Buffy ‘97 #1 is published by BOOM! Studios, written by Jeremy Lambert, illustrated by Marianna Igazzi, coloured by Mattia Iacono and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.
Issue #1 is available from 22nd June 2022 either directly from Boom! Studios online or from your local comic book store, digital copies will be available to download from the usual content providers.
Synopsis
In this special celebratory edition, Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg find themselves trapped… in a ‘90s teen magazine! But obviously it’s not just any old magazine–this one’s part of a demon’s diabolical plan to feed on teenage insecurities. Meanwhile, in true ‘90s makeover montage-style, Spike gives Giles a hand with a fresh new look to impress a very special someone!
Review
In this special celebratory issue, Buffy originally made her TV debut in 1997, we see Buffy and Willow become trapped in a 90s fashion magazine but you just know with it being a Buffy story that this is no ordinary magazine, this magazine is demonic and traps it’s readers within it’s pages under the watchful eye of the equally demonic Madam Want, who is making it her mission to feed off the you teen readers that are unfortunate to pick up her magazine. But she didn’t take into account that two of those readers would be Buffy and Willow and these two aren’t just your normal run of the mill teens, no one can escape the magazine once trapped or can they?
As we are transported back into a 90s world we are treated to a sub story with Giles and Spike at a bowling alley with Giles looking rather dapper in his bowling attire, however the ever stylish Spike has other ideas to give Giles a more shaper fashionable edge.
This issue is part of the ongoing 25 year celebrations of Buffy and treats the readers to a 90s throw back a real treat for any reader from that era. Jeremy Lambert gives the reader an authentic 90s feeling story that also still carries off that true Buffy feel with a mix of Buffy action and 90s comedy sitcom tones.
The illustrations are covered by Marianna Igazzi who has created a comic with a 90s feel throughout using a style from that era and with the bright and bold colours from Mattia Iacono the nostalgic feeling runs through the comic, without any worry of demonic powers to drag you in.
Verdict
A flashback to the golden-age of the 90s, it’s Buffy meets Saved by the Bell. The fashion, the comedy but all tinged with that Buffy the Vampire Slayer horror and magic. Though not as dark as BOOM!’s regular Buffy seres, it’s still a great way to celebrate a pop culture icon.
⭐⭐⭐
