(CNN) -- If you're not already celebrating at your local comic book store or glued to Oxygen's 10-hour marathon of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" re-runs, then maybe you don't know. Today is Buffy Anne Summers' 30th birthday. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has survived through one feature length film, a cult television series and a comic book. Still a fan favorite and no stranger to controversy, Joss Whedon's influential franchise about a teenage girl who just happened to be naturally good at killing vampires is still inspiring fans. Buffy's birthday is reason for them to celebrate. There was a moment in the episode "The Gift," which aired in 2001, when fans certainly didn't think this powerful girl would make it to 30.
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"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" franchise includes a controversial new movie
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"Buffy" helped break stereotypes of women in sci-fi and fantasy genres
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The Dark Horse comic of "Buffy" constitutes the 8th season of the television show
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"Season 9" will be continued by series creator Joss Whedon and Dark Horse
In March 2007, Whedon started the eighth season of "@placeholder" with Dark Horse Comics.