Willow #2 Review
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Natacha Bustos
Colours: Eleonora Bruni
Letters: Jodi Wynne
One thing this Willow mini-series achieves is showing the reader that actually we haven’t spent that much time with Willow in Boom!s Buffyverse. While she’s been an integral character in the series we haven’t spent that much time just with Willow, which is something that this issue remedies. It’s an opportunity to learn more about Willow without getting lost in the craziness of the Hellmouth or slaying.
Of course the reader knows there is more going on than meets the eye. The sequence at the end of the first issue with a girl trying to escape from Abhainn sowed the first seeds of doubt. But it’s more than that. There’s something which is just a little off about everything, it all feels too perfect, and while Willow has her suspicions as the issue progresses we can see her slowly being seduced and blinded by everything. It’s far too early to see where this story will progress, but it’s nice to have a change of pace from the other Buffy titles and take things slower.
There is a dream sequence at the start which heavily features Xander. Readers of the main Buffy comic will know that he is playing a huge role in that at the moment, and rarely is there no significance behind the dream sequences in Buffy. It’s too early to say what the dream means or where it’ll go, but it feels important. Not only that the conversation feels like classic Buffy, it’ll leave long time Buffy fans a little nostalgic for the classic series.
The art from Natacha Bustos is excellent. She has the best take on Willow for Boom!s Buffyverse, managing to be very reminiscent of Alyson Hannigan while simultaneously being a more modern take, complete with ear piercings and her own more confident fashion sense and identity. It also helps to build on the sense of wrongness. Everything is just a little too picturesque and perfect. Which is kind of the point. We can also watch as Willow is seduced by the place. The start of the issue shows her doubts, then we can see her relaxing and finally being happy as the story progresses. They say a picture paints a thousand words after all, and Bustos manages to tell a large part of the story through Willows expressions.
The art from Eleonora Bruni is also excellent. The woods have a blue and purple tint to them which hints at the magical. And each time that Willow feels strong emotions the background colour in the panel helps reflect her mood. It’s a subtle piece of storytelling but excellently done, a little subconscious nod to how Willow is feeling.
Another excellent issue in Boom!s extended Buffyverse. It’s an exciting time to be a Buffy fan, and while it’s early days for this Willow mini-series it’ll be interesting to see how events here affect the other series, and how it’ll all tie in. A well deserved opportunity to spend some time with Willow and learn a little more about her. Buffy fans don’t want to miss this.
Artist: Natacha Bustos
Colours: Eleonora Bruni
Letters: Jodi Wynne
One thing this Willow mini-series achieves is showing the reader that actually we haven’t spent that much time with Willow in Boom!s Buffyverse. While she’s been an integral character in the series we haven’t spent that much time just with Willow, which is something that this issue remedies. It’s an opportunity to learn more about Willow without getting lost in the craziness of the Hellmouth or slaying.
Of course the reader knows there is more going on than meets the eye. The sequence at the end of the first issue with a girl trying to escape from Abhainn sowed the first seeds of doubt. But it’s more than that. There’s something which is just a little off about everything, it all feels too perfect, and while Willow has her suspicions as the issue progresses we can see her slowly being seduced and blinded by everything. It’s far too early to see where this story will progress, but it’s nice to have a change of pace from the other Buffy titles and take things slower.
There is a dream sequence at the start which heavily features Xander. Readers of the main Buffy comic will know that he is playing a huge role in that at the moment, and rarely is there no significance behind the dream sequences in Buffy. It’s too early to say what the dream means or where it’ll go, but it feels important. Not only that the conversation feels like classic Buffy, it’ll leave long time Buffy fans a little nostalgic for the classic series.
The art from Natacha Bustos is excellent. She has the best take on Willow for Boom!s Buffyverse, managing to be very reminiscent of Alyson Hannigan while simultaneously being a more modern take, complete with ear piercings and her own more confident fashion sense and identity. It also helps to build on the sense of wrongness. Everything is just a little too picturesque and perfect. Which is kind of the point. We can also watch as Willow is seduced by the place. The start of the issue shows her doubts, then we can see her relaxing and finally being happy as the story progresses. They say a picture paints a thousand words after all, and Bustos manages to tell a large part of the story through Willows expressions.
The art from Eleonora Bruni is also excellent. The woods have a blue and purple tint to them which hints at the magical. And each time that Willow feels strong emotions the background colour in the panel helps reflect her mood. It’s a subtle piece of storytelling but excellently done, a little subconscious nod to how Willow is feeling.
Another excellent issue in Boom!s extended Buffyverse. It’s an exciting time to be a Buffy fan, and while it’s early days for this Willow mini-series it’ll be interesting to see how events here affect the other series, and how it’ll all tie in. A well deserved opportunity to spend some time with Willow and learn a little more about her. Buffy fans don’t want to miss this.
A Look Inside
