S8 Comics-- Issue #36

[ms_scarletibis]

So yeah, I realize I'm way behind, and I didn't read anyone's thoughts on this issue.  In fact, I just read it.  There were some things that stuck out in my mind as interesting, curious, off putting or just plain yucky.

Thanks to Emmie for the screencaps.

Comments

[eleusis_walks]

Or does Cordelia just not matter in this universe?

It's a universe written by Joss, so yeah she is irrelevant. He's nothing if not consistent in his petty grudges.

He actually had Angel say to Buffy that he has "never been happy with anyone else." The comics have so little relation to AtS canon it's staggering.

Personally I just don't understand how The Master is supposed to be remotely threatening or interesting. Buffy killed him when she was sixteen. In like, thirty seconds.

[ms_scarletibis]

He actually had Angel say to Buffy that he has "never been happy with anyone else." The comics have so little relation to AtS canon it's staggering.

Yeah...except that's just not true. The only time he even laughed in Sunnydale was with Cordelia. She made him leagues happier than Buffy. That's just stupid. Pfft.

Agreed on the Master. I...don't get it.

[eleusis_walks]

It's just the most unbelievably ridiculous heap of trash. I am glad I have no problem considering them non-canonical, and I feel bad for people who privilege Joss's word over text integrity. Because man, these things suck.

[angearia]

I feel bad for people who privilege Joss's word over text integrity. Because man, these things suck.

Seriously? That's charming.

[eleusis_walks]

I don't feel bad for people who like them! I'm glad someone's enjoying them. I'm saying I feel bad for people who hate them but think Word Of Joss (or authorial intent, basically) is what defines canon rather than the boundaries of a text.

It is making a lot of people pretty upset, whereas I don't think canon can extend outside the base text into this new medium and therefore I'm much happier over here.

Ed: Also, obviously, "heap of trash" and "these things suck" are only my subjective opinions.

[stormwreath]

The only time he even laughed in Sunnydale was with Cordelia. She made him leagues happier than Buffy.

Then why didn't he lose his soul with Cordelia? ;-)

[ms_scarletibis]

He didn't lose his soul to Buffy because she made him happy--it was because of what she represented. Darla was right--it was her purity and the fact that she as a slayer was meant to be a warrior of good. Being with her was like cleansing himself in goodness, and not Buffy herself.

[stormwreath]

In other words, Buffy made him happier than anybody else ever has because of what she represented to him; not just because of who they were and what sort of relationship they had as people? ;-)

[ms_scarletibis]

...not just because of who they were and what sort of relationship they had as people?

I think if you removed what she represented to him, than the loss of his soul would not have occurred, no.

[eleusis_walks]

Um, he did lose his soul with Cordelia. Have you watched AtS?

[stormwreath]

Yes. Are you talking about 'Awakening'? Because that didn't just involve Cordelia, it involved his every wish coming true one after the next... and at the very end when he was in bed with Cordy, whose name did he call out? ;-)

[moscow_watcher]

whose name did he call out? ;-)

Maybe he was horrified that he had fallen into the same trap again? :)

[eleusis_walks]

He says Buffy's name after he realizes he is losing his soul, because he suddenly understands what is going on -- he is losing his soul like he did with Buffy. It's not like he goes OH YEAH BUFFY when he is having sex with Cordelia.

Obviously "Awakening" involves more than just Cordelia, but Angel's life is a lot more complicated by that point than it was when he was with Buffy. Loving sex with Cordelia is still the final piece of the puzzle needed to make him go soulless.

[ms_scarletibis]

Agreed.

I think had Buffy not been a slayer or a virgin, that his soul would have remained in tact.

I don't think it was who she was that did it, so much as what she represented. Let's face it--they were representations for each other on a pedestal--two dimensional. Their relationship, IMO, was not a genuine one. The moment in "Awakening" with Cordelia was about connection with someone he loved and knew, and someone who knew all that he was. The same cannot be said with Buffy in "Surprise."

<--hopes that made sense.

[eleusis_walks]

I think it was a genuine relationship, but it wasn't a very mature one. Regardless I think being with Buffy was super important to Angel growing up, and vice-versa, so I'm glad they were together. I just think his relationship with Cordelia is a much more fulfilling and adult one.

[ms_scarletibis]

Agreed.

I guess I just meant that Bangel was more topical, and Cangel was of real substance. Juvenile vs. Mature, I guess is what it comes down to.