The "Really Cool Girl" Is Back! (And Everything Buffy Season 8)

[gbeenie]

I dunno. He's a really good writer, but Ultimates 3 was a disaster.

[TeamRAD]

Why is it Loeb can write an awesome one shot Buffy but manages to make the Ultimates look like a crappy fanfic?

I don't read the Ultimates, but Loeb did have some amazing source material to work with in #20.

Here's a preview of #22 for anyone that's interested...

http://www.tfaw.com/First-Looks/Buffy-The-Vampire-Slayer:-Season-Eight-22___334959?p=0&prodid=334959

It looks pretty tight....but that isn't any surprise.

And here's a neat interview with Ms. Espenson... (spoiler-riffic)

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010909-Espenson1.html

Yeah – well, the second part to the story of how I told Joss how I only wanted to write a one-issue story was that he called me later on and asked me to write this five issue Oz arc and I agreed to do that, and have turned in the first of the five issues.

That's going to rock! I cannot wait for Oz's reemergence.

[TeamRAD]

So w/ the release of #23 fast approaching, I just glanced at DH's preview, and this cannot be a coincidence...right?



&




How's Andrew connected w/ Twilight? 

And, did anyone else enjoy those vampire kitties from #22 as much as I did? Oh and props to the marriage proposal in the Slay the Critics section of #22. That was ingenious.

[TeamRAD]

Wow, it's been almost a month! I'm finally getting to Book #23 sometime tonight or tomorrow. It was unfortunate, I received my copy of Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe on the same day #23 was released. So it's been all Pilgrim the past two weeks, and I'm now ready to dive back into Season Eight. But until then, check it out, an update on the coolest marriage proposal, ever...

http://www.darkhorse.com/Zones/Buffy

Best of wishes, Dillon & Sarin!

[Tripe]

Yeah I wondered why you didn't seem to get the reference I made to 23 a while back

[TeamRAD]

Yeah I wondered why you didn't seem to get the reference I made to 23 a while back

When I read those particular panels, it finally dawned on me what you were referencing! That was truly one-of-the greatest things that has transpired in this series, the geek-bonding of Andrew & Buffy....

"See, the idea is that Helen Keller becomes like a secret agent for the government, right? Which makes her Helen Killer, get it? Genius!"

The transitions were out-of-this world funny and SO random...

"Jem is truly outrageous, truly, truly, truly outrageous..."

The Buffy/'drew trip to Italy delivered the goods we were all but promised, and if I needed anymore reasons why I love Buffy, the character, she not only accepts Andrew into the Scooby Gang, she tells him to get used to screwing up for good reasons. Her moral code is the ultimate.

And that Simone cat...*whistles*

...she's a different shade of Nietzsche than what I was used to w/ Faith, circa 3 & 4. She's a nifty foe.

I just picked up and read #24 this afternoon, and I'm so ever thankful there's an Eighth Season. Why besides the obvious? The very last panel of the book, Faith's "Aim for the heart". She's officially gone full-circle, and I've to hand it to the Buffy think-tank, her journey has been such an exhilarating ride...and it definitely touched my heart.

I loved the idea of the Slayer Sanctuary, and it's deception. Also, Taquitos made a special-guest appearance! However, it was most deservedly over-shadowed w/ what I see as the final act of Faith's reformation, and I cannot wait to see where she goes on from here on out.

I'd also like to add that I'll be bummed if Giles or Andrew have any connections w/ Twilight. 

[Tripe]

OK still need to pick up 24, will do that over the weekend probably.

EDIT:

OK so I did that, loved the story but what really struck me is the shear volume of the letters on that relationship. Man have to say I agree that the foreshadowing could have been better but wow it didn't really phase me at all.

I'm still waiting for the realization of Dawnder. More Dawnder please!

[TeamRAD]

Alright, we're 5/8ths through Season Eight! Cheers!!

Book 25

I've given it two readings now, and this is what I enjoyed from it...

• Geppetto! I loved the misdirection (torture) of the first nine panels as he was keeping her soul safe. How adorable! 
• Was Geppetto's "Until you're safe" quote foreshadow any further significance? Is it possible she's still the key?? There's bound to be much more involved w/ dimensional portals in this season, and I'm curious if there's more at work in that particular piece of dialogue.
• So if Dawn's transformations signify Buffy's neglect of her, what does the doll represent? Theoretically, wasn't she a bundle of energy to begin with...a living doll? 
• Be it that Dawn's back to normal-sized, does anyone remember this line of dialogue from the very first book..."once she becomes person sized, she's out of there." What's the propensity of that happening now coinciding w/ how much the game has changed from then?
  
• I fell in love w/ this Xander-line, "I have an ace in my hole. Let me instantly rephrase that...we have an inside man."
• Willow isn't only casting spells backwards but also referencing Mortal Kombat? EREHAVOTEG! (GET OVA HERE!) 
• Do you know what this "Predators and Prey" arc reminded me of? "Conversations With Dead People". It really is it, but executed MUCH better.
• I was hoping for a Sid the Dummy sighting in Geppetto's workshop.
• The Buffy/Dawn bonding at the end of the book was very touching and ended w/ the perfect tone..."and I will kill you." (for scratching her Veronica Mars DVD)
• Buffy and the Wolverine arm-thingy!
• Finally, I'm hoping we see more of Kenny in the future.

Super book! Oz is back in July!!

[Tripe]

Huh? I imagine the computer must have crashed as I hit send on my rpely to that.

OK so thinking back to what I said:

• Geppetto! I loved the misdirection (torture) of the first nine panels as he was keeping her soul safe. How adorable! 

Just like the creepy little Dawnie Doll which I still want to get if it's ever made, I was hoping for Mermaid Dawn, just 'cause.

• Was Geppetto's "Until you're safe" quote foreshadow any further significance? Is it possible she's still the key?? There's bound to be much more involved w/ dimensional portals in this season, and I'm curious if there's more at work in that particular piece of dialogue.

Interesting, I mean I don't think she was ever deactivated was she, she was made human while still being The Key.

• So if Dawn's transformations signify Buffy's neglect of her, what does the doll represent? Theoretically, wasn't she a bundle of energy to begin with...a living doll? 

Yeah I wonder about what her existance prior to comming to Buffy was like. There's story potential there.

• Be it that Dawn's back to normal-sized, does anyone remember this line of dialogue from the very first book..."once she becomes person sized, she's out of there." What's the propensity of that happening now coinciding w/ how much the game has changed from then?
  

I doubt Dawn's going anywhere except to Xander's room at some point.

• I was hoping for a Sid the Dummy sighting in Geppetto's workshop.

That would have been pretty cool

• Finally, I'm hoping we see more of Kenny in the future.

Which would also be cool.

Super book! Oz is back in July!!

Yes agreed and I loved the Oz miniseries from a few years ago.

OK so not loving this months digressive issue, primarily because I'm not too fond of the Tales of the Vampires on general principals but this story is kind of dull really.

[Courtney]

The rumors are looking more promising-er: http://www.tvovermind.com/tv-news/buffys-coming-back/5625

[Tripe]

Yay animated Centawn! Yay animated comics!

[TeamRAD]

• Was Geppetto's "Until you're safe" quote foreshadow any further significance? Is it possible she's still the key?? There's bound to be much more involved w/ dimensional portals in this season, and I'm curious if there's more at work in that particular piece of dialogue.

Interesting, I mean I don't think she was ever deactivated was she, she was made human while still being The Key.

I hope I'm not raising my expectations too high w/ the above bit of detail. It would add such a wonderful touch to this season and would fit into the season's narrative, perfectly, w/ the use of the dimensional portals, Twilight's ambitions, and pulling at the heartstrings concerning the Buffy/Dawn dynamic. Come on, Joss...game on?

OK so not loving this months digressive issue, primarily because I'm not too fond of the Tales of the Vampires on general principals but this story is kind of dull really.

I probably won't pick that up be it I wasn't a fan of the original 5-book run. I'm just going to take a break before Retreat hits us on July 1st.

[TeamRAD]

Book #26, has anyone given it a reading?

[Tripe]

Oh yes, been a tad preoccupied. I thought it was pretty good, will say more when I'm more awake.

[Tripe]

Ok read both 26 and 27 now.

Yay Oz! I loved the look everyone gave the puppy before being told that it was, you know, just a puppy.