Connect with us

Comics

Review: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9’ #20

Published

11 years ago

on

With only five more issues remaining this season, Andrew Chambliss sets up an interesting 20th installment that builds up narrative tension and produces foreboding expectations of what’s to come. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #20 provides more information regarding Severin and Simone’s masterplan, and sees the return of a fan-favourite character, while Buffy and Xander struggle to live in a magic-less world as they deal with their helplessness concerning Dawn’s deteriorating health. Unfortunately, Xander deals with his deep-seeded insecurities in a debatably controversial way.

WRITTEN BY: Andrew Chambliss
ART BY: Karl Moline
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: April 10, 2013

This is probably one of the least contrived issues of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, as writer Andrew Chambliss attempts to bring readers closer to the end of the season with necessary scenes that ultimately help move the narrative along. There’s minimal action and a lot of build-up for the climax.
Issue #20 begins with a fascinating, though slightly dubious flashback to the immediate aftermath of Giles’ death after the destruction of the Seed. Understandably so, the scene showcases Xander’s furiousness as he severely beats on a weakened Angel and attempts to kill him before ultimately being stopped by Buffy. Hats off to Karl Moline on pencils, who’s managed to effectively portray such brutal panels so effortlessly.

Disregarding the fact that Xander was able to dominate a vampire so viciously, this flashback interestingly enough explains a past scene regarding why a bloodied Angel had been illustrated sitting in Giles’ apartment after the Twilight crisis.

The issue continues in the present where Xander still blames Buffy for Dawn’s condition and refuses to work with the slayer to save her. Taking it upon himself to figure out a way to help Dawn, Xander gets roped into helping Simone and The Siphon, who play on his insecurities and current predicament enough to get him on board with promises of a better future. Their masterplan seems solid enough, but as history suggests, nothing good comes from trusting the bad guys.

In terms of art, Karl Moline has taken over for Georges Jeanty, and it’s a nice change of pace. He, along with inkers Andy Owens, Dexter Vines, and Michelle Madsen on colours, work really well together, particularly in the flashback and reunion scenes. Emotionally driven moments are where they excel the most.

3/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – ShadowJayd

Related Topics:
Advertisement
1 Comment

Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

Published

23 hours ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

Witchblade cover

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

Continue Reading