Buffy #58

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #58
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #58
Slayer, Interrupted (Part 3 of 4), Act 3

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:Alice
    When Buffy goes to get "cured", she finds that therapist, Dr. Stone is manipulating teh girls there to become the brides of a demon named Rakagore. And the demon has manifested itself in the form of Dr. Stone! So who's crazy now?

Zinna's Review:
    What does a slayer do in the loony bin? Find out this month's issue. Now, when I was in the loony bin I a spent a great deal of time making macaroni art but you're not interested in what I've been up to. You want to know how Buffy pasts the time. Well, let's just say she gets in touch with her inner "Alice", as in Alice in Wonderland. Was that your favorite bedtime story too? Buffy remembers it well, mostly because she associates it with the last time she felt safe in the dark. This association makes no sense to me because quite frankly Alice in Wonderland gave me the most vivid set nightmares as child. I think it had something to do with the queen and possibility of Alice losing her head for standing up for her convictions. More importantly, Alice believed in herself so much that she was willing to sacrifice her head for the sake of her integrity -- a bit of complex lesson for 8 year old; a lesson a bit too complex for an emotionally exhausted 15 year old slayer. It's the lesson of the week, however, because as you will find and as Buffy has found the most important part of being legendary hero, is believing. Problem with that is no one else is going to believe you and you might end up in the loony bin because it. Does this mean that you can stop believing in your destiny?
    For all the reasons you can guess, Buffy is hoping so. If she's crazy then all she has to do make some macaroni art, participate in some group meetings, and concede that her delusions of vampires and demons are the mere result of her overzealous imagination and her "messiah complex". While no one might be able to explain what her "messiah complex" could be a result of, Buffy can rest easy knowing that everything she's had to do, every fight she's had to fight is over. She can finally be what every teenager wants to be: just like everyone else. And with any luck, she can get out the bin and resume her previous high school career ambitions of becoming most popular and well dressed. Why else would someone like Buffy be so willing to relinquish her power?
    I know you saw Spiderman, so you know, "With great power comes great responsibility." I remember being teenager and while I didn't have any demons to slay or vampires to stake, I had still felt overwhelmed with responsibility. Suddenly, my life was for the most part my own and my talents were my mine to cultivate, my potential was mine to seek out and fulfill. This is an awesome responsibility for many who take the time to realize it. Some would even go so far as to think Buffy lucky because she destiny sought her out, but what good is a destiny that falls into your lap if you don't believe it? Maybe Buffy should get some bracelet that reads, "What would Alice do?"
    Apparently, the story holds a number of other hidden associations as well. What does a fat checkered Cheshire cat symbolize for you? For Buffy, it symbolizes that which can never be fully known. And I'm wondering if this is referring to unknown things like the meaning of life or where we go when we die, but once again there aren't straight answers, but conjecture a plenty. Because if you learned anything from the last review or even the last issue, then you learned that no one is going to hand Buffy the answers. Before I confuse myself with philosophical jargon. I'm just going to say that I've already said too much.
    Moving on, remember last week's person in need--the girl Buffy dismissed as a head case? Have you been up at night wondering what happened to her? Now's the time for you to find out. Unfortunately, for her and her family she proves to be a very valuable lesson for Buffy. The kind of lesson that no one wants to learn, especially, if they're in the middle of nervous breakdown/identity crisis, but a lesson that will have the most impact. Now, here's a question: Why is that hardest lessons to learn come with a biggest of consequences? This is a question that can also be asked of Giles, who continues to battle against fragments of his past.
    So to sum things up, this issue will show you what it takes to make Buffy believe&emdash;oh yeah it's something completely unbelievable. Have fun!


Links

Comic Book Guide to Buffy
Comic Book Guide to Buffy

 

Tales of the Slayers
Tales of the Slayers

 

Joss Whedon's Fray
Joss Whedon's Fray

 

Comic Monster Guide
The Monster Guide

 

Hellmouth Central
Hellmouth Central


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