“You are not the slayer.”
What They Say:
Buffy’s dreams have become all too real lately as she deals with a magicless world. She’s still fighting creatures of the night, as Willow and Xander grow distant and nightmares plague the Slayer. But something is telling Buffy that there is more to her dreams than meets the eye . . . and that her greatest fears may yet become reality!
The Review:
Buffy’s dreams are haunted by people from her past as the first slayer desperately tries to get her attention. But what important messages do those dreams need to impart to the slayer? Can Willow help her decipher the message?
Everything about this issue worked for me. The guest artwork by Karl Moline (the artist from Fray) fits exceptionally well with the dream style storyline of this issue. His simpler lines, mixed with the intense way he draws the character’s eyes, made a perfect match for this issue. It’s not often that I notice a character’s hairdo, but Buffy’s braids were adorable. His rendition of the first slayer and the spritely fairy like creature were also impeccable.
I loved the fact that Willow became a bigger part of the story in this issue, because I missed her. Her friendship with Buffy is one of my favorite relationships in the series, and Willow’s intriguing mix of power and pure geeky adorableness is so appealing. She takes on a very important task in this issue, and I’m excited to find out how Willow’s new storyline will develop.
Without being “spoilery”, (that’s a real word, right?) the surprise ending both excites and concerns me. It definitely brings in a whole new dimension to the world of Buffy. That could go amazingly well, or it could spiral off into absurdity. My faith in the storytelling skills of the team leads me to believe that I’m going to enjoy the direction the tale will take. You really need to read this story and find out for yourself what Buffy discovers.
In Summary:
Slayer Interrupted is the perfect opening for the next piece of the tale. We get the beginnings of Willow’s quest to restore magic to the world as well as a new source of conflict for Buffy. The surprise ending was a real smack in the face, yet tied the story neatly back into the first issue of season 9. Yes, it could go poorly, but the willingness to take a risk – to tell a story that hasn’t yet been told – is one of the things I love about the Buffyverse. I’m all in, and the only really bad part about this issue for me is the fact that I have to wait until next month to hear what happens next.
Grade: A
Readers Rating: [ratings]
