I don’t hear a lot of talk about Buffy’s comic book continuation of the TV series. A shame because it’s still great. Yeah, it has its rough patches like the TV show, but overall it’s just as entertaining. Guess the stigma of reading comics turns most people off. That, and I’m sure there’re fans who do even know the comic seasons exist. Well, now you know. Read it!
Sidenote: Season eight wasn’t bad, despite what others may say. It has flaws, including my most hated Big Bad in both the comics and television series, but it had a hell of a strong start. Not crazy about the last third but the other two-thirds more than makeup for it. Very ambitious. Ran too long, in my opinion, but, still a season worthy of Buffy. On to season eleven.
Season eleven tackles the supernatural world mingling out in the open with the human world. The known existence of the supernatural by average humans started in season eight and we’ve seen how it impacted the world, but not on this scale. Season eleven tackles that subject, and not much else, in this short twelve issue season, the shortest comic season so far. The focus mostly on Buffy, Buffy and Spike, Willow, and Buffy and Willow gives it an intimate feel. This is as contained a season of Buffy can get.
The Good
The entire main cast. Love them all. All seemed in character and there wasn’t faux drama between them for the sake of drama. The story itself was surprisingly good, though short. Was hesitant after the first couple chapters but I like the supernatural being public knowledge issue getting officially addressed by the government and also the government being familiar with Buffy from earlier seasons.
Buffy and Spike being an actual couple is great to see, even if I’m not a huge Spuffy fan. The way the comics have built their relationship the past couple seasons makes them together feel more natural. It no longer feels like Bangel 2.0, thank goodness!
The asshole Slayers were good antagonists. I hated them but strangely, I want to see what they do with their second chance. Nothing like Simone who I never gave a crap about one way or another.
Buffy and Willow without their powers, I was legitimately scared for them. That scene with non-slayer Buffy fighting that jerk broke my heart. As heartbreaking it was, I loved seeing them overcome it, proving both Buffy and Willow are super with or without powers.
Speaking of power, more Faith, please! Just give her a series, damn it!
The Bad
The Big Bad made sense, don’t care the slightest bit about her, but made sense. She could’ve been anyone really. Guess it was done on purpose to focus this short season on the main cast. While I do love the main cast, I miss past supporting characters. Can we please get an update on what the season seven potentials are doing? Are they even alive? What’s Principle Wood up to these days? Not many watchers around, is the organization even attempting to piece themselves together? What’s happening with Billy the Vampire Slayer? Basically, what I’m saying is this season was too short. The Buffy universe is big and I want to explore it through the eyes of people other than Buffy sometimes. I don’t mind them doing another short run but I hope they give us mini-series starring other characters. No, I take it back, twelve issues really is too short, the lack of a memorable Big Bad proved it. I say at least twenty-four issues works for me.
Not enough Buffy/Faith moments for my taste. Love those two interacting. The government’s shitty treatment of a group of people hit a little too close to home but I did like Xander’s “fake news” line. And, what happened to Buffy heading the Magic Council? I think there was some throwaway line about it but I thought it was going to be the new status quo for a least half a season. The story potential was off the charts!
Overall
All-in-all season eleven was enjoyable, but a lack of plots not about the Buffy/Spike/Willow trifecta, no Big Bad buildup, and no one-and-done downtime issue hurts it. Wow, four Buffy comic seasons wrapped up. More than I ever hoped and I still want more, much more! You know, I’m glad they went with a year-long season. Nothing wrong with trying something new. All I ask is they learn from the experience and adjust season 12 accordingly if we get one. Would love seeing Wolfram & Heart as Buffy Big Bads. Just throwing it out there, Joss.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 