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Review: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow – Wonderland’ #1

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Dark Horse Comics’ latest Buffyverse gem comes in the form of a new dynamic mini-series that follows the trials and tribulations of one Willow Rosenberg as she embarks on a quest to restore magic to the world. Considering the train wreck narrative that’s currently destroying “Spike: A Dark Place”, the anticipation and high hopes surrounding Jeff Parker’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow – Wonderland, has been quickly building momentum, and issue #1 does not disappoint. With on-point characterization from Parker, engrossing artwork by Brian Ching, and two stunning covers to drool over, compliments of David Mack and Megan Lara, this new series is off to an honorable start.

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Parker
ART BY: Brian Ching
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: November 7th

“Willow – Wonderland” outlines the consequences of “BtVS: Season 8’s” conclusion following the destruction of the Seed of Wonder (the heart of all magic on earth), and takes place after Willow’s foray through the pages of Christos Gage’s “Angel & Faith: Family Reunion”. Understandably, the idea of jumping into a series that runs concurrently with three related titles can be somewhat daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with the story arcs, but Parker wastes no time in catching readers up to speed at the beginning of the script. He lays out the ramifications of this magic-less world in a way that makes you understand why Willow has to venture on this quest alone; not only for her own sanity, but for the betterment of her world.

Everything that previously made life wonderful is being affected now that magic no longer exists. Without magic in the Buffyverse, inspiration is lacking, visionaries are no longer dreamers, and more disturbingly, suicide rates are increasing by the day. What’s interesting about seeing the severe impact this magic-less world has on their society, is the fact that Parker’s the first writer to actually do so since the start of “Season 9”. It’s a welcomed change of perspective, and one that’s absolutely necessary for the advancement of the narrative.

In this first issue, Willow, who used to be one of the most powerful witches on the planet, has little to no connection with that world anymore. She’s trying to find herself, but in order for her to do so, she must find a connection to a higher plane of existence. So, she travels through this dark and strange dimension full of dark and strange creatures, in hopes of succeeding in her quest. Along the way, Parker introduces Willow to a potential ally, and leaves us wanting more by the end of the issue.

Overall, it’s a worthy first issue with a lot of room to grow, and a definite pull for Willow fans. Parker captures her character so perfectly, that you can’t help imagining Alyson Hannigan’s voice ringing through your ears when reading through the dialogue. Brian Ching’s art compliments Parker’s writing well, but there’s no likeness to Hannigan in the slightest. Of course, that’s not to say his take on Willow isn’t good. I like the fact that he turns her into a more believable “Heroine” in appearance. She’s very strong and determined, and it shows in both script and artwork.

3.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed By – ShadowJayd

Comics

[Review] Graphic Novel ‘Tender’ Is Brilliant Feminist Body Horror That Will Make You Squirm & Scream

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Tender Beth Hetland Graphic Novel

Beth Hetland’s debut graphic novel, ‘Tender,’ is a modern tale of love, validation, and self-destruction by way of brutal body horror with a feminist edge.

“I’ve wanted this more than anything.”

Men so often dominate the body horror subgenre, which makes it so rare and insightful whenever women tackle this space. This makes Beth Hetland’s Tender such a refreshing change of pace. It’s earnest, honest, and impossibly exposed. Tender takes the body horror subgenre and brilliantly and subversively mixes it together with a narrative that’s steeped in the societal expectations that women face on a daily basis, whether it comes to empowerment, family, or sexuality. It single-handedly beats other 2023 and ‘24 feminine horror texts like American Horror Story: Delicate, Sick, Lisa Frankenstein, and Immaculate at their own game.

Hetland’s Tender is American Psycho meets Rosemary’s Baby meets Swallow. It’s also absolutely not for the faint of heart.

Right from the jump, Tender grabs hold of its audience and doesn’t let go. Carolanne’s quest for romantic fulfillment, validation, and a grander purpose is easy to empathize with and an effective framework for this woeful saga. Carolanne’s wounds cut so deep simply because they’re so incredibly commonplace. Everybody wants to feel wanted.

Tender is full of beautiful, gross, expressive artwork that makes the reader squirm in their seat and itch. Hetland’s drawings are simultaneously minimalist and comprehensively layered. They’re  reminiscent of Charles Burns’ Black Hole, in the best way possible. There’s consistently inspired and striking use of spot coloring that elevates Hetland’s story whenever it’s incorporated, invading Tender’s muted world.

Hetland employs effective, economical storytelling that makes clever use of panels and scene construction so that Tender can breeze through exposition and get to the story’s gooey, aching heart. There’s an excellent page that depicts Carolanne’s menial domestic tasks where the repetitive panels grow increasingly smaller to illustrate the formulaic rut that her life has become. It’s magical. Tender is full of creative devices like this that further let the reader into Carolanne’s mind without ever getting clunky or explicit on the matter. The graphic novel is bookended with a simple moment that shifts from sweet to suffocating.

Tender gives the audience a proper sense of who Carolanne is right away. Hetland adeptly defines her protagonist so that readers are immediately on her side, praying that she gets her “happily ever after,” and makes it out of this sick story alive…And then they’re rapidly wishing for the opposite and utterly aghast over this chameleon. There’s also some creative experimentation with non-linear storytelling that gets to the root of Carolanne and continually recontextualizes who she is and what she wants out of life so that the audience is kept on guard.

Tender casually transforms from a picture-perfect rom-com, right down to the visual style, into a haunting horror story. There’s such a natural quality to how Tender presents the melancholy manner in which a relationship — and life — can decay. Once the horror elements hit, they hit hard, like a jackhammer, and don’t relent. It’s hard not to wince and grimace through Tender’s terrifying images. They’re reminiscent of the nightmarish dadaist visuals from The Ring’s cursed videotape, distilled to blunt comic panels that the reader is forced to confront and digest, rather than something that simply flickers through their mind and is gone a moment later. Tender makes its audience marinate in its mania and incubates its horror as if it’s a gestating fetus in their womb.

Tender tells a powerful, emotional, disturbing story, but its secret weapon may be its sublime pacing. Hetland paces Tender in such an exceptional manner, so that it takes its time, sneaks up on the reader, and gets under their skin until they’re dreading where the story will go next. Tender pushes the audience right up to the edge so that they’re practically begging that Carolanne won’t do the things that she does, yet the other shoe always drops in the most devastating manner. Audiences will read Tender with clenched fists that make it a struggle to turn each page, although they won’t be able to stop. Tender isn’t a short story, at more than 160 pages, but readers will want to take their time and relish each page so that this macabre story lasts for as long as possible before it cascades to its tragic conclusion. 

Tender is an accomplished and uncomfortable debut graphic novel from Hetland that reveals a strong, unflinching voice that’s the perfect fit for horror. Tender indulges in heightened flights of fancy and toes the line with the supernatural. However, Tender is so successful at what it does because it’s so grounded in reality and presents a horror story that’s all too common in society. It’s a heartbreaking meditation on loneliness and codependency that’s one of 2024’s must-read horror graphic novels.

‘Tender,’ by Beth Hetland and published by Fantagraphics, is now available.

4 out of 5 skulls

Tender graphic novel review

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