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Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, Volume 4: Welcome to the Team by Andrew Chambliss, Joss Whedon
kkaste's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
bookdingo's review
3.0
One thing I'm enjoying about this season is how the writers are making sure the "no more magic" thing is consistent and fits into that narrative quite well.
On the other hand, Xander gonna' Xand. I'm disappointed that underneath all the added international adventures, Xander really hasn't changed. Once again, he's hung up on being the hero instead of the sidekick. Perhaps the new close-to-home danger is the beginning of an arc for Xander to finally stop being a dick.
Spoiler
a dying DawnOn the other hand, Xander gonna' Xand. I'm disappointed that underneath all the added international adventures, Xander really hasn't changed. Once again, he's hung up on being the hero instead of the sidekick. Perhaps the new close-to-home danger is the beginning of an arc for Xander to finally stop being a dick.
numinaluna's review
3.0
The storyline is fine, and the dialogue hints of the Whedon-speak that I love so dearly, but this is filler and not all that compelling to me. Also, I don't like the cartoony artwork. I want the realism. I want to feel like I'm watching my favorite show again. This chapter left me feeling like too much was missing, especially after 9.3 was such a strong showing.
kittykult's review
4.0
(If you haven't read the other issues of season 8 and 9, proceed with caution. I will only be hiding spoilers related to this storyline).
This arc is probably my favorite of the Buffy series continuation so far. Up until now, I've been both embracing and reluctant regarding the path the Buffyverse has taken. Y'all know how I felt about the whole "Twilight" arc (or you will, once I finally get over being irritated enough to posting it). And most of this season has been about the world dealing with the consequences of that. And outside of a few shining moments, it still seems like the creators of Buffy are having a difficult time living up to the epicness of season 7. However, the tide started to change with Willow: Wonderland, occurring shortly before the following events, and I'm really starting to like what's happening here. The story is engrossing and well-paced.
As we start this arc, Buffy is facing an even-stronger-than-normal Zompire. Also, Xander is still with the grossness in dating Dawn. As Buffy once said, "Raise your hand if ew."
I refuse to accept this entire relationship, but let's move on, because here is where Buffy. So now, Buffy has a new mission.
As this is happening, let's go back in time for a brief moment for a quick refresher from Andrew. Remember this, because it is wildly important for the rest of the season:
I have hated Dawn since the beginning of her existence. I have always thought she was a bratty, annoying teenager. However, she has grown quite a bit since season 7. Sometimes, even literally (you better laugh at my pun)! Remember how I told you to remember that Dawn is a key? Well - here's where it becomes important, because This arc is one that really brings me around to liking Dawn. I've been a holdout for so long. But now, unlike my hatred of Sansa in the tv show Game of Thrones, my dislike of Dawn is starting to dissolve. It still doesn’t make me accept the yikes that is her relationship with Xander. I’m still gagging.
Speaking of Xander, still reeling from what happened in the Twilight-seed showdown, he is starting to become very angry and embittered. There's a little self-hatred mixed in, a la "Zeppo" episode. He's kind of turning into a total Kyle and I am not a fan of this development. My psychoanalysis is that Giles grew to be like a father to Xander, and facing the loss and his own inability to prevent that loss has caused him to spiral out of control.
Add to this the fact that Simone is continuing to ramp up to be this seasons "Big Bad," and her teaming up with, tension is boiling to the surface - whoops, I actually mean to The Core (again, pun, laugh now please).
This arc is probably my favorite of the Buffy series continuation so far. Up until now, I've been both embracing and reluctant regarding the path the Buffyverse has taken. Y'all know how I felt about the whole "Twilight" arc (or you will, once I finally get over being irritated enough to posting it). And most of this season has been about the world dealing with the consequences of that. And outside of a few shining moments, it still seems like the creators of Buffy are having a difficult time living up to the epicness of season 7. However, the tide started to change with Willow: Wonderland, occurring shortly before the following events, and I'm really starting to like what's happening here. The story is engrossing and well-paced.
As we start this arc, Buffy is facing an even-stronger-than-normal Zompire. Also, Xander is still with the grossness in dating Dawn. As Buffy once said, "Raise your hand if ew."
I refuse to accept this entire relationship, but let's move on, because here is where Buffy
Spoiler
meets Illyria. This was as exciting (or maybe more so) than Buffy meeting Fray last season, because Fred/Illyria is one of my favorite characters of the entire Buffyverse. Anyway, Illyria introduces Buffy to "The Council" (no, not that council) - a group of demons, including D'Hoffryn and a weird Groot-looking thing, among others. This group of demons is trying to protect what little magic remains in the world. Oh yeah, and Koh's back. And, oh, look, shitty Severin is back too.As this is happening, let's go back in time for a brief moment for a quick refresher from Andrew. Remember this, because it is wildly important for the rest of the season:
I have hated Dawn since the beginning of her existence. I have always thought she was a bratty, annoying teenager. However, she has grown quite a bit since season 7. Sometimes, even literally (you better laugh at my pun)! Remember how I told you to remember that Dawn is a key? Well - here's where it becomes important, because
Spoiler
what is a key made up of? You guessed it - magic. And with all the magic disappearing from the world, Dawn is starting to fade away. Literally, again.Spoiler
JUST LIKE SHE IS HAHAHAHA GET IT? I MAKE MYSELF LAUGH!Speaking of Xander, still reeling from what happened in the Twilight-seed showdown, he is starting to become very angry and embittered. There's a little self-hatred mixed in, a la "Zeppo" episode. He's kind of turning into a total Kyle and I am not a fan of this development. My psychoanalysis is that Giles grew to be like a father to Xander, and facing the loss and his own inability to prevent that loss has caused him to spiral out of control.
Spoiler
He becomes so desperate to save Dawn that he goes to extreme measures, which paints him as a sort of anti-hero.Add to this the fact that Simone is continuing to ramp up to be this seasons "Big Bad," and her teaming up with
Spoiler
Severin, who has been on a power-sucking spree since we last saw himstephgrani's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
djotaku's review
4.0
Things continue to build in interesting ways. I know Buffy had intra-season plots. But this season can't seem to get out of season eight's shadow. Probably because the universe needs a reset if there will be a season 10.
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
4.0
Into it! As much as I don't really like Xander, this plotline about Dawn and him adjusting to a non-magical life and dealing with being the one always watching but never acting is drawing me in. Plus, Buffy's roomie is a secret Slayer! Illyria shows up! Willow's back! And Severin is an interesting villain.
selfwinding's review against another edition
3.0
ILLYRIA!
I have some feels about the demon smurf, so seeing her show up in this storyline and literally hijack Buffy is pretty fantastic. I'm really enjoying all the magical fallout and seeing how other mystical beings are coping with the lack of magic in the land. "The Council" being associated with something other than "Watchers" was also a nice change of pace. (Though why Buffy didn't make a joke about how demons are totally unoriginal in their naming conventions, I don't know.)
I do have one question: How did it take this long for anyone to put together that Dawn is made of magic? I mean, as soon as Buffy smashed the seed, I thought about Dawn. I'm just saying!
And with that… I really did not appreciate the way Xander's storyline turned. Like, a lot. I did not appreciate it a lot.
I have some feels about the demon smurf, so seeing her show up in this storyline and literally hijack Buffy is pretty fantastic. I'm really enjoying all the magical fallout and seeing how other mystical beings are coping with the lack of magic in the land. "The Council" being associated with something other than "Watchers" was also a nice change of pace. (Though why Buffy didn't make a joke about how demons are totally unoriginal in their naming conventions, I don't know.)
I do have one question: How did it take this long for anyone to put together that Dawn is made of magic? I mean, as soon as Buffy smashed the seed, I thought about Dawn. I'm just saying!
And with that… I really did not appreciate the way Xander's storyline turned. Like, a lot. I did not appreciate it a lot.
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.
theartolater's review against another edition
5.0
I've been previously critical of the Buffy comics continually going back to the well for reasons that come across more as fanservice than because they actually do anything for the storyline.
Perhaps this is different because it actually does accomplish some stuff storywise that works, or maybe it's because Fred/Illyria was one of my favorite characters from Angel, but I really enjoyed where this one went, including the use of Dawn and the sort of legitimate, Whedonesque danger that everyone's in.
For the first time, Season 9 feels like Buffy again, and that's really great. Working toward the end of this arc should be interesting, since I really have no clue where it will end up.
Perhaps this is different because it actually does accomplish some stuff storywise that works, or maybe it's because Fred/Illyria was one of my favorite characters from Angel, but I really enjoyed where this one went, including the use of Dawn and the sort of legitimate, Whedonesque danger that everyone's in.
For the first time, Season 9 feels like Buffy again, and that's really great. Working toward the end of this arc should be interesting, since I really have no clue where it will end up.