[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Creator:Â Joss Whedon
Writer:Â Jordie Bellaire
Art:Â David Lopez
Colors:Â Raul Angulo
Letters:Â Ed Dukeshire
Reviewer:Â Tony Farina
Summary
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #9 finds that Buffy is still missing. She was sucked into the Hellmouth with Angel. That leaves the rest of the gang in Sunnydale a bit lost and totally cranky. Of course, it could just be the Hellmouth and have nothing to do with Buffy, but, tensions are running high.
Willow and Rose are most likely breaking up. Giles and Jenny are most likely breaking up. Joyce is losing her mind. Xander is on patrol, but his vampire half might be catching up with him. Yikes. Did I mention that Dru opened the Hellmouth and that is sucked up Angel and Buffy? That is a terrible first date.
Positives
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #9’s writer Jordie Belliare has really made sure she walks the fine line between these folks being who we remember them to be AND creating a whole new version of them for this 2019 trip to Sunnydale. She is pulling it off because she is funny, an absolute must for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans. She is accelerating the timeline in a lot of ways, but remember this is NOT the same thing as the show. This is a whole new way to spend time with these characters. I applaud Belliaire for being daring and having fun.
David Lopez is really doing solid work as well. His vamp faces are the perfect balance of nostalgia and originality. He gets to do Vampire Xander, which only happened that one time on the show. His angry Giles is so good. Seriously, just bravo to you sir.
Negatives
Buffy #9 has the same issue that Angel #6 has, no titular character. Yes, these shows were always ensembles, but we need something from our heroes don’t we? I suspect that is being reserved for Hellmouth #2.
Verdict
The Hellmouth crossover series is just getting started and honestly, it is so fun. I have enjoyed it and I love that I only have to wait a few weeks, instead of a full month, for the next part of the story to happen. The nod to the traditional Buffy lore is nice but this series really does stand on it’s own. I can not imagine anyone who does not already have a passing knowledge of Buffy reading this, but it is possible. It is really interesting to think about a new reader deciding that this is her Buffy and the old Buffy, without her smartphones, is antiquated and silly. I am keen to have that debate with anyone. In order to do that though, you need to read this book, which I strongly recommend.
