The hit comic book series Buffy Season Eight continues with a new writer (Brain K. Vaughan), the beginning of a new story arc, and the first appearance of everyone’s favorite bad slayer – Faith! Given a new assignment by Giles, Faith prepares for the hardest job she’s ever undertaken – trying to fit in with British aristocracy, and a job she’s all too qualified for – the murder of a human being.
We review issue #6, part 1 of “No Future for You,” in the Full Diagnosis. Enjoy!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #6
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| BtVS Season 8 #6 |
Buffy the Vampire Slaver Season 8 has been a smash for Dark Horse, but with such a wide range of characters many have yet to show their faces. “No Future For You” begins the second story arc for Season Eight and focuses on our favorite bad slayer, Faith.
Living in Cleveland at a “second-rate Hellmouth” Faith has grown tired of the biz. But when Giles informs her about a special assignment which, if she accepts, could mean an early retirement to location of her choice, she agrees – even if it means murder.
Giles tells her of a renegade and bloodthirsty slayer of British aristocracy known as Lady Genevieve who could usher in the end of the world. Faith accepts, even if it does mean Giles must go all Henry Higgins on her to prepare her for the new world she will be facing. Writer Brian K. Vaughan does a good job of capturing an older and wiser Faith whose outlook is still quite different than Buffy’s or any of the new slayers. Mixing in some My Fair Lady along the way helps with necessary humor to help balance against the cold-blooded murder for which she is being trained.
Whedon’s departure as main writer fits in nicely with a new character like Faith taking center stage. The look of Faith is a little inconsistent, sometimes spot on and sometimes not, but the character comes across well and fans of the series and of Faith herself should enjoy this one.
Based on Joss Whedon’s concept for a Faith TV-movie, the story seems well thought-out and should allow Vaughan the opportunity to play on Faith’s bloody past and its consequences. The story also features a funny scene between Buffy and Zander in the training room where Zander makes two Kurt Russel eye-patch references. I’ve always liked the character of Faith and will be interested to see how this arc plays out and if and how it fits in to the wider story arc of Season Eight.