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Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 9 Volume 4: Welcome to the Team by Andrew Chambliss, Joss Whedon
roboxa's review against another edition
4.0
It really is back to basics with this installment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy is no longer attached to the business operation that Kennedy has created (which I was not a fan of, mostly because I hate Kennedy) and is back on the streets doing what she does best, fight vampires (technically zompires) and trying to save the world.
This is the Buffy I've been missing, and I'm so glad to have her back. Even though the gang is not back together by the end of this volume it would seem that things may be heading in that direction. That, and the guys at comic-con said that is. There were a lot of surprises in this volume, and I'm excited to see where this takes the series.
I am a fan of the new addition to the group, Billy, who despite being without special slayer abilities, is doing pretty well for himself and can certainly keep his own in a fight. Despite this, he continues to believe that he is worthless and should quit until his boyfriend, Devon, reassures him that he is an integral part of the team. He still has some growing up to do, and I'm excited to watch him go through all the motions as I do like him.
I'm still a little iffy on Dowling, the cop that now helps Buffy slay the zompires. He still has a little bit of character building to go, especially since it looks like he is a potential love interest for Buffy. I feel about Dowling how I feel about my friends new dating partners. I have to meet them and approve before I allow it to happen. Maybe allow is the wrong word, but you get what I mean.
The art is still of the highest caliber, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Georges Jeanty. I feel that he really stays true to the characters, not just with their looks, but their expressions are believable and often affecting.
Overall, I was quite impressed with this volume and can't wait to go buy the next one. Probably in the next couple of days. I was a little weary of where it was heading for the last couple of volumes, but now I'm feeling better. I firmly believe that it's now back on track since I had the feeling it was kind of losing its way. A great addition to the growing Buffyverse.
This is the Buffy I've been missing, and I'm so glad to have her back. Even though the gang is not back together by the end of this volume it would seem that things may be heading in that direction. That, and the guys at comic-con said that is. There were a lot of surprises in this volume, and I'm excited to see where this takes the series.
I am a fan of the new addition to the group, Billy, who despite being without special slayer abilities, is doing pretty well for himself and can certainly keep his own in a fight. Despite this, he continues to believe that he is worthless and should quit until his boyfriend, Devon, reassures him that he is an integral part of the team. He still has some growing up to do, and I'm excited to watch him go through all the motions as I do like him.
I'm still a little iffy on Dowling, the cop that now helps Buffy slay the zompires. He still has a little bit of character building to go, especially since it looks like he is a potential love interest for Buffy. I feel about Dowling how I feel about my friends new dating partners. I have to meet them and approve before I allow it to happen. Maybe allow is the wrong word, but you get what I mean.
The art is still of the highest caliber, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Georges Jeanty. I feel that he really stays true to the characters, not just with their looks, but their expressions are believable and often affecting.
Overall, I was quite impressed with this volume and can't wait to go buy the next one. Probably in the next couple of days. I was a little weary of where it was heading for the last couple of volumes, but now I'm feeling better. I firmly believe that it's now back on track since I had the feeling it was kind of losing its way. A great addition to the growing Buffyverse.
redhdlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Villains, fights, magic and a cliffhanger. Feels more like the Buffy I love!
zianeu's review against another edition
3.0
BOOM! ILLYRIA! That's most of what I have to say. It covers a lot, but I do like Buffy getting a higher powered team-up.
I'm not loving Billy. I wish I could say more, but that's the extent of my feelings. Well, it feels like a Politically correct tag on, and a sop to the fact that everyone else is leaving her. It's not an equal power relationship and not the family support she has had from her true family. The pressure of Matriarch-hood is something I feel Buffyu could use some respite from. Then again, maybe that's what she wants, no respite. Some things just feel right to people. Buffy might not be avoiding decisions, she is, perhaps, having the forward motion she desires.
Either way, this was a good sequel to "Apart, of Me." I miss Spike, but it's a good time for him to give both of them space. I think Buffy and Spike compliment one another, and I am kind of glad that Buffy met Illyria, but also glad that Spike wasn't their focus at any time. Yay, Series, keep making me happy in tiny ways.
Speaking of those things: the Council was great! I have always loved the little glimpses into demon society. Reluctantly "contacting" Buffy was fun and interesting
I'm not loving Billy. I wish I could say more, but that's the extent of my feelings. Well, it feels like a Politically correct tag on, and a sop to the fact that everyone else is leaving her. It's not an equal power relationship and not the family support she has had from her true family. The pressure of Matriarch-hood is something I feel Buffyu could use some respite from. Then again, maybe that's what she wants, no respite. Some things just feel right to people. Buffy might not be avoiding decisions, she is, perhaps, having the forward motion she desires.
Either way, this was a good sequel to "Apart, of Me." I miss Spike, but it's a good time for him to give both of them space. I think Buffy and Spike compliment one another, and I am kind of glad that Buffy met Illyria, but also glad that Spike wasn't their focus at any time. Yay, Series, keep making me happy in tiny ways.
Speaking of those things: the Council was great! I have always loved the little glimpses into demon society. Reluctantly "contacting" Buffy was fun and interesting
jamsu's review against another edition
3.0
I loved seeing Buffy and Illyria working together but these comics make me like Xander even less. It’s like he forgets that Dawn is Buffys sister.
the1germ's review against another edition
4.0
Illyria! Oh, how I've missed her. And the balloon dude? New favorite.
Loved this collection. The comics have never felt more like the show.
Loved this collection. The comics have never felt more like the show.
gothamshire's review against another edition
4.0
There are few characters I hate more than Xander, so finally putting him on the path of villany seems about right.
Also, more Illyria please, always.
Also, more Illyria please, always.
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
There were some great story arcs in this volume. We see Illyria come back and she is supposed to be this very powerful being of magic. Yet, within a few pages someone has sucked out her power. Yawn. Guess she isn't all that powerful. Silly.
Willow makes an appearance again and all is right with the Buffy verse. Yeah. One of the best arcs of this story is that Dawn is beginning to fade away without the link to magic in the world. She is still a ball of magic. It's a very cool idea, but it other power beings like Buffy can keep their magic, then why wouldn't Dawn. Why does Dawn fade and Buffy doesn't? Still, it's a good storyline. Willow helps Dawn out but she doesn't have enough magic to save her. She needs more. Dawn does wake up.
It appears on the face of things that Xander is going to double cross Buffy, but who knows. We are left on a cliff hanger. I don't like Xander as a character and I think he has always been a jerk and a grade A asshole, but he has always been loyal to Buffy and Willow. I can see him being desperate when it's just Buffy, but with Willow back in the picture, I and the fact that Dawn woke up, I would think he would put his faith in Willow. I don't think it's consistent with what I know of him.
There were a lot of great reveals in this story and I still feel the story is silly. I enjoyed it better when there were an army of slayers. Let's get magic back and move on.
This pales in comparison to the TV show, but it's nice to keep the world going, even if it's much much sillier, or I'm older, one or the other.
Willow makes an appearance again and all is right with the Buffy verse. Yeah. One of the best arcs of this story is that Dawn is beginning to fade away without the link to magic in the world. She is still a ball of magic. It's a very cool idea, but it other power beings like Buffy can keep their magic, then why wouldn't Dawn. Why does Dawn fade and Buffy doesn't? Still, it's a good storyline. Willow helps Dawn out but she doesn't have enough magic to save her. She needs more. Dawn does wake up.
It appears on the face of things that Xander is going to double cross Buffy, but who knows. We are left on a cliff hanger. I don't like Xander as a character and I think he has always been a jerk and a grade A asshole, but he has always been loyal to Buffy and Willow. I can see him being desperate when it's just Buffy, but with Willow back in the picture, I and the fact that Dawn woke up, I would think he would put his faith in Willow. I don't think it's consistent with what I know of him.
There were a lot of great reveals in this story and I still feel the story is silly. I enjoyed it better when there were an army of slayers. Let's get magic back and move on.
This pales in comparison to the TV show, but it's nice to keep the world going, even if it's much much sillier, or I'm older, one or the other.
kriff08's review against another edition
5.0
Buffy is back!
When I was first reading talk about season 9 it was basically that they were going to step away from the strange and over the top that was season 8. The past few volumes have done that, but at the same time Buffy wasn't all in it. She was coping with the magical fallout of season 8 in a very self centered passive kinda way. Things are going to change and this is the volume where Buffy finally decides to wake up and see the wrong. I'm not going to go into great detail because I don't really want to give anything away, but I will say this- the script was so like the tv show I could hear their voices reading them as I read it. Amazing! I do, however, have a small complaint and it can be clearly seen on page one: what is up with the zompires' heads? They are like a bit out of scale and it really threw me because I've come to expect more from previous volumes. There were a few frames I was a tad disappointed by but the overall was still very awesome. I'd recommend this to any fans especially those struggling with the strange of season 8 because this really is a return to the Buffy I've always loved. Amazing thank you!
When I was first reading talk about season 9 it was basically that they were going to step away from the strange and over the top that was season 8. The past few volumes have done that, but at the same time Buffy wasn't all in it. She was coping with the magical fallout of season 8 in a very self centered passive kinda way. Things are going to change and this is the volume where Buffy finally decides to wake up and see the wrong. I'm not going to go into great detail because I don't really want to give anything away, but I will say this- the script was so like the tv show I could hear their voices reading them as I read it. Amazing! I do, however, have a small complaint and it can be clearly seen on page one: what is up with the zompires' heads? They are like a bit out of scale and it really threw me because I've come to expect more from previous volumes. There were a few frames I was a tad disappointed by but the overall was still very awesome. I'd recommend this to any fans especially those struggling with the strange of season 8 because this really is a return to the Buffy I've always loved. Amazing thank you!