Buffy S8.2 thoughts

[hazelk]

On the basis of this second issue spoiler-free is definitely the way to go with comics. So much of the reading pleasure comes from being gobsmacked by the twists and from simply not knowing what you might find next. The whole thing also works much better as a physical book with physical pages to turn. And smell, Giles might appreciate that.

Speaking of whom the carried-over dialogue transitions from slayer ed session to slayer ed session made for a great intoduction. In Buffy’s session I think I spotted the original for the much discussed “muppety Odin” comment from Issue 1:



Andrew's part then picked up the clothing theme in non-explanation of a tantalizing no-guns rule. His is the least like of the likenesses, none of them are very accurate face-on but the artist does have a knack of being able to catch characteristic expressions and movements, Xander’s reaction to the Dawn tsumai was my favourite this week.

First big plot reveal was the beautiful sunset carved on the General’s chest then just when you thought you were safe everything flipped into dream madness, which was totally disorientating. I had to re-read the second half of the book three times before it began to make sense. Amy seems to be very much the find one good spell and stick with it kinda witch, if it’s not Hecate and rats it’s penance maledictions that can be broken with a kiss.

Willow turned into Warren, Buffy intially into the boy-bruiser Spike accused her of being back in S4 but Xander’s head uped the ante to “you are the dark,” more S6 Spike. There was something very Spike-like for sure in the posture of the figure with no face she met at the end although “my love” sounded more like Angelus. It’s a dream, a nightmare I think she was conflating people, Xander in his Riley outfit, as fragile as Parker wasn’t.

Real Xander in his duckie pajamas was doing well until the unstoppable zombie army left him orderless. Time for Willow (the best of all the likenesses) to float in on a moon and a prayer. Things are getting interesting.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

Ooh, go you on catching Odin! Yes, I also plan to be as unspoiled as possible, which may be a bit difficult but when reading issue 1 even though I was only somewhat spoiled, I found that this issue read differently as I'd seen nothing but the cover.

Yes, for all the B/X grumbling (or cheering) it surprises me I haven't yet seen someone talking about a renewed X/D.

if it’s not Hecate and rats it’s penance maledictions that can be broken with a kiss

That's a good point! That whole issue seemed fairly contrived to me, but now that you point it out it's absolutely been something she did before. I like your take on the elements of Buffy's dream as well, it might very well be a mismash of her romantic history. Honestly, I half expected her father to show up. After all he was a main subject for her in "Nightmares."

Yes, I liked the ending and the cliffhanger. I'll be looking forward to S3!

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

X/Din one direction is cannon but did it ever get much play in fic? I've a feeling they ended up together in the Bittersweets saga. Here it felt very much like the relatonship they had in early S7 and at the end of Potential. Dawn's slayer envy is quite potential-like too but with more reason as Buffy really seems to be connecting with Leah and Co, I liked that a lot.

Less sure about the Buffy spell plot on reflection, the image of her tied to the bed, a scanty damsel waiting to be rescued, veered on the gratuitous. Although the messengers in the dream are boyfriend material the underlying issue she's working through may be more general, the overreadiness to take on the guilt, the darkness that she and Xander were talking about just before the dream cut in. It's the type of attitude she usually managed to work herself out from by her own actions in a season opener so I sort of hope Amy's not telling the whole truth about the cure. Being so detailed about it to Xander was very evil overlord but possibly all Amy wants is to get Willow's attention and Buffy is just a means to that end (whatever her current sponsors think).

[herself_nyc]

Yes, I put Dawn and Xander together, and I want to say that nwhepcat has done at least one fic where they get together (tho' much more often she puts him with Faith). I'd love to see real X/D in the comics. It feels appropriate.

[yourlibrarian]

the underlying issue she's working through may be more general, the overreadiness to take on the guilt, the darkness that she and Xander were talking about just before the dream cut in

Yeah, I don't know if you saw the ETA in my post. After I read through other reviews which all seemed to be focusing on the ship issues (or who Amy's boyfriend is, the consensus focusing on Adam) it still surprised me no one was speculating about the misdirect. My own take is that the person to bring her out of the spell will be Dawn. Not only is Dawn going to be a main character in the last issue of this first arc, but it seems much more like Joss to eschew the romantic for the familial which is really where his interests lie. Plus, as you point out at the beginning of her dream it is Dawn she is concerned about, Dawn she feels guilty about, Dawn she needs to be reconciled with.

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

Absolutely Dawn is the big issue (sorry, it was just lying there asking to be used). I still have hopes of a Buffy saving herself moment "how do you like my darkness now" style, it's traditional but Dawn is her weak point now for sure.

[yourlibrarian]

Hee! I know that in the text Dawn seems specifically excluded and that Xander's discussion of how she isn't real could just be exposition. But I'm wondering if it isn't also there as a clue.

I should add one other thing. I really liked is Willow's line at her entrance. That Giles reappearance moment was one of my favorite scenes ever in the series and I like the way it brings the issue full circle.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

it still surprised me no one was speculating about the misdirect

The question is what kind of misdirect we're dealing with. Joss loves to subvert the tradition and a kiss of true love is traditional romantic plot twist. Like the love that saves Prince Charming from the curse. In season 2 Joss has brilliantly reimagined this idea by making Buffy "save" Angelus from gypsy curse. Theoretically he could make this "kiss of true love" also trigger something truly horrible.

At least in this case Amy's irrational behavior (first she tries to kill Buffy then suddenly tells how to bring her back) has an explanation.

Another thing that bothered me is Xander's irrational behavior in the same scene. Amy tries to kill Buffy, then says that kiss of true love can save her. If I were Xander I'd ask "Why are you telling me this? Isn't your goal to destroy Buffy, not to bring her back?" But no, he believes her right away. I don't think that Joss is intentionally making Xander dumb. Is there something we don't know yet?

[yourlibrarian]

Theoretically he could make this "kiss of true love" also trigger something truly horrible.

True, a from the frying pan into the fire scenario.

Yes, I was wondering why Xander would believe her at all, as well. Of course, as aycheb pointed out she had done a similar curse before, but it seems to me what worked was Willow losing her guilt. That's one reason I was thinking that who Buffy feels most guilty about is Dawn.

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I remembered that right. I could see it in a few years but for now feel as if Dawn really needs to go to college or get a job or do something that will get her away from home and stop regressing. Once she gets herself person sized anyway :-)

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Pretty much echoed my own take on it, though I like your thoughts on Amy's re-use of spells and Buffy's nightmare. Though I think Xander's state in the final scene might have something to do with Renee getting a sword through her back - see my own review in my LJ for my thoughts on that!

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

Yes to Renee, they'd done a great job of creating the beginnings of something betwen her and Xander and very Joss to kill off the most likeable and three dimensional of the new slayers (although I like Leah and the one with the hair too).

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

From Xander/Buffy cheerings to Xander/Buffy anger threats, I still have to find a good, reassonable review, thank you. :)

I haven't read the whole issue yet, but I enjoyed your take on the nightmare. Can I friend you? :)

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

Friend away ::waves::

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

I feel very stupid - but who's that "muppety Odin" on Buffy's t-shirt? A comics character?

[aycheb.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, he looks a little like Asterix the Gaul but with the helmet shape morphed enough to avoid copyright infringement.