Product Description: Here it is, fight fans -- the last rounds of the epic Buffy vs. Selke battle royale, and the conclusion of the Bad Blood story line! Collecting issues #17-19 of the hit comics series, watch as the Selke moves closer and closer to finishing off the Slayer. And Buffy has to come to grips with her dark side...literally! If that`s not enough for you, how about a gigantic fight to the finish in the middle of Downtown Sunnydale? Miss this one, and you`ll be kicking yourself later!
Not My Buffy How Buffy fans gave this book any more than two stars (one because it's BtVS, and another because of Cliff Richards' art) is beyond me. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as a television show, was an exercise in character-driven writing with epic story arcs and experimental direction, with messages, themes, and characters that fans and critics fell in love with. Andi Watson's take on Buffy in this comic (the concluding volume to the nine-issue "Bad Blood" story arc) is none of the above. Watson degrades Buffy into a mindless, nonsensical genre show that fans could only possibly like as a guilty pleasure.
The plot is basically this: A vampire named Selke who was once physically deformed (thanks to Buffy) enlisted the help of a plastic surgeon (who, for some reason, knows magic and potion making) to fight Buffy. For some reason, Selke doesn't want to kill Buffy herself (after she raved for half of the series about how badly she does) so she has the doctor create a replic of Buffy. The replica beats up Buffy and takes her place for the majority of this series, so the basic storyline is waiting to see how long the Scoobs figure out that this isn't the real Buffy and wondering why in the world Selke isn't active in her need to kill Buffy any more.
It's a wonky plot, but Joss Whedon made wonky plots work on his show. Andi Watson doesn't. He doesn't understand the characters at all. The final two issues in this three-issue book have Giles, Willow, Oz, Xander, and Cordy working on a float so it could be in the parade. When they find out that Buffy is missing and the Buffy they've been hanging with for the past few days is an evil replica, what do they do? Do they go out and try to find Buffy? No, they dress up like clowns and walk in the parade, crossing their fingers that they'll see something. And, of course, the final battle just happens to take place right there. The fact that this was a professional comic is creepier than anything Watson wrote in the actual story.
The one good thing about this book (other than Cliff's art) is the appearance of one of the failed attempts to make a replica of Buffy. It's a moment where Watson actually impressed me, but other than that this is one of the worst Buffy comics you'll find.
PS: If you don't want to waste your money on these individual trades, the entire nine issues of the "Bad Blood" arc is collected in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus, Volume 4.
3/10
Graphic SF Reader The best bit is when Mr. Pointy makes an appearance! Otherwise, nothing you really need to see here. This is just an ordinary Buffy story, one that I would only recommend getting cheap. Buffy and a weirdly similar version of her, that is another entity, designed to combat her, etc. etc. etc.
Will the Real Buffy Please... During most of 1999, Dark Horse Comics pursued a single long story line with intermittent breaks. In a sense, this was an imitation of the television show, with its combination of episodic tales and extended story arcs. While this was a mixed success with the readers, it did produce its share of great moments, and established some basic principles for the series that have lasted for almost regular 50 issues and countless specials.
This trade paperback contains the last three episodes of the 'Bad Blood' story arc that consumed nine issues in total. The force behind the series is the efforts of Selke, a horribly scarred vampire, to recover her looks, establish a power base, and to destroy Buffy. Selke and her accomplice Dr. Flitter have found away to create an evil Buffy twin whose assignment is to track down her original and 'slay' her.
Of course, we know that Buffy will survive, but the clone's ability to anticipate Buffy's every move allows her to accomplish the impossible - leave Buffy for dead in the Sunnydale sewer and shop for clothes in the same night. Buffy find help from an unexpected source and works her way to a final confrontation with Selke in the middle of the Sunnydale Mardi Gras celebration. A final short story tells the story of a sorority initiation that nearly stomps the clock permanently.
These are probably the best three episodes of 'Bad Blood,' both in terms of writing and artwork. Even so the long stretch of the comic book series works against it and it lacks the spark that a shorter series like 'The Blood of Carthage' can produce. It is hardly a failure however. I do suggest that the reader begin at the beginning with the first trade paperback, 'Bad Blood.'
Not So Fresh Appearances 'Bad Blood' is drawn from BTVS comics 9 through 11, continuing the story of Selke, a vampire in desperate need of a makeover and yen for revenge. Buffy is responsible for Selke's loss in the looks department (see the previous trade paperback, 'The Remaining Sunlight'). Nor will the story end here. There are several more issues to go before the battle is completely resolved. Once writers Andi Watson and Joe Bennet find a good thing, there is no letting go of it.
'Hey Good Looking' (two parts) is Selkie's real dramatic entrance. Literally ruined by being toasted by Buffy, Selke sets out to restore her good looks and get even with the Slayer. While Buffy hunts ghouls the vampire looks for a good, but corrupt, plastic surgeon. Selke finds that being a vampire with a terminal skin condition does not command much respect. Poor Dr. Flitter!.
In 'A Boy Named Sue,' Buffy has to deal with a band member with overactive glands and a blood drive that is drawing vampires from all over Sunnydale. Selke's Dr. Flitter finally turns to magic and manages to... well, you will just have to read it.
An additional story, 'Hello Moon,' may be new to BTVS readers. Buffy meets a real Selkie during a walk by the seashore. After a rough start, the two discover that they have things to teach each other. Between dusting a few vamps, that is.
It would be nice to have the entire Selke series all under one title, but there seems to be little hope of that. There is simply too much of it. Dark Horse was trying to emulate the television series at that time and wanted a story that would run for an entire season, with all kinds of story arcs. 'Blood of Carthage' is the next largest series, but rambles considerably less.
As I have mentioned elsewhere, the trade paperbacks often simply reprise stories from the comics. Thus, for those who do not have access to the original issues, they can be a great treat. Do not expect a real graphic novel, though, just well executed artwork and an interesting story line. These are, after all, comics, and should be approached with that understanding. If you want more of Buffy than the shows and the novels however, the trade paperbacks are worth the price.
More of an interesting storyline "Your Cheatin' Heart" continues the Selke storyline featured in this trade (issues 17-19 of the series). Buffy has a run-in with the Dark Slayer -- the dark slayer turns out to be a favorite with Cordelia because of her fashion sense, and the Dark Slayer advises the gang to make a clown float for a high school parade (ah, the unspeakable evil). Next is "She's no Lady" where the real Buffy is saved from the sewer by one of the failed versions of the Dark Slayer while the dark slayer herself is pretending to be the real Buffy. Angel investigates the new blood Selke's vamps are using, has someone tampered with it? Then, in "Old Friend" Dru and Spike make another appearance as Buffy must fight the Dark Slayer again. The Scoobies have found out about the imposter but must go on with their clown float. A fun issue. Lastly there is a bonus story "Killing Time" which isn't too interesting, just a few pages long.
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