Pick of the Week
What did the
iFanboy
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Pulls
Penciller: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Jo Chen
Size: 40 pages
Price: 2.99
My experience with Joss Whedon’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer can be best described as a series of ups and downs; a veritable roller coaster. I first was turned on to it in its first movie version, mainly due to Luke Perry’s casting. As you may remember, that movie didn’t quite live up to the potential of Mr. Whedon’s vision for his heroine. I tried really hard to get into the late 1990s television version of the show, giving it a go here and there over the years, but it never really grabbed me. When Dark Horse Comics announced that they would be continuing the story from the television show by creating comics for season 8, I thought that was awesome. I started reading the series, despite not having finished the full 7 seasons of the TV show, and the comics were so good that it got me watching the TV series again, slowly working my way through the DVDs. But then the roller coaster went back down as the comics of season 8 waned a bit, the story rambled and whatever that magic that was being captured was lost a little bit and I stopped watching the TV show again. But then here we are again, beginning with the last issue #32, the first of this new arc written by Brad Meltzer, the Buffy roller coaster has gone vertical again, pulling me back up the incline with it.
And so here we are at Buffy the Vampire Slayer #33. The much discussed, ballyhooed, and spoiled issue that revealed the identity of the villain, Twilight. Now obviously, I already knew the reveal. Back at the height of “Buffygate,” you could hardly avoid the revelation that Twilight was Angel, but that didn’t alter my enjoyment of this issue at all. I’m fascinated by the evolution of enjoyment of stories and how the age of surprise twists and reveals that we never saw coming (most notably Darth Vader as Luke’s father in The Empire Strikes Back) is long over. Now with the internet and advanced solicitations and the Yahoo! front page, anything that is shocking is newsworthy and more than likely will be spoiled before you get to experience the reveal. What I’ve discovered though is that it isn’t so much what the reveal is, but how you get there. And it’s the appreciation of that journey that’s allowed me to enjoy the death of Captain America, the rise of Sinestro the White Lantern, and now the reveal of Angel as Twilight.
I’m not exactly sure what Brad Meltzer is bringing to the table to turn things around on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but whatever it is, it’s working. As we’ve discussed on the Pick of the Week show over the past few months: Buffy had lost some of its magic. I still struggle to pinpoint exactly where things have gone wrong, but the meandering storyline and the gradual push towards the current storyline was probably the main cause of the lack of satisfaction I found with the title. But something sparked in issue #32 and continued here in issue #33 to move Buffy The Vampire Slayer back to the top of my stack. I think the main thing is that Meltzer is having fun writing these characters and that’s coming through. Previously the work of Meltzer’s I’ve read has been over at DC Comics on things like Identity Crisis and Justice League of America, which were very heavy handed. But here in the pages of Buffy, the mood and tone is unlike any other Meltzer comics I’ve ever read. He has the voices of the characters, especially Buffy and Xander, down to the point of them feeling natural and within the realm of my expectations after watching seasons of the show. In addition to the light and playful tone, the story that’s being told by Meltzer has a heavy feeling of impending… conclusion.
The reveal of Twilight as Angel was handled as I would expect it to be, with a very comic book reveal: a simultaneous unmasking while others put the pieces together, and I think that’s where the charm of this story arc can be found. While previously the Buffy The Vampire Slayer comic has been Buffy stories told in a comic, this story arc is very much a comic book story that happens to be about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The comic book influences are out in the open with references and jokes aplenty, (including an excellent homage in this issue with Andrew’s attempt to attack Twilight) but on a more subtle layer, in the story structure and action base, Meltzer has converted this book into a true comic book. But right when I think I’ve got the book figured out, the conversation between Buffy and Angel leaves me guessing and wondering about Angel’s true motives, asking “Is he REALLY a villain” and ultimately leading to the issue’s end that had be giggling with excitement for these two characters I’ve watched and now read, and yearned for them to figure things out.
So much of the discussion about Buffy The Vampire Slayer has been focused on the story and the writers and it’s so easy to just gloss over the work of Georges Jeanty, not because it isn’t any good, quite the opposite. Jeanty’s art has been the stabilizer throughout this entire run. His art within these pages is what I can depend on. No matter where or how the story is meandering, Jeanty is there with a consistent look to the characters and great story pacing and depiction of action. In this current time of many licensed comics out there and artists struggling on how to draw characters that have real world existence in the look of actors, Jeanty has defined the modern approach for this. His characters are recognizable and unique in their own right, without it being a creepy rendering of real people. The grace of Jeanty’s work is not only admirable, but it’s damn fine and something that should be held up as what other artists doing other licensed comics should be compared against.
It could be just a matter of time before I’m back down that roller coaster ride of Buffy, but for right now, it’s one of the best comic reads on the rack. We’re in the middle of a vital storyline and I cannot wait to read the next issue to see where this story goes, because after Buffy the Vampire Slayer #33, I’ve been knocked back on my ass to the point where I have no idea what’s coming next, much like a great roller coaster ride should be. Now if only Meltzer can commit to another story arc, or be the ongoing writer. Wouldn’t that be something?
Ron Richards
A Rising Stars reference? Oh no he didn’t!
ron@ifanboy.com
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Nice to hear the book doesn’t suck anymore. Maybe I’ll start watching the TV show again.
My pick was Chew #9. Exciting and funny. Also, CLIFFHANGER!
I think at some point you guys should do a video show about Ron’s hilarious POW picks.
Really? It’s better than Chew? Are you sure you didn’t just want to shake things up? What ever.
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a ifanboy supporter, i pull my books for the week but i don’t choose a potw and I don’t contriibute to the content of the site at all and the only reason I’m doing so now is because of the idea presented in last week’s podcast about ifanboy chapters. Their answer made me feel like i should contribute more (even if its in this small way). I had dropped Buffy, I don’t read previews and I don’t read much of the online speculation about what’s going on in comics in general. I flipped through the latest Buffy because I knew the twilight reveal was coming; but what really sold me was the panel of Andrew geeked out ready to fight. I bought this issue and the one prior; and even though I knew the outcome both of these issues still delivered. Definitely my potw.
I am shocked and delighted! I too had fallen off the Buffy comics wagon for a bit there, but I’m encouraged to hear that Meltzer’s righted the course again. That’s great news.
I’ve been picking it up in trades so the dip hasn’t been as pronounced for me. I’ve really enjoyed Buffy from start to finish, even the weaker issues were good. Surprised to see it up there as the guys have been down on it lately. If this issue is enough to change Ron’s mind it must be a dinger. Glad to see it as POTW.
I have no opinion on this pick, but I do wish Meltzer would write more comics. Identity Crisis is still probably my favourite series from the last decade.
God I hate Buffy. I guess I should read some of the comics before I say anything, but I really don’t want to:(
I didn’t know they were still printing this. I haven’t seen it in my (admittedly tiny) shop in ages.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Ron.
I don’t think there is one entertainment franchise less appealing to me than Buffy. This includes Zardoz.
I avoided spoilers so I didn’t know who Twilight was. I made this my PotW as well and am looking forward to where this goes now.
I had no idea Sinestro was to become the White Lantern until I read it. Was that spoiled somewhere?
Also, was this villain named before or after the movies of the same name became popular?
Named before the movies, probably after the books. At least, I think.
Nice review. Dropped this back at the MTV/reality story line, but will pick up the Meltzer trade.
Identity crisis? Heavy handed? Didn’t you just do a show praising it?
Really?I mean really?
@ActualButt – you were lucky then, unfortunately I had Sinestro as White Lantern spoiled for me several days before it came out 🙁
@misacke – didn’t mean heavy handed to be negative, just that it was a heavy, serious book – not much laughs in that one – didn’t mean to suggest it wasn’t any good.
My POW was Amazing Spider-Man #623.
Matthew
Ha! This was my pick too. Really enjoy what Meltzer is doing with the story.
I too managed to avoid the spoiler because for the last few months the only places i’ve been getting comics news is here and on the front page of newsarama. i don’t even go to the boards on that site anymore so pretty much this little corner of the internet is responsible for not spoiling this reveal for me.
Thanks guys, you’re the best. Group hug!
Buffy?
Nerd!
My pick was Punisher Max: Butterfly. Phenominal!!
Remember, the PotW isn’t just about how bad ass a comic was, but also how it made you feel. Like when Blackest Night #1 wasn’t picked….even though it should have been 😛
I’m surprised it wasn’t First Wave, not that I read it (I’m trade waiting) There just felt like a lot of positive feedback and it seems right up Ifanboy’s alley.
This was good, but the exchange between Buffy and Angel just had me scratching my head. So Twilight is Angel, but I’d still like to understand what the fucking *point* of all this was.
I’m probably going to give away all my issues to a friend of mine that I know is a Buffy fanatic. When Season 9 starts, I think I’ll either buy it in trade or just borrow someone else’s issues.
I thought it was kind of average, but I’ll definately check out the next issue to see if they deliver on the possibilities presented at the end. It reminded me of PLANETARY actually…
And Ron, I think this started going downhill after the Dracula arc, starting with the Fray one.
@CAM – I loved First Wave, personally. May be my pick — not done with stack yet. Loved the tone and the use of the different characters.
@Diabhol – I think we’re supposed to be scratching our heads at this point. The conversation between the two was delivered enigmatically without the full context given. It was intentional — meant to get us scratching our heads. I think the pay off will come next issue.
First Wave’s looking like my pick so far as well. Had a lot of fun with Weapon X too.
Really? Wow. I mean I know you said 2 podcasts ago that this title was going back in form. But I didn’t think it went back on top that quickly. I like the pick though. It’s nice to see a comic that you love is back to being a good comic to read again. Looking forward to hearing about it on the podcast.
My pick was also Chew #9 however. Cliffhangers and ‘wtf’ endings indeed.
I always think that the pick will be something at least on my radar…then I remember it’s Ron who has the pick and, obviously, it ends up being a surprise. Still, at least he always provides something different and unexpected. Not finished my stack yet, but the stuff I’ve read so far has been a bit lacklustre (or downright grim i.e. Cry For Justice). Thought N. was kind of intriguing and looked bloody gorgeous though.
@odare77: Yes, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER is very underground and obscure. 🙂
(Also, this isn’t the first time BUFFY has been Picked)
What about Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet?
ha! but seriously, i don’t haven’t had a chance to pick a book yet. However, just liek Conor’s tale of tail i have fond memories of the power of Buffy – not that i would ever read that book
What was The Rising Stars reference? Spoiler please.
Really enjoyed this issue. It does feel like we’re back on the rails again after a long time going nowhere. As a longtime Angel/Buffy fan I am really happy with how this issue ended. I know it won’t last but in the Whedonverse I will take whatever happiness I can get.
couldn’t agree more Ron!
@Conor – Buffy #15 is up there with one of my favorite single comics ever. That arc had it all
@Conor: HA! I get it.
@KickAss — there’s a point where Xander is talking about Buffy taking power from other slayers, and he refers to it as being "like Highlander or Rising Stars."
Vader is Luke’s father?!?!?!? Thanks for the spoiler… 🙂
buffy, worst pick of the week!
I think I might have been the only person who didnt know Angel was Twilight…. so I really, really loved this issue.
No no no!!!
Wow, I’d dropped off Buffy but I may need to give it another shot.
My pick was, boringly enough, ‘Detective’ again — though this time mostly for the backup story, where Renee works with Huntress and Oracle. I hope this is setting things up for the new ‘Birds of Prey’ series!
I loved it when Andrew hit ‘Twilight’ with the frisbee in the back of the head. The meta-discussion concerning the title Twilight. Willow’s last line in the book. It really is nice to see a good idea come back to form.
Also, who thinks Twilight’s plan is to get rid of all supernatural things?
My only ongoing nitpick is that Buffy’s powers are a little too similar to ‘The One,’ a bad Jet Li movie.
Well said Ron! I had the same moments when reading the last issue and this one. I had that we’re finally back to that high moment on the roller coaster feeling as you described. I’m now super excited to see how this arc ends. I’m really glad I didn’t drop this like I thought about before Meltzer came on.
Also it sucks to hear that the Sinestro White Lantern part was spoiled for you. I felt like a semi truck of awesome hit me when I saw that last page.
Kind of a disapointing week for comics. Like, no super stand out knock me on the ass POW. there was good stuff but nothing that was an amazing example of what the medium is possible
Yup I’m going to contribute more because of what was said on the last potw podcast. Also, isn’t every issue of chew a cliffhanger?