Comics
Review: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9’ #24
Andrew Chambliss’ slow and intentional process leading to the epic finale of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9’ is just about ready to culminate in an inevitably cataclysmic affair. With the last installment of the season set for release next month, issue #24 builds up the action and circumstances to a presumably hair-raising climax, but not without a brutal cliffhanger send-off to set the fandom a-blaze.
WRITTEN BY: Andrew Chambliss
ART BY: Georges Jeanty
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: August 14, 2013
Commendable storytelling is pretty much guaranteed when the use of drama flows naturally around critical moments in the narrative, effectively keeping the readers’ attention, as opposed to merely grabbing it. Delivering another lively and plot-driven chapter which features infallible representations of cherished characters and exciting story developments, the creative team successfully manage to hold the continued interest of the fandom. Chambliss writes a very engaging script that is brimming with dramatic tension, conflict, and awesome displays of extraordinary power. The story moves at a good pace, and is loaded with moments of great timing, and these moments are perfectly executed by Georges Jeanty’s clever panel placements.
That’s not to say that his artwork is anything but what readers have come to expect from the hit-or-miss artist, but his choices regarding panel shape, size, and overall layout produces somewhat of a visual rhythm to smoothly aid narrative progression. His most impressive illustrations are those which depict scenes of extreme action and feature his drawings of demons. So, the anticipated face-off between the mystical council and Maloker, the newly resurrected Old One, is super fun and visually stimulating. Jeanty portrays the level of chaos and disorder in these scenes in a really convincing and thrilling way.
His artistic style makes it easy for readers to distinguish space and distance—forgoing major detail, or adding more depending on the scope of the panel. And Dexter Vines follows suit with his inks; heavy for close-up shots, and extremely light for far. Last issue, Karl Story successfully took over as inker, and it is slightly disappointing not to see him be featured again this month, but readers will make due. Especially considering Michelle Madsen’s exceptional contribution in regards to colours. She has been delivering great work for months now, and is a great asset to the creative team.
In terms of story, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9” #24 continues right where the last issue leaves off; with a freshly turned Simone exerting her new and improved power and strength over an unyielding Buffy and Xander; with the mystical council battling against the giant-sized ancient demon who sired the first vampires; and with Willow’s solo investigation of the Deeper Well, in hopes of acquiring the sealed magic trapped within the ancient tomb to save Dawn’s life. The second last issue also sees a tangible opportunity to potentially re-juice their magicless world, and it is simultaneously secured, and threatened, by Severin’s master plan to turn back time.
Overall, Chambliss and co deliver an entertaining issue that will successfully ensure the fandom’s thirst for the final installment. Assuming the brutaly graphic last page doesn’t put them in a rage coma.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – ShadowJayd
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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