Buffy is Whedon's ultimate character.

I thought about picking someone other than Buffy, because I figured she'd probably have a lot of votes but the truth is I just really love her character. She's so complex and interesting, funny and strong, dynamic and flawed.
But there are a ton of great characters on this list- some of my other favs:
Zoe
Kaylee
Willow
Tara
Anya
YoSaffBridge
Mellie/November/Madeline
Adelle
River
Drusilla
Echo

Tough pick, because I love so many Whedon women. I'd say my absolute favourites were River, Buffy, Anya, Illyria, Drusilla, Zoe and Willow (not in that order).

I also really like Bennet, Faith, Echo, Adelle...you know what? Almost all of them. I can't manage to narrow it down. Even the bad guys are usually great :)

I love Anya, Darla, Lilah, Buffy, Willow, Fred, Cordelia, Drusilla, Tara, Jenny, Kate and Claire :D

Joss Whedon pwns :)

God this was hard!
But when I think about her development on Angel she just blows me away! ♥

i love her!! :)

Buffy followed closely by Willow,Illyria and River Tam. Joss created a lot of great characters.

Bennett because all of the reasons Topher lists. ♥.♥

Ugh. Cruel question. I considered so many of them, but it came down to Cordelia, just because-- well, there are hardly any words to describe her. Actually, there are many many many, depending on what stage she's in. Which is so great about her. I adore her development from bitchy shallow queen bee in season 1 of Buffy to strong, selfless champion who's still in love with shoes in season 5 of Angel :P It just blows me away.
But, there are tons of others who I love, so I am going to list every single character on this list in my order of favorites-- except Bennett, the only character I don't know yet.

Cordelia
Willow
Anya
Tara
Faith
Fred
Inara
Sierra / Pryia
Adelle
Buffy
Darla
River
Echo / Caroline
Drusilla
Dawn
Harmony
Lilah
Mellie / Madeline / November
Kaylee
Claire Saunders / Whiskey
Gwen
Illyria
Zoe
Eve
Ivy
Kendra
Kate
Joyce
Jenny
Glory
Yo-Saf-Bridge
Jasmine
Nina
Virginia
Kennedy

Whew! Took me 7 minutes.

Fred <333 One of my favourite female characters ever!

River Tam and Sierra/Pryia next :D

She's my favorite TV character of all time!Hands down!

I love Drusilla! She's so... insane.

Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers, Joyce Summers, Tara Maclay and Drusilla (BtVS), Fred Burkle (Angel) and Kaylee Frye, Inara Serra, River Tam and Zoe Washburne (Firefly).