New challenges await Buffy as a mysterious new slayer joins the struggle.
What They Say:
Spike has heard rumblings. Someone, or something, is coming for Buffy–and now, after she recklessly slipped out of police custody, the SFPD is certainly looking. When Buffy’s family and friends deny her refuge from the cops, she turns to the streets and slaying, where she discovers there’s a new kind of vampire slayer in town . . .
Buffy stakes her way into a new kind of trouble!
The Review:
This issue was amazing. The players are all in place, the pieces are coming together, and the action level is kicking up. The newest mystery slayer, Severin, steps to the front of the story. Buffy is still hiding out from the homicide department, and stops to rest in Severin’s plush apartment. The details of his story reveal a new problem spawned by the destruction of the seed. All the vampires spawned since that day are ravening beasts – incapable of controlling their baser instincts at all. And yes, Willow is thrilled to hear Buffy admit that there are serious consequences resulting from the loss of magic.
I loved the way this issue unfolded. The Severin flashback is intriguing and attractive. We were given enough information to fill in his backstory without giving me so much that it slowed down the flow of the story. Spike’s dedication to hunting down the rumors about the big nasty stalking Buffy continues to make him my favorite vampire. Xander and Dawn’s domestic disputes add a nice touch of humor to leaven the darkness.
The art was everything I expect from Georges Jeanty, with the added bonus of a hauntingly lovely cover by Steve Morris. My absolute favorite panels were closeup of Spike’s demon face, the stalking demon’s face, and the brilliantly chilling final panel. I also thought the striking color contrasts in the Severin flashback section added to the energy of the images.
In Summary:
Amazing and marvelous – this is the type of story I’ve been hoping to see! I’m pretty sure I had a dopey grin on my face for the entire reading. The pieces are falling into place in all the right ways, with the information that is revealed about both Severin and the mysterious demon that has been stalking Buffy for the last few issues. I have to admit, I was surprised by the plot twists along the way, and I loved them! You’ll love them too as you move toward the final panel. Yet there are plenty of mysteries still to solve, plenty of secrets and dangling plot lines. That is, after all, what keeps me reading. I highly recommend this issue, and I’m eager to get my hands on number four!
Grade: A+
Readers Rating: [ratings]