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]

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.