As I sit in my hotel room getting ready for Dragon*Con to start tomorrow, I am naturally thinking quite a bit about being able to celebrate the best in media with other fans. For me, one of the highlights of the weekend will be seeing and meeting other Buffy/Angel fans. It is with that in mind that I read this week’s installment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The final arc of Buffy Season Eight, “Last Gleaming” starts with issue #36. I’m excited that Joss Whedon is writing the finish to this great story himself, but along with that goes the problems that sometimes Whedon can sometimes get confusing with his story telling. It all fits together if you are able to go back and read previous issues (or with TV shows, watch previous episodes), but particularly with the gaps in Season Eight, the time between issues can make it hard to remember what is happening in the story. I think that it would be beneficial if there were more of a “story so far” recap at the beginning.
Don’t get me wrong, it is still a great issue! They did a nice job of showing how Spike has become involved in what is happening. Seeing Buffy, Angel, and Spike finally all together is a major payoff for which readers have been patiently waiting. The first chapter of this arc has brought all of the key players together, and put them in place for what looks to be a great ending, with an interesting fight shaping up for the climax of the story (nope, no spoilers here).
One of the interesting things to see as the last arc progresses is how Buffy, Angel, and Spike find a way to work together (if indeed they do). I’m also looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Scoobies react to not only the situation, but all of the various players.
Artist Georges Jeanty has turned in another wonderful issue. His characters are wonderful depictions of the actors. He also does a nice job with non-humans, particularly the giant creatures the team is fighting in the sky. The last page…nope, not going to tell you…but it is excellent artistically.
I will certainly hate to see Buffy Season Eight come to an end. Fortunately, there have been hints that there will be a Season Nine, and we can look forward to that. In the meantime, in addition to reading the rest of “Last Gleaming”, don’t forget the Season Eight Motion Comic. Good stuff!
