(Review) BtVS 9.14 'Billy the Vampire Slayer' Part I

[stormwreath]

'Billy the Vampire Slayer' is a two-part stand-alone part of Season 9, written by Jane Espenson and Drew Z Greenberg. As such, it's this season's equivalent of 'The Chain' or 'The Thrill' - at least so far, Buffy herself doesn't appear in it (though she's mentioned a couple of times); Part 1 has only original characters. I idea, I take it, is to

Comments

[erimthar]

I had the exact same theory about Devon being a vampire. (Though I thought he was imitating Spike rather than Angel... his hair is blonde, and his coat is a regular leather jacket rather than a trenchcoat). But the theory fell apart when I realized all regular vampires pre-date the breaking of the Seed, and it would have been impossible for Devon to pose as a high school student for all that time in broad daylight.

I also thought that Garron was a vampire when he confronted Billy on his front porch: he appeared just at sunset, he hadn't been in school that day, he looks like he has fangs in one panel, and when Post kills him he doesn't try to feed on him. But, this theory fails for the same reasons... unless there are regular vampires still being sired somehow, unbeknownst to us or Buffy & Co.

I am still suspicious of Devon. He can't be a vampire, but his vampire-esque qualities that you mentioned, his Spike-like wardrobe, his significant knowledge of Slayers and zompires suggest that if he has an ulterior motive, it might be to use Billy to get close to Buffy, for purposes of either harming her or stalking her.

The bit about Post entering Billy's room without an invitation is bothersome. The most plausible theory I've heard is that the invitation rule applies (mystically) to the demon who inhabits regular vampires, and so zompires are exempt. They may also be too stupid to even understand the concept of an invitation. But, if they are capable of entering anyone's home at will, they are clearly vastly more dangerous than regular vampires despite their low intelligence and lack of tactics.

This issue is probably my favorite Jane Espenson effort yet in the canon comics... despite the fact that it's the first issue to feature not a single one of the TV show characters.

[stormwreath]

Devon can't help being blond instead of black-haired - but he's not a peroxide blonde! And Spike's hair is shorter than Angel's, whereas Devon's is long at the front.

I did wonder if Devon is supposed to be older, and not at high school - can many American 16-year olds afford to own a flashy red sports car? So he could be new in town, and thus a pre-Seed vampire. But I agree, there are a lot of holes in te theory.

I'm a little suspicious of his motives too - why does he want Billy to be a slayer rather than doing it himself? But he could be just what he seems: someone who got interested in vampire and Slayer lore after it all became public knowledge in S8.

It would be interesting to see what Chanterelilyanne thinks of him, if she's still around...

I think it was a deliberate fake-out when Garron was made to seem a bit like a vampire in that confrontation - to make the shock bigger when he's actually the real vampire's victim.

Depends on what you count as "the canon comics", but 'Tales of the Vampires: The Thrill' from Season 8 didn't have any of the TV characters either.

[norwie2010]

I think "Devon" is a deliberate call back to "Angel" in season 1 for the purpose of paralleling "Billy" and "Buffy" even more.

[stormwreath]

Interesting thought - though I admit that at one point he actually reminded me a little of Pike from the 'Buffy' movie.

There is a big difference, though, in that Buffy initially resented being Chosen, and only came to accept it as her duty reluctantly. Billy seems less hesitant.

[norwie2010]

Well, they only have 22 pages to develop "Billy" and his "calling" - not 44 minutes x 22 episodes x 7 seasons on TV. ;)

(And now i'm going back to my hiatus - i read this comic because hey! Espenson! Must read, kinda. But that's over now.)

[erimthar]

16-year-olds can have flashy sports cars if their parents are rich... I believe Cordelia had one. I think he must be a student, since a) he hangs around the high school, and b) if he's over 18, the relationship Billy fantasizes about with him would be illegal.

There's a good chance Devon is on the level. I hope he knows what he's doing, though... there's really no place in the world for amateurish Watchers.

I meant this was the first comic in the direct TV show continuity to have no characters from the show. (The numbered season 8 and 9 comics.)

[stormwreath]

I'm pretty sure Devon doesn't really know what he's doing, though. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if he dies next issue, propelling Billy to leave town and get in touch with Buffy.

The Devon who was lead singer for 'Dingoes Ate My Baby' would be about 27 by this stage, so it's probably not him. :)