Buffy

• Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #8
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer:Andrew Chambliss
• Artist: Georges Jeanty

The search to discover the truth behind how Buffy was replaced with a Buffybot with all of the Slayer’s memories leads one-armed mechanical Buffy and Spike to the one person they know with experience in this type of thing – Andrew.

It turns out not only is Andrew responsible for downloading Buffy’s brain and sticking it into a robot, but he did it to help the Slayer. Now the group has to retreive Buffy’s real body (which is living out an idyllic life in the suburbs with no knowledge of who she really is) before someone else finds her. However, they may already be too late.

With the first big Season Nine twist writer Andrew Chambliss keeps going for the unexpected. This isn’t some nefarious plot by a big bad to hurt the Slayer, but an ill-thought-out attempt by a friend to keep her safe. Meanwhile, with the Slayer out of action Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling with his Zompire problem. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

• Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #6
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer:Andrew Chambliss
• Artist: Georges Jeanty

As Buffy deals with news that’s she’s pregnant writer Andrew Chambliss takes the opportunity to showcase not only the current Slayer’s fears of what a pregnancy might mean but that of another Slayer who went through the same emotions a few decades earlier – Robin Wood‘s mother Nikki.

For a comic book centered around a tiny blond who kills vampires this issue has quite a bit going on. I’m really liking how personal Season Nine feels after Season Eight spiraled so far out of control. And for a comic that I’ve found the art to be inconsistant so far artist Georges Jeanty nails the characters this time around.

Not only do we get flashbacks between Nikki and her Watcher but we get frank conversations between Buffy and Robin, and later between Buffy and Spike. And, although the some might object, I was certainly impressed how the issue of an abortion was not only introduced but discussed.

Even if you haven’t read the first arc of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, if you’re a fan of the character you should definitely find a copy, especially if you can find the old school variant cover. Best of the week.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

• Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #4
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer:Andrew Chambliss
• Artist: Karl Moline

After surviving the Siphon, Buffy starts having dreams of the first Slayer. At first she thinks the Slayer is angry at Buffy breaking the line but she begins to suspect someone is using her dreams for their own purposes.

With the help of Willow Buffy goes back into her dreams to confront the Tinkerbell who was hijacking her dreams and find out what the Slayer really wants from her. Although she gets her answers, the truth will mean the departure of one of her closest friends. But that isn’t the comic’s biggest surprise which comes in the form of a final panel that’s sure to change Buffy’s life forever (and no doubt enrage quite a few fans).

Karl Moline takes over the art from Georges Jeanty but once again we’re left with several panels where the characters only vaguely resemble their on-screen counterparts.

It’s not a great single issue but it does set out a new path for Willow and set up an entirely new challenge for everyone’s favorite slayer. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]