"Safe"

Faith and Giles encounter a neophyte Slayer on her way to a sanctuary for Chosen Ones. Slayers may need sanctuary because of the public's blind acceptance of vampires; due in part to Harmony gaining her own television show that spins a benevolent ruse over blood-sucking evil.

I'm always happy to see Cliff Richards back on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Without him, there was a good chance that Dark Horse's original spin-off series wouldn't have gotten off the ground and who knows how such a failure would have affected this series' future?

Richards was already a good illustrator and he has matured into an even better artist. Richards nails, or perhaps stakes, Faith's likeness and Giles' resemblance. The attention to imitating the real life characters does not translate into static art. Instead, Richards keeps both new, new avengers in action and gives them suitable body language.

Richards creates a plausible Balkan backdrop that strengthens the premise of the plot. You can believe that such a whacked philosophy thrives in such an environment. Andy Owens' inks enhance the pencils with soft touches, especially to the hair and the textures of clothing. Michelle Madsen impregnates the panels with different lighting schemes to evoke mood and atmosphere.

The story takes in account some unforeseen ramifications of the current Buffy continuity. The idea of some nutbar sacrificing the Slayers to keep the vampires at bay is a clever one, and the identity of the lunatic gives credence to his amorality. You haven't seen him on the show, but you have seen his kind on the series. Faith's dialogue is at once characteristic and original. It denotes a Slayer who has experience both good and bad.

Despite having a sound premise and strong characters that behave in ways that fit their histories, Krueger's and Whedon's story unfortunately falters in the explanation of two important plot points. How does Faith shake off the demon's influence? You can argue that she's a Slayer and possesses a magical stamina, but since she recovers in the nick of time I think a panel of her fighting to come to her senses was definitely required before she saves the day. You cannot take this as rote. Another question is more damaging. Why does the demon explode or catch fire? The panel isn't self-explanatory. The physical nature of the demon isn't discussed. So no argument can be made to rationalize the demon's demise.

I recommend this issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I must, however, recommend it with the reservations of two unanswered questions that dilute the substance of the plot.

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