Practicing lawyer K. Dale Koontz is a communications instructor at Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina.

“a valuable addition to Whedon studies...a valuable contribution”—Mythlore; “a successful teaching tool”—Compendium; “K. Dale Koontz writes about the spiritual and moral dimensions of Joss Whedon’s imaginary media worlds—Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly/Serenity, and the comic-book Fray—with insight, verve, and humor. Koontz goes beyond asking ‘What would Buffy do?’ and considers what Dawn, Spike, Faith, Caleb, Doyle, Mal, Book, and River would do, informed by a panoramic knowledge of world religions. All the big questions are here, and answers both expected unexpected. If you didn’t already know that Whedon’s shows are serious fun, you will when you’ve read this book”—Elizabeth L. Rambo, associate professor of English, Campbell University and on the editorial board of Slayage: the Online International Journal of Buffy Studies; “Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon interestingly combines analysis of Whedon’s work in television, film, and comic books. This volume has perhaps the most wide-ranging coverage of Whedon’s various productions yet written, dealing with all the major works in several media. Primarily arranged as in-depth discussions on specific characters, the book is accessible and laced with humor—as any book on Whedon should be. Yet the purpose within the humor is clear: each chapter demonstrates the serious moral lessons to be derived from these fascinating texts. With thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and wit, K. Dale Koontz preaches the gospel of Joss Whedon”—Rhonda V. Wilcox, founding editor, Critical Studies in Television.

• Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note      Introduction      Part 1. Purpose: The Road to Damascus1. What’s a Key Without a Lock?: Dawn and the Promise of Purpose      2. Growing After Death: Angel, Spike and the Evolution of the Soul      Part 2. Family: A Place at the Table3. Coming Apart, but Moving Forward: Magic Twins and Older Sisters in Fray      4. A Family of Believers, Just Not in the Same Thing: Faith in the Firefly Family      Part 3. Redemption: The Past Is Not a Prison5. The One That Almost Got Away: Doyle andFish Story      6. “I Got No Rudder”: Navigating the Sea of Faith withMalcolm Reynolds      7. The Depth of Shadows: Redemption and DoubtShepherd Book      8. Prodigal Daughter: Faith and Homecoming      Part 4. Zealotry: Blood and Fire9. Burning River: Witchcraft and the “Other” in Firefly      10. No Girls Allowed: Caleb and the Evils of Misogyny      Conclusion: Buffy Goes (Back) to School      Chapter Notes      Primary Sources—Buffy the Vampire Slayer      Primary Sources—Angel      Primary Sources—Firefly      Primary Sources—Other      Bibliography      Index

Practicing lawyer K. Dale Koontz is a communications instructor at Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina.

“a valuable addition to Whedon studies...a valuable contribution”—Mythlore; “a successful teaching tool”—Compendium; “K. Dale Koontz writes about the spiritual and moral dimensions of Joss Whedon’s imaginary media worlds—Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly/Serenity, and the comic-book Fray—with insight, verve, and humor. Koontz goes beyond asking ‘What would Buffy do?’ and considers what Dawn, Spike, Faith, Caleb, Doyle, Mal, Book, and River would do, informed by a panoramic knowledge of world religions. All the big questions are here, and answers both expected unexpected. If you didn’t already know that Whedon’s shows are serious fun, you will when you’ve read this book”—Elizabeth L. Rambo, associate professor of English, Campbell University and on the editorial board of Slayage: the Online International Journal of Buffy Studies; “Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon interestingly combines analysis of Whedon’s work in television, film, and comic books. This volume has perhaps the most wide-ranging coverage of Whedon’s various productions yet written, dealing with all the major works in several media. Primarily arranged as in-depth discussions on specific characters, the book is accessible and laced with humor—as any book on Whedon should be. Yet the purpose within the humor is clear: each chapter demonstrates the serious moral lessons to be derived from these fascinating texts. With thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and wit, K. Dale Koontz preaches the gospel of Joss Whedon”—Rhonda V. Wilcox, founding editor, Critical Studies in Television.

• Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note      Introduction      Part 1. Purpose: The Road to Damascus1. What’s a Key Without a Lock?: Dawn and the Promise of Purpose      2. Growing After Death: Angel, Spike and the Evolution of the Soul      Part 2. Family: A Place at the Table3. Coming Apart, but Moving Forward: Magic Twins and Older Sisters in Fray      4. A Family of Believers, Just Not in the Same Thing: Faith in the Firefly Family      Part 3. Redemption: The Past Is Not a Prison5. The One That Almost Got Away: Doyle andFish Story      6. “I Got No Rudder”: Navigating the Sea of Faith withMalcolm Reynolds      7. The Depth of Shadows: Redemption and DoubtShepherd Book      8. Prodigal Daughter: Faith and Homecoming      Part 4. Zealotry: Blood and Fire9. Burning River: Witchcraft and the “Other” in Firefly      10. No Girls Allowed: Caleb and the Evils of Misogyny      Conclusion: Buffy Goes (Back) to School      Chapter Notes      Primary Sources—Buffy the Vampire Slayer      Primary Sources—Angel      Primary Sources—Firefly      Primary Sources—Other      Bibliography      Index

Practicing lawyer K. Dale Koontz is a communications instructor at Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina.

“a valuable addition to Whedon studies...a valuable contribution”—Mythlore; “a successful teaching tool”—Compendium; “K. Dale Koontz writes about the spiritual and moral dimensions of Joss Whedon’s imaginary media worlds—Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly/Serenity, and the comic-book Fray—with insight, verve, and humor. Koontz goes beyond asking ‘What would Buffy do?’ and considers what Dawn, Spike, Faith, Caleb, Doyle, Mal, Book, and River would do, informed by a panoramic knowledge of world religions. All the big questions are here, and answers both expected unexpected. If you didn’t already know that Whedon’s shows are serious fun, you will when you’ve read this book”—Elizabeth L. Rambo, associate professor of English, Campbell University and on the editorial board of Slayage: the Online International Journal of Buffy Studies; “Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon interestingly combines analysis of Whedon’s work in television, film, and comic books. This volume has perhaps the most wide-ranging coverage of Whedon’s various productions yet written, dealing with all the major works in several media. Primarily arranged as in-depth discussions on specific characters, the book is accessible and laced with humor—as any book on Whedon should be. Yet the purpose within the humor is clear: each chapter demonstrates the serious moral lessons to be derived from these fascinating texts. With thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and wit, K. Dale Koontz preaches the gospel of Joss Whedon”—Rhonda V. Wilcox, founding editor, Critical Studies in Television.

• Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note      Introduction      Part 1. Purpose: The Road to Damascus1. What’s a Key Without a Lock?: Dawn and the Promise of Purpose      2. Growing After Death: Angel, Spike and the Evolution of the Soul      Part 2. Family: A Place at the Table3. Coming Apart, but Moving Forward: Magic Twins and Older Sisters in Fray      4. A Family of Believers, Just Not in the Same Thing: Faith in the Firefly Family      Part 3. Redemption: The Past Is Not a Prison5. The One That Almost Got Away: Doyle andFish Story      6. “I Got No Rudder”: Navigating the Sea of Faith withMalcolm Reynolds      7. The Depth of Shadows: Redemption and DoubtShepherd Book      8. Prodigal Daughter: Faith and Homecoming      Part 4. Zealotry: Blood and Fire9. Burning River: Witchcraft and the “Other” in Firefly      10. No Girls Allowed: Caleb and the Evils of Misogyny      Conclusion: Buffy Goes (Back) to School      Chapter Notes      Primary Sources—Buffy the Vampire Slayer      Primary Sources—Angel      Primary Sources—Firefly      Primary Sources—Other      Bibliography      Index