Buffy: Season Eight... I'm Hooked

What Is It: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Issue #3: The Long Way Home pt 3 (written by Joss Whedon)

Timing: BtVS Season Eight, following Issue #2

REVIEW: These comics just keep getting better. This one starts off immediately after Issue #2, and the action never stops. This, I'm sure, is the issue that will woo over any Buffy fans that have been doubting the greatness of these Whedon-penned comics.

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty. So many questions come up after reading the first few issues, so I was counting on some answers in this one. We get to find out the following...

+ Who is Amy's boyfriend?
+ Who is the "My love" guy in Issue #2? Is it the same guy as the floaty-leather-jacket guy?

+ Is Renee alive after being stabbed last issue?

+ What's up with Willow and Kennedy?

Also, we get an appearance from a very popular baddie--none other than Ethan Rayne. Not to mention the unforgettable image of Spike/Angel that Scott Allie promised us in the letters section of the last issue. All that, plus scenes with Giles, Andrew, and the re-union of Xander, Buffy, and Willow. And what can be said about Whedon's writing and plotting that hasn't already been said? Everything is tight, all is perfect. The cliffhanger at the end makes me want the next issue right away! How in the world will I be able to wait until June 6th for Issue #4? This issue is by far the best of the three released so far.

Art: Jeanty's art, as usual, is amazing. However, one scene bugged me. There's a scene with only Willow's face, where she says "She looks tired" (referring to Buffy). In that scene, it looks like Willow either almost fell asleep herself or got her hands on a whole lotta drugs. But other than that one little flaw, everything is done well. Particularly Jeanty's interpretation of Ethan Rayne. Spot on. And, while I didn't think Giles looked like himself in Issue #2, this issue shows a VAST improvement. Very Gilesy. And Jo Chen's cover to this issue is by far her best yet. Willow is literally smokin'.

Characters We Know: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, Andrew, Ethan Rayne, Amy, Warren

Rating: 9/10