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WHAT
HAS HAPPENED BEFORE?
This
issue follows on directly from issue 12, where Buffy met a girl
named Stacey and a boy named Brad. Stacy was a demon,
Brad was a demon worshipper. Stacy got killed, Brad was
still alive.
WRITING
Oh
tricky - not a great issue either. They should've left
this storyline alone after issue 12 - not go back to it later,
as it simply doesn't work.
Whilst
Golden's skills as master Buffy character writer shine
through again (I liked Xander's US football match especially,
something which, although predictable, is what would happen
in the show), the rest of the story seems too rushed, under
planned and too over the top.
Most
of the issue wasn't down to real detective work, it was something
like: Buffy sees big monsters, fights big monsters, repeat until
reader falls off their chair due to extreme boredom.
Golden
uses the Scooby Gang in this issue. Each gets their fair
share of 'screen' time. Each one comes in handy and there
isn't too much Buffy. Even Xander gets involved without
getting hurt, which is something that rarely happens.
Brad
the demon worshipper messes with the black arts and finds a
book of Stacy's and performs mystical acts which transforms
him into a huge beast monster with ripped denim shorts.
Not
a great issue. Pretty boring, this issue should've been
the next part of Bad Blood, just to get it over with.
And also, right at the end, with the flame monster spirit not
quite dead, do I hear another sequel?
ART
This
issue has one main thing in common with Angel #3.
There are 6 artists overall. SIX ARTISTS! If you've
read my review of Angel #3, you'll have read my ranting over
the fact that Zanier and Owens should be doing it, with no help
from Mariano, Jump, Minor or Arnold.
HOWEVER!
It's not as bad as Angel #3 - it's actually a lot better.
Xander looks more mature in this issue, even if he does change
faces a few times (pages 2 and 3 for example). Zanier's
still using some photographs or stills from the show for this
issue, it's annoying but it keeps the people that say "Oh
why doesn't Buffy look like SMG in the comics?" quiet for
another issue.
The
huge beast demon with ripped denim shorts is fantastically drawn.
As Zanier's a Top Cow resident, he's probably used to drawing
things much bigger than they should be, more mystical creatures
and ferocious beasts.
Two
characters he draws well are Buffy and the monster, which is
probably why he fits in well over at Top Cow (known for big
breasted heroines and monstrous villains). Did anyone
notice that Brad on the first page had an uncanny resemblance
to Zanier's version of Angel in the Angel ongoing?
OTHER
NIT PICKS
Apart
from it's been ages since I've had a letter printed, none.
Which is worrying as I've always got something else to say...
RATINGS
Writing
- Bad story. Issue 12 should've been a one-parter
not a two-parter. And why have they left the door open
for a third part? Golden's a mystery to me.
Art
- Six artists, only two needed. Not as bad as Angel
#3. In fact it's one of Zanier's better issues.
Cover
- Nice refreshing change away from Matsuda, no, I really
don't like him.
REASONS
WHY
For
the art I thought about giving something higher like a four,
but seeing as it was not all done by Zanier - he had too much
help, it showed and it was disappointing - so it got a lower
grade. The artists billed on the cover should be the artists
inside. There were six artists overall yet only two were
billed on the outside front cover. When styles change
over the course of the issue it can put new readers off.
The extra half mark, however, was for the cover which was excellent.
NEXT
ISSUE
Bad
Blood part 7. Oh yay.... BACK
TO THE TOP
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