Will the real Buffy Summers please stand up?
What They Say:
While Buffy is undertaking an away mission with Spike and Andrew, the SFPD is starting to really feel the effect of the rapid zompire population growth . . . With Buffy out of town, as the only Scoobies in the vicinity, Xander and Dawn have been approached for guidance. Buffy needs to get herself back together and home to SF quick, but facing Slayer Simone and her unexpected ally is going to make it a rough job!
The Review:
I feel like this month’s story really worked on character development. That wasn’t a bad thing at all, as long as it continues to alternate with high action months.
I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t quite sure about this Buffy robot plot line when it first broke. I’m pleased with the way the storyline has moved since that point, though. The interaction between bot Buffy and suburban-turned-brainwashed Buffy in this issue was compelling, as it gave us continued glimpses into the struggles she faces over what she really wants out of life. It may seem tricky to illustrate the scenes clearly when two of your characters wear the same face, yet the artistic team on this issue did just that. Between the amazing facial expressions and the colorful streaks in suburban Buffy’s hair, the slightly different personalities of each Buffy shone through.
Now let’s talk about Andrew. I simply adore the way his character brings levity to the story. His constant self-narration makes me chuckle, even on the third read of the comic. Yes, he can be annoying, but I thought the way he was handled in this robotic storyline was just right. His insistence on seeing himself as character in a horror movie, moving inevitably toward disaster, was dead on. My favorite panel in that showcased this humor, though, was the way Spike was drawn rolling his eyes at Andrew on page 7.
Moving right along to Spike. Spike is one of my all-time favorite characters in the Whedonverse at large, and I’m drooling over the chance for him to have a solo mini later this year. Spike’s snarky level was much lower this month, and we got to see his more maudlin side. I’m a sucker for his sappy dramatics and his undying devotion to Buffy, though I know not everyone is.
Several other characters had intriguing developments, too. Bringing Simone back – finally – was a smart move. I’ve been anxiously awaiting her return, ever since we got our first glimpses of her pulling the strings earlier in the season. Dowling’s steps toward possibly joining the Buffy gang holds promise as well.
What I liked best about this month, though, were the dangling questions that will lead us into the next piece of the story. Simone’s plans to snatch the real Buffy were disrupted, but she’s heading back to San Francisco in pursuit of her “Plan B”. What is that, and how does it involve tapping into Buffy’s “true source” of power? Are the zompires involved her new plan? What will Spike do next, and how will it lead into his promised mini-series? Will Dowling transition into the Scoobies? If so, how will his personality mesh with the rest of the group?
In Summary:
This month’s Buffy was all about the characters. While that means the action was more limited than normal, it moved each of them along nicely in the larger plot. With humor mixed with melancholy, plenty of lingering questions, and the potential for massive shakeups in the Buffyverse, I continue to be hooked on the overall storyline of this season.
Grade: A-
