Written by Andrew Chambliss
Illustrated by Georges JeantyThe uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy’s trail again–but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.
Welcome to another installment of Buffyversity! Today we’re taking a look at the sixth issue of Season Nine. This issue gives us a small break from the overarching season to deal with the character driven stories about some revelations from the previous arc.
Follow the jump to see my thoughts on Buffy Season Nine #6!
As a note, spoilers are discussed.
Never let it be said that Buffy ever strayed from the real life issues of being a teenager, or being a woman, or anything relevant to a person in the real world. This issue, and the whole arc, are no exception to this rule of Joss’, as Buffy faces something that’s likely scarier to her than facing down every bid bad she’s ever faced since becoming the slayer 16 years ago (Has it really been that long?). If there’s one thing that Buffy never shied away from, it was telling compelling human stories that simply had a backdrop in the fantastic. In this issue, Buffy dealt with something that many women have had to deal with in their lives, and it could not have been handled more gracefully by Andrew Chambliss and Joss Whedon.
Pregnancy has always been explored in the medium of comics, but as far as I can recall, abortion, the thorny subject in question, has largely been glossed over. Likely with good reason as well. It’s a controversial subject at best, and people generally don’t want to deal with such sensitive subjects outside of political cartoonists. But here it’s written intelligently while keeping Buffy’s autonomy as a person. She’s never shamed one way or another.
One well timed and overall welcome addition to the issue was the son of a slayer, Robin Wood. Introduced as the principal of Sunnydale High at the beginning of Season Seven, he didn’t appear in Season Eight, but returns to give Buffy, an expectant mother, advice on raising a child when you’re the slayer. Wood is the perfect person to ask for this, as he knows what it’s like.
One thing I didn’t expect from the issue is how much it expands the backstory on Nikki Wood, Robin’s mother; and as a by-product, Robin himself. Robin naturally gives Buffy the “you should have this baby speech” because for all intents and purposes, he could BE that baby. Heck, he WAS that baby, in a sense. It’s logical storytelling that even if you don’t agree with him suggesting she keep the baby, you can see where he’s coming from.
But while we’re expanding on existing characters, Spike, who has long been a fan-favorite in the Buffy fandom, gets a chance to shine by going on a ride-along with our new Detective Dowling character. Not only does Spike get to be angsty and aloof, but Dowling gets a moment to showcase his talents at reading people, determining Spike is still in love with Buffy despite Spike’s protests to the contrary.
While Whedon and Chambliss tell the story with a masterstroke that respects something they don’t necessarily have THE most authority one (since you know, they’ll never have to worry about an abortion themselves), there’s someone else who handles the storytelling as well as they do. And that’s Georges Jeanty.
By now you’re probably tired of how much I say I love Jeanty’s art. Everything I’ve said in the past issues is just as true this time. His characters have a comic book feel yet keep the tone of the series to a T and his pencils never feel static, which is important in a book about killing vampires and demons on a monthly basis. But even if you’re tired of me going on and on about how amazing his art is, here’s an example of how he can appropriate something and make it his own while retaining the same feel. The following is a variant cover for this issue, along with the book to which it’s paying an homage:
Continued belowGranted, homages happen all the time, but his handling of it makes for some of the most fun you can have in a book, and that’s all I ever ask for: a fun book. Jeanty makes the book fun, bar none.
Ultimately, the story works out to something that’s even rarer than stories dealing with abortion: Buffy decides to have the abortion. This is VERY important because of the fact she’s the lead and the weighty decision was something she decided on her own. There will likely be controversy on this. The only reason I could imagine why would be the fact it’s not in a book published by either Marvel or DC. Regardless of that, this book should be discussed, in my opinion. It’s that important.
Final Verdict: 9.0 — Buy or you’re a zompire.