Boom! Studios Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #19
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Â Jordie Bellaire and Jeremy Lambert
Art:Â Ramon Bachs
Colors:Â Raul Angulo
Letters:Â Ed Dukeshire
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
Xander’s true evil has been unleashed on Sunnydale, with only Buffy and the Scooby Gang standing in his way – but can they do what needs to be done? Meanwhile, Robin struggles with his place in Buffy’s life and embarks on a new path that no other Watcher could’ve ever imagined.
Positives
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #19 features Ramon Bachs’ showing off his mad vampire skills. Just look:
You totally know that is Xander, but you also know it is a vampire. That is a tight rope. I don’t draw so I am reticent to say anything is easy, but I would suggest that drawing a vampire could become robotic. Here is a what a baddie looks like Fangs..Check…Cheekbones…Check. You get it. I suspect that including personality into that action is difficult and yet Bachs totally nails it.
The best part of this issue happens in the dialogue bubbles. Jordie Bellaire has been clearly living in Sunnydale her entire life. She always captures just the right tone. Xander and Willow argue and it is painful to read because we love them and don’t want them to fight. Buffy and Willow make up and we choke up because it is just how we want that to go. It is masterful. She knows how to balance out the right about of teen angst with mortal danger and just enough snark.
Negatives
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #19Â slows the story down. Personally, I understand why, but it is not really always welcome for some readers and they will have trouble with it. Ultimately, this is one of those issues that happens in modern comics. Writers and publishers know they are writing a long arc and they need to let the story develop. This is one of those times.
Verdict
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #19 does have some of that classic Sunnydale chatter that we know and love, but it is a bit slow. I personally understand. There are only so many pages in a book and there is no reason to cram in extra vampire actions where it is not needed. I suspect next month will feature less kissing and more kicking. The pacing of this series has been great from the jump. Of course, Bellaire’s dialogue is always the star and it is again.
