Hugh Hefner’s seductive succubus reputation by turning him into a vampire.
Before Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ended, Did Angel Slay the Dragon? We Now Know
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics extend the universe of the franchise, including delivering on the Angel finale’s promise of battling a dragon.
In any and every iteration ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerand its encompassing universe, be it in the comics or televised, the creative teams have understood their audience and the wider pop culture sphere. It’s especially reassuring to anyone who has heard the news aboutBuffyreturning thanks to a Hulu sequel, as everyBuffycreative team needs to have its finger on the pulse when it comes to understanding and reflecting pop culture. Perhaps unsurprisingly,Buffy the Vampire Slayer’sresident heartthrob, Spike, killing the creator of Playboy is the best possible example.
Angel: After the FallandSpike: After the Fallare available now from Dark Horse Comics.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Cast
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
