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

[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).