Never mind that the weakened sun no longer kills vampires and that Slayers (well, Slayer, since she’s the only one left) are persona non grata, Buffy’s trying to keep Thess – a Potential AND Willow and Tara’s daughter – alive. Oh, and the newly reformed Watchers’ Council is actually being headed by a vampire. Oh, and Spike is back… so y’know, complicated feelings all around.

Leading right into the climax, Buffy learns some truths about her powers and why they’ve been acting so strange. Meanwhile, Spike’s coven’s plans solidify with the addition of a new witch to their ranks. Things are, however, bound to get messy. Good thing vamp dust usually blows away in the wind…

I’ve been super-impressed by what Casey Gilly has achieved in this short run. While I know that this isn’t the Buffy and Co. from the iconic TV series, there are elements here that give me a very familiar vibe in terms of how these characters interact with each other. Without context, “Brosferatu” and the overflowing amounts of snark are some of the most welcome bits I’ve read in a Buffy book in quite some time. That being said, the bits I enjoyed the most in this issue were the bits about aging and friendships… they felt incredibly real and relatable, despite the circumstances feeling pretty supernatural. Furthermore, Gilly also provides enough exposition for us to figure out some previous relationships without the need for a buncha handholding.

Joe Jaro’s artwork looks great, as usual, here, and this issue showcases some of the more nuanced character moments between Buffy and her friends. The Buffy/Anya buddy cop movie is one that I’m here for… make it happen, please! There are also a few visual Easter eggs scattered about for older fans, so keep an eye out for them. Joana Lafuente’s colorwork is pretty nice, especially with the magic/lighting effects. Those are some of the things that I always love seeing, especially when they’re done so well. Ed Dukeshire’s the usual genius who bridges the written and visual elements with such finesse. Beyond making the book fun to read, Dukeshire’s sound effects totally also slap!

Overall, in the penultimate issue, things get hairy, and I’ve got a feeling that the destinies of both Buffy and Thess are yet to be revealed.

Creative Team: Casey Gilly (writer), Joe Jaro (artist), Joana Lafuente (colorist), Ed Dukeshire (letterer)
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
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