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kkaste's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
narflet's review against another edition
2.0
This the the TPB that contains the controversial storyline (issues #6-#10) - - which I thought was rather messily done overall, so this isn't my favourite collection. On the whole, I've found Season 9's sister-story in Angel & Faith to be of a higher quality and much more consistent with its storytelling. However, this volume also includes the super fun Buffy/Alien FCBD story, which I found rather entertaining.
However, one can't fault the production. The volume is nicely put together, as always, with a lovely cover from Jo Chen. I'm glad she's still a part of the team, because her art is amazing and it's nice that all the Season 8 paperbacks, and the library hardbacks, have Chen covers as it provides a lovely visual identity. It's nice too that the Season 9 paperbacks have an identity of their own that's different to the S8 paperbacks. Good choice.
There's also small, but nice, sketchbook/cover gallery section of Georges Jeanty's art at the end with some interesting commentary (including the story of the 'fake' cover). It's a good addition, because then it makes the collection something more special, rather than just a bind up of the issues.
Spoiler
Buffy's 'pregnancy', the abortion decision, and the robot revealHowever, one can't fault the production. The volume is nicely put together, as always, with a lovely cover from Jo Chen. I'm glad she's still a part of the team, because her art is amazing and it's nice that all the Season 8 paperbacks, and the library hardbacks, have Chen covers as it provides a lovely visual identity. It's nice too that the Season 9 paperbacks have an identity of their own that's different to the S8 paperbacks. Good choice.
There's also small, but nice, sketchbook/cover gallery section of Georges Jeanty's art at the end with some interesting commentary (including the story of the 'fake' cover). It's a good addition, because then it makes the collection something more special, rather than just a bind up of the issues.
emmapants's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
taskir's review against another edition
1.0
AUGH. So frustrating. The ending of Season 9 #1, Freefall, made me extremely excited to read this volume. The idea of Buffy being pregnant was, I thought, a great direction to take the character in. When Buffy was speaking with Robin and puzzling over her options and trying to decide what was best for both her and a child, I was fascinated. "Finally," I thought, "for the first time in a long time I feel as though there are some actual stakes here, some real drama and something that will actually affect all of the characters!"
Then.
Then she's a robot.
Ha ha, all that dramatic stuff, the possible abortion, the emotional and mental fallout from this very difficult decision, the stuff that could make Buffy somewhat relatable and remind the audience, "Oh yeah, she's human too" -- undone. Completely.
After that, the rest of the book is just pointless. The conflict with Simone is resolved far too easily (how long was she supposed to have been holding Buffy's body if she had enough time to dye her hair and completely convince her that Buffybot is right?), and the rest is needless Spuffy drama, and stuff with Detective Downing of Useless Squad.
Don't even get me started on how apparently the xenomorphs are vampire -- excuse me, 'zompire' (blargh) -- bugs.
Then.
Then she's a robot.
Ha ha, all that dramatic stuff, the possible abortion, the emotional and mental fallout from this very difficult decision, the stuff that could make Buffy somewhat relatable and remind the audience, "Oh yeah, she's human too" -- undone. Completely.
After that, the rest of the book is just pointless. The conflict with Simone is resolved far too easily (how long was she supposed to have been holding Buffy's body if she had enough time to dye her hair and completely convince her that Buffybot is right?), and the rest is needless Spuffy drama, and stuff with Detective Downing of Useless Squad.
Don't even get me started on how apparently the xenomorphs are vampire -- excuse me, 'zompire' (blargh) -- bugs.
numinaluna's review against another edition
4.0
I really didn't know where they were going to go with that last panel of 9.1, but I LIKED it. Then the rest of the shit happened (dammit, Andrew), and I lost a little interest. Also, spacebugs. Kinda lame. But I'm always hopeful when Buffy smiles, so I'm looking forward to the rest of these.
slipperbunny's review against another edition
4.0
So I mostly loved this comic because I love to see Spike and Buffy together. Although they really weren't together but they were talking a lot about important things together. But honestly, Andrew!? Always when I start to like him he does something incredibly stupid. I'm reading these Buffy comics in a totally wrong order and now I'm a bit annoyed that I missed the part where Xander and Dawn started dating. I want to know more about that.
djotaku's review against another edition
4.0
The opening section with the 70s section was fun. The season 9 controversy was somewhat contrived with the twist. But the season is in an interesting place.
So far Whedon seems to be keeping his promise to not go buck wild with this season.
So far Whedon seems to be keeping his promise to not go buck wild with this season.
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was great! It totally felt like I was back watching the show at its best. The Buffy bot! Spuffy feels! Nikki, 70s NYC Slayer! Buffy fighting herself! Real world problems mixed with paranormal Slayer problems! There was nothing about this I did not love, except 1) some hints of Xander being a jackass to Dawn?? 2) continuing art that could be better (although to be fair I didn't have trouble telling anyone apart this volume).
faithdarlingbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I felt really let down when I started this volume after where we left off at the end of Freefall. I think an opportunity was missed to do something really amazing--whatever it was that she ended up doing.
The story moved along from that though, and while I'm still upset about the possibilities that we'll never explore, I did enjoy what did happen.
Also, the space issue in the back is just the best. I wanted something like that.
The story moved along from that though, and while I'm still upset about the possibilities that we'll never explore, I did enjoy what did happen.
Also, the space issue in the back is just the best. I wanted something like that.