We’re back with another look at the inner workings of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Today, “Apart (of Me)” arc concludes, with possible closure Buffy’s robot misadventures. After you’ve finished reading, check out this article for some commentary and analysis of the series!
Written by Andrew Chambliss and Scott Allie
Illustrated by Cliff RichardsWhile Buffy is undertaking an away mission with Spike and Andrew, the SFPD is starting to really feel the effect of the rapid zompire population growth . . . With Buffy out of town, as the only Scoobies in the vicinity, Xander and Dawn have been approached for guidance. Buffy needs to get herself back together and home to SF quick, but facing Slayer Simone and her unexpected ally is going to make it a rough job!
Zompires attack the SFPD!
Executive produced by Joss Whedon!
First things first, how about those covers? I don’t talk about them often, but Phil Noto’s covers have been outstanding every month and this one is no exception. This month’s in particular captures Buffy’s confusion and self loathing, from her blaming herself for Willow’s leaving to critiquing her work as a barista in a less than flattering way (and that’s putting it lightly!). Phil Noto’s work has always been stellar, but this is a cut above. Even Jeanty’s variant, which itself is an homage to “Crisis on Infinite Earths” #7 is a gorgeous tribute to the classic event.
Now on to the issue itself.
It’s been a rough time for Buffy the past few months. First she thought she was pregnant and then well, she thought she was still human on top of that! Thing’s don’t seem to get much better for her in the main plot of the issue, as we open with her a the mercy of one…well, her. BuffyBot and BuffyBody are still two separate beings. While the bot and the body argue, there’s a dlashback to issue #5 when Buffy has a vision of The First Slayer. The First Slayer says all over again “You are not the Slayer.” which either means her time as “class protector” is over or simply revealing that in her current form, as the BuffyBot, she isn’t the slayer. She’s a robot. Personally, I think it’s the latter, given the fact a season 10 and 11 have already been commissioned by Dark Horse.
BuffyBot and BuffyBody had a serious heart to heart, where Buffybody called BuffyBot on the fact she was never very willing to bond with or teach the Potential Slayers, and even brought up the usage of guns and an “army.” It was a deliberate reference to Buffy’s rival Simone, who reached BuffyBody before the Scooby’s did and was able to convince the Body that she had the Body’s best interests at heart. While Simone threatened the Bot with torture (not really sure why though, she’s a robot…) Andrew and Spike were elsewhere on the island trying to find out where the Body and the Bot were. One of the most brilliant parts of this issue was the inclusion of the streaks in The Body’s hair, which symbolized the influence of Simone on the Body, and while it didn’t last long, it even gave Buffy a bit of a more interesting look to her.
Spike and Andrew continue to be the best odd couple in comics, for the record. Their chemistry carries over from the show into the book and I love seeing them together. More on them in a bit.
Our new character Officer Dowling seems to be handling the existence of vampires and as best he can. and seemed to be in shock after killing his former partner-turned-zompire. Dowling’s boss discussed an anti-vampire task force and implied Dowling (or someone else we know…) could head it up, as well. Manwhile Dawn and Xander, the only normal couple in the series (which means someone is dying soon, I feel it in my bones) tried to reach Buffy, but failed. We don’t, however.
Simone and the Body were about to take The Bot apart piece by piece, when there was a distraction in the form of Andrew, Spike, and Spike’s bug minions. The Bot used the distraction to pry off her new arm and in doing so, the bindings tying her to the chair. You’d think a robot would have more strength than that though, especially considering past BuffyBot’s.
Continued belowMeanwhile, Simone attacked Spike and crew while Spike made a passive aggressive quip about how two Buffy’s would discuss the best way to break a guy’s heart (aw SPIKE). Spike takes on Simone while Andrew went to assist the BuffyBot is recovering the BuffyBody before anything happened to her.
BuffyBot manages to subdue the Body long enough to listen to reason (perhaps you can talk the magenta streaks out of her hair, Buff) while Simone seemed to be gaining the upperhand on Spike and his bug boys. Just as she did though, Andrew and the two Buffy’s entered the fray. Simone, who’s not dumb in the slightest, cut her losses and ran off.
We got a bit of her plan, however, which involves Buffy and the power she possesses. Buffy’s power was always important in the grand scheme of things, as she and Faith were the only ones to retain their Slayer Abilities post-Magic Purge. At this point, we can only guess what Simone wants, but I have a feeling she wants to tap into that power to either restore everyone’s power or simply her own, at the cost of Buffy’s powers or Buffy’s life, whichever comes first.
Both the Buffy’s, Bot and Body, were safe at home, finally, which let Spike spill his guts to the woman he loves. He invited her onto his ship to sail off into the wild blue yonder (so to speak), but also told her he can’t take being “jerked around” by her anymore, which sets him up to leave the main series for now to do his own thing.
There was even a lovely exchange between the two Buffy’s, where the idea that the life the Body was living was simply a lie and she doesn’t deserve ot. That sounds a bit sad, but it was reasoned well, because she would know the life was a lie (much like cake?) The two Buffy’s re-merged to be simply Buffy again, and that’s when we get to our epilogue.
Buffy had been missing for a while, so obviously that means her job as a barista was in jeopardy, since they likely couldn’t depend on her. Luckily, her boss is an easy going guy, so he offered her her job back, but she decided to resign instead, because it doesn’t match with her life or needs. It actually mirrored Officer Dowling’s choice to reisng from the police, but that one probably won’t last very long.
Where do you think Buffy is going from here? Do you think she might join this new task force the SFPD is starting up? Will she lead it? Will she become independently wealthy all of a sudden? all of the best heroes are independently wealthy of course.
What did you think? Do yo have any thoughts on the issue and arc? Let us know in the comments!
