Epitaphs

First issue cover artwork

Epitaphs is the title of the short comic released with the Dollhouse Season Two DVD/Blu-ray sets, and was written by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. The plotline of the comic is the initial outbreak of the thoughtcalypse and its effect on several characters, including: Mag, Griff and Zone as well as characters created for the story.

It is followed by a 5-part miniseries, beginning July 2011. The comics are set in a future Los Angeles after the Dollhouse technology has reduced the city to ruins.

Summary

Issue 0.5

During a news report, an anchorman presents a story that involves President Perrin inviting children to the White House for a picnic. After starting a story on the Los Angeles Marathon and it's intended upcoming weekend start, he is interrupted before announcing that Maria Marquez is live from Hollywood with a special report.

Amidst a scene of violence, news reporter Maria Marquez shouts to viewers to not answer their phones, being cut off as the live feed is lost as she begins to elaborate.

At 10:07 A.M., a young woman asks Zone what a plus means on a pregnancy test as he awaits the news; the pair discovering that they "made a plus." While checking on each others well being upon processing the news, the phone begins to ring. As the woman goes to answer the phone, remarking that it's likely telemarketers, Zone begins to contemplate the future and decides to get his act together just as the woman answers the phone.

In an office building at the same time, Todd 'Griff' Griffin discuss the nature of someone's mood while also discussing her dress. Griff remarks that it's pretty while the secretary calls him a charmer as Griff leaves them room when several phones begin to ring.

Inside an office, an elder man makes a remark about Griff's arrival while introducing Josh Jacobson to Griff who is an Associate. As the pair shake hands, Josh quips that he hopes for good news, to which Griff responds that he should be rich "by this time next week" when a loud scream is heard. Through an open door way, the trio of men can see the entire office attacking each other as the secretary that exchanged words with Griff runs into the room brandishing a fire extinguisher. The secretary attacks the elder man, shocking Griff before moving out of the way as she rushes toward him, slamming into the glass and falling out after it shatters.

On the sidewalk below, at 10:07 A.M., Maggie is discussing a new relationship with two of her friends, trying to explain it is a same sex relationship while one remarks at how hot it would be if it was a professor. After being asked for a name, Mag gives one; Helen to which the two friends do not seem to understand what Mag is trying to say, one of them remarking how Helen is a strange name for a guy as the other asks if he is Eruopean. During this, Mag watches as their cellphones ring at the same time, the two answering at once, the one in the dotted shirt being wiped and asking if she fell asleep. The other friend, in the black dress, has been imprinted as a Butcher and attacks the wiped friend, stabbing her in the neck with a weapon. Mag reacts in surprise as the body falls to the ground when suddenly, the secretary falls down onto the table and the fire extinguisher falls onto the Butcher friend, killing her, leaving Mag standing in the carnage in utter shock.

Elsewhere in the city at 10:07 A.M., inside a work area, Trevor and his Uncle Wendall discuss the status of Basketball, and the fact that it's not the only thing that makes people cool. After expressing his hope that this is the case, Trevor mentions Andy Lebron is in his grade and can already dunk. Trevor's Uncle agrees with this, but then says that Andy is "a big dumb animal", while as Trevor is smart and albeit being shorter then Andy, is good with tools, the right ones which can be used to fly to the moon. Uncle Wendall further comforts Trevor by stating that Andy is stuck on the planet, because an Astronaut cannot be taller then 6'3", confiding that as a result, Trevor can go anywhere he wishes. Remarking at how cool this is, Trevor is told by his uncle that he is good with the ultimate tool computers. Trevor mentions that his teacher feels that Computers are making people stupider, which Wendall says it's because computers change the way society lives and people are afraid of new things. Picking up the ringing phone, Wendall ironically remarks on embracing the new, or being erased by it, finally putting the receiver to his ear as Trevor agrees. Noticing a blank look on his Uncle's face, Trevor asks if he is alright to which his Uncle strangely asks for Trevor to listen as he is there to help. Confused, Trevor responds as such, with his Uncle remarking that his name is Ivy and that "something terrible has happened."

Appendices

Background

Although the canonicty of the comic is currently unknown, it should be noted that the storyline was created and written by two of the series writers. In addition to this, there are numerous connections to the series overall storyline, characters and other settings. Also, other comic book storylines that are based upon Joss Whedon's work usually end up having some degree of canonicity. This comic, could therefor possibly conform to plans that Joss Whedon had to the Dollhouse storyline.

While a specific date has not been given in the comic, it is likely that this story is set sometime during the time period of 2013-2019, barring Daniel Perrin somehow getting into the Presidency prior to the 2012 Presidential elections. The mention of the Los Angeles Marathon also puts the timeline somewhere into the spring of the year it is set in.