It ends to begin again.
Creative Staff:
Script: Christos Cage
Art: Rebekah Isaacs
Colors: Dan Jackson
Letters: Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt
What They Say:
“Old Demons, Conlusion”
Just as Buffy and the gang were wading through their individual breakups and hookups, a new Big Bad named Archaeus came to light, and he’s someone they can’t fight alone. So, however awkward it may be—now that Buffy and Spike are officially an item—Buffy’s ex, Angel, has been called in to help.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Angel’s a little wrong…but a little right. Immortals can change, it just takes a lot. The Angel of season three walked away from Buffy because he knew it was the right thing to do. The Angel of season eight walked back into her arms, albeit manipulated to do so. The Angel now knew exactly what had to be done. The Angel of season two fell in love and never really fell out of it. That’s change. The Angel now accepted that his love meant, at best, Buffy is happy with someone else. And he can accept that. That’s change too.
I’m left feeling lacking as a result of the seemingly rushed end, however. A fight can only last so long, but I expected at least another issue or two to do it in. Perhaps that was the intent originally and something else happened…It may also be intentional, given how this issue ends, with Angel and Willow, nothing really emotionally solved, but everyone knowing the status quo isn’t really going anywhere.
In Summary:
Even one more issue would probably make this better. Focus on Buffy’s fight, Angel’s internal strife, have Spike legitimately try to kill Angel…there is also the struggle of Andrew, Willow, Giles, Xander, and Dawn to break open the artifact, which got glossed over. It was a mess, but, as usual, it ended rather emotionally satisfactorily. I suppose it wasn’t the worst, but improvements could be made.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: B+
Released By: Dark Horse
Release Date: August 19th, 2015
MSRP: $3.50
