This was a well thought-out review, and points to lots of problems I'm having with the issue (but can't talk about on the board that shall not be named because I obviously can't behave myself).
I don't necessarily know what will happen to Buffy, but I do predict that her relationship with Angel will be shattered (you don't know how desperately I need this for my mental stability), she and Spike will be separated, and Season 9 will be about getting the whole gang (whomever survives, and I agree - Giles is toast; you don't get a badass cover like #39 unless it's a kiss goodbye) back together again. Or they could do something revolutionary like have a cohesive plot that doesn't take forever to get to the point of, but I kinda doubt that. Cohesive isn't in the DH dictionary.
I do predict that her relationship with Angel will be shattered
Agree.
she and Spike will be separated
Most likely.
Season 9 will be about getting the whole gang (whomever survives, and I agree - Giles is toast; you don't get a badass cover like #39 unless it's a kiss goodbye) back together again.
I'm not sure about it. There will be three series - "Buffy", "Angel" and "Spike". Plus, "Willow" (maybe mini). I expect some shuffling of the remaining characters between these titles. While Angel has his gang from TV time, Spike's companions were created by Lynch and I doubt that Joss will use them. So, maybe, he'll pair Spike with somebody from Buffy's team. Actually, I wouldn't mind Spike, Xander and Dawn intergalactic adventures on his ship. :)
Is the Spike series is a sure thing? I don't think we've had confirmation. In fact, I'd be very surprised if it comes off, because personally, I don't think Joss has any more to say about Spike.
Is the Spike series is a sure thing? I don't think we've had confirmation. In fact, I'd be very surprised if it comes off, because personally, I don't think Joss has any more to say about Spike.
I'm hoping that by "Season 9", Joss will have completely lost interest in the Buffyverse comics and leave all the decisions to the Dark Horse staff -- including which characters they use and what stories they tell. I don't want him doing what he did at IDW: make lots of rules and demands (like "I forbid you to resurrect Fred!") and then leave. I want him out of the picture lock, stock, and barrel, and I want the comic book companies to grow a pair and do things THEIR way, not his. If they've got any kind of business sense, they'll use Spike a lot, because he has a huge fan base and he sells comics, no matter what Whedon thinks of him.
I have read the issue, and the Serenity: Shepherd's Tale, and I found them both to be interesting and disappointing at the same time. Your review is a good representation of my feelings... although I'm not at all sure that everything will come to fruition in issue #39, I worry I'll have to wait until late January for #40 before we actually get the finale (with a one page teaser at the end). It is very frustrating to wait a month for each issue, and today we heard that issue #40 will be released a couple of weeks late, making a six week wait after #39. *sigh*
I haven't read Shepherd's Tale yet, but looking forward to it.
Yes, I heard about the delay *sighs* I wonder if Joss has intentionally timed the last issue to Buffy's birthday. Given all the talks about the new beginning... :)
I've been told it's deliberate. If they were delaying just for story production I think they would've reasons they'd have pushed it back a month. They like releasing the Buffy comics on the first Wednesday of every month for the most part.
I think they planned the delay for story production purposes and because the date is meaningful. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
and you have to wait anoher month to find out how exactly it plays out.
I wouldn't have had a problem with that. I understood everything that came before and you wonder what happens next. In these books, nothing makes sense and this was pretty much the last chance for them to explain things. And they didn't.
It will be interesting to see how Joss manages to keep BtVS' feminist cred intact.
That sort of went out the window a long time ago, I think.
including Buffy's glowhypnol residuals.
What residuals, though? Buffy says in 37 that the effect apparently isn't all that much, so I don't think 1+1=2 with her bawling her eyes out on the floor when whatever residuals get lifted.
I have to confess that I base this prediction on Joss' confession that his wife figured out the ending as soon as he told her that Twilight is Angel.There's a lot to suggest it in-story, too. But it also seems quite a lot of the things we're told happen in the comics, won't. Fray's brother said he (Buffy/Slayer of Slayers) fights with Willow at some point
( ... )
Wow! I adore your comment... and I need to process it. I'll write a detailed reply tomorrow... or, rather, today, as it's 5 a.m. in my time zone. *off to bed*
Cool beans. Most of it is, of course, just blather, but I think it has foundation within the story and suggested by Jeanty. I take Joss's odd phrasings into account a lot, because he doesn't (usually) just shoot words off.
Pain is a big theme. Amy can't bear it if her attack on Buffy was painless. That's why I think Buffy's going to be restored somehow to mirror Becoming. Like Living Doll, where the puppeteer says if Dawn breaks open, it'll be extremely painful and Dawn's story in a lot of ways parallels Buffy's. The empty, soulless dolls defending the puppeteer no matter what, kind of like Buffy with Angel (whose costume is made by the puppeteer).
Also regarding the back in time bit, time is also a big theme. Multiple arcs dealing with it and another odd Joss phrase about Buffy leaving her kingdom for the forest of the now. Many mentions of Buffy being stuck in the past. Even in her flashback dream where she kicks the red jewel off the dragon, when she hits the ground, she wakes up, which is always a big theme.
Upon thinking and processing your ideas.... You know, I just rewatched the last act of "Normal Again". The ending suggests that NA-verse is as valid as the regular verse. And there are strong hints шт the show that NA-verse is the "heaven" where Buffy went after her death. It would be cool mirroring of Becoming if Angel sends Buffy to hell - but it would be even cooler if Angel sends Buffy her "heaven". The place where she is a regular girl. Kind of.
Joss could construct a universe similar to "the Attic" in Dollhouse. The next season could be Buffy's journey through her subconsciousness. That way Joss will be able to tell new stories, to keep it fresh and to defy expectations - again!
Buffy wears a cross in this issue. Somebody checked the flashforward panel.
When she got even with the Master in #36 she didn't have it. So curious how Jeanty likes to accessorize. Or maybe she had it in the combat jacket. Did you notice Buffy was in the orange top when Willow fainted and wearing the jacket next panel?
Anyway, sorry for the bug (that was random bug not Bug One) but if he wouldn't complained about his glorious leader he may have lived.
Can't wait to see what Angel will do in the next issue, 'cause hey Buffy always finds a way and if there are impossible things to do there's where Spike lives.
Maybe it's the first season when she doesn't. I suspect it since that bank robbery revelation. My impression is that Joss wants her to fall hard. *pets poor Buffy*
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I don't necessarily know what will happen to Buffy, but I do predict that her relationship with Angel will be shattered (you don't know how desperately I need this for my mental stability), she and Spike will be separated, and Season 9 will be about getting the whole gang (whomever survives, and I agree - Giles is toast; you don't get a badass cover like #39 unless it's a kiss goodbye) back together again. Or they could do something revolutionary like have a cohesive plot that doesn't take forever to get to the point of, but I kinda doubt that. Cohesive isn't in the DH dictionary.
And I'm back to using my unhappy Season 8 icon.
Reply
Agree.
she and Spike will be separated
Most likely.
Season 9 will be about getting the whole gang (whomever survives, and I agree - Giles is toast; you don't get a badass cover like #39 unless it's a kiss goodbye) back together again.
I'm not sure about it. There will be three series - "Buffy", "Angel" and "Spike". Plus, "Willow" (maybe mini). I expect some shuffling of the remaining characters between these titles. While Angel has his gang from TV time, Spike's companions were created by Lynch and I doubt that Joss will use them. So, maybe, he'll pair Spike with somebody from Buffy's team. Actually, I wouldn't mind Spike, Xander and Dawn intergalactic adventures on his ship. :)
And I'm back to using my unhappy Season 8 icon.
*hugs*
Reply
Reply
I'm hoping that by "Season 9", Joss will have completely lost interest in the Buffyverse comics and leave all the decisions to the Dark Horse staff -- including which characters they use and what stories they tell. I don't want him doing what he did at IDW: make lots of rules and demands (like "I forbid you to resurrect Fred!") and then leave. I want him out of the picture lock, stock, and barrel, and I want the comic book companies to grow a pair and do things THEIR way, not his. If they've got any kind of business sense, they'll use Spike a lot, because he has a huge fan base and he sells comics, no matter what Whedon thinks of him.
Reply
Your review is a good representation of my feelings... although I'm not at all sure that everything will come to fruition in issue #39, I worry I'll have to wait until late January for #40 before we actually get the finale (with a one page teaser at the end). It is very frustrating to wait a month for each issue, and today we heard that issue #40 will be released a couple of weeks late, making a six week wait after #39.
*sigh*
Reply
Yes, I heard about the delay *sighs* I wonder if Joss has intentionally timed the last issue to Buffy's birthday. Given all the talks about the new beginning... :)
Reply
lol
I could respect THAT, but I very much doubt if it is anything more than Joss' usual procrastination (something he is only guilty of w/comic books)
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I think they planned the delay for story production purposes and because the date is meaningful. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Reply
I wouldn't have had a problem with that. I understood everything that came before and you wonder what happens next. In these books, nothing makes sense and this was pretty much the last chance for them to explain things. And they didn't.
It will be interesting to see how Joss manages to keep BtVS' feminist cred intact.
That sort of went out the window a long time ago, I think.
including Buffy's glowhypnol residuals.
What residuals, though? Buffy says in 37 that the effect apparently isn't all that much, so I don't think 1+1=2 with her bawling her eyes out on the floor when whatever residuals get lifted.
I have to confess that I base this prediction on Joss' confession that his wife figured out the ending as soon as he told her that Twilight is Angel.There's a lot to suggest it in-story, too. But it also seems quite a lot of the things we're told happen in the comics, won't. Fray's brother said he (Buffy/Slayer of Slayers) fights with Willow at some point ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Cool beans. Most of it is, of course, just blather, but I think it has foundation within the story and suggested by Jeanty. I take Joss's odd phrasings into account a lot, because he doesn't (usually) just shoot words off.
Pain is a big theme. Amy can't bear it if her attack on Buffy was painless. That's why I think Buffy's going to be restored somehow to mirror Becoming. Like Living Doll, where the puppeteer says if Dawn breaks open, it'll be extremely painful and Dawn's story in a lot of ways parallels Buffy's. The empty, soulless dolls defending the puppeteer no matter what, kind of like Buffy with Angel (whose costume is made by the puppeteer).
Also regarding the back in time bit, time is also a big theme. Multiple arcs dealing with it and another odd Joss phrase about Buffy leaving her kingdom for the forest of the now. Many mentions of Buffy being stuck in the past. Even in her flashback dream where she kicks the red jewel off the dragon, when she hits the ground, she wakes up, which is always a big theme.
Rambled again.
Reply
Upon thinking and processing your ideas.... You know, I just rewatched the last act of "Normal Again". The ending suggests that NA-verse is as valid as the regular verse. And there are strong hints шт the show that NA-verse is the "heaven" where Buffy went after her death. It would be cool mirroring of Becoming if Angel sends Buffy to hell - but it would be even cooler if Angel sends Buffy her "heaven". The place where she is a regular girl. Kind of.
Joss could construct a universe similar to "the Attic" in Dollhouse. The next season could be Buffy's journey through her subconsciousness. That way Joss will be able to tell new stories, to keep it fresh and to defy expectations - again!
Reply
Reply
Reply
When she got even with the Master in #36 she didn't have it. So curious how Jeanty likes to accessorize. Or maybe she had it in the combat jacket. Did you notice Buffy was in the orange top when Willow fainted and wearing the jacket next panel?
Anyway, sorry for the bug (that was random bug not Bug One) but if he wouldn't complained about his glorious leader he may have lived.
Can't wait to see what Angel will do in the next issue, 'cause hey Buffy always finds a way and if there are impossible things to do there's where Spike lives.
Nice reading you
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Maybe it's the first season when she doesn't. I suspect it since that bank robbery revelation. My impression is that Joss wants her to fall hard. *pets poor Buffy*
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