Comics: Buffy Season 10 #2
After the shocking revelation at the end of the last issue that the rules have changed, we get a slightly quieter issue in which Buffy checks in with some forgotten friends and the stakes of this season are established. Spoilers for the first issue abound, you have been warned!
It’s great to see Giles back as a full member of the team again (arguably for the first time since season 6!), his transformation into a child providing endless fun for Buffy and co - who at one point threatens to put him across her knee. He has a decision to make about what sort of role he will take in the gang’s future, officially stating that he doesn’t want to be their problem solver anymore in a little outburst that shows his de-aging isn’t just psychical.
The decision to reintroduce Dowling, Buffy’s very brief love interest from last season, seems a little random right now, their scene mostly acting as a reminder that he actually exists. Hopefully there is some payoff to their reunion but at least it does provide a classic Buffy moment when he agrees that they don’t work as a couple. I’m frankly hoping it is an end to their romantic relationship however as Dowling reminds me too much of Riley, and we don’t need a second one of him (sorry Riley shippers I just find him bland).
Xander and Dawn’s story takes some baby steps this issue, through the assistance of ghost-Anya, one of my favourite elements of the first issue that I couldn’t really talk about last time due to spoilers! Anya was always one of my favourite characters on the show, her innate awkwardness reminding me way too much of myself, her sudden death in the season finale being a crushing blow. So it’s fantastic to have her back mocking Xander and reminding him what a bastard he can be. I’m also hopeful that this will allow the audience to have a real goodbye to the beloved character, as presumably Xander’s story will become about trying to figure out why she is back and helping her find peace. That is if she is even a ghost at all and not just a figment of Xander’s imagination but for the moment I am inclined to believe this is really Anya for now.
The artwork in this issue is still fantastic both in the opening fight scene and in the quieter moments that follow. Spike setting the swarm of vampire-bees (yeah I never thought I’d need to use those two words together either) on fire is a real highlight. You can really see how hurt and shocked Buffy is by her conversation with Dowling, while the look on Spike’s face shows he is just humouring her by agreeing. As I’ve come to expect with Rebekah Isaacs each character is recognisable throughout, although Buffy’s outfit is a bit odd towards the end of the issue, if she comes across a vampire she’d struggle to kill in that skirt!
A new mystery is introduced for our team to solve, who is manipulating the nature of magic for their own ends and can they be stopped before they are too powerful? It’s obvious whoever it is will be the big bad for the season, one who promises to be a real challenge for Buffy to face. All in all this issue continues the first’s promise of taking the Buffy gang in an interesting new direction, one I am keen to follow.
Xander and Dawn’s story takes some baby steps this issue, through the assistance of ghost-Anya, one of my favourite elements of the first issue that I couldn’t really talk about last time due to spoilers! Anya was always one of my favourite characters on the show, her innate awkwardness reminding me way too much of myself, her sudden death in the season finale being a crushing blow. So it’s fantastic to have her back mocking Xander and reminding him what a bastard he can be. I’m also hopeful that this will allow the audience to have a real goodbye to the beloved character, as presumably Xander’s story will become about trying to figure out why she is back and helping her find peace. That is if she is even a ghost at all and not just a figment of Xander’s imagination but for the moment I am inclined to believe this is really Anya for now.
A new mystery is introduced for our team to solve, who is manipulating the nature of magic for their own ends and can they be stopped before they are too powerful? It’s obvious whoever it is will be the big bad for the season, one who promises to be a real challenge for Buffy to face. All in all this issue continues the first’s promise of taking the Buffy gang in an interesting new direction, one I am keen to follow.
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