Weekly Comic Book Review

By Joss Whedon (writer), Karl Moline (pencils), Andy Owens (inks), Michelle Madsen (colors), Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy (letters)

What can you really say about Season Eight other than “more please.” The move from TV to the comics has been a great one for the series. A story this size and scope would be tough to pull off on television. The budget would be insane, and some of it might be too “out there” for the casual fans. In comics, Whedon has a blank check to let his imagination go wild, and that’s how it should be.

Each issue becomes more and more detailed, requiring you revisit some of these books more than once. That’s a credit to Whedon, not a hindrance because the story is so good it makes you want to be sure you haven’t missed anything. Better still, you’ll probably find some great detail you missed. Because of that I couldn’t really recommend that someone just grab this issue, too much has happened. The story is told in two parts simultaneously. One shows present-day Willow trying to find Buffy, the other shows Buffy in the future helping Fray. My complaint is that sometimes it’s too tough to tell where you are. Obviously, the backgrounds and characters involved tip you off. But on occasion it takes a few panels to be sure.

Karl Moline’s imagination and talent for creature design is put on full display this issue. My favorite is definitely Lorelahn and his tree people. Think of a centaur, but with trees, and that’ll give you an idea of where these guys are at. Another great touch is the arm of fire they have. I had to double-check to make sure they weren’t just on fire. Sadly, as awesome as the monsters look, the humans themselves could use a bit more detail. Buffy and Fray’s sister look very similar, just with different outfits. If that’s intentional, then I’d say it’s a little too distracting for the reader.

Each issue of Season Eight just makes me wish the show was still on. I’m sure certain things would need to be cut if it was being filmed, but the world Whedon has created is just too rich to ignore. His style is specific, and that might be part of the problem that the masses don’t get it. So sadly, for those of us who do get it, we have to wait and hope someday that Joss will be as greatly appreciated as he deserves. (Grade: B+)

-Ben Berger