Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Dark Horse Comics

    REVIEW: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #1

    Stephen SchleicherBy Stephen SchleicherSeptember 6, 20114 Comments4 Mins Read

    The seed has been destroyed, which means no more magic, and no more slayers. Buffy is it, and though there is still mystical danger in the world, it’s time for everyone to move on. But can they?

    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON 9 #1
    Writer: Joss Whedon
    Pencils: Georges Jeanty
    Inker: Dexter Vines
    Colorist: Michelle Madsen
    Cover: Steve Morris and Jo Chen
    Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
    Cover Price: $2.99

    Previously in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: No more Slayers will be chosen. No more Slayer army. No more gang. Buffy is a waitress, and she’s found an apartment in San Francisco.

    PARTY TIME

    The thing about having a big blow out party is someone is going to wake up the next morning feeling the full force of too much happiness (drinking, snogging, hormones, dancing, drinking, and drinking – you get the picture). In the first issue of the new season, that person is Buffy. She can’t remember what happened the previous night at her house warming party, but thanks to a series of flashbacks, we get to see her interact with Xander, Willow, Spike, Riley, her new roommates, and go from happy Buffy, to too many drinks Buffy. There is a sense of happiness during the party scenes, but a big sense of regret and “what have I done” during the aftermath.

    The big interactions revolve around the fact that Buffy destroyed the seed, and now everyone is trying to cope. Willow seems adrift without magic, Riley now works hunting down terrorists, Spike claims something bad is going to happen to Buffy for destroying magic, and Xander seems weirdly out of place in the world, even though he and Dawn are living together.

    And then there is a monster menace that creeps its way through the issue, only to lead the reader to one of the strangest payoff I’ve seen in a while. Hidden in the true horror is a swerve that works and should bring a chuckle.

    With Joss Whedon scripting this issue, there is plenty of Buffy-centric dialogue and humor to keep long time fans entertained. The flashbacks work, but when intercut between present time, and the monster of the week bits, everything seems a bit jumpy. Unfortunately, if you didn’t make your way through Season Eight, then I have a feeling you are going to be really lost, as there is a great deal of referencing to previous events.

    IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE BUFFY

    Georges Jeanty has done a great job in bringing the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to life, but for some reason, I found it difficult to immediately place each character in this issue. Hair styles and facial features change just enough to throw one at first glance, and the character likenesses aren’t consistent from character to character. Buffy kind of looks like Sarah Michelle, but Willow looks nothing like Alyson Hannigan, etc.

    Also, more than once, the composition and staging of the characters in the scene just seemed off – almost like the draft the artist used had more dialogue that then didn’t appear in the final issue.

    BOTTOM LINE: CHECK IT

    Face it – if you are a Buffy fan, you’re probably going to pick this issue up regardless of what any review has to say. And I agree, this issue should be picked up if only to see what happens “after.” There are several moments that work on the humor level, some character growth that happens with time, and the beginnings of this season’s Big Bad. The issue has a few places that stumble, but overall this is a good read. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #1 earns 3.5 out of 5 Stars.

    Rating: ★★★½☆

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer Dark Horse Comics Joss Whedon Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleSNEAK PEEK: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #1
    Next Article 5th Annual Major Spoilers Costume Contest
    Stephen Schleicher
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Stephen Schleicher began his career writing for the Digital Media Online community of sites, including Digital Producer and Creative Mac covering all aspects of the digital content creation industry. He then moved on to consumer technology, and began the Coolness Roundup podcast. A writing fool, Stephen has freelanced for Sci-Fi Channel's Technology Blog, and Gizmodo. Still longing for the good ol' days, Stephen launched Major Spoilers in July 2006, because he is a glutton for punishment. You can follow him on Twitter @MajorSpoilers and tell him your darkest secrets...

    Related Posts

    Legion Clubhouse #126: The Great Darkness Saga Concludes

    Read More

    Slumber #6 Review

    Read More

    Mindset #2 Review

    Read More

    4 Comments

    1. wegetgeek on September 6, 2011 3:57 pm

      Oh wow, was expecting a Mathew review on this one. Well time to pick it up although I never finished season 8…guess I should go do that.

      Reply
    2. Steamblade on September 7, 2011 2:49 am

      Georges Jeanty has consistently killed my interest in the post-TV Buffy world. His art is so stiff, lifeless and off-kilter. Of course, the ridiculous events that happened in Japan, “Twilight” and that crap with Giles certainly didn’t help my enthusiasm for it either.

      Actually, screw Buffy, give me a Giles and Faith book by Ryan Sook and everything would be perfect.

      Reply
      • Armaan on September 7, 2011 2:05 pm

        (Giles died, although there’s an Angel & Faith book with Giles flashbacks)

        Reply
      • ~wyntermute~ on September 7, 2011 6:56 pm

        I hereby propose that the word “Twilight” be reserved for it’s SOLE and ORIGINAL purpose (i.e. that time of day just before darkness), due to the fact that anything else it touches is absolutely… well… Let’s just say that things called “Twilight” divide people into pro- and anti- camps. :) (I’m in the anti-, in case that wasn’t yet clear.)

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    9.3
    August 11, 2022

    Slumber #6 Review

    8.7
    August 11, 2022

    Mindset #2 Review

    8.3
    August 10, 2022

    Ms. Marvel and Wolverine #1 Review

    9.0
    August 10, 2022

    Eight Billion Genies #4 Review

    4.7
    August 9, 2022

    Black Adam – The Justice Society Files: Cyclone #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Valerie Meachum on C2E2: Cosplay – Day 2
    • Kevin Evans on BOOM! Studios announces trading cards in celebration of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #100
    • Kevin Evans on Major Spoilers Classics #001: Absolute Sandman Volume 1
    • Jonathan Cadotte on So You Want To Read Comics: Journalism Edition
    • Robin on So You Want To Read Comics: Journalism Edition
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.