Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 has kicked off with a bang. Last issue we saw the return of Faith and Giles and were introduced to Vicky the Vampire. Issue #2 keeps the action going as the newly reformed Scooby Gang gets down to business. Things have been a mess for the Slayer for a while and it is nice to see everyone back together. It’s not all roses though. Giles isn’t quite as ready to be what he once was, Xander and Dawn are working through some issues and the VAMPYR book seems to have some new rules for Slayers and Vampires. All in all, just a regular Saturday night.
There are some really fun interactions in this issue and I think, at it’s core, that is what Buffy is about. At least to me. I like the way that the characters converse with each other, the quips, the jabs and the comfortable nature they get along. There were times in the past two seasons that I felt that was missing, but it has been on display for these first two issues. I’m not sure if it is just me or if Gage has made a conscious attempt at it, but it is welcome. In fact, it is necessary because there are so many characters now. In this issue alone we have Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Faith, Spike, Dawn and Anya along with several members of the extended cast just from the comics, a few surprises guests and even more unseen characters referenced along the way. Gage does an amazing job holding all this together and actually manages to give every character a moment.
Isaacs does another great job with the art. As I mentioned, the cast of characters is vast so she has plenty to do here. She does a great job of making the characters actually look like they are supposed to and her Buffy is still one of the best. The only one that bothered me was Xander. Towards the end of the book he reminded me of Reggie Mantle from Archie comics with an eyepatch. That’s not a slam against Isaacs because she does really solid work here, but that just popped into my head as I was reading this issue.
Buffy Season 10 gives us Slayer fans more of what we want. Gage and Isaacs look to be in total sync and that makes me excited for what is to come.