Joss Whedon, creator
Jordie Bellaire, writer
Jeremy Lambert, writer
Eleonora Carlini, illustrator
Chris Peter, colors
Ed Dukeshire, letters
Recap
This story hits the ground running in issues 1 & 2 along with the Angel tie-ins. Drussilla successfully opens up the Hellmouth and large numbers of demonic forces take over Sunnydale while Buffy, Xander, and Angel go into the heart of Hellmouth to face Drusilla. This issue begins, Buffy and Angel locate Drusilla but have lost Xander in Hellmouth. Drusilla informs Buffy that her partner is not who he says he is and her enemy isn’t who she thinks she is. Meanwhile, Angel gets separated from Buffy, meets an oracle named Augie, who teaches him how he can become human again. However, Buffy learns his true identity before he can explain himself to Buffy.
This story heats up as Buffy must decide whether to trust Angel’s advice to let Drusilla go free. These types of dilemmas increase the interest for the reader. Buffy’s options for support are running thin. Furthermore, how will Buffy react when she is faced with the truth regarding Angel’s true nature. The dyadic tension is increased by the stakes. If Buffy doesn’t figure out who she can trust, her friends and her city will perish.
The art has been one of the highlights of this miniseries so far, which continues in this issue. A full panel display toward the beginning of the issue shows Buffy and Angel as they confront Drusilla. Fractured pieces of rock, blood red images, and close ups of character’s faces provide a gorgeous scene and captures the immensity of the challenge facing the heroes. Faces packed with emotions and confusion increases a felt sense of urgency for the characters.
Final Impressions
I am drawn to the art as much as I am in finding out how Buffy will fight battles on multiple fronts. In addition, parallel narratives are merging, as Angel is faced with a hard decision: stay a vampire, or, become human. But at what cost? This series is amazing and I hope that fans of Buffy and this universe are picking this book up and supporting these kinds of stories. Overall 9/10
