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The cliff-hanger to the first part of Jane Espenson's Haunted mini-series saw Sunnydale's former Mayor, now inhabiting the body of a vampire, just about to attack Buffy...

Unsurprisingly he doesn't kill her, but this scene still manages to spring a surprise as the Mayor allows himself to be staked by the Slayer. However, since he was only possessing the vamp's body, this doesn't kill him and he's soon off possessing a dead bird once again. Meanwhile, Giles has been rendered unconscious in the graveyard and so the Scooby Gang are on their own for the time being.

As with part one, Espenson also uses the story to help bridge the gap between seasons 3 and 4. So we see Xander planning for his roadtrip and checking out the basement, Willow and Oz looking for a lock-up and a military organisation moving some equipment into a bunker. One of the great things about Buffy was the series' sense of continuity, so it's good to see this little references to the television series.

Faith might be unconscious, but that doesn't mean her role is limited to lying in the hospital while the Mayor (in a bird's body) visits her. The Buffy film told us he importance of dreams to a Slayer, and Faith's unconscious state means that she's somehow able to control "Dreamland". Naturally, Buffy wants to know what the dreams means, to which Faith tells her: "you're already dead", tapping into the old question that if one dies in a dream, do they also die in real life?

The story and writing continue to be strong, and the artwork is as well for the most part. As with many Buffy comics, it is a little hit and miss, but on balance the good parts outweigh the bad. BACK TO THE TOP

HAUNTED, PART TWO

Written by JANE ESPENSON

Pencils: CLIFF RICHARDS

Inks: JULIO FERREIRA

Colours: JEROMY COX

Letters: CLEM ROBINS

DARK HORSE COMICS


RATING: 7/10


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