I'm kinda late to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and am watching the final episodes of Season 7...I was wondering if this series is worth picking up. Does it follow the TV series well or is it a big departure in terms of arc and stuff...suggestions?

Season 8 of Buffy from Dark Horse is definately worth it, its been all planned out by the series creator Joss Whedon...it was only slated as a 20 issue series but he has confirmed it will be an ongoing series indefinately now...so we'll see other seasons as well...also it picks up where the tv show picks up and there are some sweet twist and turns in it. so it keeps to the tv feeling if you will.

Also not sure if youre an Angel fan but IDW is putting out a new mini right where the series ended picking up with the battle and the mini series name is Angel: After the Fall...it isnt out yet but it solicited to come out this month.

Is the Angel comic by Whedon too? These are the only post-TV series done by Whedon, right?

Yes, the Angel comic is by Whedon also and so far the 1st issue was kick ass. Issue 2 came out today. BTW this will be IDW's 1st actual ongoing series compared to it just being broke up into seperate minis with 1 big story line(think of the TF titles)

May have to check the Angel series too...