Buffy : Season 9

Acclaimed artist Phil Noto will take over cover duties for Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9, starting with issue 6. Noto’s work has appeared on covers for the Dollhouse series and upcoming Angel & Faith books.

In August, Noto released some beautiful portraits he did of Whedonverse characters Spike, Buffy, Dawn and Willow on his Tumblr site, Your Nice New Outfit.

The issue’s pencils are by Georges Jeanty, with story by Andrew Chambliss (Dollhouse, Spartacus) who is currently a staff writer on ABC’s Once Upon A Time alongside Whedon alum Jane Espenson. Dark Horse also announced a live online Q&A with Chambliss, to take place via Twitter, November 10 starting at 9AM Pacific.

Spoilery synopsis from Dark Horse for the issue: “The uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy’s trail again—but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.”

Addendum: Dark Horse notes Phil Noto’s work as a “brief run” on series.