Buffy season 10 no 23

[shapinglight]

Rather anti-climactic spoilers behind cut



Well, I don't know what else I was expecting except anticlimax but anyway...

Okay, there are some interesting things in the book. Buffy caving in to D'Hoffryn's suggestion that they use the Vampyr book to up the power levels of the members of the magic council so as to help them in their fight against the Three Stooges, for instance, and Buffy's doubts about having done it. This will undoubtedly come back to bite them all very soon. Not to mention it increases exponentially the chances that D'Hoffryn is the ultimate Big Bad and is behind the appearance of Ghost!Anya.

Also, the rather fraught state of the Buffy/Willow relationship is new (or is a new iteration of it), and has the potential to be interesting. Plus, there're more Spike/Buffy problems, this time from Buffy's POV rather than Spike's, as she and Spike give themselves a day off from fighting but when they try to decide what to do realise that the things Buffy wants to do (go for an Italian meal, go for a run) are things that either don't much interest Spike or that he just plain can't do. Then, while out on her run, Buffy sees a couple pushing their baby in a pram, and an elderly couple walking along holding hands. She doesn't say anything in those panels but both things are of course Highly Significant.

The only review of the issue I've so far read, takes the view that the writing is on the wall for Spuffy, and it may well end with them parting by mutual agreement and deciding they're better off just as friends.

I don't terribly like this scenario, but I prefer it to them splitting up due to faults in their characters that Gage has pretty much invented.

There are some funny scenes, including one where Buffy, Spike and the Magic Council manifest into Buffy's living room and scare the bejeezus out of Dawn's study buddies. Also a weird scene where Mini!Giles gets an invitation to go to Fairyland and duly goes (I suspect he won't be back for a few issues. I also suspect that the invitation may not be as innocent as it seems. Whatever D'Hoffryn and co want to do will be easier with Mini!Giles out of the way).

But what I guess is the main story of the issue- the Sculptor trying to get Andrew to betray Buffy in exchange for giving Cyber!Jonathan a new body - is, as I said, anticlimactic. Not because Andrew doesn't do it (though I know we all expected him to), but because it kind of ends in another group hug (well, there's no actual hugging, but it feels a bit like one). Also, the demise of the Sculptor is so easy it just makes you wonder why Buffy and co found it so hard to get rid of him before (though of course it also adds weight to the D'Hoffryn theory - and will do so even more if the following two issues feature the gang catching up with, and disposing of, the Mistress and the Soul Eater).

But the issue's not horrible or anything, and IMO no one is made to look stupid or unreasonable, or like their POV has no merit (well, maybe Mini!Giles). What is going on?

It may be just me, but I kind of like Megan Levens' art. I like Rebecca Isaacs' work a lot, but I'm quite happy for Levens as fill-in.

Comments

[kerry-220.livejournal.com]

The writing is always on the wall for Buffy and Spike.... But I don't think we've seen Gage go for a lot of the harder outcomes. They are always implied but rarely acted on. It's like you said about it "all ending in a group hug" - resolutions are always positive. Of course Buffy and Spike might be the place he chooses to "toughen up!"

For my part, I thought the way Giles divvied up the powers was amusing. Keiko's "Yay" was cute!

[shapinglight]

Yeah, I liked Keiko too (though as I'm not a horror buff, it took me a while to work out what/who she was supposed to be).

The writing is always on the wall for Buffy and Spike....

Yeah, it is. I don't think there's going to be a season 11, but if there is I can't for the life of me see how they're going to continue to work in the same book.

[kerry-220.livejournal.com]

Why don't you think there will be Season 11?

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

I have nothing to add to your review, other than I agree with it completely, including the part about Megan Levens art.

[shapinglight]

;)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes her (except for that weird line on Spike's nose).

[rbfvid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everything is great, and only that weird nose thing... I wonder if there is already some fanmade "nosefix" versions of her art posted, as usual =)

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

THank you for the review! It makess me almost not want to read it, because your review lays bare all of Gage's faults as a writer absent the illustrations.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes her

You're not the only one. I like her work too, although I'm starting to warm up to Isaacs. (starting to.) I used to say Isaacs is best for somewhat more realistic anatomy, and for sets, settings and details - she's like a great movie or stage set designer and prop mistress, everything is in it's place and everything looks good.

Levins is best for deeply emotional moments - sad, tender, scary - because Isaacs figures look like manniquins to me, glassy eyed. Levins couldn't have done the War Room in last issue that opened #22 (again, I haven't read 23 yet.)

She doesn't say anything in those panels but both things are of course Highly Significant.

If Gage were a better writing I'd think that this could be a good time to callback to the abortion storyline of S9 and any lingering doubts Buffy might have had that got swept under the rug when it went to hell and was completely forgotten about with the robo body switch, as far as I know.

But i don't think Gage is that good a writer, and a woman looking at a baby carriage and a couple holding hands is THE easiest, laziest, most stereotypical way to express "she wants babies and family!" that I can think of because we've seen it done thousands of times in movies etc.

Everything about S0 so far has been one mislead after another. But as you say, this may be the one time he goes tough. Or my theory is, they may decide they want to be together and in Buffyverse fashion, something terrible breaks them apart, or one of them is cast into another dimension.

You did mention Giles going into Fairyland so....hmmm...between that and Ghost!Anya and Dawn's Keyness I suspect a GREAT BIG THING will happen right at the end.

[shapinglight]

Well, Buffy ending up in another dimension has been signposted quite a bit. It could happen - though possibly not if season 10 is the last one.

Well, Joss might do that, but I don't think Gage would.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I saw on a french fan site that NB went to a convention in Toulouse (?) and said there was going to be a season 11 - but consider the source.

I sort of think that Buffy in another dimension and Willow using her magic to find her and bring her home could be a cool story - but it would need really good writers and illustrators to pull that off and I just don't see that happening.

With the A&F season over does this mean Angel will be back in Buffy's title? They talked about merging the two at the end of S8 if I recall, or heading that direction.

[double_dutchess]

Thanks for the review. I won't be able to lay my hands on the comic for a while due to RL issues, so it was good to read your recap.

[shapinglight]

No problem. I quite enjoyed it, have to say. Hope you do too when you get the chance to read it.

[singedbylife.livejournal.com]

I really like Evans too. I don't even notice the nose anymore. I prefer her to Isaacs.

I liked this issue quite a lot although of course once again, we have an omineous ending regarding needing to wake up and facing reality. Something is definitely not as it should be.

[shapinglight]

I think D'Hoffryn and the rest of the Council are in league with Vicki and Harmony. The three demon lords are just a distraction. We'll see.

At least we don't have to put up with Archaeus as the main villain. He was really rubbish.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I just noticed that the couple pushing the pram she runs by is a gay male couple, before she thinks of spike saying "I want a normal life with you." GAY IS the NEW NORMAL AHAHAHAHAH.

I think this issue is growing on me. Damn Levins and her charming illustrations.

[shapinglight]

Yeah, I didn't mention that, because I just thought it was normal.

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. I actually liked it, because it felt like they moved the "endless battle" a little closer to an end. No Anya or Harmony, alas, but there were a few nice character moments. As red_satin_doll notes, the pram-pushers are a gay couple, which if anything points out that families are not limited to child-bearing human male/female. So I don't take it as some sort of sign to Buffy that she'll never get what she wants if she stays with Spike. Although I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know what she wants.

Giles in fairyland does seem like an abrupt diversion of the narrative. I mean, I'd be up for an issue about that, but it's odd that it's happening now.

I'm patting myself on the back for buying this issue (on sale for 99 cents!) so that my conscience was clear at the anti-piracy message. (That said, it's highway robbery to charge the same amount for print and digital versions. Content producers should be ashamed and not surprised when people refuse to fall for it.)

[shapinglight]

Although I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know what she wants.

I definitely agree with this.

Have to admit, I didn't take the couple with the baby being gay as a sign of anything. I just thought 'it's a couple with a baby. This suggests Buffy's thinking she might one day want a baby,' but who knows?

Giles in fairyland does seem like an abrupt diversion of the narrative. I mean, I'd be up for an issue about that, but it's odd that it's happening now.

I'm pretty sure that, despite what D'Hoffryn said, the Council are in cahoots and they're just trying to get Giles out of the picture in case he smells a rat.

[teragramm.livejournal.com]

I too like Megan Levens' art, she does the female character's hair really well and her Buffy is really cute.

I also suspect that the invitation may not be as innocent as it seems. *nods* It seems like it could only end in trouble.

The only review of the issue I've so far read, takes the view that the writing is on the wall for Spuffy, and it may well end with them parting by mutual agreement and deciding they're better off just as friends. Sound like a a viable ending to there relationship. The only way I can think of out of this is if Spike sansushus.

I don't terribly like this scenario, but I prefer it to them splitting up due to faults in their characters that Gage has pretty much invented. Agreed!

Over all it was a pretty good issue.

[shapinglight]

I also suspect that the invitation may not be as innocent as it seems. *nods* It seems like it could only end in trouble.

I hope I'm right, actually. Otherwise it feels like Mini!GIles has been shunted out the picture because they have nothing for him to do.

[feliciacraft.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! I haven't read the comics but I'm relieved that Spuffy is still together at least thus far. I'm just dreading their breakup.

*Dreading* it. :(

[shapinglight]

Unfortunately, it's almost inevitable. Especially if there's a season 11.

Season 11 will be Angel's turn. Then it'll be Spike's again, etc, etc.

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

I thought it was pretty good, all things considered. I did sort of blink at the little scene in which Spike provides the information that he doesn't care for people food unless he has lots of hot sauce on it. This might be important information for anyone new to the pairing, but seriously, Buffy knows plenty about what Spike eats (and hardly needs reminding that it's mostly blood) and how. Anyone who's watched the show could tell you about Spike's, rather unusual for a vampire, eating habits. The last person who requires that much exposition about them is Buffy. It's nit-picking, and yes, it does underscore they have differences, but it jarred me out of the story.
I fear you may be right about them trying to set up some sort of "we're better off as friends" scenario - even though that contradicts Spike's "I'm still in love with you" from a few issues back. Ah well, we knew it wouldn't last...
I'm hoping the upgraded powers won't bite Buffy on the ass, but not optimistic. I hope Giles enjoys himself off there in fairy-land.

[shapinglight]

That eating thing didn't bother me, to be honest. Yes, Spike's explanation of why he eats what he does was silly. On the other hand, I just don't see him sitting down to eat a meal in a restaurant.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Ok, having read the issue ( a couple of times actually) - overall I liked it and found it quite entertaining, the occasional quibbles aside. Some funny moments and some poignant ones. I still like Levin's artwork, and when Gage chooses to be subtle rather than hammer home "teachable moments" he can write a decent story.

And I NEVER EVER thought I would say this but: OMG Andrew, positive character growth, it's about damn time! I'm proud of ya baby boy. (Now step aside so characters I really care about can have more screen time ok?)

Actually the Andrew/Jonathan situation and especially Jonathan wanting to be a real boy is an interesting parallel to Xander/Ghost Anya. Clever.

[shapinglight]

Gage wrote a couple of issues of A&F in season 9 that were really, memorably good (though in both cases, the following issue was a big let-down). I'd say only one issue of Buffy season 10 has come up to that standard. Not this one, but this one is definitely one of the better issues.