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Synopsis
Buffy and the Scooby Gang (the name was Xander’s idea, he’s workshopping it, it probably won’t stick) delve deeper into the heart of Sunnydale’s underbelly—and make a shocking discovery about the true nature of the Hellmouth. Meanwhile, Drusilla – AKA THE MISTRESS – sets her sights on Cordelia, as Cordy and Spike find accidental common ground.
Review
Okay, okay, I hear you. I was really tough on the last issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But I stand by the fact that there is updating the franchise for a contemporary market and shoving changes down the throats of readers.
Given the hindsight of reading issue #3 I can see that the first two issues would work well together as a single entity (I told you so) but as separate elements of the story I stand by the fact the second fails to function as well.
Enter issue #3.
Helpfully this issue opens with some great story beats. With the giant man-bat creature escaped we’re finally starting to see the series move on from introductory mode. It also finally kicks the pace of the series up in to high gear.
Perhaps most interestingly this issue also feels the most Whedon-like of the three so far. Certain key plot points have a very Whedon feel about them, Giles singing for one, and that helps to evoke a little more of the classic Buffy feel in this issue.
There’s still room for a couple more introductions, of course, with Cordelia top of the list. Though we saw her briefly in the last issue this is really her proper introduction.
Interestingly she seems much less of an airhead in this incarnation. Her character was always strong willed and that certainly carried over in to the comic. But this feels like a Cordelia much further along her pathway than we saw at this stage in the TV series. Think of this as Cordelia from Angel and not Buffy.
The story of Camazotz (aka Bat Boy, aka Pegasus) feels a little rushed. From breaking out of The Magic Box, to battling in the street to being unveiled as Buffy’s trusty steed all in the space of one issue. That high gear pacing maybe gets a little ahead of itself.
The highlight moment for me in this issue has to be the coming together of the Scooby Gang. Seeing Willow and Xander dressed for combat felt like great first landmark moment for the series. Given the cliffhanger with Xander in the previous issue I’m intrigued to see how the relationships build in future issues.
Whilst I’m still not content with the storytelling so far it is easily Dan Mora’s artwork which will keep me coming back each month. It’s just utterly fantastic and there’s very little else I can say about it other than wow.
Verdict
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #3 is a much more consistent issue. I feel like this is much more representative of what the series will be going forwards. It still has missteps but it feels closer to the greatness of issue #1.
6.5/10
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #3, is written by Jordie Bellaire with art by Dan Mora and a cover by Matt Taylor. The series is executive produced by original series creator Joss Whedon.
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