Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Here Comes the Comicmobile (Part 1)

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2001
      It's BobRo the Answer Man!
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • Crisis #12 Tie-ins: Kinda Sorta the End

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2015
      DC Comics
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • 4.0

      REVIEW: WWE #1

      Daniel Gehen
      January 27, 2017
      Boom! Studios, Indie, Reviews
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 4.5

      ADVANCE REVIEW: Glory #24

      Daniel Gehen
      March 13, 2012
      Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • 2.3

      Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

      Daniel Gehen
      February 16, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Interview: Jack Adler on Action Comics #1 and much more

      Daniel Gehen
      September 19, 2014
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Small Press Super-Heroes of the '80s: Miracleman

      Daniel Gehen
      October 31, 2014
      Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Nate Costa Vs. The Walking Dead

      Daniel Gehen
      August 4, 2014
      News
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Raymond Briggs, Part Four

      Daniel Gehen
      November 6, 2015
      Books, The Long-Form
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past
  • Collecting Profile: Blue Beetle
  • Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia
  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter
  • Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good
  • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Indie
Boom! Studios

Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4 Changes the Stakes

Daniel Gehen
April 17, 2019
Boom! Studios, Indie, Reviews, Reviews

BOOM! Studios

(w) Jordie Bellaire (a) Dan Mora

Taking on a beloved property such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a bold move. It’s even bolder to reboot it for present day and make changes to characters from their original incarnations. Stan Lee once said that readers don’t really want change, but rather the illusion of change. Over the course of their Buffy run, Jordie Bellaire and Dan Mora have challenged that notion, making actual changes to the Buffyverse. Some have been good, some not so much. However, it is clear that the duo are not interested in retreading the same stories, but rather forging a brand new path that will keep readers guessing.

Given that the first three issues comprise a tight introductory arc, this issue is mostly setup for what is in store for the series’ next arc. If Buffy #4 is comparable to any episode from the show, it would Season 2’s “The Zeppo,” as Bellaire’s script navigates Mora’s imagery via Xander Harris’s internal monologue. The character was always the one unremarkable member of the ensemble, possessing no powers or affinity for magic, and it looks as though the creative team has doubled down on that while improving on his characterization.

Xander remains insecure, but Bellaire has removed a lot of misogyny that could be found in his early season dialogue. Unfortunately, this comes at a price. While Xander was and continues to be a controversial member of the “Scooby Gang” to fandom, his initial character flaws (especially his “nice guy” persona) provided room for him to grow and mature over the course of the show’s seven seasons. It is in hindsight one of the more satisfying character arcs of the show. His new characterization may be an improvement on the surface, but there is little room for genuine growth.

The changes to Xander are highlighted by the changes made to Willow, now with the confidence of her latter season self in addition to being a physically capable fighter. She may not possess the powers of the Slayer, but this Willow can hold her own in a fight. If she can bring both the brains and a physical presence that surpasses Xander’s to the table, it raises the question as to what purpose does he serve in this new continuity. Is he anything more than the face of brave, everyday people in a fantastical world? Is he going to be this book’s version of a perpetual damsel in distress? Hopefully there are answers in the coming issues.

The remainder of the issue is actually a lighthearted and enjoyable affair. Given the night off from patrolling for the undead, Buffy and her friends plan a night of fun and potential romance thanks to a reimagined character from the show’s later seasons. Bellaire’s writing does a great job capturing the energy of the teenage cast. Their dialogue and emotional reactions to circumstances come across as authentic. They are paired perfectly with Dan Mora’s art. His renderings are expressive, and each character has their own unique quirks that give the book a lived-in feel that overshadows the at times sparse settings.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4 is a solid entry to the series, though a bit of a letdown after the high-octane action of the previous issue. As a quieter, character focused issue, it exposes some of the potential faults in the changes made to the series’ cast. However, if Bellaire is able to execute on these changes and stick the landing, the new Buffy has the potential to be as well regarded by the hardcore fans as the material it’s based on.

Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4 Changes the Stakes
3.5Overall Score

BuffyBuffy the Vampire SlayerDan MoraJordie Bellaire

Share On:
Tweet
Monday Morning Pick ‘Em: April 17th 2019 – Monster Mash!
Review: Spider-Man: Life Story #2 is a Game Changer

About The Author

Daniel Gehen
Editor-in-Chief

Dan was introduced to the 1960s Batman show at a young age, which developed into a lifelong passion for comics. When he's not grinding out his day job, he can be found reading about Scarlet Speedsters, Web-Heads, or Sagas just about anywhere. If it's good he'll read it. If it's bad... there's a chance he still might read it.

Related Posts

  • What Looks Good for the Week of March 4, 2020

    Andrea Tessie, Daniel Gehen, Jason Jeffords Jr.
    March 2, 2020
  • Speculators Can Get Ready For April’s Issue of BUFFY

    Daniel Gehen
    January 22, 2020

Support Us!

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Friends of the Site

  • SOLRAD
  • Your Chicken Enemy
  • Psycho Drive-In
  • Women Write About Comics
  • The Beat
  • Loser City
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders