“This op would be more covert if we didn’t arrive in the S.S. Hindenbug” – Buffy

What They Say:
Andrew doesn’t always make the best choices (see Season 6). And now Buffy finds herself and the very course of her life profoundly affected by one of Andrew’s over-the-top, idiotic . . .hair-brained . . . schemes. Together with Andrew and Spike, the worried Slayer will have to confront herself and her comrades, as well as a long-standing annoyance, the number-one Buffy hater of all Buffy haters: Simone, the gun-toting Slayer.

The Review:
This issue was everything I love about Buffy. Honestly, I’m feeling a bit like my review will be one long gushing love letter to the creators and characters. Reading this month’s story made me grin, chuckle, and sigh. Yes, I also missed the television show.

The pacing was dead on this month. There was a lot happening, as we switched viewpoints between Buffy bot with Spike and Andrew, the real yet mind wiped Buffy under attack by Simone, and Xander and Faith assisting Detective Dowling as he pursued his former partner. With all of the plot lines moving forward, it could easily have gotten confusing. Instead, the scene switches were handled well, and I was always eager to move onto the next part of the story, and eager to return to them again.

The character interactions were also wonderful. I would have a hard time deciding which my favorite was this month. Spike and Andrew’s arguments were entertaining and revealed how both of them feel while watching out for Buffy. We got a peek into Andrew’s sweet side through his explanations to Buffy about the alternate life he created for her. Dawn and Xander’s small arguments as they pursue the zompires with Detective Dowling were realistic and helped me understand their relationship better. I may have to vote for the interactions between Xander and the detective as my favorite, though. Xander’s role as the heart of the Scoobies continues, and hits just the right note as he helps Dowling deal with the loss of his partner.

As I’ve always expected, and loved, from the Buffy series, this month’s story blended humor in just the right measure. Yes, Buffy is faced with the prospect of what her life might have been if she hadn’t been the slayer. Yes, Detective Dowling seeks out the help of the Scoobies in handling the chaos his zompire partner created. Yet, with all the stress and strain between the characters, we see each of them find a way to whistle in the dark with their humor. Andrew is a particularly fabulous source of chuckles and grins, as he monologues his way through his rescue mission.

In Summary:
I found it difficult to write this review, because I found it hard to put into words how much I loved it. Honestly, this is exactly the kind of issue that I adore. It had just the right mixture of everything. It had plenty of action, perfect character development, and a healthy dose of many of my favorite characters. The hallmark Buffy universe humor was blended with heart felt revelations for more than just Buffy. Best of all, the cliff hanger had just the right “bang” and made me grin with anticipation for the next installment.

Grade: A+