Slayer, Interrupted (Part 2 of 4), Act 2
Script: Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza
Pencills: Cliff Richards
Inks: Will Conrad
Colors: Dave McCaig
Letters: Clem Robins
Cover: Brian Horton & Paul Lee
The story takes place before Buffy the Vampire
Slayer's first season
Jeremy's Brief Synopsis:
Committed by her parents because
of her crazed diary entries, Buffy is being helped
by Dr. Primrose to purge herself of all
'supernatural delusions." The only problem is,
something weird is going on at the Insitute. Other
girls arre acting crazy... well, crazier-than
normal. The very mysterious Dr. Stone seems to be
the only person treating the particularly crazy
ones... gathering them all together to become
something called the Brides of Rakagore!
Zinna's Review:
Just the regular everyday dramas
of high school are enough to drive any teenager
crazy but top that off night after night of slaying
vicious vampires and you got yourself a certifiable
slayer. I know, it's reasonable to think that the
pressures of daily slayage coupled with finding a
date for the Fiesta ball would drive any teenage
girl to insanity, so it was only matter of time
before we found our slayer hanging out in the loony
bin. Only Buffy didn't just have a breakdown, she
was provoked by her nosey sister and her two very
concerned parents that just couldn't make sense of
Buffy's recent behavior (you know: her recent
expulsion for burning down the gym, running away to
Vegas, and a diary full of ludicrous vampires tales
that Buffy is claiming are real). I mean how are
you supposed to explain to your mom that yes,
you're a bit depressed because well, your boyfriend
ditched you after he tried to commit suicide
because he found himself to be a liability to your
destiny and all you wanted to do is go home and
have a nice warm shower, only to find that your
sister violated your privacy and took your very
private thoughts about your new found duties as a
slayer to your parents. How could you make them or
anyone understand what's like for you…that
even when you go for walk to clear your head you
are confronted with a vampire (well, it's a demon)
that doesn't turn to dust when you stake him.
Because now you'd be explaining vampires and
slaying while simultaneously coming to terms with
the fact that you, the slayer suddenly has more
than just vampires to worry about. After dealing
with Torque (the demon from Issue 56), You'd be
beginning to realize that your responsibilities as
the slayer aren't going to get any easier which
will probably bring your thoughts back to your
recent breakup because… well… if Pike
couldn't hang with all the slaying, who will be
able to hang? And suddenly you'd be wondering if
you're going to have to do everything from here on
out alone. Suddenly your explanation would turn
into a plea for help or support or guidance
(remember Buffy's watcher is dead and for all she
knows she's not getting a new one), hoping that
your family would understand and be there for you
but you're wrong. It is your family's very concern
that makes matters worse. They want to know what's
wrong with you! They want to know why you aren't
acting like yourself; why you ran away; and why
your diary is filled with frightening talk of
vampires. And the irony of this is it's because of
you they can continue to think that vampires aren't
real and that there aren't evil things out there
trying to destroy mankind. They can continue to
live their happy oblivious lives save for dealing
with you, who they now believe to be a paranoid and
delusional teenager.
Are you dizzy with empathy yet?
If not…then you haven't even begun to grasp
the kind of emotional turmoil Buffy is dealing with
and maybe that's my fault because I didn't explain
it well enough but luckily for you I'm not your
primary source. There's a pretty little issue
fashioning a sullen looking Buffy in a
straight-jacket collapsed in the corner of an
intimidating white padded room on the cover…
the perfect image to illustrate exactly what you
are in for with this issue.
Because as scary as it may seem
the loony bin might just be the thing that Buffy
can't handle. When I say collapsed, maybe I mean
… (shutter, gasp) defeated. Yes, folks this is
the issue where we see Buffy broken down,
disheartened, and completely willing to accept that
maybe everything she's done to save the day thus
far as been her own concocted illusion. It's here
that Buffy is ready and bit relieved to say, "Hey,
maybe you all are right. Maybe I'm the one that's
crazy." And who could blame her? At least this way,
she gets a good night's sleep and for once in what
must feel like an eternity Buffy is not responsible
for everyone's safety.
Only trouble is if Buffy's not
responsible then who is? Ask that of the girl that
goes to Buffy for help&emdash;a fellow patient that
believes in Buffy's ability to save her from harm.
You would think that Buffy would jump at the
chance. When have you heard of Buffy turning down
someone in need? Right, never…until now. So,
what makes this time different? At one point Dr.
Primrose, Buffy's analyst, asks her why she isn't
slaying. To which Buffy replies, "Because I don't
want to?" Meaning that Buffy understands that she
has the power to get herself out of this mess, but
she chooses not to. Why would Buffy be so willing
to relinquish her responsibility? The answer to
this at the core of this issue, actually the answer
to this question and more is at the core of the
entire story arc and while I've ruined a number of
plot aspects for you, I don't doubt that you will
still thoroughly intrigued while getting to the
bottom of it. I've only given you a mere glimpse of
a multi-layered, provocative, visually intriguing
story arc.
Besides, there is also Giles'
subplot to enjoy. As you know, he is to face and
exercise his inner demons i.e. Ripper (Giles'
20-year young alter ego) in a fight to the death.
He expects him to fail and for this test failure is
fatal. There are also the impacts on Buffy's family
and the short glimpse of Willow to witness. So
toughen up your fingertips. We don't want you
getting paper cuts.
