A Nice Opening Act To Continuing The Series

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 8), Vol. 1: The Long Way Home by Joss Whedon. Illus by Georges Jeanty (Dark Horse, 2007, 136pp.)

“The thing about changing the world...once you do it, the world’s all different.”

A lot has changed in the Buffyverse since the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended in 2003. Now, instead of there being one Chosen Slayer, there are 1,800 of them. In addition to this, wicked witch Amy has teamed up with a skinless, reanimated Warren from Season 6. Oh, and did I mention that the United States Armed Forces is out for Buffy’s head?
 
Where the TV seasons were made of 22 episodes, this graphic novel “season” is made up of eight volumes. There’s not much I can say about The Long Way Home. While not exactly emotionally engaging, it still exhibits the series’ trademark quirkiness, and acts as a nice foundation stone for continuing a much beloved series, albeit in a different genre.

Showcases Faith's Nonconventional Nature, While Advances the Plot on Twilight

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 8), Vol. 2: No Future For You by Brian K. Vaughan and Joss Whedon. Illus by Georges Jeanty (Dark Horse, 2008, 120pp.)

“The final triumph of the base humans over the demons. It’s your life’s goal achieved, slayer. The death of magic.”

In the first story of this volume, “No Future For You,” Giles recruits Faith on a secret mission to take out high-class Slayer, Lady Genevieve, who kills weaker Slayers for sport. Faith strikes up a surprising friendship with her intended target, but finds herself conflicted when Lady Genevieve declares her intentions to kill Buffy. She’s always felt second-best when it comes to perfect Buffy, but will she stand by and let her on-again, off-again ally be slain? “No Future For You” probes Faith’s complicated character, showcasing her non-conventional nature, while highlighting her secret desire for acceptance.

In the second story, “Anywhere But Here,” Buffy and Willow seek mystical guidance to the series’ current Big Bad, Twilight. His goal? To bring about the death of all magic. While this story definitely moves the overall plot forward, it’s somewhat confusing, in that it mentions things that make me wonder if I missed something from the first volume. Despite these shortcomings, it’s a pretty entertaining volume overall, and makes me want to move on to Volume 3.