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Moving these reviews over from the old PLANET BUFFY site occasionally highlights a review that was never uploaded, or even a release that wasn't reviewed when it was first released. RING OF FIRE falls into the latter category.

One of the pitfalls of non-contemporary reviews is that something that might have shone two or three years ago can seem dull when compared to subsequent releases. Then there's the re-reading factor - does it improve with a second reading, or does knowing what's going on make it less a less interesting read?

With BUFFY, there's the added factor that some of my enthusiasm for the show has dwindled over the last couple of years - an opinion that hasn't been helped by some of the uninspiring merchandise we've had lately.

RING OF FIRE might have been released nearly three years ago, but unlike some of the novels (and many of the novelisations), it has stood the test of time well.

For a start, it's set during one of the television series strongest periods, before the production team started overdosing on metaphor and before the character bloat of later seasons.

Here, the only Scoobies present are Buffy, Willow, Xander and Oz, and the latter two don't play that major a part in proceedings (particularly Oz).

Set post-PASSION, Doug Petrie builds on Giles' grief for the murdered Jenny Calenda, while up against our heroes are the vampire trio of Angelus, Dru and Spike. The relationship between these three is well captured, with antagonism between Angelus and Spike and Drusilla as nutty as ever.

Throw in a new Big Bad, the return of Kendra and a couple of mysterious Men in Black and this is an entertaining story that slots into the tail-end of season two.

Art-wise, Ryan Sook comes up with the goods once more. His style has moved on from his early work on the Spike and Dru one-shots, but it works well and reflects the tone of both the TV show and this particular story. It's just a shame that Clem Robins makes a spelling mistake (at least I assume it's a mistake and not an attempt to show Buffy mispronouncing "fuel"!)

Some fascinating preliminary sketches and designs round off an enjoyable graphic novel. BACK TO THE TOP

Art: RYAN SOOK


TITAN BOOKS

£8.99

RATING: 8/10