For the vast majority of viewers, May 20, 2003 was just another day of television. Sure, there was some excitement surrounding the final batch of season finales (and anticipation for the new batch of mindless summer reality shows), but that was it. However, for select, die-hard group of individuals, this was a day of mourning – the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.After seven seasons, it all came to a dramatic, decisive, deliberate end. Buffy finally vanquished the evil lurking beneath Sunnydale. The Hellmouth was destroyed, leaving a gaping, smoking crater where the town had once been. Physically, emotionally, and metaphorically, the saga was at an end.Or was it?Thanks to the magic of Willow, an army of ‘potential’ slayers was unleashed upon the world. Buffy’s journey was over, as was our opportunity to share in those adventures, but there was some hope that the story might one day continue.On Mar 14, 2007, that’s precisely what happened. Joss Whedon, working with Dark Horse Comics, released the first issue (or episode, if you will) of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s eighth season. Personally, I was ecstatic – it had been years since I’d last been in a comic store, but I made sure I was there to grab the first issue the moment it hit the shelves.[be warned - spoilers follow]Excitement. Anticipation. Anxiety. Fear. My emotions ran the gamut. Yes, Buffy was back, but would the comics do her justice, or just taint my memories of the series? Things got off to a great start. The image of Buffy and her Slayers descending from a helicopter was absolutely beautiful. Our first glimpse of Xander, done up in full Nick Fury-style, was fantastic. The monsters were big, bold, and badder than anything a TV budget could allow. The introduction of Giant Dawn made me pause, but the creepy, sinister, crazy image of Amy at the end ensured I’d be back for another.The second issue kicked off with the return of Giles, Watcher extraordinaire, and quickly followed with Andew (who, true to form, gets sidetracked into a discussion about Lando Calrissian). Amy’s attack on Buffy was very well played, as was the undead assault upon Slayer headquarters. We’re teased with the image of (possibly) our new villian, and we wrap it all up with the return of Willow – looking cute as ever, even as she floats outside the window. So far, so good.Episode three? Wow, what an opening! Yes, it’s all a dream (or is it?), but you’ve gotta love the return of Ethan Rayne, and the fetish-fantasy image of ‘nurse’ Buffy embracing naked Angel and naked Spike. Follow that up with the battle between Willow vs Amy, then Xander waking Buffy with a kiss, and you’ve got an event. The final twist, with Willow being kidnapped and placed at the mercy of a smiling, skinless, saw-weilding monster is probably the best cliffhanger yet. Skinless monster? Willow captive? Could it be . . .I hate to repeat myself, but episode four? Wow again! We learn right away that the skinless monster is indeed the boy who murdered Tara, thereby sparking Willow’s turn to the darkside. The Slayer assault on the military installation where Willow’s being held captive is just great fun, although the rescue comes a little quick. I think it could have been interesting to drag our her situation for a few issues. The death of Ethan Rayne is a bit of a shock, but nothing compared to the introduction of what (we assume) will be the season’s main storyline – none other than the Slayers against the world, in an attempt to put down the rise of her ‘master race.’Issue five just hit stores, so I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m very pleased to see Joss Whedon assuming the same pacing of the TV show. We’ve had four intense issues dealing with the season’s core mythology, and now we get a standalone, focussing on the decoy Slayers. Not only does it allow new readers to catch up, but it allows us to wonder just who wants the Slayers dead, and just why they see them as such a threat.With four issues down, it’s safe to say Buffy is Back! It’s not a false alarm, and there are absolutely no concerns that her return cannot live up to expectations. The dialogue has been spot-on, the action amazing, and the twists very well done. As was the case with every season on TV, you don’t know where it’s all going, but it’s going to be Hellmouth of a lot of fun getting there.
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