Review: BUFFY Season 8 #12

Review of Buffy’s Season 8 in comics, episode/issue number 12, also known as the episode where Buffy turns gay!
That disclaimer out of the way, this issue was smokin’! It was, at its very core, the perfect Joss Whedon creation. I’ve been a fan of Buffy from the beginning, to the point where I had to sneak out of the house to watch it at a friend’s house (sorry mum). And that it has continued on in this medium that I so love is a real treat. Additionally, that it has retained the same quality that made it one of the greatest science fiction shows of all time is just unheard of, yet a blessing.

Buffy12_002Wolves at the Gate, part one, is in my opinion one of the better told stories I’ve come across of late. And while I had a bit of a hard time picturing Sarah Michelle Gellar in the Buffy art throughout this book, it was a small issue compared to the hugeocity of the story.

And no, I am not entirely talking about the fantastic pages where Buffy is naked in bed with another girl.

First of all, I want to touch upon the serious non-erotic aspects of this book. Now I haven’t been reading these comics, as I’ve been storing up the issues to read all at once (I’m not a good waiter). But I’ve had to read this comic for the obvious reasons I’ll discuss soon. Thankfully, this issue isn’t heavily reliant upon my having read the rest of the previous 11 issues.

In all reality, this is a very good jumping on point. We’re obviously starting something new, and there has been a spell in the works, as alluded to by Buffy towards the end. But apart from that, it is pretty much the same old Buffy that I remember from the TV shows. Character development was always important to Whedon, and the same can be said for these comics.

In other words, the story is better if we know why the characters do what they do.

The end of the book was also not so much a cliffhanger, as just another reason for us to continue reading. Those of us who have been with the show from the beginning will have seen the signs and know who Xander has gone to chat with and we’ll want to see what happens next. Those who haven’t seen past episodes will want to know who it is.

But obviously the main hype around this issue was Buffy’s experimentation. If all you want in your comic books is a bit of alluded-sexual-experimentation, then you’ve got it in spades right here. Just wait for the “Trust me. You didn’t do anything wrong.” “But I didn’t do enough things! You did more things than me!” “And you let me. You were amazing.”

Buffy12_003

But for me, as a feminist to the core, and a big fan of the way that Whedon has been able to so successfully portray the reality of people’s lives, I really liked the direction he has taken. I know that it seems a little gimmicky, but no more so than turning Willow gay all those years ago. It makes sense for Buffy to tread this path; she’s dated vampires, had more boyfriends die on her than she cares to count, and at least one that we know off return to the army instead of stay with her. Men are bastards enough to begin with, but with her track record, it’s a surprise it took her this long.

Now, I heard a few reviews about this issue before I read it, so I will do you the pleasure of not ruining it for you as well; whoever you may be. But the “But do me a favor though… don’t mention this to anyone,” line from Buffy is followed by a series of panels you just won’t see coming! Drew Goddard – the man who scripted this particular issue – is a genius!

Buffy12_004

Normally this book would have gotten 5 out of 5 easily, however this time around I have to give it a 4. The story naturally gets 5, but the artwork was just a little too dodgy. Georges Jeanty really doesn’t like drawing mouth’s, as can be witnessed in several instances (most notably Xander and Buffy).

4 out of 5 for me, but if you can ignore some of the discrepancies in the artwork, I bet you’ll give this issue 5 out of 5! Oh, and make sure to get the cover by Jon Foster (I think its Foster); the one where Xander’s description “Japanese Vampire Goth Gang” makes the most sense.

4 Strong Fists

0 Yes
0 No
JHill
3/11/2008
Earth's Mightiest