|
Post by Tyler Austin "tiewashere" on Dec 17, 2008 16:59:47 GMT -5
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. 10/10
I thought the issue was PERFECT on every level. It was the first time this season that I got chills (during the last line...last panel). I mean, seeing the comparison of where Buffy was and where she is now...was just...wow. I also got stopped reading for a moment when Buffy woke up in her room (which is the only thing that's the same throughout the whole series) and realized, "Wow...we're really never going to see that again."
I loved how some of the dialogue was used from the clip that was leaked of Buffy Animated, and I'm even more happy that I picked up on it. The two spread page of Buffy fighting demons was amazing. Also the shot of Buffy (saying stuff like "I can see my house from here" "There's the part I'm missing") was really fabulous. I loved Buffy falling through the tree.
I think this is my favorite standalone issue. Maybe this is even my favorite ISSUE. I don't know. It just gave me a really jaw dropping, wow...I can't believe how far we've come...kinda feeling.
The last panel was awesome.
I'm also really glad that, for the first time, I went with the variant cover. As much as I liked Jo Chen covers, this issue just needed to look....different...from all the others so far. Wow.
10/10
|
|
jellymoff
Ensouled Vampire
Claimer of Funn[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,174
|
Post by jellymoff on Dec 17, 2008 19:02:16 GMT -5
For me this was just alright. It was a fun trip on memory lane, and I understand what this issue did for Buffy-she got her mind right again. She often has to have that moment during a season where she gets things back on track. I think that our gang will be closer as a result too.
I guess my biggest issue with this issue is that it doesn't advance our story very much. During a TV season, we only had to wait a week for the next one, so stand alone episodes were great. I want to know what happens, and would have rather seen time dedicated to the overall plot of season 8.
I'll read it again though and perhaps gain a greater appreciation for it. I mean, I like Loeb's writing style, the dialog was witty, and the art was neat. It was all good! I just want the next one. Now.
|
|
|
Post by seldomnaughty on Dec 17, 2008 19:25:52 GMT -5
WOW.
TALK ABOUT DISAPPOINTING!
This is what we waited for? This issue had many delays as well and we get like .2 seconds of "This is your life Buffy" before ending with "well you can't change the past but you sure can enjoy it HA HA HEE HEE HA HA OH BUFFY (FREEZE FRAME)"
I am slowly losing faith in Season 8. Time of Your Life SUCKED. And this was only ok. It was just some fan showing that he watched the series and can make references...big deal!
Oh and alllllll this time to work on it and then buffy says that she's a FRESHMAN??!!!! She was a sophomore in sunnydale!!!
I mean it wasn't even as cool as I wanted to see Cordy and Angel again because they did NOTHING. Joyce was bittersweet, though.
And Giles' joke about what Harmony would be wearing? Oh please she wouldn't even be a blip on his radar in season 1. Maybe if he said "Cordelia" instead it would have fit more.
|
|
amuk
Common Vampire
I wear the cheese...[Mo0:0]
Posts: 65
|
Post by amuk on Dec 17, 2008 19:41:00 GMT -5
I'm with Tyler. This was pure, undistilled awesome. I'm not given to hysterics, but I nearly lost it I got to the part where "followers of Morgan Freeman" finally made it into canon. Not to mention Buffy fighting the dragon.
I can't speak for anyone else, but TOYL got me engaged in S8 far more than I ever had been before and this tribute to Btas was very nearly perfect. I loved it.
|
|
cheryl
Novice Witch
[Mo0:37]
Posts: 246
|
Post by cheryl on Dec 17, 2008 21:55:18 GMT -5
I also loved everything about this issue. It was nice to see Buffy get a few moments with her mother again. It was very sad to see her hug her and admit she'd like to stay forever. The last panel, showing the whole gang and Buffy's reference to that being home brought tears to my eyes.
I can't wait to see what ripple effects we get from this issue and Buffy telling Giles about the future. No way that was a 4 second dream, it was way too long for that. I just can't imagine what it really was/is.
I appreciated and loved the Buffy/Angel scenes and especially how season 8 Buffy views Angel. I lol'd at her imagining that he said she is beautiful. Their entire exchange was well worth the wait.
I wish this was an arc rather than an issue. It was way too short.
|
|
|
Post by Emmie on Dec 17, 2008 23:28:15 GMT -5
Great introductory frame by Jeanty and Buffy's "can't say I didn't warn you" monotony that leads to her 4 seconds (wow, that girl is fast) dream world where she gets to literally live in the past. Which brings two important realizations: 1) The past isn't as glorified as she makes it out to be and 2) Attempting to change the future is risky business and sharing that knowledge doesn't guarantee the desired outcome - it still could end up being "who knows what?"
I enjoyed the final revelation even though some felt it was obvious, aren't all truths simple in nature but elusive to the conflicted psyche? Sometimes you need the truth smacked on the head for it to sink in.
Sadly, with the leak of the Buffy: the Animated Series pilot clip back in August and the 6 page preview released by Dark Horse last week, I felt like I'd read most of this issue before I bought it. The second the word Morgala came out of Giles' mouth I remembered the conversation from the pilot and knew we were heading towards dragon city. I greatly enjoyed the fight scene where Buffy takes out 3/5 of the vamp followers and the Buffy inner voice scene where she's arguing with her memory (and slashing at it with her hand - hee!) about the importance of what Angel said to her. Hilarious laugh-out-loud moment.
Buffy accidentally collapsing into Xander's bed was oh so very funny, but Xander didn't take advantage of that moment to make a dirty joke? And his "can you get out of my bed?" really wasn't spelling excitement at her being *in* his bed. Granted, she was covered in goop and smelly, but hey Angel said he still loved her when she was covered in slime. Apparently, Xander wasn't that into it at the time or the writing wasn't that into actually playing with the subtext of that situation from his end. Which is disappointing.
The panel where Buffy looks at Joyce after being told that she can always come home again is really heartbreaking as she looks sadly at her and thinks, 'Sigh.' And the final full-page panel of Buffy thinking of her past was a wonderfully pleasing end to counter the lackluster art of the previous page where faces seem blurred and Willow's likeness was just off.
I enjoyed the issue but I feel I can't rightly judge it without a re-read because I'm left with this slight distaste of being too spoiled about the plot to fully appreciate it.
|
|
Joe
Wise-cracking Sidekick
Obsessive Paranoid Boob
"Gypsies are filthy people! We shall speak of zem no more!" *spits* -Ilona Costa Bianchi[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,786
|
Post by Joe on Dec 18, 2008 6:40:40 GMT -5
I think this was a pretty cool issue... but it did have some problems. I don't wanna hop around so I'll just lay out what I liked and didn't like.
I think Buffy falling asleep in Xander's bed is great and is another Bander clue.
BUFFY IS NOT A FRESHMAN. I seriously dropped the comic and then read the line again. She was a Sophmore.... she forget her high school life that much?
Snyder was barely in it.... that disturbed me lol
I honestly wish that the 4 min pilot for the animated series leaked right after this issue was released. I feel like I read most of the first couple pages with the gang in the graveyard. (I do like the Morgan Freeman part though)
I don't think they should've changed Giles sarcasm line from "What do you suppose Cordelia is going to wear" to Harmony. That was not cool.
I LOVED Buffy yelling at Giles and I my favorite line in the issue is "And someday there's gonna be eighteen hundred slayers working in ten separate squads.. and everybody calls me "Ma'am"" That was great. I actually "laughed out loud"
Overall it was pretty good. And I hope that this issue is what brings the scooby gang back together.
|
|
|
Post by michellebuffyfest on Dec 18, 2008 10:09:23 GMT -5
This issue was okay. It could be because I read Angel first and really, it would take a lot to beat that issue. I think one of my issues is with the dialogue. It seemed a little over the top and lacked the real voices of the characters, especially Angel, in my opinion.
I did like some stuff, like the "Morgan Freedman" line, the panel where Buffy's sitting on the gargoyle talking to Angel and the banter between Giles and Buffy.
Maybe the biggest disappointment with this issue is that it missed an opportunity to delve into some really deep issues that Buffy has had for the last few years, instead it only touched the surface. The lost potential seems annoying to me. Or maybe, it wasn't supposed to be used that way and it was just a light issue used to balance out what's going to happen in the next few issues.
|
|
|
Post by hitnrun017 on Dec 18, 2008 14:53:31 GMT -5
What fun! Very refreshing seeing Jeanty's art again. It's just as good, maybe even better.
I agree that it felt like I already read it because of the Animated Pilot, we knew what was coming, but it was still great fun. Got very nostalgic, both scenes with Joyce were probably the best of the issue. The shoe hitting Cordy was also classic. There really isn't much to say, it was a nice break and it's probably one of my favorite issues, but I'm excited to get back to the main story.
OH! And I loved the ad for Harmony Bites.
|
|
|
Post by millenium062 on Dec 18, 2008 14:54:42 GMT -5
I am still waiting on my issue....anybody else order from tfaw.com?
|
|
BennyTheKey
Ensouled Vampire
The one and only, Benny[Mo0:4]
Posts: 1,023
|
Post by BennyTheKey on Dec 18, 2008 15:18:03 GMT -5
I really liked this issue !.
Was great to see Joyce...although Dawn didn't look like Dawn to me, but I could see it as an episode. Everything about it was just refreshing and really interesting.
S.S.S Guys!
|
|
|
Post by butters666 on Dec 18, 2008 18:02:14 GMT -5
I am still waiting on my issue....anybody else order from tfaw.com? I get mine fromw TFAW and it usually takes about a week (for me)
|
|
|
Post by Tyler Austin "tiewashere" on Dec 18, 2008 19:28:19 GMT -5
Does anyone else wish this one was a little longer? Like maybe two issues?
Did this issue have more pages than a normal issue?
|
|
iloveromy
Descendant of a Toaster Oven
[Mo0:10]
Posts: 684
|
Post by iloveromy on Dec 18, 2008 19:35:53 GMT -5
I keep reading people were unhappy with the length of this issue, but I thought it was just right. It was for me what everyone was hoping it would - a nice little break in the season 8 storyline. Although I thought the ending of issue 19 was going to be more crucial and the "nice little break" would have desperately needed.
|
|
Whedon Fan
Ensouled Vampire
Joss Is Boss
Banner & Avatar Made By CBG[Mo0:3][Mo0:3]
Posts: 1,312
|
Post by Whedon Fan on Dec 18, 2008 20:15:49 GMT -5
This looks like it may be another "The Chain" issue. People will either like it or hate it and I...loved it. Very good issue and works very nice as a half way story sort of a 'here we are' issue. Buffy is obviously finding slaying difficuilt right now. Extremley stressful, it was nice to see where she is at this point after everything she's been through so far in season 8. Hmmm Xander's bed. There is a word for it that I can't remember. Basically Buffy went into Xander's room not knowing it was his but subconciously she may have known. I loved the interaction between Buffy And Angel. "your beautiful" wait he didn't even say that part. lol A very good issue and it was just what we needed after the few long arc's. It was good for a break from long stories especially now that we have the big 'arc' with the vampires in public thing. Not sure how I feel about those yet. How will it all flow. It's like an arc but its not... Over all "After These Messages...Well Be Right Back" gets: 9.5/10
|
|
|
Post by hitnrun017 on Dec 18, 2008 21:28:32 GMT -5
Could the last page also mean Buffy's reluctant to tell Willow about her future? "And just by telling them, you'll change their future into who knows what." Based on how Buffy and Willow acted, it's obvious she hasn't told her. But why wouldn't she tell Willow? I'm sure she doesn't want Willow to end up like she did in Time of Your Life.
|
|
faithlehane5x5
Innocent Bystander
I'm the go to girl for dirty deeds done cheap.[Mo0:18]
Posts: 36
|
Post by faithlehane5x5 on Dec 18, 2008 22:10:13 GMT -5
I am still waiting on my issue....anybody else order from tfaw.com? I get mine fromw TFAW and it usually takes about a week (for me) Ditto. I just got my confirmation email today that I'd be getting it. Can't wait either. Sounds good from what I see everyone saying.
|
|
|
Post by sottfcrettes on Dec 18, 2008 22:27:29 GMT -5
Hmmm, I feel quite alright about this issue. It wasn't as impactful I think, compared to 'The Chain'. What worked for me were the first and last few panels, where Buffy found slaying to be tiring and finally, emerging from the dream, realizing that those simple times she yearn for, can still be possible because the people she love are still around. It is definitely nice to 'go home' once again.
Also, the part with Joyce was particularly poignant, echoing Buffy's monologue in the first issue where she said "I miss my Mom, I miss my home, I miss the gang."
What didn't really work for me was that the main plot within the 'revisit high school moment' was basically a copy of the clip of the animated series that leaked. The repetition of lines similar/exact to the leaked clip was jarring. Feel kinda cheated.
Thankfully, the Jeanty parts of the comic covered up for it. I was glad it wasn't just totally about the animated series.
|
|
|
Post by buffyfan21 on Dec 19, 2008 16:04:35 GMT -5
As someone who loves the earlier seasons of Buffy (ths SHS years) I really loved this issue. It was great to see Buffy go back to that time of innocence and simplicity, a time when things were more carefree (or so she thought). Reading this issue got me thinking, what we wouldn't give to go back again, to get a chance to relive those glory days, so to speak. If given the opportunity what would we do different? Would we change anything if given the chance to go back and do it all over again? Knowing what we know now, would we still make those same mistakes? I dunno. Perhaps I am reading too much into it but this issue really had me feeling introspective. Would i go back if I had the chance? Maybe so. The idea certainly does seem appealing.
Buffy seeing her mom again was really touching, I thought. Even if it was cartoony, the impact of those emotions still resonated for me. In my mind, despite their cartoon forms, that was still Joyce and Buffy to me, and so I found their reunion and Buffy's reaction to it very moving. And seeing little Dawny was a hoot! We saw Cordy back to her true form. And the whole thing with Xander's skateboard and principal Snyder was hilarious. Great to see him pre-headless, ya know, before he became snake food, lol.
Buffy eventually comes the relization that her high school days weren't as leisurely as she remembered them to be afterall. As is typical of the high school Buffy we know and love, she wrestles between saving the world and spending time with her friends.
All and all, I think this was an entertaining issue and a great trip down memory lane. It was great to get a glimpse of what the animated series would've been like, even if only in the comic meduim, and it was great to revisit days of old. Or as Xander would longingly say, "days gone by."
This is quite possibly my favorite issue. I only wish that it could have been explored in an arc rather than just a stand alone. With everything going on in S8 right now, I think it would be nice to have this break.
I also found the dedication to Jeph Loeb's son to be very touching and heartbreaking. This issue seemed perfect for that. May he rest in peace.
|
|
|
Post by buffyfan21 on Dec 19, 2008 16:56:13 GMT -5
Buffy accidentally collapsing into Xander's bed was oh so very funny, but Xander didn't take advantage of that moment to make a dirty joke? And his "can you get out of my bed?" really wasn't spelling excitement at her being *in* his bed. Granted, she was covered in goop and smelly, but hey Angel said he still loved her when she was covered in slime. Apparently, Xander wasn't that into it at the time or the writing wasn't that into actually playing with the subtext of that situation from his end. Which is disappointing. I didn't really think anything of Buffy falling asleep in Xander's bed. I just figured she was so tired that she found the first available place to crash, not really caring whose bed it was, lol. I dunno, in the beginning of S8 I thoght that something was in the works for Buffy and Xand but now I am not so sure. With Rene gone maybe Xand and Buff will eventually get together. But then of course there are Buffy's unresolved issues with Satsu. So, who knows. Only time will tell, I suppose. I certainly wouldn't discount the idea completely. If there's one thing the Jossverse has taught me, nothing is impossible, and always expect the unexpected!
|
|