The _Chicago Tribune_ makes the standard comparison, calling _Veronica Mars_ as good as _Buffy_ but without all the demons: Let’s face it, despite the incredible richness of the stories Whedon told on “Buffy” and “Angel,” some folks were just never going to be down with TV shows involving demons, vampires and other assorted mutants. “Veronica Mars,” on the other hand, has all of the trademarks of Whedon’s shows: witty writing, great acting, strong plotting, a love of the unexpected and a ferocious devotion to emotional truth. And there are no monsters or demons to put off those who might find such fiends off-putting.