Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Writing: Whedon really brought the show into comic book form for this issue. So far throughout the series we’ve just had the less important arcs, but this stand-alone issue truly brings readers back the feeling they had when they first watched some of the greatest episodes of the televison series, such as "The Body" (5.16) or "Family" (5.06). It’s the feeling of "Wow, this is really happening!" or, depending on the reader, "Oh my goodness, this is really happening! I think I might die or pass-out once I’ve finished sobbing!"

Robin Balzer, the winner of the Season Eight Essay Contest at Myspace.com, was featured in this issue and will be featured in issues to come. Robin’s condition has been brilliantly reflected in her character in the comic and twisted in the smallest, yet genius, way that only Whedon himself could come up with. Its possible that, without Robin having won the Myspace contest, the majority of this tenth issue may have been a completely different story. Her character in the comic could become one of the most memorable parts of the comic-book series. If the character truly becomes a major part of Buffy and company’s lives, she has the potential to break readers hearts, for after reading the issue it’s known that one day she must return to where she came from.

The writing receives a 10/10 rating.

Art: The art was not very impressive compared to that of Jeanty’s. Richards over-shadows way too much a in a number of panels. While there are some great likenesses here and there throughout the issue, there isn’t a single panel that shows the readers a good likeness of Willow, Xander, or Dawn. However, Xander has grown a little facial hair, and that could be why its harder to see a likeness between him and Nicholas Brendon. I must add, though, that Richards does an astonishing job with Kennedy. I was in the car with my aunt while I was reading this issue the first time through, and I mentioned something I had read about Willow and Kennedy to her. When she asked "Who’s Kennedy again?" I just flipped to a page with Kennedy drawn in it and she immediatly remembered her. So, again, just an amazing likeness. There are also some pretty good likenesses of Buffy, which Georges Jeanty seems to struggle with once in a while.

The art receives a 7/10 rating.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

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