Giles once again proves he’s even more awesome than you imagined by taking on a tentacled fiend.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #24: Safe
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Jim Krueger
Artist: Cliff Richards
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Covers: Jo Chen and Georges Jeanty (variant)
Summary: Faith. Giles. Let’s catch up!
In an amazing one-shot issue, the esteemed Jim Krueger — whose works include Avengers/Invaders, Earth X, Justice, and multiple original series — fleshes out the go-to girl for dirty deeds, Faith, and her new partner, Giles. After her last thankless escapade, where she put a stop to Buffy-hunting Slayer and kindred spirit Lady Gigi, Faith decided that though she’s determined to be finished with bloodshed, she’s not ready to leave misguided Slayers (like Gigi) with nowhere to turn. Fast-forward to the present . . . bloodshed still abounds, and the Faith-and-Giles team is still finding out what it really means to help those chosen to slay . . .
Review: Jim Krueger leads us away from the main action in “Safe”—featuring instead the return of the rebellious, infamous Slayer known as Faith, who joins Giles in search of a so-called “Slayer Sanctuary.” Sometimes one-shots can become repetitive and unimpressive, but thankfully Buffy the Vampire Slayer #24 cements its worth with a quality storyline.
When Faith, Giles, and a fledgling Slayer named Courtney locate the mysterious sanctuary, they soon catch on that things aren’t so peaceful and innocent in the mountains. Our two Slayers walk headfirst into a green, slime-bathed trap (demons are yucky), while Giles encounters an unexpected face from his Council days. The issue works as a short, clean story, but the comic’s real strength emerges from the intriguing character depth that Krueger packs into it.
Although Giles believes that Faith could act as a source of inspiration, guidance, and hope for the Slayers who have fled to the sanctuary, she feels that each “chosen” girl should be able to choose her own life’s path. The issue’s wonderfully subtle and light character exploration highlights more than their brief conflict, however. As it turns out, Marlboro-esque demons that exploit and feed on inner regret can help do that. I loved the moment—as Giles went barreling into the town’s library, unaffected by the regret-feasting demon—that disproved Fillworthe’s assumptions about him. That kind of detail completely nails the strength and determination of Giles, so thumbs up to Krueger for the enjoyable addition to my collection (not to mention the hilarious first panel).
The only thing that freaked me out more than the disgusting green monster was how penciller Cliff Richards sometimes drew eyes. You know what I’m talking about … Creepy.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I feel like they should do a Fath/Giles one-shot after every 4 issues or something. I like their dynamic.
Oh yeah, and…
TENTACLES!
April 15th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Thanks for the review
I love the Buffy Series
April 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Good review steph! I just can’t get into buffy though.