While I am somewhat ambivalent about Buffy's sexual "experimentation" in this issue, this was another excellent issue in what is turning out to be a superlative media-tie-in comic book series.

After, Cloverfield's less than inspiring script, I was worried that one of my favourite writers from Buffy's and Angel's final years had lost it and, along with his inexperience with the comic book medium, I was afraid that this might be the arc that would finally derail the series. Well, if his first issue is any indication, I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

Being the first part of a four-part arc, it's not too surprising that most of the issue concentrates on character interactions. Despite what Cloverfield may suggest, Drew Goddard is a guy who has clearly shown a knack in the past for note-perfect characterization and sharp, witty dialog and these strengths are very much in evidence here. He captures the voices of the old favourites from the show every bit as perfectly as Brian Vaughan and Joss Whedon did with their past work on the title and his work with the new characters is no less impressive.

I’m tempted to write off Buffy’s actions in this issue as gimmicky and slightly out of character but Mr Goddard handles the scene brilliantly and it actually doesn’t come so far out of left field when you consider how often the theme of Buffy’s loneliness has come up over the last eleven issues. As for the reveal at the end, as a big fan of the Buffy vs Dracula episode from season 5, I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this all pans out, especially for Xander who, incidentally, had an abundance of great scenes this issue.