Dark HorseNew season. New rules. The age-old battle of Slayer vs. vampire is the focus of Buffy's life once again"”it's downright nostalgic! But with all the toying with magic she's done lately, this girl should know it's time for another game change . . . Shouldn't she?
I dont think him running off to the liquor store was about downing his troubles so much as it was him, having a drink after a long day, and not being able to go anywhere else.Well, judging by the fact that the first spot Spike dashed to after the fight was the liquor store - where he suggested they look for him after the sun went down cause he is going to be drunk there, and judging by the issue 7 cover ( Spike with Buffy-photo and a bottle whilst Xander watching disgustedly), Spike's being at peace and in a 'good place' after being 'over Buffy' is kinda dubious. Coupled with Andrews 'broken heart' diatribe (and btw -I feel like the implied/unrequited Spandrew should get more spotlight finally this season!) I think Spike is still pine-y, subtext-y. Buffy, on other hand, feels comfortable, at least for now; she got her doormat back without him asking for more.![]()
Well, we'll see. I hope we can agree at least that Spike ripping off Andrew's clothes ( for Molotov cocktails heh) and leaving him bare-chested was as subtext-y as it gets. LOL Same as Dawn almost blurting it out after Andrew expressed his admiration of Billy-Devon , then retreating her steps carefully ( yes I mean her Slayer remark). In that context Andrew's remark about Spike's 'broken heart' sounds even more ambivalent. I seriously think Spandrew is the most overlooked 'ship' in the comics.I dont think him running off to the liquor store was about downing his troubles
No way that Willow/Giles knew about Giles 'resurrection'- they looked surprised, astonished and tearful. He just briefly explained to them how it happened before the battle continued.An excellent introductory issue for this new season "“ Like it very much "“ a few things that I did not care for, but those are mostly all just personal general dislikes dealing with Buffy Speak speech patterns and not particularly significant to the issue. This goes along with my dislike of, what appears to me, as a very different body type for Buffy from the series.
The text certainly connected with the covers "“ especially the RI cover and the school setting. Glad to that the digital copy will feature the Steve Morris covers as I love his work. I Don't particularly care for the cover by RI.
Anyone have info on the additional variant "“ my local retailer will order it for me but for a lot more $$$$.
This was not only a good introduction to the theme of having to learn new ways of getting on with life and the transformation of vampires, it was also a good set-up for the Dracula return. I wonder if his appearance will bring back the plot device from BS8 and the fact the Dracula's sword was also a magical artifact created at the same time, perhaps even by the Guardians, who created the Slayer Scythe.
I also enjoyed the panel with that red coat figure, what I take to be, a fun visual for the theme of the conflict and state of the new vampires vs the old life forms like Spike. RI used the silhouette for several panels and then we see the red coat holding the beer which I interpreted as a reference to the conflict and war theme represented by Samuel Adams. Of course, I could be totally wrong and it all means something else - fits the conflict theme with Angel over at Magic Town as well.
On the Giles reunion, it's only logical that Buffy already knows he has been resurrected - what with so much emphasis being used for Buffy and Spike having talked and sorted out issues. Both Willow's and Buffy's initial expressions of seeing Giles could be interpreted as just surprise and joy for seeing Giles.
Not sure how this is going to play out in the next issues, but one story element that I did not care for, but it's only because you we had all last season with the same theme - that is Buffy vision of herself with her I can't save people and be the Slayer Victor. But then, Buffy also has to learn how to deal with all these changes and new rules. And I don't mind at all Faith coming in when she does, but it was a jarring contrast to Buffy for me.
As a huge Spike fan, I loved how Spike was introduced which made me happy but I know he will have less page space as the season continues. I am also looking forward to seeing how Spike and Dawn interact this season.
If I were Spike, I would be feeling a lot of worry over how vulnerable and weak he is when contrasted to these powerful new vampires. But like Xander, he keeps on trying to fight and I suspect will also have to learn how to be much more clever and skillful with how he fights and lives in this new rules world.
Guess all is forgiven on the Andrew builds and steals Buffy from last season. Andrew being a part of the team right from the start is another way to bring in the eventual Buffy-Angel dealing with the Twilight Times as be part of this season.
I saw a pic of tom recently, and looks like he beefed up a bit, could have just been the picture though. But if he has, maybe thats related to Andrew suddenly having a comic six packOn a totally superficial level, Isaacs drew Andrew really hot, right? Like, exponentially hotter than we've ever seen him? For a second I though he was Riley.
It does not seems logical to me that Spike would not have mentioned his time over with Angel and Faith and that Giles had been resurrected - particularly if we are to accept that he and Buffy had this all important sorting out conversation. We will see.No way that Willow/Giles knew about Giles 'resurrection'- they looked surprised, astonished and tearful. He just briefly explained to them how it happened before the battle continued.
I think Buffy's narration was pretty much spot on, part character stuff (Willow, Spike, Xander/Dawn), part-exposition, part wittiness and quips- succinct and to the point. That's Gage's writing for you.
I didn't remember about Dracula's sword though, that could be something. Magical artefacts are pretty rare in Buffy, so I hope they do do a connection-thing with the Scythe.
Spike has fought against Illyria, an Old One- I don't think he's gonna be particularly bothered about some vamps being slightly tougher than him, especially with him having all that extra fighting skill.
The vampires being day-walkers might phase him for a while (him not ever being able to see a sunrise), but I never really saw Spike as being all brooding over his vampire lot in life, that was more Angel's thing. Spike always reveled in his power- the only thing he was really tormented over was Buffy. (Which is seems to have gotten over. Yey.)
It was a great way of addressing that extremely weak storyline. "Billy" was like the "Beer Bad" of S8, a poor attempt at a public service announcement.Loved that they had the funny Billy line though, giving a nod to fandom just simply not entertainging this "male slayer" shite.
It was great! I do wish they squeezed in something about Giles thriving on the new magic-rules though. At his peak, he was extremely competent at magic & combat for a normal human--in this issue, he's zapping vampires on par with some of the more powerful superbeings in the series...Also, Giles giving the most gloriously snooty and indignant rant on Latin that could be straight out of a Library scene in S3. (Although, I don't buy Willow making that comment about dead languages, but it tee'd up Giles' rant perfectly.)
It made sense for them to want Giles to make the reveal himself.I'm really glad that Buffy and Willow didn't know Giles was alive. I'd have been pissed if Spike had told Buffy, it would have been typical Spike, wanting to get the glory of good news. So I'm really glad he didn't and that Giles got to do it, even Angel didn't call Buffy to say "look what I did for you", that whole conversation should be between Buffy and Giles, so I'm more then happy how that turned out.
I'm sure it is something bigger. The First never did get a proper resolution. They destroyed its army, but the First itself wasn't phased. Don't know about the legitimacy of the purported original draft of "Chosen," but it wrapped up the First a lot better than what we got.I forgot to say in my initial post, what do we think the Anya thing is?
I mean fairly stupid of Xander to engage Anya, it could be the First for all he knows. I dont think it's just going to be a figment of his imagination though, there's gonna be something more to it right?