Broken Frontier

Since the television series ended, Buffy’s gang has grown by leaps and bounds. The U.S. government has taken notice, so has an old and annoying enemy.

Oh Buffy, how much have we missed you? A lot. I didn’t even get into this show until it was in syndication but I am happy I did. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t be reading this comic right now, and what a good comic it is. Buffy has moved to Scotland, Dawn is a giant, and Xander is a Watcher. Yes, things have changed. But also, they haven’t. The banter from this comic book series is identical to that of the television series; the relationships have the same strain, the same passion, and the same comedy they once did, only the ante has been upped. With an army of slayers-in-training thanks to the results of the show’s finale, the United States government working against them, zombie attacks, and the wicked witch Amy on the attack, Buffy’s gang is put through the ropes in issue #2.

Joss Whedon gave us the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and we should all thank him for it. His characters are witty, intelligent, and down-to-earth at the same time. The television series was the one original WB show for intelligent people (sure, Dawson’s Creek tried to be, but nine-times-out-of-ten it failed). That was a few years ago and Whedon is still on. The Buffy/Dawn relationship is just as frustrating, just as intriguing, and just as bittersweet as it has always been. The relationship in fact is so spot-on it makes me wonder if Whedon has an annoying little sister. Perhaps with this comic however, the writer’s most noticeable achievement is giving Xander some actual leadership and power but nevertheless keeping the Everyman persona we all like so much.

Georges Jeanty’s art is also likable. With Jeanty drawing these scenes of dialogue, interaction, and yes, violence—I know I didn’t mention it much, but there is a fair amount in issue #2 and it is awesome—this comic continues greatly where the show left off. Jeanty isn’t giving his readers a photo-realistic representation of the characters, but his work is nevertheless dynamic and sharp. The images dance across the pages like scenes from a television show. The action is packed and the drama is subtle and appropriate for the story. Jeanty’s art here is serious but not too serious, it is classic but not too classic, and it screams to the readers Buffy the Vampire Slayer. What more could you want? Oh yeah, Andy Owens, Dave Stewart, and Richard Starkings only add to the tasty flavor.

Sure, I didn’t see enough of Giles or Willow in this issue, but I know I will. Whedon is a very intentional writer—everything has meaning, no story stands alone, and it is all building somewhere big. As long as he keeps it up and Jeanty continues riding shotgun, this comic can’t go wrong.