Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 took place a year after the events of season 7. Buffy and her friends resided in Scotland, where they trained newly called Slayers. Things became complicated for them when the US Army and a slew of villains targeted Buffy. Apparently, the bad guys were following orders from a mysterious Big Bad named Twilight. Buffy, the Scoobies, and the Slayer Army hid from Twilight in Tibet. However, Buffy and her friends had to fight back once Twilight found their secret base. Buffy gained superpowers in the middle of the battle, but it came with a consequence. “Twilight Part 2” continues the reveal of Twilight.
Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8
Writer:Brad Meltzer
Pencils: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Andy Owens
Colors:Michelle Madsen
Letters:Richard Starkings & Jimmy Betancourt
Covers: Jo Chen (Cover A)& Georges Jeanty (Cover B)
Issue: #33
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Pages: 40
Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 3, 2010
Acclaimed novelist and comics writer Brad Meltzer (The Book of Lies, Identity Crisis) continues his pivotal story arc! The Slayer army has suffered heavy losses throughout Season Eight and faced all kinds of threats new and old, but the one mystery connecting it all has been the identity of the Big Bad: Twilight. In this issue, Buffy finally confronts Twilight one on one, setting the stage for Twilight’s unmasking in Buffy #34!
Brad Meltzer, series artist Georges Jeanty, and executive producer Joss Whedon up the stakes as Buffy’s most epic season yet races to a climax!
Side Notes: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #33 continues the “Twilight” storyline. It was an interesting issue to read until the story’s climax. The climax felt hokey, but only because it came off as surreal. I felt the same way when I first watched the 7th season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The storyline in the 7th season didn’t make sense until I reviewed previous seasons of the series. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 might make more sense after reviewing that season, as I’ve realized over the years that Joss Whedon and his writers put plot hints throughout their scripts before the core story’s big reveal. The caliber of jokes were just about the same as Buffy the Vampire Slayer #32, and the writers cranked the geek jokes generator to 11 when it can only go up to 10! It left me confused and delighted by its randomness.
The covers were great for luring the reader into the story. Cover A, drawn by Jo Chen, is different from previous covers the artist drew. Buffy’s eyes were glassy and sullen, as if there was an aura of tearful emotions throughout the piece, and a burst of shock in the atmospheric background. Cover B, drawn by Georges Jeanty, paid homage to Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #289,where the Hobgoblin’s identity was revealed. Twilight’s face is blacked out and is surrounded by the Scoobies who are shocked at the reveal. I liked how the comic book’s writing didn’t draw attention to what the characters were doing in a scene, and how the panels were simplistic in telling a joke. For instance, panels were reused for humorous punch lines.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #33 was a strange issue. Fans might not like it after reading it, but that can’t be helped. However, it shouldn’t stop fans from continuing to read the “Twilight” storyline.
Princess Powerful
princesspowerful@comicattack.net
That Jo Chen cover is great! Nice write up PP!
Thanks! 🙂 <3
” I liked how the comic book’s writing didn’t draw attention to what the characters were doing in a scene.”
I don’t understand. Isn’t that contrary to the point?
Also, I figured you would know. My bro-in-law wants to know if the Angel: After the Fall TPB is out. He’s running a game set in that setting and would like to have the comic for reference, I guess. I did make note of a Spike After the Fall TPB in the recent Diamond Previews, but I don’t know that that is anyway.
I couldn’t exactly describe the scene in order to explain my comment without giving away spoilers.
Angel After the Fall TPBs are out. The first 5 volumes covers issues #1-22 are out atmo, while the 6th volume will be out in May.
…why may fans not like it?
Hopefully the “bad guy” isn’t a letdown. I know there have been several revelations that I’ve been really disappointed about. Nice review.
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