Editing Joss Whedon (section)

===1980s–1990s===
====Early work====
From 1989 to 1990, Whedon worked as a staff writer on the sitcoms ''[[Roseanne]]'' and ''[[Parenthood (1990 TV series)|Parenthood]]''.<ref name="COMICBOOK.(com); television">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/blog/2013/07/19/roseanne-barr-says-joss-whedon-will-have-to-come-to-her-for-avengers-2/|title=Roseanne Barr Says Joss Whedon Will Have to Come to Her For Avengers 2|first=Russ|last=Burlingame|date=July 19, 2013|publisher=ComicBook.com|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060035/http://comicbook.com/blog/2013/07/19/roseanne-barr-says-joss-whedon-will-have-to-come-to-her-for-avengers-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="io9; television">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/joss-whedon-wants-to-buy-terminator-someone-make-this-5395397|title=Joss Whedon Wants To Buy Terminator – Someone Make This Happen|first=Graeme|last=McMillan|date=November 2, 2009|publisher=[[Gizmodo]]|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120203141/http://io9.com/5395397/joss-whedon-wants-to-buy-terminator---someone-make-this-happen|url-status=live}}</ref> As a [[script doctor]], Whedon was an uncredited writer on films including ''[[The Getaway (1994 film)|The Getaway]]'', ''[[Speed (1994 film)|Speed]]'', ''[[Waterworld]]'', and ''[[Twister (1996 film)|Twister]]''.<ref name="A.V. CLUB; film">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/joss-whedon-1798208181 |title=Joss Whedon |first=Tasha |last=Robinson |date=September 5, 2001 |newspaper=The AV Club |access-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-date=February 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224014725/http://www.avclub.com/articles/joss-whedon%2C13730/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Whedon worked on an early draft of ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' which subsequently contained at least two of his contributions to dialogue exchanges,<ref name="TOTAL FILM; film">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-joss-whedon-movie-moments/|title=The Best Joss Whedon Movie Moments|first=Matt|last=Risley|date=April 25, 2013|publisher=GamesRadar|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=April 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428101053/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-best-joss-whedon-movie-moments|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the final cut of ''Speed'' retained most of his dialogue.<ref name="HighBeam RESEARCH; film">{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-119334012.html|title=Graham Yost, the 'Bus Guy', triumphs with 'Boomtown'.|first=Kate|last=O'Hare|date=May 24, 2003|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105232956/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-119334012.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> While he was script consulting, he also wrote ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' (the film that would precede the series), ''[[Alien Resurrection]]'' and early drafts for ''[[Titan A.E.]]'' and ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kozak|first1=Jim|title=Serenity Now!|url=http://www.infocusmag.com/05augustseptember/whedonuncut.htm|website=In Focus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060217151945/http://www.infocusmag.com/05augustseptember/whedonuncut.htm|archive-date=February 17, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> – but would subsequently express strong dissatisfaction with the released versions of the first three of these films.<ref name="A.V. CLUB; film"/><ref name="alien resurrection"/><ref name="THE MARY SUE; film">{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/joss-whedons-ama/|title=The Best of Joss Whedon's AMA: The Avengers, Doctor Horrible 2, and… Titan A.E.?|first=Susana|last=Polo|date=April 11, 2012|publisher=themarysue.com|access-date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=April 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413172130/http://www.themarysue.com/joss-whedons-ama/|url-status=live}}</ref> He co-wrote ''[[Toy Story]]'', which earned him a shared [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination for Best Original Screenplay.<ref name="io9; film">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/why-titan-a-e-is-an-underappreciated-masterpiece-5973190|title=Why Titan A.E. is an Underappreciated Masterpiece|first=Meredith|last=Woerner|date=January 4, 2013|publisher=Gizmodo|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107011238/http://io9.com/5973190/why-titan-ae-is-an-underappreciated-masterpiece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="alien resurrection">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a630047/in-defence-of-alien-resurrection-the-franchises-ugly-duckling/|title=In Defence Of... Alien: Resurrection, the franchise's ugly duckling|first=Joshua|last=Winning|date=February 19, 2015|work=Digital Spy|access-date=June 10, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102145551/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/feature/a630047/in-defence-of-alien-resurrection-the-franchises-ugly-duckling.html|archive-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref><ref name="BAFTA FILM; film">{{cite web|url=http://www.bafta.org/film/features/joss-whedon-a-life-in-pictures,3816,BA.html |title=Joss Whedon: A Life in Pictures |first=Francine |last=Stock |date=June 17, 2013 |publisher=bafta.org |access-date=September 16, 2013 |archive-date=July 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712052130/http://www.bafta.org/film/features/joss-whedon-a-life-in-pictures%2C3816%2CBA.html |url-status=live}}</ref> He became one of the highest paid screenwriters when he sold his ''Afterlife'' script to [[Columbia Pictures]] for $1.5 million.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|date=January 12, 1995|page=29|edition=61st anniversary|title=Joss Whedon}}</ref>

====''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''====
[[File:Buffy The Vampire Slayer cast.jpg|thumb|right|250px|(From left to right) [[Tom Lenk]], [[Emma Caulfield]], [[Alexis Denisof]], [[Alyson Hannigan]], [[Anthony Head]], Whedon and [[Michelle Trachtenberg]] at the ''Buffy'' wrap party]]
In 1997, Whedon created his first television series, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''.{{ref|2|2}} The series depicts [[Buffy Summers]], the latest in a line of young women called to battle against [[Vampire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|vampires]], [[demon]]s, and other forces of darkness. The idea came directly from his aversion to seeing the Hollywood formula of "the little blonde girl who goes into a dark alley and gets killed in every horror movie".<ref name="STARBURST">{{cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/component/content/article/34-its-a-different-medium-you-idiot-/1570-buffy-the-vampire-slayer|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer|first=Chris|last=Earl|date=December 14, 2011|publisher=starburstmagazine.com|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=January 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119012919/http://www.starburstmagazine.com/component/content/article/34-its-a-different-medium-you-idiot-/1570-buffy-the-vampire-slayer|url-status=dead}}</ref> Whedon said he wanted to subvert the idea and create someone who was a hero.<ref name="LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS">{{cite web|url=http://lareviewofbooks.org/article.php?id=1553&fulltext=1|title=SXSW Critic's Notebook: Much Ado About What, Exactly? Joss Whedon's Progressive Bardolatry|first=Ted|last=Scheinman|date=April 5, 2013|publisher=lareviewofbooks.org|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017164405/https://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/sxsw-critics-notebook-much-ado-about-what-exactly-joss-whedons-progressive-bardolatry|url-status=dead}}</ref> This conception came from "the very first mission statement of the show, which was the joy of female power: having it, using it, sharing it".<ref name="metroactive">{{cite web|url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.26.02/buffy1-0239.html|title=Buffy's Angels|first=Allie|last=Gottlieb|year=2002|publisher=metroactive.com|access-date=May 8, 2013|archive-date=March 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308194506/http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.26.02/buffy1-0239.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The writing process came together from conversations about the emotional issues facing Buffy Summers, and how she would confront them in her battle against supernatural forces.<ref name="CNN; wp">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/28/jane.espenson.profile/|title=Jane Espenson: Writer, sci-fi thriller, one nerdy lady|first=Suzanne|last=Kelly|date=January 28, 2011|publisher=CNN|access-date=July 14, 2014|archive-date=February 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201062848/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/28/jane.espenson.profile/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Whedon usually directed episodes from his own scripts that held the most cathartic moments in Buffy's story.<ref name="DigitalSpy.; episodes">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/i575158-9/joss-whedon-top-20-buffy-graduation-day.html|title=Back to article: Joss Whedon: 20 greatest moments from 'Buffy', 'Firefly', more|work=Digital Spy|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616094945/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/i575158-9/joss-whedon-top-20-buffy-graduation-day.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TOR*COM; episodes">{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/04/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-rewatch-there-is-no-joyce-in-bloodville|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rewatch: There is no Joyce in Bloodville|first=Alyx|last=Dellamonica|date=April 22, 2013|publisher=tor.com|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502012725/http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/04/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-rewatch-there-is-no-joyce-in-bloodville|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BADASS DIGEST; episodes">{{cite web|url=http://badassdigest.com/2011/01/19/happy-birthday-buffy-the-13-best-episodes-of-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/|title=Happy Birthday Buffy: The 13 Best Episodes of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' |first=Devin|last=Faraci|work=Badass Digest |date=January 19, 2011|publisher=badassdigest.com|access-date=July 13, 2014|archive-date=January 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121152028/http://www.badassdigest.com/2011/01/19/happy-birthday-buffy-the-13-best-episodes-of-buffy-the-vampire-slayer|url-status=live}}</ref>

The series received numerous awards and nominations, including an [[Emmy Award]] nomination for writing for the 1999 episode "[[Hush (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Hush]]".<ref name="MOVIEPILOT; hush">{{cite web |url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/04/12/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-hush-a-detailed-review-1334948?lt_source=external,manual#!behnGD |title=Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 'Hush' – A Detailed Review |first=Shane |last=King |date=April 12, 2014 |publisher=moviepilot.com |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201932/http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/04/12/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-hush-a-detailed-review-1334948?lt_source=external%2Cmanual%2Cmanual#!behnGD |url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2001 episode "[[The Body (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|The Body]]" was nominated for a [[Nebula Award]] in 2002,<ref name="The LOCUS Index to SF Awards; The Body">{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Nebula2002.html |title=2002 Nebula Awards |publisher=locusmag.com |access-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-date=April 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410000334/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Nebula2002.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the fall 2001 musical episode "[[Once More, with Feeling (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Once More, with Feeling]]" was nominated for a Best Dramatic Presentation [[Hugo Award]] and a Best Script Nebula Award.<ref name="The Hugo Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2002-hugo-awards/ |title=2002 Hugo Awards |publisher=thehugoawards.org |access-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-date=August 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815001743/http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2002-hugo-awards/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="The LOCUS Index to SF Awards; Once More, with Feeling">{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Nebula2003.html |title=2003 Nebula Awards |publisher=locusmag.com |access-date=May 9, 2013 |archive-date=February 17, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040217104357/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Nebula2003.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> The final episode "[[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Chosen]]" was nominated for a Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Hugo Award in 2003.<ref name="LOCUSonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/2004/News/04_HugoNominees.html |title=Hugo Awards Nominations |date=April 10, 2004 |publisher=locusmag.com |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-date=April 30, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040430024247/http://www.locusmag.com/2004/News/04_HugoNominees.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> All written and directed by Whedon, they are considered some of the most effective and popular episodes of the series.<ref name="DEN of GEEK">{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/20109/top-10-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-episodes|title=Top 10 Buffy The Vampire Slayer episodes|first=Carley|last=Tauchert|date=July 23, 2009|publisher=denofgeek.com|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626025840/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/20109/top-10-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-episodes|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SciFiNow">{{cite web|url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/top-tens/top-10-best-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-episodes/|title=Top 10 Best Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes|first=Samuel|last=Roberts|date=September 3, 2012|publisher=SciFiNow|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201115136/http://www.scifinow.co.uk/top-tens/27930/top-10-best-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-episodes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[A. Asbjørn Jøn]], an anthropologist and scholar, recognized that the series has shifted the way vampires have since been depicted in popular culture representations.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280805194|title = From Nosteratu to Von Carstein: shifts in the portrayal of vampires|last = Jøn|first = A. Asbjørn|year = 2001|journal = Australian Folklore: A Yearly Journal of Folklore Studies|access-date = October 30, 2015|publisher = University of New England|issue = 16|pages = 97–106|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125163106/http://www.researchgate.net/publication/280805194_From_Nosteratu_to_Von_Carstein_shifts_in_the_portrayal_of_vampires|archive-date = November 25, 2015|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Since the end of the series, Whedon has stated that his initial intention was to produce a "[[Cult following|cult]]" television series and acknowledged a corresponding "rabid, almost insane fan base" that subsequently emerged. In June 2012, ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' identified it as the most written about popular culture text of all time. "[M]ore than twice as many papers, essays, and books have been devoted to the vampire drama than any of our other choices—so many that we stopped counting when we hit 200".<ref>{{cite news|author1=Patricia Pender|title=Vampires beware: Buffy is the unslayable pop culture text|url=http://theconversation.com/vampires-beware-buffy-is-the-unslayable-pop-culture-text-28142|access-date=June 21, 2014|work=The Conversation|date=June 19, 2014|archive-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911221653/http://theconversation.com/vampires-beware-buffy-is-the-unslayable-pop-culture-text-28142|url-status=live}}</ref>

Whedon, a lifelong comic book fan, authored the [[Dark Horse Comics]] miniseries ''[[Fray (comics)|Fray]]'', which takes place in the far future of the [[Buffyverse]].<ref name="CBR; comic books">{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/she-has-no-head-joss-whedons-fray/|title=She Has No Head! – Joss Whedon's Fray|first=Kelly|last=Thompson|date=May 16, 2011|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|access-date=June 10, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428110550/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2011/05/16/she-has-no-head-joss-whedons-fray/|url-status=live}}</ref> Like many writers of the show, he contributed to the series' comic book continuation, writing for the anthology ''[[Tales of the Slayers]]'',<ref name="DARK HORSE; tales of the slayers">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/11-001/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Tales-of-the-Slayers-TPB|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers TPB|publisher=darkhorse.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105174437/http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/11-001/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Tales-of-the-Slayers-TPB|url-status=live}}</ref> and also for the main storyline of the miniseries ''[[Tales of the Vampires]]''.<ref name="DARK HORSE; tales of the vampires">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/11-756/Tales-of-the-Vampires-TPB|title=Tales of the Vampires TPB|publisher=darkhorse.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=December 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209212735/http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/11-756/Tales-of-the-Vampires-TPB|url-status=live}}</ref> Whedon and the other writers released a new ongoing series, taking place after the series finale "Chosen", which he officially recognizes as the canonical [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight|eighth season]].<ref name="Entertainment WEEKLY; season eight">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/01/19/joss-whedon-buffy-season-8-comic-exclusive/|title=Joss Whedon talks about the end of the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Season 8 comic, and the future of Season 9 – Exclusive|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|date=January 19, 2011|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=December 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220202218/http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/01/19/joss-whedon-buffy-season-8-comic-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned to the world of ''Fray'' during the season eight-story arc "[[Time of Your Life (Buffy comic)|Time of Your Life]]".<ref name="DARK HORSE; comic books">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/14-833/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-8-16-Time-of-Your-Life|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8: #16 Time of Your Life|publisher=darkhorse.com|access-date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=December 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209212608/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/14-833/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-8-16-Time-of-Your-Life|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine]]'' was published from August 2011 to September 2013,<ref name="DARK HORSE; freefall">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/18-923/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-9-1-Jo-Chen-variant-cover|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #1 (Jo Chen variant cover)|publisher=darkhorse.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=December 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209212851/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/18-923/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-9-1-Jo-Chen-variant-cover|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DARK HORSE; the core">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-439/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-9-25-Phil-Noto-cover|title=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #25 (Phil Noto cover)|publisher=darkhorse.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227110344/http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/20-439/Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer-Season-9-25-Phil-Noto-cover|url-status=live}}</ref> for which Whedon wrote "Freefall, Part I–II" (with [[Andrew Chambliss]]).<ref name="CBR; freefall">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/behind-buffy-season-9-buffy-enters-freefall/|title=Behind Buffy Season 9: Buffy Enters "Freefall"|first=Kiel|last=Phegley|date=November 3, 2011|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|access-date=June 10, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428160820/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=35267|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''Angel''====
As a result of the success of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', Whedon was given the opportunity to make ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', his 1999 spin-off series of the show. David Greenwalt and Whedon collaborated on the pilot which was going to be developed for [[The WB]] Network.<ref name="SALON">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/1999/10/04/angel/|title=City of Angel|first=Joyce|last=Millman|date=October 4, 1999|work=Salon|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114132424/http://www.salon.com/1999/10/04/angel|url-status=live}}</ref> During the series' early expansion, efforts were made by the network to mitigate Whedon's original concept. "Corrupt", a precociously optioned second episode, was entirely abandoned due to the gloominess written into the script.<ref name="blastr; corrupt">{{cite web|url=http://www.blastr.com/2011/01/7_joss_whedon_projects_we.php|title=7 Joss Whedon projects we'll never see (and 1 we eventually will)|first=Carol|last=Pinchefsky|date=January 19, 2011|publisher=[[Syfy Wire#Syfy Wire|Blastr.com]] | access-date=July 13, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811102809/http://www.blastr.com/2011/01/7_joss_whedon_projects_we.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tone was then softened in the opening episodes, establishing [[Angel Investigations]] as an idealistic, shoestring operation. It follows [[Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Angel]], who works as a private detective in order to "help the helpless".<ref name="DEN OF GEEK; hth">{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/angel/29680/what-angels-first-season-did-right|title=What Angel's first season did right|first=Juliette|last=Harrisson|date=March 12, 2014|publisher=denofgeek.com|access-date=July 13, 2014|archive-date=March 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313082218/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/angel/29680/what-angels-first-season-did-right|url-status=live}}</ref>

Though praised for presenting a unique and progressive version of the [[Archetype|archetypal]] [[Film noir|noir]] hero as a sympathetic vampire detective,<ref name="Entertainment WEEKLY; vd">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2001/10/30/angel/ |title=Angel (1999–2004) |first=Ken |last=Tucker |date=October 30, 2001 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121031211/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C181754%2C00.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HUFF POST; vd">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/televisions-most-memorable-detectives-male-all-time_n_1316739#s753280 |title=Television's Most Memorable Male Detectives of All Time (PHOTOS) |date=March 12, 2012 |work=HuffPost |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319221707/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/televisions-most-memorable-detectives-male-all-time_n_1316739.html |url-status=live}}</ref> early in its run it was criticized as being lesser than its parent show, in the context of having devolved from a more popular original work.<ref name="The INDEPENDENT">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/buffys-creator-makes-his-valley-of-the-dolls-1684993.html|title=Buffy's creator makes his valley of the dolls|first=Sarah|last=Hughes|date=May 15, 2009|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=August 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801011901/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/buffys-creator-makes-his-valley-of-the-dolls-1684993.html|url-status=live|location=London}}</ref> Despite that it won a [[Saturn Award]] for Best Network TV Series<ref name="THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY & HORROR FILMS">{{cite web|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html#tvseries|title=Best Television Series|publisher=saturnawards.org|access-date=May 9, 2013|archive-date=February 10, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210040426/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and three episodes, "[[Waiting in the Wings (Angel)|Waiting in the Wings]]",<ref name="SF Site">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfsite.com/09a/hugo159.htm|title=Hugo Award Nominees|publisher=sfsite.com|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=September 22, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030922095206/http://www.sfsite.com/09a/hugo159.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Smile Time]]" and "[[Not Fade Away (Angel)|Not Fade Away]]", were nominated for Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form in 2003 and 2005.<ref name="LOCUS online">{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/2005/News/03_HugoNominations.html|title=Hugo and Campbell Awards Nominations|publisher=locusmag.com|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=March 30, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050330011726/http://www.locusmag.com/2005/News/03_HugoNominations.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The WB Network announced on February 13, 2004, that ''Angel'' would not be brought back for a sixth season.<ref name="IGN; cancellation">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/14/breaking-news-angel-to-end-after-5-seasons-updated |title=Breaking News: Angel to End After 5 Seasons UPDATED|date=February 13, 2004|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204811/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/02/14/breaking-news-angel-to-end-after-5-seasons-updated|url-status=live}}</ref> Whedon said of the cancellation, "I believe the reason ''Angel'' had trouble on The WB was that it was the only show on the network that wasn't trying to be ''Buffy''. It was a show about grown-ups".<ref name="EW.com; cancellation">{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/article/2004/05/21/why-buffy-angel-creator-ditching-tv/ |title= Why the ''Buffy'', ''Angel'' creator is ditching TV. |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |date=May 21, 2004 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-date=February 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208020218/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C637917%2C00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> An official continuation of the story came later in the form of a comic book series.<ref name="IDW PUBLISHING; Angel comic">{{cite web|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/catalog/book/142|title=Angel: After the Fall|publisher=idwpublishing.com|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-date=January 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124035502/http://idwpublishing.com/catalog/book/142|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following the successful eighth season of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', [[IDW Publishing]] approached Whedon about similarly producing a canonical sixth season for ''Angel''.<ref name="VULTURE; angel: after the fall">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2007/09/angel_returns_for_season_six_b.html|title='Angel' Returns for Season Six … But Not on TV|date=September 18, 2007|publisher=vulture.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211030543/http://www.vulture.com/2007/09/angel_returns_for_season_six_b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IDW; angel: after the fall">{{cite web|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/pressreleases/angel-atf.shtml|title=Angel: After the Fall Rises to the Top for IDW|date=November 28, 2007|publisher=idwpublishing.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=July 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719172125/http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/pressreleases/angel-atf.shtml |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Angel: After the Fall]]'' released 17 issues written by Whedon and [[Brian Lynch (writer)|Brian Lynch]].<ref name="IDW; angel: after the fall 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/catalog/book/142|title=Angel: Angel: After the Fall|publisher=idwpublishing.com|access-date=December 6, 2013|archive-date=January 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124035502/http://idwpublishing.com/catalog/book/142|url-status=dead}}</ref>