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.
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