I've never been a fan of the Buffy TV show. You'd think a comic-book guy such as myself would be into such a genre show, but that's not the case. Still, Dark Horse has offered up some Slayer stories that I found quite entertaining, so I figured the time had come to sample another Buffy book, and since this issue marked the beginning of a new story arc, it was a logical choice. Unfortunately, it wasn't a satisfying one. This story is firmly entrenched in Buffy continuity, exploring the characters' activities at a point before the TV show's first season.
Buffy returns from Las Vegas feeling alone in the world. Her only friend has gone off in his own direction, and she's been expelled from school, branded a pariah by the whole town. To make matters worse, her kid sister has discovered his diary and the unusual secrets that lie within, and the 10-year-old sibling hasn't been shy about sharing this unusual treasure. Meanwhile, Rupert Giles has travelled to Ireland to continue his training to be the Watcher for the new Slayer.
Richards's artwork boasts some really strong moments here, reminding me occasionally of the sleek, realistic linework of Greg (Sojourn) Land. At others, though, it's surprisingly sketchy and loose. The backgrounds are also unfortunately sparse at times, and that robs the story of its more grounded context. McCaig's colors really reinforce the title character's downtrodden mood, and they reinforce that key emotional element of the book, which stands out as the story's greatest strength.
It took me a little while to figure it out, but this issue actually references the events of the Buffy, and that's an incarnation of the character I can get behind. Unfortunately, the writers stick with the more melodramatic aspects of the television series here rather than the fun of the B-movie spoof that the original, big-screen version represented.
At the heart of the plot, though, is an interesting notion. Before everyone around Buffy came to accept and participate in the weird world of which she is a part, they must have thought she was off her rocker. Nicieza and Lobdell not only explore that notion of others' perception of Buffy's odd behavior, but how the sudden, supernatural shift in her life might affect her emotionally. Unfortunately, the heavy reliance on continuity here made it difficult to step into that world with the character.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
