Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
The problem with graphic novels that are tied in to a television series is the sudden jump in character in one of the leads or the dropping in of new individual to the storyline, it can cause havoc. Unlike graphic novels or comic books that were produced first, for example the D.C./Marvel range or the likes of Sin City, Graphic Novels tie ups can leave the dedicated reader somewhat off balance. Not so with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus collections which even though are produced after the initial series of Buffy The Slayer programmes finishes have a wonderful way of keeping everything tidy, in check and thoroughly interesting.
The fifth omnibus of the series is no exception. With the character of Faith having been introduced, her disturbing way of flipping from Buffy’s equal to just as frustrating an enemy was in no way to be able to be captured properly within the confines of a series of adventures in a graphic novel or monthly magazine. She was too important a character in the life of the series to ever downgrade or try to explain from one month to the next, after all continuality is king.
That doesn’t stop the team behind Dark Horse though coming up with an ingenious story involving Faith as she lays in a coma and the final interaction with the mayor of Sunnydale in various forms and guises. Jane Espenson’s script for Haunted is one of the finest to have emerged from five Omnibus editions. Cleverly thought out, cunning to the extreme in a way of bringing a much liked character to the fore in art form and a story that just sits perfectly within the hallowed ground of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The story plays on the fear and trepidation felt by those that are left behind after a large scale calamity or destruction. Quite simply the thought of faith, whatever sees you through the night and keeps you strong is what is needed from stopping you going to dark places in which you might never return.
The artwork supplied by Cliff Richards, Julio Ferreira and Jeremy Cox all intensify this feeling as the normally quick witted Buffy seems more at ill ease throughout the story than perhaps audiences and readers have been able to imagine her becoming.
The other really notable stories in this particular omnibus are The Blood of Carthage and Oz by Christopher Golden. Whilst the artwork on Oz makes it difficult for the long term fan to enjoy the story of one of the big plusses in the series, the ginger haired guitar player, the boy who is love with a witch and who every month turns into a killing maniacal werewolf. The script is endlessly entertaining and shows just how important Oz was to the series which seemed to, if not slip after Daniel Osbourne, portrayed with great affection by Seth Green, left then at least go off an unexpected tangent as the testosterone fuelled banter between the make characters became less of an issue.
The Blood of Carthage is an enjoyable romp in which Spike, the Vampire with a curse upon him, makes an appearance worthy of his time in the series. For too long the character seemed underused, in either guise, and the moments in which he was portrayed were always too inclined to be part of the bigger back story rather than something new and exciting. Spike always seemed to be a much more interesting character when taken out of the Drusilla story lines and Christopher Golden frames that neatly within The Blood of Carthage.
In its fifth Omnibus collection, Buffy the Vampire Slayer continues to keep the very high standards that Dark Horse became noted for and why it retained such affection from those who wanted a different approach to story-telling and art work away from the two major players of D.C. and Marvel.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus Number 5 is available to purchase from Worlds Apart on Lime Street, Liverpool.
Ian D. Hall