By MEGHAN O’CONNOR
Staff Writer
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is a television show loved by fans for many reasons. When the show ended in 2003, fans were sad to see it go. There were a couple of years without Buffy and we somehow managed to muddle through. However, in 2006, Joss Whedon gave fans of the Buffy-verse a reason to smile: he announced that he would be continuing Buffy’s story in the form of graphic novels. They would be released in issues as seasons, just like the show was, and would be continuing her story right where it left off.
Now, it’s 2015. Readers have had two complete seasons of “Buffy” in comic book format, and season ten is already has thirteen issues under its belt. On top of that, there is a spin-off comic series entitled “Angel and Faith,” about two side characters, as well. Not to mention that every so often, another character will get their own mini story arc from time to time in their own limited-release comics. It seems that “Buffy” fans continue to eat up anything that they can get their hands on.
I recently picked up issues one and two of Buffy’s season ten comics. Usually I wait until I can buy the volumes so I have five issues to read at a time instead of just one or two. This time, though, I could not wait to see where the story was going to go and just could not wait for the first volume to be released. Once again, Buffy’s story is continuing right at the end of season nine.
I love reading anything about Buffy and I am happy that there is a way to continue her story. One of the main reasons, in my opinion, that Buffy is so loved by many is because she is a strong female role model to look up to, even if she is a fictional character. That does not change in the new season.
She continues to do her job as the Slayer, but this time it’s a little different. Buffy has always been very self-sacrificing. She knows that she has a job to do and that’s the most important thing. However, throughout the new issues you get the feeling that she has finally learned how to balance her social and romantic life alongside her destined calling.
Yes, she is still fighting demons. Yes, she still has her friends who love her and fight alongside of her and now it seems that she might even have a chance to find happiness for herself. All in all, things are looking good for Buffy, even if they’re not looking so good for some of her friend’s personal lives. It seems that all might be well for Buffy, and we as fans of the franchise know this won’t last long. Quite frankly, we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Except it doesn’t! At least, not in the first issue. Buffy does what she does best: she saves the day and everything seems to fall into place. There’s even some surprise appearances by old friends and characters I personally was not expecting. That’s not to say that they don’t come along with their own personal baggage that Buffy has to deal with, but that’s something that can be addressed at a later time because for right now everything seems to be okay.
The first issue did leave readers with some questions about what could happen in the future. The issue was entitled “New Rules,” and with good reason. Currently, Buffy is working with vampires to destroy a bigger evil. Both the vampires and Buffy’s crew have to find a solid middle ground to work together to stop this evil from spreading.
Now, that doesn’t mean that when all of this is over Buffy and the vampires are going to become friends. In fact, in my opinion it means the complete opposite. I predict that when all is said and done, they’re going to turn on Buffy as soon as they can.
While there definitely is a different feel to the comics than there was to the show, I enjoy both. When I really love something, whether it be a television show or a novel, I never want it to end. These comics are the perfect solution for me, unless they end sometime soon, which I highly doubt they will.
They’re entertaining, funny, and remind me of why I kept going back to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” every week on television and why I still keep going back. Except now I don’t have to tune in, I just have to turn the page.
