Review – Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 #15 (Dark Horse)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Rebekah Isaacs
Release Date: 20th May, 2015

With the conclusion of the “Relationship Status: Complicated” arc, writer Christos Gage throws pretty much everything but the kitchen sink at this issue. There’s flashbacks, bad guys throwing out tropes, like drunks at the end of the night (violently), amazing sound effects like “slikt”, a surprise finish, and an even more surprising cameo/cliffhanger (spoilers, read our interview with Gage to find out who!)

Once again, the style of the book is absolutely nailed. From the way characters are depicted and the way they “speak”, this is very much the Buffy I remember from back in the day. The way Gage manages to snap Spike out of being a puppet fell a bit flat for me though, as it seemed, if anything, too easy? That said, you have to realise how much Spike has been through over the years and in that respect, it makes sense that he wouldn’t want to be controlled by anyone else, let alone hurt someone he’s actually grown to care for in the way he does for Buffy. The backup cast are also well-utilised, and after they’ve been a part of the series for this long, its plain to see that every one of them is important in their own way without it coming across as cheap.

It’s been widely discussed, but Rebekah Isaacs has been slaying it on this book, from the way she makes characters “act”, to the motion shown on the page and the fact that everything looks so damn natural. Is it wrong that I think the style of the characters are amazing? I realise it’s probably not something I should notice, but they all look good.

Enough about fashion choices though. Gage and Isaacs have smashed it on this arc and the season is really hitting its stride now, leading towards a big crossover and – hopefully – intertwining arcs. This is shaping up to be one of the best seasons of Buffy yet.

P.S. Best use of the word “wanker” in a book this year so far.

Rating: 4/5.

PREVIEW ARTWORK
[Click to Enlarge]