A brief primer: This is a series set in an alternate dimension, in which Buffy was the last remaining Slayer after the other Slayers were killed in an explosion. Until Willow and Tara’s daughter walked into her life, Thessaly was the first Slayer Called in decades. Armed with Slayer powers, a sharp tongue, and magical powers, Thessaly is a formidable foe, but she’ll need the tutelage of Buffy and Spike, and a newly formed Watchers’ Council. And Anya, of course.

Set a few years after the events of the Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer Special, Thess is now a confident young Slayer at the ripe old age of 21. The Slayer and her mentors/Watchers now reside in Santa Carmen, a city that’s seen a dramatic rise in demonic activity. On top of being the sole Slayer in all the world now, Thess also works at the local boardwalk, where she has a flirtation going on with her coworker, Cora. Things do seem relatively idyllic for now, but all that looks ready to change in dramatic fashion…

Casey Gilly returns to the world that they’ve crafted, and the confidence is clear here, as this first issue does just about everything right: establishes the status quo, sets up some gruesome questions, teases some trouble in paradise, all while not forgetting the humor and interpersonal relations that make this a Buffy story. Gilly writes these characters as reimagined modern versions of themselves, while maintaining their core characterizations. There are also the usual callbacks to the OG characters, like in the case of Anya waxing lyrical about liking height and “large, muscular arms.” There’s also the classic, occasionally juvenile humor, like the “but(t)” line.

Oriol Roig takes over on art duties here, and his linework is nicely expressive and dynamic, which really helps with a title like Buffy. Likenesses aren’t really a concern here, but the brilliant colorwork by Gloria Martinelli does help establish who’s who with a consistent color palette. Ed Dukeshire’s been a staple on so many titles I’ve read over the years that his excellence is pretty much to be expected. That said, the consistency of the quality of his lettering work really should be applauded all the time.

Overall, this is a great start to an established timeline, and I’m excited to see Thess truly grow into and inhabit the title of “Slayer.”

Creative Team: Casey Gilly (writer), Oriol Roig (artist), Gloria Martinelli (colorist), Ed Dukeshire (letterer)
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
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