Buffy: Every Generation #1 Review
Buffy: Every Generation is a collection of three short stories set in Boom’s Buffyverse. The first issue introduces us to one of the other, multiverse Buffy’s whose presence has been teased since the Hellmouth event. The second takes us back to 1910, in the Philippines, and the third and final tale is set in Dublin in 1947. Anyone who is familiar with Tales of the Slayers, either the comics or novels that were tie-ins to the original TV series will know what to expect here.
Where All Paths Lead
Writer: Nilah Magruder
Artist: Lauren Knight
Colours: Alex Guimarães
Letters (Whole issue): Jim Campbell
The first story features a Buffy from a different dimension dealing with her Hellmouth. It’s an important story since it feels like it’s building up the mythology and concept of other Buffy’s, and their destiny to face the Hellmother in the Hellmouth. Think of it a bit like the Wish land version of Boom’s Buffy, where everything familiar is different again. Nilah Magruder makes a point of showing us that we’re not in Kansas anymore. This Buffy is in a relationship with someone unexpected and has lost characters we wouldn’t predict. We learn why she chooses to enter the Hellmouth alone. Stories like this are always fun, it’s nice to explore alternative versions of our characters, and it looks like this concept of multiple Buffy’s in multiple dimensions is going to be a key part of the storytelling going forward. The other thing that this story does is explain the other Buffy who appeared in the Hellmouth event.
Lauren Knight’s art is a nice change from the usual Buffy art team. The characters are all recognisable, even if Giles and Cordelia in particular have changed from their usual look. Knights’ art might not be a perfect fit for the story, but for a one off short story, it works well, especially when trying to establish that this isn’t our normal Buffyverse. The action scenes stand out in particular, there’s a kinetic energy to them all which has the action practically playing out in motion before us. Alex Guimarães’ colours also work well here, separating the Hellmouth from Sunnydale through subtle colour changes, Buffy’s bright colours contrast nicely with the duller colours inside the Hellmouth.
8/10
The Hilot Of 1910
Writer: Morgan Beem & Lauren Garcia
Artist: Morgan Beem
The second of our three stories takes us to the Philippines, where we are introduced to Matay, a Hilot or Healer, who discovers the village she’s visiting has an Aswang. It’s an interesting concept, calling a slayer a healer, rather than a killer. Morgna Beem & Lauren Garciua spend a bit of time introducing the Aswang, a monstrous creature from Filipino folklore. But, as all good short stories are, things aren’t quite as they seem and there is a twist in the tale. A twist which is quite in fitting with a slayer being called a healer.
The art is quite a departure from what we’re used to in a Buffy comic. Morgan Beem’s style is quite different but is a perfect fit for the story which is being told here. The aswang is suitably monstrous and the style is quite fitting for a Filipino folk tale.
7/10
The Sisters Of Angelus
Writer & Artist: Caitlin Yarsky
By far the strongest of the stories in this anthology. We’re introduced to Una, an established slayer in Dublin in 1947. If the title of the story didn’t give it away we get to see some of Angelus’ handiwork in this story, even if he doesn’t make an appearance. It’s nice to see some of the horrors he’s unleashed since, aside from a few flashbacks, we haven’t spent all that much time seeing the consequences of his demonic side. Being set in the 1940s is a nice touch. The year is more than just a small detail, the story is very much of its time and wouldn’t work in a later year.
There are several Easter Eggs in this story, it’s clear that Caitlin Yarsky knows her Buffy lore and fans of the TV series are guaranteed to appreciate the little references she’s put in. The final page has a line and a visual reference to a well known Buffy moment that will put a smile on seasoned scoobies' faces. The only criticism I could level at this story is that Una feels very similar to Buffy at times, and perhaps it would have been nice to meet a slayer who was more different from Buffy, but that’s only a small nitpick. Otherwise, this tale was the best of the bunch.
Then we have Yarsky’s art. It’s fantastic and is one of those instances where the reader hopes that this won’t be her only foray into the Buffyverse. The fact that she’s also written and coloured the issue leaves me in awe of her talents. The colours on the last few pages are particularly effective, creating some stand out imagery. The last page benefits from being drawn by the writer, Yarsky had a clear image of what she wanted and has brought it to life on the page, an effective bit of imagery which will resonate particularly strongly with long-time Buffy fans.
10/10
Conclusion
A strong, talented creative team has been brought together to craft three brilliant Buffy stories. Where All Paths Lead is important for the role it plays in building up the established mythology of the series, the second story has a great twist and a unique way of looking at slayers, while the third story is full of little nods for seasoned scoobies and is generally a fun story. This is an excellent issue to fill the gap between Buffy releases.
Where All Paths Lead
Writer: Nilah Magruder
Artist: Lauren Knight
Colours: Alex Guimarães
Letters (Whole issue): Jim Campbell
The first story features a Buffy from a different dimension dealing with her Hellmouth. It’s an important story since it feels like it’s building up the mythology and concept of other Buffy’s, and their destiny to face the Hellmother in the Hellmouth. Think of it a bit like the Wish land version of Boom’s Buffy, where everything familiar is different again. Nilah Magruder makes a point of showing us that we’re not in Kansas anymore. This Buffy is in a relationship with someone unexpected and has lost characters we wouldn’t predict. We learn why she chooses to enter the Hellmouth alone. Stories like this are always fun, it’s nice to explore alternative versions of our characters, and it looks like this concept of multiple Buffy’s in multiple dimensions is going to be a key part of the storytelling going forward. The other thing that this story does is explain the other Buffy who appeared in the Hellmouth event.
Lauren Knight’s art is a nice change from the usual Buffy art team. The characters are all recognisable, even if Giles and Cordelia in particular have changed from their usual look. Knights’ art might not be a perfect fit for the story, but for a one off short story, it works well, especially when trying to establish that this isn’t our normal Buffyverse. The action scenes stand out in particular, there’s a kinetic energy to them all which has the action practically playing out in motion before us. Alex Guimarães’ colours also work well here, separating the Hellmouth from Sunnydale through subtle colour changes, Buffy’s bright colours contrast nicely with the duller colours inside the Hellmouth.
8/10
The Hilot Of 1910
Writer: Morgan Beem & Lauren Garcia
Artist: Morgan Beem
The second of our three stories takes us to the Philippines, where we are introduced to Matay, a Hilot or Healer, who discovers the village she’s visiting has an Aswang. It’s an interesting concept, calling a slayer a healer, rather than a killer. Morgna Beem & Lauren Garciua spend a bit of time introducing the Aswang, a monstrous creature from Filipino folklore. But, as all good short stories are, things aren’t quite as they seem and there is a twist in the tale. A twist which is quite in fitting with a slayer being called a healer.
The art is quite a departure from what we’re used to in a Buffy comic. Morgan Beem’s style is quite different but is a perfect fit for the story which is being told here. The aswang is suitably monstrous and the style is quite fitting for a Filipino folk tale.
7/10
The Sisters Of Angelus
Writer & Artist: Caitlin Yarsky
By far the strongest of the stories in this anthology. We’re introduced to Una, an established slayer in Dublin in 1947. If the title of the story didn’t give it away we get to see some of Angelus’ handiwork in this story, even if he doesn’t make an appearance. It’s nice to see some of the horrors he’s unleashed since, aside from a few flashbacks, we haven’t spent all that much time seeing the consequences of his demonic side. Being set in the 1940s is a nice touch. The year is more than just a small detail, the story is very much of its time and wouldn’t work in a later year.
There are several Easter Eggs in this story, it’s clear that Caitlin Yarsky knows her Buffy lore and fans of the TV series are guaranteed to appreciate the little references she’s put in. The final page has a line and a visual reference to a well known Buffy moment that will put a smile on seasoned scoobies' faces. The only criticism I could level at this story is that Una feels very similar to Buffy at times, and perhaps it would have been nice to meet a slayer who was more different from Buffy, but that’s only a small nitpick. Otherwise, this tale was the best of the bunch.
Then we have Yarsky’s art. It’s fantastic and is one of those instances where the reader hopes that this won’t be her only foray into the Buffyverse. The fact that she’s also written and coloured the issue leaves me in awe of her talents. The colours on the last few pages are particularly effective, creating some stand out imagery. The last page benefits from being drawn by the writer, Yarsky had a clear image of what she wanted and has brought it to life on the page, an effective bit of imagery which will resonate particularly strongly with long-time Buffy fans.
10/10
Conclusion
A strong, talented creative team has been brought together to craft three brilliant Buffy stories. Where All Paths Lead is important for the role it plays in building up the established mythology of the series, the second story has a great twist and a unique way of looking at slayers, while the third story is full of little nods for seasoned scoobies and is generally a fun story. This is an excellent issue to fill the gap between Buffy releases.
A Look Inside
