Several months ago, when Boom Studios unveiled the character designs for their new, rebooted Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic series, I trashed it… hard, saying that they were missing the fundamental principals that made Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles so love-able. Despite my reservations, I’m a die-hard Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and I decided to give issue #1 a shot anyway. Released on January 23, 2019 by Boom Studios, featuring a story by Jordie Bellaire, cover art by Matt Taylor and panels by Dan Mora, Buffy the Vampire Slayer issue #1 is radically different than the television series, but I still found myself enjoying what it has to offer. Caution: spoilers will be included in this review. Let me start with the beginning. Buffy Summers is no longer a broke, air-headed cheerleader. In the new Boom Studios’ comic, she’s maintaining a part time job at The TunaVerse (think DoubleMeat Palace), she’s nerdier than the two incarnations before her, and she desperately wants to find her own path in this world instead of fitting in with her peers. As it seems, the arch-type of the dumb blonde, which inspired Joss Whedon to break the mold with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is a dying breed; thus The Chosen One had to be re-imagined to fit the current culture in America while possessing one of her stand-out qualities – beautiful blonde hair. Now, I can dig the comic book reading and the slight awkwardness, but I’m almost scared that her similarities to Xander Harris is a set up for them to be a couple in later episodes. As you may remember, Xander desperately pined for Buffy’s attention during season one of the WB/UPN television show. Please, God. No.
In the Boom Studios release, Buffy has already been living in Sunnydale, California for three weeks and hasn’t made any friends yet. Luckily, after saving them from a vampire attack, Xander and Willow enter the scene… as much hipper versions of their former selves. Willow, especially, has already embraced her sexiness and is an “out” lesbian and Xander is, well, sexy as Hell. No matter how different they are now, though, Buffy is still going to be the boss, but it’ll be interesting to see how these characters make their world saving decisions based on these new personalities. Giles, for instance, is much more stern in issue #1 of the comic. He’s almost mean and hasn’t grown the father/daughter bond with Buffy that they’re known for in later seasons of the show. Anya is already around, too, but she’s middle-aged and working as the owner of a magical items vending store (think The Magic Box). Most absent is Cordelia, who was such an integral part of episode number one, but was no where to be found in issue #1 from Boom Studios. And, let me not forget to mention Drusilla. Although it has yet to be confirmed, it looks like The Master will not be a part of “season one” of the Buffy comic reboot; and the big bad of the season will be a much more sane and sinister version of Drusilla. I mean, she’s wearing a white suit instead of the flowing dress and going by the moniker The Mistress (instead of The Master, get it?), but you know it’s her. I mean, come on. It’ll be interesting to see how long she sticks around and what hijinx she makes for The Scooby Squad.
Here’s the deal. Buffy the Vampire Slayer issue #1 is no where near as alluring, invigorating and enchanting as the debut episode of the television series. But then again, could anything ever top the very first glimpse into The Buffyverse? Of course not! I had so many reservations about the comic book rebooting a beloved franchise, but this turned out to be pretty good. I’ll be reading issue #2 for sure just to see how the story progresses. As soon as you get over the “same characters, new culture” scenario, there’s enough of the old material to bring the nostalgia back. It can be difficult to fully grasp the themes and stories in a comic book series, since each issue is so short, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been around for 26/27 years. There’s no need for a mass information dumb. Speaking of going way back, my favorite part of issue #1 is that the beginning, set against a city landscape, very much reminds me of the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. For me, it was a touch of the original movie before diving into a new version of the television series. I loved it. Oh, and I absolutely cannot forget to mention that the artwork in this comic is leaps and bounds better than the panels in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 – 12 from Darkhouse Publishing. I can just tell so much more effort and love was put into each page, and there’s no derpy pieces to be found. That’s how a comic book should be done, folks. Each page should be a little, mini masterpiece, and issue #1 from Boom Studios definitely looks like that. Seriously impressed. Even though we still get some vampires looking like bat-human hybrids. I get it from a demonic standpoint, but I’ve never liked the aesthetic from a cinematic one.
Looking forward to further issues in this series. Buffy fans like myself, please give this one a chance!
