Season 8 - Time of Your Life: Issue 16

[brandonr]

I thought everything in this issue made sense. I was shocked when the castle blew up. Not because I didn't know it was coming, but because I didn't expect it to happen in the same issue as the reveal of the missile. Thought it would be spaced out a little more.

And wexina is right. The Buffy/Demon thing is like Get It Done, where its an exchange. The demon went backwards into the past (Buffy's present) and Buffy went into the future.

And as far as Willow's time explanation thing, I thought that was a clearly as you could explain something in the short amount of time it was explained in. Basically she was saying that something so huge happens in the future of the timeline that it results in something going through the timeline (her ripples) to affect the past somehow.

[Whedon Fan]

Nuh. It was okay but usually the first part of a new arc is always like this and then part 2 is better, part 3 even better and then it explodes into pages of awesome-ness by part 4. Anyway the story was great and I expect to see more of Fray and Buffy in part 2 seen as a lot of this first issue was setting up the story.

1) How come in The Fray comic series Malonie's art is fantastic but in Time Of Your Life it is...well not so fantastic. it was very off compared to what I was expecting. Especially seen as I re-read all of Fray the night before I got TOYL so I was expecting a bit more from him. People say he's just rusty and thats fine but don't put rusty art into the finished issue, do sample drawings first or a few rough sketches.

2) Xander should have still been a little more broken up about Renee but at least he has shown SOME grief about her. He was with Anya for way longer and all she got was "THATS MY GIRL ALWAYS DOING THE STUPID THING" and then seconds later he was making jokes

3) We are finally moving forward with the Dawn story. woo!!

4) Buffy seemed weird in this issue, not sure exactly why or if I even like this but I'll read the issue again and see if I still feel the same way. Why a limo? They're not rich and I know Buffy stole things and she said that they do have some legitimate funding but still...

5) Over all 3/5 for the first part. I was a little disapointed but this issue was very hyped up and considering this is SUPPOSED to be the big announcment in a few weeks. I don't think it's muh to brag about but just my opinion. Can't wair for part 2 Jo Chena cover is excellant!!!

[wenxina]

Jul 3, 2008 20:48:06 GMT -5 Whedon Fan said:

1) How come in The Fray comic series Malonie's art is fantastic but in Time Of Your Life it is...well not so fantastic. it was very off compared to what I was expecting. Especially seen as I re-read all of Fray the night before I got TOYL so I was expecting a bit more from him. People say he's just rusty and thats fine but don't put rusty art into the finished issue, do sample drawings first or a few rough sketches.

Because in Fray, Moline got to create a whole new world. He designed the characters, he set the mood with his illustrations. #16 on the other hand, is mostly set in a world that's already been established by seven seasons of television, and Jeanty's designs so far. It's a tough act to follow, or even beat, so expect some stumbles the first round. As for "rusty art"... if this arc had been delayed, there would have been criticism all around for what seems to be the curse that plagues Joss' work. Many, myself included, are pretty happy with the art, except for some gripes.

Jul 3, 2008 20:48:06 GMT -5 Whedon Fan said:

2) Xander should have still been a little more broken up about Renee but at least he has shown SOME grief about her. He was with Anya for way longer and all she got was "THATS MY GIRL ALWAYS DOING THE STUPID THING" and then seconds later he was making jokes

Yes, he does show grief. But I don't know if I wanted any more from him. There is a line where he says "I appreciate the eggshells, but... Renee's dead. I'm dealing with it." The jokes are just a part of him, but there was a quiet moment of contemplation right there. Are we all so wrapped up in the emotional rollercoaster that is reality TV that emotion must be spelt out in grand sweeping teary gestures? The same with his dealing with Anya's death. Quiet contemplation, and private grieving. Not all drama is loud and crass. By the by, this bit isn't directed at you personally. I'm just using your statement, which I partially agree with, as a jumping board.

Jul 3, 2008 20:48:06 GMT -5 Whedon Fan said:

4) Buffy seemed weird in this issue, not sure exactly why or if I even like this but I'll read the issue again and see if I still feel the same way. Why a limo? They're not rich and I know Buffy stole things and she said that they do have some legitimate funding but still...

They chartered (okay, my take on how they got a plane to fly to Japan was that they chartered a plane) a plane, they own real estate in several big cities (where rent/mortgages are usually high), they have a whole arsenal of weapons and training facilities, not to mention enough food to feed ravenous Slayers after heavy-training/action (I'm guessing more than a few share Faith's sentiments about slaying; i.e. making them hungry and horny). Suspend your disbelief for a second... it's the Buffyverse, and certain logical details get skipped every now and then. So imagine that Buffy's now richer than the Sultan of Brunei (very rich little country... lots of oil).

[El Diablo Robotico]

Anybody else notice that Buffy's dress appears to be a different color in the one panel on the first page (orange, IIRC) than in all the other panels where she's wearing it (yellow)?

Also, at the bottom of the cover, it says "Joss Whedon's Season Eight", which is new, because I think they'd only been doing that on the issues he didn't write. On the ones he wrote himself, it would just simply say "Season Eight".

[wenxina]

Jul 3, 2008 21:45:58 GMT -5 El Diablo Robotico said:

Anybody else notice that Buffy's dress appears to be a different color in the one panel on the first page (orange, IIRC) than in all the other panels where she's wearing it (yellow)?

Also, at the bottom of the cover, it says "Joss Whedon's Season Eight", which is new, because I think they'd only been doing that on the issues he didn't write. On the ones he wrote himself, it would just simply say "Season Eight".

I didn't notice both, but good catches. I guess for the first panel, it was a lighting issue?

[El Diablo Robotico]

Oh, and the other thing I noticed upon re-reading (and kinda wished I hadn't ) is that Warren is naked except for his lab coat. I always had the impression that Willow only flayed him from the waist up, since his pants stayed on afterward. Apparently not...

[themaleslayer]

Jul 3, 2008 22:03:00 GMT -5 El Diablo Robotico said:

Oh, and the other thing I noticed upon re-reading (and kinda wished I hadn't ) is that Warren is naked except for his lab coat. I always had the impression that Willow only flayed him from the waist up, since his pants stayed on afterward. Apparently not...

woah, that's not good. lol

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

Jul 3, 2008 22:04:04 GMT -5 @themaleslayer said:

Jul 3, 2008 22:03:00 GMT -5 El Diablo Robotico said:

Oh, and the other thing I noticed upon re-reading (and kinda wished I hadn't ) is that Warren is naked except for his lab coat. I always had the impression that Willow only flayed him from the waist up, since his pants stayed on afterward. Apparently not...

woah, that's not good. lol

I second that. Ouch.

[angelmonster]

Am I the only weirdo that thinks Dawntaur is...well, hot? They really made Dawn look hot in that full page spread showing her transformation.

Loving this comic lots. I love they decided to have more talking then fighting in this one. I never liked Kennedy, at all, but her last line made up for her being a spoiled b**** in the series!

I thought about the same exact thing when Buffy disappeared, just like when she went intot he past to gain more power. Do you think it is something similar? That she is meant to go intot he future to gain power, not just knowledge of the Scythe?

[SlayerLV]

I thought it was a great issue, I think Moline's likeness of Dawn is great. Parts of the story were uneventful, I loved centaur Dawn, also it was great seeing Vi and Kennedy again.

[El Diablo Robotico]

One last thing I spotted, that I don't know if it's been mentioned yet (I'm NOT reading thru every single one of those posts from the last two days) is that when Leah bursts in to tell them about Dawn, she appears to be wearing a gun in a holster on her left hip.

The next issue comes out August 6, which means we're back to another five-week wait...

[millenium062]

The only drawback to this issue regarding art was that Vi did not look like Vi at all....I mean, Georges Jeanty did a fairly acceptable job rendering the character, so that I could look at it and right away say "hey, it's Vi!" but it is only Moline's first issue, so I will have to wait to see what the other three issues show....

Also I just realized something, I believe many naturally assumed that Vi and Kennedy both head the Manhattan squad, but while in the limo, Kennedy tells Willow that her "group" is taking point on the whole temporal anomaly issue.....so I am led to believe that Vi is the head of the Manhattan squad and Kennedy is head of another, unless there are two squads in New York and the Slayers are divided between Vi and Kennedy

[angelmonster]

I hope Vi has more power amongst the Slayers rank wise because honestly, she was the only good potential Slayer during the final season. Kind of annoying but really kicked ass compared to the others.

[eriktheslayerboy]

Wait El Diablo Robotico but the issue cant come out on the August 5 its a tuesday it has to come out on the 6 since its the first Wednesday of the month.

Double checked at darkhorse and yup it is the 6.

[Tyler Austin "tiewashere"]

Does anyone know if Angel and Buffy will come out at the same time again? That was awesome!

[dane5by5]

I enjoyed the issue. Didn't LOVE the art but didn't hate it either. I liked that everyone looks more realistic. Joss' writing was perfect. But I pretty much expect that of him.

The scenes between Willow & Kennedy were adorable. And I loved Kennedy warning Buffy not to try anything. Also just another detail that made me love this issue (especially Willow & Kennedy) was near the end when the demon appears, Kennedy steps in front of Willow to protect her. So lovely.

Also Xander was great in this issue. I liked that he hasn't gone the "dark" route since Renee's untimely death.

Am I the only one who thinks Dawn has been the stand out character this season? Who can still harbour antipathy towards her after lines like... "Hello... I mean... Roar?" and "Neigh". Oh god. Both those lines made me laugh hard.

The teleportation being similar to the "exchange" that happened in "Get It Done" was another nice touch.

I didn't particularly mind that Fray didn't get too much face time this issue. I'm sure next issue will be filled with Fray and Buffy goodness. The spider monkey demon was a nice touch also.

I hope Leah survived the explosion at the castle. She was one of my favourite new Slayers.

Who was Buffy meeting? I'm very curious now...

And last, I'm so glad Kennedy and Violet are running squads! Yay. Don't ask why, but I'm really excited that they have the old potentials running the squads. Chao An for China squad!

[El Diablo Robotico]

Jul 4, 2008 0:46:56 GMT -5 millenium062 said:

Also I just realized something, I believe many naturally assumed that Vi and Kennedy both head the Manhattan squad, but while in the limo, Kennedy tells Willow that her "group" is taking point on the whole temporal anomaly issue.....so I am led to believe that Vi is the head of the Manhattan squad and Kennedy is head of another, unless there are two squads in New York and the Slayers are divided between Vi and Kennedy

Yeah, it took me three readings to get that. Vi is heading up the New York squad; Willow sent Kennedy and a few other slayers from a different squad to NY as part of an "advance team". Still no hints where Kennedy might be living most of the time.

Jul 4, 2008 2:30:22 GMT -5 eriktheslayerboy said:

Wait El Diablo Robotico but the issue cant come out on the August 5 its a tuesday it has to come out on the 6 since its the first Wednesday of the month.

Typo. Point being, it's a five-week wait, which always drives me crazy. Bad enough waiting four, but occasionally we get these times where it works out that there's five weeks between the first Wednesdays of each month, and it sucks...

[wenxina]

Jul 4, 2008 1:59:23 GMT -5 angelmonster said:

I hope Vi has more power amongst the Slayers rank wise because honestly, she was the only good potential Slayer during the final season. Kind of annoying but really kicked ass compared to the others.

It's explicitly stated that she heads the NY team. So I'd say wish come true.

[Whedon Fan]

Basically all of the main-ish characters are split up right now and in control of certain slayer centrals

Buffy, Willow and Xander: Scotland

Rona: Chicago (I think. "The Chain")

Vi: New York

Andrew: Italy

Giles: England

Robin and Faith: Cleveland

I'm not sure if Kennedy is in charge of a slayer group but I think she does. I'll need to re-read "Anywhere But Here"

[Lukee]

OMG i loved the art work! He so made them characters his own in this issue. I loved his Buffy and Willow. And omg Dawn he drew her soo well. I really loved the page where we see Dawn all half's on horseness. It was drawn brilliantly.

Joss was spot on with the writing like normal.
Although there where a few words i didn't understand but you know i went with it hehe

I don't like K again now for how she went at Buffy yeah sure it was sweet but un called for asif Buffy would try anything on Willow.

And OMG the hit on the slayers. Was no excepting that.

Again omg i loved the art.