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Post by AndrewCrossett on Aug 11, 2009 15:12:10 GMT -5
The likenesses on the Jeanty one is terrific. And hmm... scary blue monster thing... that the inner Slayer demon essence? Buffy had better hope so! I like how all the characters on Jeanty's cover look scared, except for Faith, who looks angry... and Faith gets angry when she gets scared. I can't help but think she's going to play a key role in winning this thing. ETA: Someone on Whedonesque pointed out that the blue demon is Palden Lhamo... a protector of Tibet.
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Post by Rebecca on Aug 11, 2009 15:21:36 GMT -5
The scary blue monster thing (after a little research :wink:) is may be the Tibetan Buddhist god Yamantaka. From Wikipedia: Yamāntaka is a Sanskrit name that can be broken down into two primary elements: Yama, the name of the god of death; and antaka, or "terminator". Thus, Yamāntaka's name literally means "the terminator of death". Within Buddhism, "terminating death" is actually a quality of all buddhas as they have stopped the cycle of rebirth samsara. In this context, Yamantaka represents the goal of the Mahayana practitioner's journey to enlightenment, or the journey itself: in awakening, one adopts the practice of Yamāntaka – the practice of terminating death. Photo comparison under the fold-- It looks like this may be seen to represent the Slayer Power, and how it is breaking everyone apart in this issue.
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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
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Post by Joe on Aug 11, 2009 15:56:19 GMT -5
Ehh I think I'll be getting the variants for #29 & 30... I don't like either of the main covers.
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Post by wenxina on Aug 11, 2009 15:59:37 GMT -5
Definitely going with the variant for #30. I think Carnavale's cover wins out for me for #29.
AC and Rebecca: Those are some nifty finds, and either could work. Interesting how different faith/belief systems are continually feeding into the Buffyverse.
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Post by Rebecca on Aug 11, 2009 16:04:51 GMT -5
Hahaha, I didn't even see AC3PO's post. They look exactly the same to me
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Post by wytchcroft on Aug 11, 2009 16:08:46 GMT -5
i like both covers. And way to go on the research! Hmmm... ominous - the 'terminator of death' - but Buffy needs death, it's her gift... and the slayers only get actived when the old one dies so... hmmm, did i say hmmm already? Maybe this is how come Willow ends up living so long, absorbing the mojo somehow so she can't die of natural causes or something.
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Post by Rebecca on Aug 11, 2009 16:10:34 GMT -5
I was thinking Terminator of Death was really quite congruent with the Slayer Power, Vampire Slayer... Slayer of dead things. But it looks like Xi has already asked Jeanty what the heckers that blue guy is, so we'll know for sure soon
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Post by wenxina on Aug 11, 2009 16:19:17 GMT -5
But it looks like Xi has already asked Allie what the heckers that blue guy is, so we'll know for sure soon Actually, I asked Jeanty.
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Post by Rebecca on Aug 11, 2009 16:21:43 GMT -5
Oops! I was looking for it too! Editing ETA: Going along with the Yamantaka... still not sure if it's correct: "Yamantaka" or "Shri Bhagavan Yamantaka" (Glorious Lord Making an End of Yama*) is another name for [Shri] Vajra[maha]bhairava, who is the highest emanation of Bodhisattva Manjushri. Bodhisattva Manjushri, Shri Vajrabhairava and Shri Bhagavan Yamantaka together represent the [Buddha]dharmakaya (Body of [Enlightened] Doctrine) which is also called Vajradhara (Holder of the Thunderbolt) because it holds to the pledge of the thunderbolt (vajrasamaya) which is the pledge to carry out the action of the Buddha. Holder of the Thunderbolt.... which brings about death.... in a pledge to carry out an action of good. Sound like a stake to you? Also looking at the main cover with the stake glowing, this looks to be very related.
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Post by Emmie on Aug 11, 2009 17:57:56 GMT -5
Love the covers! I think they're both equally strong here. Hughes' one has the great likeness and atmospheric quality. Jeanty's has the great likenesses and the interesting metaphor. ^^ An entire year, but only two arcs. That's like two episodes. Technically Predators and Prey was a collection of one-shots. It's funny, but I think we ourselves pressured the name there by asking Allie a few times 'What is the arc title?!' AC and Rebecca: Those are some nifty finds, and either could work. Interesting how different faith/belief systems are continually feeding into the Buffyverse. Regarding the blue demon, it seems like Palden Lhamo and Yamantaka use similar pictures. Are they just different names for the same being? Regardless of that point, both derivations use the concept of "Wrathful Protector". Yamantaka is referred to as a "Wrathful Protector of Buddhism" and Palden Lhamo is referred to as a "Wrathful Protector of Tibet". This seems to symbolize to me that Buffy seeking protection in Tibet has turned on her. That by going to Tibet and bringing harm to Tibet with her, Tibet has turned on her. The "Wrathful Protector" has turned on them. Their sanctuary is sanctuary no longer, not only from those who hunt Buffy (Twilight, humanity) but from Tibet itself. Now carry this to the shattered imagery of Buffy and the Scoobies and you'll see that a Wrathful Tibet has broken them apart. They're fractured, disjointed. I expect we might be seeing that "betrayal, closest, the most unexpected" here. Or Buffy being divided from her friends may lead to this betrayal. The last person standing by her side after this issue who would then betray her? That would certainly be unexpected as they were the only person still loyal and the closest too.
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Post by Rebecca on Aug 11, 2009 18:04:49 GMT -5
I hate to sound ethnocentrist, but all these tibetan gods look the same!!! Huge, angry, blue, and three eyes. Vajradhara looks the same here, though holding a bottle like in the variant. ETA: "Vajrapani is a famous celestial Bodhisattva, he represents the concentrated power of all Buddhas [...] it is also said that Vajrapani will become the last Buddha to appear in this world cycle," similar to Buffy and her scythe.
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Post by Emmie on Aug 11, 2009 18:29:11 GMT -5
I'm wondering if all the different Tibetan gods names are perhaps a product of a village-type creation. You know, like how back in ancient Sumeria every town had its own gods who did similar things, but had different names. Kinda like how the flood myth is retold in many different cultures but with derivations to the story.
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Post by CowboyGuy on Aug 11, 2009 18:33:26 GMT -5
If the group does disband, looks like Buffy, Willow, and Oz will be alone. While Faith and Giles, as well as Xander and Dawn will pair up.
Doubtful.
I like the covers but I chuckled due to Buffy holding the golden glowing stake. It made me think of our forum awards, with our 'Golden Stake Award' for exemplary members! I hope this symbolizes Buffy getting her groove back and finding the magic again, so to speak.
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Post by Emmie on Aug 11, 2009 18:47:07 GMT -5
I saw the glowing stake being compared to Excalibur, that Buffy will perhaps rediscover the source of her power and it's true meaning. (...whatever that may be.)
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Post by CowboyGuy on Aug 11, 2009 18:49:50 GMT -5
I saw the glowing stake being compared to Excalibur, that Buffy will perhaps rediscover the source of her power and it's true meaning. (...whatever that may be.) I hope so. Although if it turns out to be an "it was in you all along!" thing, I'll be less amused.
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narflet
Potential Slayer
grr. arg.[Mo0:0]
Posts: 198
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Post by narflet on Aug 11, 2009 18:59:12 GMT -5
I like Hughes cover for this issue much better than his one for #29. Good quality covers:
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Post by CowboyGuy on Aug 11, 2009 19:09:12 GMT -5
Thanks narflet! I added them to the first post. Very shiny!
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Post by AndrewCrossett on Aug 11, 2009 19:09:59 GMT -5
I wonder what Buffy is doing with her other hand in the Hughes cover. Almost looks like she's trying to fend off the stake.
Is Buffy going to get vamped?
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Post by CowboyGuy on Aug 11, 2009 19:14:33 GMT -5
Interesting thought Andrew. I for one cannot wait till this cover comes out, so it can be our layout!
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Post by wenxina on Aug 11, 2009 19:18:35 GMT -5
Well, the glowy stake kinda reminds me of "A Beautiful Sunset" where the empowered girls were all glowy. Since the girls are supposed to be de-magic-ed by this point, perhaps it's symbolic of reclaiming the power within?
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