Review: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #5
Things are less than sunny in Sunnydale, as this issue starts. Sure, it all seems normal, well as normal as a blonde cheerleader stabbing vamps goes. But this time around, this re-imagining of Buffy-lore carries with it a new status quo.
For those who may have missed a couple of issues, the scoop is that there may be a new vamp in town: Xander! In a previous issues, Dru finally got to sink her teeth into one of the Scooby Gang. How will the gang get their resident joker back and is he actually beyond saving? Not according to Jenny Calendar and Giles who are both trying their best to stave off the demonic side looking to take hold.
One of the things I like about Jordie Bellaire’s run so far is her total lack of fear when it comes to how she deals with the characters that have become so familiar. In Bellaire’s hands, I actually feel that no character is safe. What also helps Bellaire is the dialogue that matches the vibe of the show, even if it is set in a more contemporary time; remember after all the show is over 20 years old. The characters sound like themselves, well apart from vamp Xander. It will be interesting to see how other aspects of the show reveal their newer versions.
The art by David López carries a Babs Tarr style that seems to have taken hold of large parts of comic book art. I am not saying that it is bad, but this style has become quite common place. In this book, the art does carry the emotion of the characters well. The show was as much about the gang’s reaction to each other, as much as it was about the monster they faced together, López’ art has cartoon like elements in places which helps convey the sense of fun. The opening pages take this a step further with some strong dynamism. With Bellaire being more know for her colors, it would interesting to find out she works with Raúl Angulo, who provides the colors for this issue. Angulo uses a style that focuses on set background colors to help create certain moods; red for the anger in the fight, the yellow highlighting the candles used to protect the gang from Xander. By using this style the emphasis adds to the settings rather than detract. Finally, Ed Dukeshire maintains the sense of fun through an enjoyable font.
This series has been an interesting read from the get go, with Bellaire and company adding new twists to an all ready popular series.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Jordie Bellaire
Art by; David López
Colors by; Raúl Angulo
Letters by; Ed Dukeshire
Published by; BOOM! Studios
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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