Comic Info
Comic Name: Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Joss Whedon/Drew Goddard
Artist: Georges Jeanty
# of Issues: 5
Release Date: 2008
Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight #12
Reprints Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight #11-15 (February 2008-June 2008). Buffy battles a mysterious enemy named Twilight who can overpower her. Then a group of vampires target Buffy and stealing the scythe which granted the Slayers their powers. As Buffy and her team go after the vampires in Tokyo, they are forced to call in Dracula as an ally. Plus, Buffy takes another big jump as she find herself in bed with her Slayer admirer Satsu.
Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight Volume 3: Wolves at the Gate is a comic book continuation of the popular series. Following the events of Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight Volume 2: No Future for You, the collection features art by Georges Jeanty. The issues in this collection were also included in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight Omnibus—Volume 1.
I was on the fence about the comic book continuation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sometimes the story really did feel like the story continued, but other times it feels like an unrealistic pacing. This collection really feels…odd.
The relationship with Satsu is what caused a lot of controversy in the story arc and Buffy and Satsu’s night of passion in issue #12. Some accused of Buffy’s lesbian tryst of being an attempt to boost sales and not in line with the character as she was presented through the seven seasons of the series. GLAAD honored the storyline with Outstanding Comic Book but there was some criticism that unlike Willow’s relationship with Tara which was developed over time, Buffy just “switched teams” with no motivation of reason. It does feel pretty forced in the story…they had introduced Satsu a few issues earlier and indicated that Satsu was “in love” with Buffy. Regardless if it was forced or not, Buffy kind of acts like a jerk about it after it happens and for the most part doesn’t treat Satsu very well.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight #14
The intro issue which introduces the big villain Twilight is ok. It pretty much feels like Buffy versus Superman since Twilight can fly and has superhuman strength. It doesn’t serve as much of a lead-in to the next issue with the Tokyo vampires (or the Satsu relationship for that matter). The Tokyo vampires are a big build-up but go out like chumps when they face by Buffy and the vampires. With their big plans to destroy Buffy, it feels like the battle should have been better and longer.
In general the comic feels even goofier than the series, which usually balanced lighter goofier plots with heavier plots. All the stories in this collection feel like they don’t have that balance right. A serious issue like the Tokyo vampire battle has the giant Dawn pretending to be Godzilla then facing off against a Mecha-Dawn…This feels more like a bad South Park parody than something that should fit in the comic.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight 3: Wolves at the Gate isn’t the best of the series and feels pretty weak. I don’t love the series and liked Buffy the Vampire Slayer in general…I saw it all but wasn’t a rabid Buffy fan. I don’t see the stories presented in this series thus far as a real sequel to the series. Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight continues in Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight 4: Time of Your Life.
Related Links:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Season Eight 1: The Long Way Home
