Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer:Â Jordie Bellaire
Art:Â Ramon Bachs
Colors:Â Raul Angulo
Letters:Â Ed Dukeshire
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
When a beloved teacher from their school goes missing, Buffy and Kendra will have to put aside their differences to uncover the true threat – whose identity will shake both Slayers to their cores! Of course, if you’ve been reading all along, the secret was revealed last month!
Positives
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16 features Jordie Bellaire at her finest. She is a master of character driven storytelling. Buffy has always been at her best when she is just talking her way through stuff. The plot is often secondary to how whatever is happening effects her. Jordie gets it. She makes everything about Buffy. This series is at its absolute best when Buffy is front and center. The relationship with Kendra is moving along well too. Again, the plot, while excellent, is secondary. We care more about how they work together. We care more about Jenny and Giles. The people are the story.
Raul Angulo and Ramon Bachs have once again done beautiful work. Honestly, I think they are getting better each week. There is a lot of action in this issue, and it feels cinematic. There is also a giant dinosaur in Buffy’s dream. It is so perfect. These two capture the oddness of Sunnydale without making it absurd. It would be easy to fall into that kind of absurdity, but they resist because it is clear, they respect the subject and the material. Let’s look at that dinosaur shall we? Spoiler alert. The dinosaur is yellow and it is smiling.
Negatives
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16 is really, really good. I have nothing about which to complain here. Nor should you. I mean, if you hate this series, then I am sure you have plenty about which to complain, but I would wonder why you hate this series.
Verdict
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16 really flew by. I was literally leaning forward the whole time I was reading it. Jordie is such a great writer and the way she has brought us all back into Sunnydale has been delightful. I find little fault with this issue and I don’t think you will either. Looks like there is a lot of drama coming up. I am looking for cheap space in Sunnydale now, so I can move in and get a front row seat.
