Buffy season 10 no 15

[shapinglight]

Short review behind cut. Spoilers, of course.



I only got back this evening and I'm too tired to write much, but really I don't have a lot to say. I'm still enjoying the hell out of the Spuffy (despite the fact that I agree with everyone who complains it's all too wordy - but that does seem to be Gage's style), still expecting the other shoe to drop at some point but not with quite so much apprehension.

Sorry to see what might be the end of Xander and Dawn. I hope it's not.

Enjoyed the brief Spike/Giles conversation at the end (would like more of it, actually), and liked the brief Spike/Angel exchange.

Am pretty sure Angel's arrival in the Buffy book will stir things up in some ways. Not least in that Spike will probably become all rude and sarcastic again. Which is okay, because the whole scooby togetherness thing currently going on is getting a bit too sugary.

A-and that's pretty much it. Anyone want to talk about it?

I'm spoilered for the latest episode of GoT, btw. It may take me a day or two to gather up the courage to watch it.

Comments

[singedbylife.livejournal.com]

I agree with it being too wordy (the Spuffy part) but oh my, I enjoy it so much. And the best part was definitely the Giles/Spike/Wanker part. :) Apart from that it felt as if this issue had 5 pages, not 30 as way too many pages were wasted on the fight, imo.

[shapinglight]

Well, traditionally, comics are all about the big fights, and Christos Gage has written a lot of super hero comics, so he probably thinks including a big fight is just what you do. ;)

Funny really. We may feel the fight got in the way of more important things. Elsewhere, I've seen people complaining that there's too much lovey-dovey talky stuff and not enough action.

Can't please all the people all the time, I guess.

I mean, if I were to put my critical hat on, I could probably rip this comic to shreds (as it were). But I've decided I can't be bothered. I'd rather just enjoy it while I can.

[singedbylife.livejournal.com]

LOL, I don't think I would be that drastic about it but yes, as far as this season is concerned I'm just riding along on the wave and enjoying it while it lasts. For me at least, this is the first time, I feel like I'm actually watching Buffy and that's a very nice experience.

[shapinglight]

For me at least, this is the first time, I feel like I'm actually watching Buffy and that's a very nice experience.

Having just finished my BtVS rewatch, I'm in two minds about this now. I think now that I can see how early season 8 Buffy could have developed from Buffy in season 7 (this impression based, admittedly, on the rewatch hammering home what I'd already thought - that Buffy still loved Angel when the show ended and that Spike was right when he said he never had a chance with her). On the other hand, in season 8 Joss took season 7 Buffy in a direction that made her plain unlikeable (this has nothing to do with Spike at all, btw - couldn't, given that he wasn't in season 8 anyway). Season 10 Comics Buffy may not be much like Buffy from the show, but she's likeable enough.

[rahirah]

I could see S8 Buffy following from S7 Buffy all too easily... and I could see S10 Buffy following from S7 Buffy, if a little less easily. It's just hard to see how S10 Buffy follows from S8/9 Buffy.

[shapinglight]

Yeah, she doesn't really at all. This Buffy has never had her life's work turn to crap in her hands (quite a bit through her own doing) and been made an outcast by the girls she tried to help (again, quite a bit through her own doing).

[il_mio_capitano]

I skipped the fight for the most part. Am actually enjoying the Spuffy and thought the last page was a hoot. Rebekah Isaacs does at least dress lil Giles reasonably. He was looking like Wesley bloody Crusher in her absence.

[shapinglight]

Yes, Megan Levens' style wasn't to everyone's taste. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Not usually a fan of cartoon-y style comic book art at all.

[kikimay]

I find the "we're family" bit a little bit repetitive and the Spuffy's too wordy yes, but I'm glad that they are communicating so much. They are really adorable together and I like the way Spike looks at her. Awww.

Dawn with that kimono was the cutest and my favorite panel is the final one. I can't wait to see the crossover reunion, tbh.

[shapinglight]

I can't wait to see the crossover reunion, tbh.

Yes. Having not much liked (to put it mildly) Spike's crossover to A&F in season 9, I'm quite looking forward to it coming the other way, if only because Spike is probably going to be rude and sulky, which will give the comic a bit of edge.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

still expecting the other shoe to drop at some point but not with quite so much apprehension.

I think the other shoe is 6 months away or so. There does seem to be a lack of seriousness so far so everything seems so injected. Even Spike's insecurity over Angel. It seems constructed, kinda like the 'are you evil' line a few issues back.

I don't typically like fight scenes, but they definitely needed something to break up all that talking. Gage isn't very concise at all, which makes it seem worse. He says the same things over and over...

Also I wonder if they're going to give Spike and Angel speed or something 'cause having both of them around seems rather ill-advised.

[shapinglight]

I think the other shoe is 6 months away or so.

I'll just carry on enjoying it while I can, then. ;)

Even Spike's insecurity over Angel. It seems constructed, kinda like the 'are you evil' line a few issues back.

I don't know if I quite agree with that. Having just finished my BtVS rewatch, I think Spike's quite right to be insecure about Angel. There's not a shadow of a doubt (to my mind anyway) which of them Buffy preferred in the show.

Gage isn't very concise at all, which makes it seem worse. He says the same things over and over...

This is true, and not just of his Buffyverse work. I saw someone on Slayalive say something I agree with, which is that the panel of Buffy's decision to lay down the scythe because she's certain Spike's won't kill her would have been more powerful without words. But Gage sticks the words in anyway, as if he thinks no one will understand what's happening unless he explains it all.

Also I wonder if they're going to give Spike and Angel speed or something 'cause having both of them around seems rather ill-advised.

It does. Hopefully, it'll be at least a bit amusing to see them being petty and jealous around each other.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

which of them Buffy preferred in the show.

Then he doesn't need to be involved with her. Buffy will dump me because of killing people. Buffy will dump me for Angel. I don't get the impression his trust and insecurity issues will be addressed and it'll just be more of her following him around telling him he's awesome. That's the crap that put me off Willow and Tara.

which is that the panel of Buffy's decision to lay down the scythe because she's certain Spike's won't kill her would have been more powerful without words.

Oh, I don't know about that. I think a decision so stupid is softened by all the talking.

[rahirah]

Spike wouldn't bite her when he was controlled by the First and totally demoned out, either, so Buffy's not taking much of a risk there. (I saw some B/A types complaining that the scene was a copy of Buffy baring her neck to Angel in "Angel," but I think the Spike scene in S7 is way, WAY closer.)

[shapinglight]

I agree.

Also, nice to see you. Are you okay? You've been very absent lately.

[rahirah]

Yeah, I'm fine, it's just that with work continuing moderately hellish and feeling down in the aftermath of my sister's funeral (they called it a 'celebration of her life' and it was a beautiful, moving ceremony, but when you get down to it... still a funeral) I haven't been in a posting frame of mind. Plus I tried and failed to get three or four different stories to jell for Seasonal Spuffy, and ended up posting nothing, which was frustrating. Blargh.

[shapinglight]

Very sorry to hear that - about everything. I understand about not feeling like posting. When I'm down I never want to either.

Very nice to see you back a little anyway.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

Spike wouldn't bite her when he was controlled by the First and totally demoned out, either

He didn't need to bite her. She was bleeding. He still licked her blood, which woke him up. The only reason she was compliant was she had a few vamps holding her.

[rahirah]

You're right, it's been a while since I saw that episode. Either way, he could easily have bitten her while she was being held, and gotten a lot more than a little lick of tasty Slayer blood. He didn't, and in fact held off doing so apparently on his own. The First didn't tell him to stop. I don't think it's impossible for Buffy to have remembered that and taken into account here. :shrug:

[shapinglight]

I don't get the impression his trust and insecurity issues will be addressed and it'll just be more of her following him around telling him he's awesome. That's the crap that put me off Willow and Tara.

I hope not. We'll see. I've just flicked through all the issues since this relationship stuff began and have found that the Spuffy stuff isn't nearly as overwhelming as I thought, which, I suppose, shows that individual issues can seem different when seen in context. Anyway, despite not liking A&F :spit: 20 at all, I'm ready for Spike to behave in a less than awesome fashion around Angel and for Buffy to do some eye-rolling.

Oh, I don't know about that. I think a decision so stupid is softened by all the talking.

It was pretty stupid, I agree, but even Show!Buffy (a whole different animal) has been known to take the occasional gamble on someone she cares about (ie. Willow and the Slayer spell in Chosen.

Speaking of Willow, I was quite pleased to see her and Xander sharing a few panels. Don't think that's happened since season 8 started.

[infinitewhale.livejournal.com]

I've just flicked through all the issues since this relationship stuff began and have found that the Spuffy stuff isn't nearly as overwhelming as I thought,

Those who like the taste usually don't mind it, of course. I just wish they'd act like semi-adults. The drama around it isn't worth the constant reassurances.

to take the occasional gamble on someone she cares about (ie. Willow and the Slayer spell in Chosen.

I'd say that's a little different scenario. Spike is actively and presently being controlled by a malevolent force there. In such instances on the show, like The Pack or Sleeper or NLM, she typically just knocks them out.

But then comic!Buffy probably can't knock out anyone...

[shapinglight]

Those who like the taste usually don't mind it, of course.

Well, sure. ;)

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Buffy would collapse without dawn. She would not want to fight on without her little , once large, sister despite being a ball of energy omce.

[shapinglight]

Well, this is true.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

More complete synopsis later...? Pretty please?🌹

And GoT... Yeah. No comfort. Although the Jorah/Tyrion scenes are good. ((Hug)). [you'll need it]

[shapinglight]

More complete synopsis later...? Pretty please?🌹

Okay. I can do that. ;)

Re: GoT, frankly I may chicken out of watching The Scene altogether. I know it comes right at the end.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

You don't *see* it. They cut away and focus on Theon crying for her. And we hear it. So... Mute. The problem is you know it. There's not enough brain bleach.

[shapinglight]

Well, I'm going to gather my courage and watch the damn episode in a bit. Back later with some sort of review.

I did your synopsis, btw.

[devilscrayon.livejournal.com]

Agreed on all points. I'm thrilled to have Spike and Buffy as an actual item, but I hope we cut it out with the syrupy lovey dovey stuff soon. Personally I'm hoping for a little less schmoop and a little more snark. Which is why I'm so excited for the crossover- I love the way Spike and Angel regress around one another.

I'd like to see something a little more emotionally complex than we've seen so far, and really be shown it instead of told (over and over)... but despite that, I'm enjoying the comics. And I have to say, having recently re-read seasons 8 and 9, I think they work a lot better when read all at once, rather than issue by issue.

[shapinglight]

And I have to say, having recently re-read seasons 8 and 9, I think they work a lot better when read all at once, rather than issue by issue.

This is true. I just went through all the issues of season 10 and found that the lovey dovey Spuffy stuff in the last five issues doesn't take up nearly as much room in the story as I thought.

I think my main objection to it is that it's a bit over the top, and I end up feeling like I'm being made fun of. ;)

I love the way Spike and Angel regress around one another.

Well, I didn't much enjoy Spike's visit to Angel in A&F in season 9 (it wasn't all bad by any means, but there were aspects of it that pissed me off big time), but I admit I'm ready for a bit more snark, and people not getting along for a change.

[relurker.livejournal.com]

Not contributing to the topic, but I MUST say, you have a fantastic icon!

[shapinglight]

This one, you mean? Yeah, it's good. Comes from an alternate cover to one of the IDW Spike comics. Made by thedothatgirl if you want to snag.