by Alan Rapp on June 20, 2012
in Comics
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #10 concludes the “Apart of Me” storyline which found Buffy‘s consciousness trapped in the body of a Buffybot and her body’s new personality under the brainwashing of psycho slayer Simone.
Although I think the arc has provided some nice moments it ends more with a whimper than a bang. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not a bad issue, but it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect (without a big Buffy vs. Buffy throwdown). Buffy gets reunited with herself, Simone gets away, and everything goes back to normal (or whatever Buffy’s version of normal is).
The only real lasting effect of the arc is Spike, realizing there’s no hope for vamp and slayer, deciding on his own to leave. Although it provides a nice moment for Spike it also removes yet another one of the comic’s most entertaining characters. Next issue marks the return of Kennedy who hopefully will breathe some new life back into the Buffyverse. For fans.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on May 10, 2012
in Comics
As Spike and the Buffybot track down a former enemy, and old friend, who is responsible for Buffy’s consciousness being trapped in the robot, Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling hunt down his former partner turned zompire, and Buffy’s unprotected body finds herself at the mercy of crazy slayer with a grudge Simone.
Although I’m still a little disappointed but the abrupt change of direction the series took in the last couple of issues, there are some nice moments here. Andrew coming clean with why he put Buffy’s mind in a Buffybot has just the right mix of misplaced generosity and foolishness that the character has always been known for.
The callback to Xander slaying Jesse in the series opener “Welcome to the Hellmouth” was a nice touch and seems to be returning to more clear-cut version of vampires taking over (instead of taking on the character traits of) their human hosts than we saw in the last couple seasons of Angel.
The final panel suggests we’re going to get to see Buffy vs. Buffy in the next issue, which certainly works for me. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on April 16, 2012
in Comics
The search to discover the truth behind how Buffy was replaced with a Buffybot with all of the Slayer’s memories leads one-armed mechanical Buffy and Spike to the one person they know with experience in this type of thing – Andrew.
It turns out not only is Andrew responsible for downloading Buffy’s brain and sticking it into a robot, but he did it to help the Slayer. Now the group has to retreive Buffy’s real body (which is living out an idyllic life in the suburbs with no knowledge of who she really is) before someone else finds her. However, they may already be too late.
With the first big Season Nine twist writer Andrew Chambliss keeps going for the unexpected. This isn’t some nefarious plot by a big bad to hurt the Slayer, but an ill-thought-out attempt by a friend to keep her safe. Meanwhile, with the Slayer out of action Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling with his Zompire problem. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on March 17, 2012
in Comics
Given her current situation Buffy decides to move out of her apartment (not realizing that both Anaheed and Tumble want her to stay) and onto the bug ship with Spike. Because, you know, nothing says normal like living on an alien spaceship with your undead ex-boyfriend.
When Detective Dowling finds himself overmatched with a vampire nest he pulls Spike away from an awkward heart-to-heart with Buffy. It’s the post-fight fallout however that will leave the vampire, and readers, stunned as writer Andrew Chambliss throws a huge curveball into a controversial, but very strong, story arc I’ve really enjoyed. I’m a little pissed at the decision, but I’ve got to admit I didn’t see it coming.
I’m not sure exactly what this means for Buffy’s pregnancy or her relationship with Spike, but from what we see at the end of this issue I’m going to assume things are going to get far more complicated before the season arc decides to answer either of those questions. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on February 13, 2012
in Comics
As Buffy deals with news that’s she’s pregnant writer Andrew Chambliss takes the opportunity to showcase not only the current Slayer’s fears of what a pregnancy might mean but that of another Slayer who went through the same emotions a few decades earlier – Robin Wood‘s mother Nikki.
For a comic book centered around a tiny blond who kills vampires this issue has quite a bit going on. I’m really liking how personal Season Nine feels after Season Eight spiraled so far out of control. And for a comic that I’ve found the art to be inconsistant so far artist Georges Jeanty nails the characters this time around.
Not only do we get flashbacks between Nikki and her Watcher but we get frank conversations between Buffy and Robin, and later between Buffy and Spike. And, although the some might object, I was certainly impressed how the issue of an abortion was not only introduced but discussed.
Even if you haven’t read the first arc of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, if you’re a fan of the character you should definitely find a copy, especially if you can find the old school variant cover. Best of the week.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on January 19, 2012
in Comics
After surviving the Siphon, Buffy starts having dreams of the first Slayer. At first she thinks the Slayer is angry at Buffy breaking the line but she begins to suspect someone is using her dreams for their own purposes.
With the help of Willow Buffy goes back into her dreams to confront the Tinkerbell who was hijacking her dreams and find out what the Slayer really wants from her. Although she gets her answers, the truth will mean the departure of one of her closest friends. But that isn’t the comic’s biggest surprise which comes in the form of a final panel that’s sure to change Buffy’s life forever (and no doubt enrage quite a few fans).
Karl Moline takes over the art from Georges Jeanty but once again we’re left with several panels where the characters only vaguely resemble their on-screen counterparts.
It’s not a great single issue but it does set out a new path for Willow and set up an entirely new challenge for everyone’s favorite slayer. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on December 22, 2011
in Comics
Freefall, the first story arc of Buffy Season Nine, comes to an end as Buffy Summers squares off against the Siphon. In a trend that has continued through four issues (perhaps as a reverse nod to the Star Trek movie franchise?) the odd-numbered issues have been better than the even-numbered ones.
Although issue #4 isn’t bad, it does have a few problems including some sketchy art by Georges Jeanty. Buffy comes out looking like the Slayer we know and love, but many of the supporting characters only vaguely resenble their television counterparts (Xander and Dawn especially).
I’m also very mixed on the comic’s conclusion. Buffy being saved by the police at the last minute might get her out of immediate legal trouble (although there still is that whole “is slaying murder” issue left to be resolved), but it sure comes off anticlimactic when your super-heroine has to be saved by a guy with a gun. Hit-and-Miss.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on November 15, 2011
in Comics
The world without magic storyline continues as Buffy and the Scoobies are faced with two oddities that need answering. The first is Severin who has an unusual power to rip the demon from vampires and return the human body to a natural state of death. The second is the overly aggressive nature of vampires who have been sired since the Seed was destroyed.
Spike‘s investigation into the Siphon will answer one of Buffy’s questions (if he’s not too late for our plucky heroine). As to the vampires themselves, it appears with the hell dimensions now closed from our reality new vampires are really vampires, they’re zombie vampires, or zompires as Xander names them.
I was really impressed with issue #3, especially the dialogue and character interactions which felt much more natural and Whedon-esque than the previous issue (also penned by Andrew Chambliss). The story arcs seem more focused and character driven, and there’s some great humor throughout. If this is where Season Nine is going to go, I’m on-board. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $3.99]
by Alan Rapp on October 15, 2011
in Comics
The Ninth Season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues right where the first issue left off (although sadly without the writing of Buffy creator Joss Whedon). Buffy and her pals run into a demon in an alley that’s not after dinner, destruction, or mayhem. This one wants money, specifically Buffy’s college loan.
It seems in a world without magic all sorts of demons have been trapped in our reality and forced into finding odd jobs to make do. This demon has become a debt collector, and from his frightening visage I’m guessing a pretty good one.
Buffy also has to deal with being hauled in by the police who catch her in the act of staking a vampire. The cops are at a loss as to what to charge her with, but are sure she’s guilty of something, but the truth is what they are after is a mysterious young man who is miraculously bringing the undead back to death (so to speak).
Writer Andrew Chambliss does a fair job in picking up for Whedon but the dialogue and character reactions simply aren’t as crisp this time around. It’s still worth reading, but not quite as good as I was hoping. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
by Alan Rapp on September 19, 2011
in Comics
Although I grew weary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight it did have its moments (including a terrific story arc by Drew Goddard) and even if it eventually went off the rails it managed to end with a strong finale.
Season Nine picks up where we left off. The line of Slayers is gone, magic is gone from the world, Giles is still dead, and Buffy Summers is responsible. Creator Joss Whedom promised Season Nine would get down to smaller stories and that’s exactly what he delivers here. No big bad, no ultimate evil, just Buffy and the Scoobies getting on with their lives. And it’s pretty freakin’ good.
The first issue centers around Buffy’s hangover from the first party for all her pals and new roomies at her new apartment. We get flashes of the party from Buffy’s hazy memory (some of which she’d just as soon forget). The comic is filled with great dialogue and it actually feels like the characters we remember from Buffy’s better days are back in force once again. It’s only a first issue, but it’s a damn good. Best of the week.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
