Season Eight, Volume One: The Long Way Home- TPB Review

Joss Whedon (creator of cult classics Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly) certainly didn't need to continue "Buffy" in the comics medium. He's got two feature films in the script-writing stage, has recently made a deal for a new weekly television series starring Eliza Dushky, and he's also in talks with the BBC to write/direct a made-for-television movie starring Anthony Stewart Head as Giles. Not to mention, he's currently writing "Astonishing X-Men" and "Runaways." So, with or without this comic, we fans would have been satisfied with a very Jossy year.

But Joss couldn't stay away from Buffy, his dream story, and we--the fans who found themselves helpless captivated by the seven seasons we caught on television--couldn't be happy to have the continuation to the series coming our way, written by the only man who could have done it justice: Joss Whedon himself.

Season Eight, though it is a comic series, is very much like a season of television. We're meant to think of this volume (collecting "The Long Way Home" arc, issues #1-4, and #5 "The Chain", which is an unrelated one-shot) as the first episode of a season. And everyone who loved Joss' work enough to be disappointed by the flaws (as uncommon as they are) know that "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was never good with season premieres. The first episodes of Season Two, Three, Four (in some circles), Five, Six (though it wasn't as bad as the rest), and Seven (again, in some circles) failed to kick off the seasons with a bang. That was always reserved for the later episodes. Not since Season One's "Welcome to the Hellmouth" did we have a season opener that completely delivered.

Well now, we do.

"The Long Way Home" takes the time to reintroduce us to the characters, set up the season, and bring up points that will have us asking questions for issues to come. Unlike the aforementioned season premieres, we have a solid story about Buffy and the gang battling both new and old foes, delivering a story that begins and ends within the four issues given here, but also introduces a few mysteries that will no doubt play throughout the entire season. "The Chain", the standalone one-shot issue (in television terms, think of it as sort of a one-act bonus story), isn't nearly as good as "The Long Way Home", but it certainly isn't bad. Further comments on the artwork and stories of the individual five issues can be found by following the "Season Eight" tag at the bottom of this review.

This trade paperback itself is well-made, as with all Dark Horse volumes. The beautiful Jo Chen cover is thing that will attract all those who have already bought the individual five issues but, to those who haven't, you can rejoice. All the covers and the variant covers are reprinted here. The color leaps off the pages just like Joss' snappy dialogue. What I did expect, however, and didn't get were a few extras. The layout of the comic (red pages with the Twilight sign between issues) is beautiful, but since this series is the biggest thing Dark Horse has ever put out, I expected a little extra tidbits. But that doesn't detract from my enjoyment of this volume.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is true to its form in Season Eight, proving that is was, is, and always will be Joss' most important work. Let's just hope that he keeps it coming for a long, long time.

9/10

The Conclusion to "The Long Way Home" Arc

What Is It: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Issue #4: The Long Way Home pt 4 (written by Joss Whedon)

Timing: BtVS Season Eight, following Issue #3

REVIEW: This issue, more than any of the others, needs a second reading to appreciate it. In the first read, the story is way too fast paced, too many things are happening, and it is a bit confusing. By the second read, everything should fall into place. But that still doesn't make up for the first read. While this is a good conclusion to the first arc of season eight, I felt that Joss could have kept it a bit more straight forward. However, the set ups for the Big Bad are well done, as is Buffy's reaction to the reveal in the end. The shocking death of an established character only causes the action to heat up, and the subtle reveal of who kissed Buffy is Issue #3 was well worth all the fan debate.

On the negative side, the scene-cuts are awkward at best in this issue, and it became apparent on page six. This is how the page is set up.
Panel 1: Warren comes down on Willow.
Panel 2: Buffy calls the name of a slayer.
Panel 3: Five new characters (elements?) who've never been seen before, appear with no explanation and say "For goodness sake, yes. Grant her access." It is unknown at this point where they are, and it throws the story off majorly.
Panel 4: Buffy, off screen, tells Satsu what to do.
Panel 5: General Voll's assistant tells him that he hears screaming.

Later on, the switches between scenes get better because there are less scenes to switch to. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm pleased that Giles or Andrew weren't in this issue. Things would have been way too crammed for our two favorite Watchers.

Don't get me wrong about this issue. It's Buffy, it's canon, and it's Joss, so you can't really go wrong. It's almost as good as issue #3, and as good as #1 & 2. The fight with Buffy/Amy, short as it was, was stellar and revealed something about Buffy that I never suspected. The final four pages make for a more shocking conclusion than I expected, and really make the whole arc make a lot more sense than it might have initially seemed.

Petty gripes aside, the only real problem I have with this issue is waiting for two whole months for the 40 page Issue #5: The Chain to come out.

Art: Jeanty gets better at illustrating these by the issue, and Jo Chen never ceases to amaze. Both of these artists seem to specialize in Dawn, because both Jeanty's interpretation of her and Jo Chen's cover display beautiful drawn Dawns.

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

Rating: 8/10

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

Episode Two: Attack of the Rat

What Is It: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Issue #4: The Long Way Home pt 4 (written by Joss Whedon)

Timing: Season Eight, following Issue #1

REVIEW: Buffy fans will be expecting a lot after seven stellar seasons on television and the success of the first issue of "Season Eight." So the question here is this: Does Issue #2 deliver?

In short, yes. I have to say though--there is so much going on, so many jokes, and so much foreshadowing that I wasn't able to completely enjoy the Jossy goodness until my second read. The first read intrigued me, but the second wow-ed me.

The plot continues directly from the previous issue. Amy (the former rat) is working with the government to take out Buffy and the slayers, and she has an army of zombies to back her up. The ending sequences are amazing--I'm already itching for May 2nd to come so I can get my hands on the third issue. There was a big revelation about half-way through the comic, and clues to who the Big Bad of the season will be as well. Giant Dawn is great (I knew Joss would convince me), Buffy is true to herself, and Xander is playing the biggest role he's played since the first season.

This issue also re-introduces two fan favorites: Giles and Andrew. So, all in all, this issue is just as good as the first. But did anybody expect anything less? I mean, come on--Joss Whedon wrote it.

Art: The cover by Jo Chen is good, though the use of the baby blue in Xander's hair (a reflection or shine???) kinda throws me off. The actual bulk of the comic, pencilled by Georges Jeanty (whom I believe has committed to the remainder of the series, other than one-shots) is illustrated beautifully, except for--I'm sorry to say--Jeanty's depiction of Giles. Giles looks like Season One Giles' face with an old man's body; skinny, all brown up top, and sweater-vesty. Throw Giles into some of his Season Seven gear, make his head a little bit bigger, hair a tad thinner, and we're back on track.

Characters We Know: Buffy, Xander, Dawn, Giles, Andrew, Amy, Willow

Rating: 8/10

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight- The Long Way Home pt 1 REVIEW

What Is It: Here, at last, is the canon continuation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as written by Joss Whedon. This is the first issue of the first arc (or miniseries) of Season Eight. You can find it in comic stores or, if you're lazy or have misplaced your local comic shop, pretty much anywhere on the Internet. This is the direct sequel to the BtVS television show.

Timing: BTVS Season Eight/ After AtS Season Five

REVIEW: Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the author of this comic, said it best--he wants readers to see this comic as, not a full episode of Buffy, but the teaser of an episode. The book--as a rule with comics--goes very fast. While this issue has two more pages than the norm (a total of 24, not counting ads), it is over before you even realize it. But there is a lot of goodness to take in; new information and characters, mingling with old loved characters and references to past episodes.

The plot is simple, but promises a lot for the future episodes. Not to mention, it's classic Joss. Buffy and Xander are leading a "24"-esque base. Buffy is the "Jack Bauer" to Xander's "Bill Buchanon." While on a field mission to kill a few baddies, Buffy and a small group of slayers find a dead body with a strange symbol carved into it. Xander and Buffy hit the books, researching like old times. Meanwhile, it is revealed that the US Government has noticed the slayers and, following the destruction of the Sunnydale Hellmouth, sees them as terrorist cells--and they enlist the help of a character from the TV series to defeat Buffy. After it is revealed who this character is, an even bigger bad is alluded to. Suspense is a-plenty!

The only plot-line that made me iffy is Dawn's problem in this book. I won't reveal it, but I'll say this; it's a bit hard to swallow. Yet, knowing Joss, he'll make me bite my tongue in the next few issues and sell me the plot... as he always tends to do. Season Eight kicks off with a bang and I, for one, can't wait for the next issue. I do have to say though, it isn't the best place to start with Buffy. If you weren't a fan of the show but want to try the comic, I suggest you read up on what has happened so far. Wikipedia has an exceptional page devoted to Buffy.

Art: Jeanty manages to successfully walk across the tightrope between drawing the characters too much like the actors who portrayed him and making the characters unrecognizable. Unlike some of the earlier ANGEL comics over at IDW, these illustrations actually imply movement, bringing real life to the issues to the point where Jeanty's rendition of Buffy is as much Buffy Summers to me as Sarah Michelle Gellar was. And Jo Chen is simply perfect for the covers of this series. It seems too much to ask, as I can't imagine how long it takes to create such a detailed cover, but I find myself wishing a future issue will be entirely illustrated by Jo Chen.

Characters We Know: Buffy, Xander, Dawn, Amy

*Rating Disclaimer: Compared to all other NON-Buffyverse products, the majority of BtVS and AtS products are rated a 10/10 classic. As the Buffyverse is in a whole different level, I am rating these products up against OTHER BtVS products.

Rating: 8/10