Customer Rating:  
Summary: Best Volume So Far
Comment: I've been a Buffy fan for a very long time, having owned all the DVDs and seen/loved every episodes I was thrilled to learn the Season 8 comics published here in the UK.
However the Season 8 journey has not been smooth; the first volume was very fast paced, features cameos that felt out of place, didn't give enough information to process where they are now/how they got there, plus it lacked Joss Whedon's humour. The 2nd volume was better paced but fans were confused about plot surrounding Faith for canon reasons (she already redeemed herself, etc). The 3rd volume is the best volume so far; stronger story, better characterisation and the return of the humour that made Buffy stand out of the crowd.
This volume contains the comics 'A Beautiful Sunset' and the four part story - 'Wolves at the Gate'.
'A Beautiful Sunset' is a short revolving around Buffy, Satsu (a fellow slayer) and their first encounter with the big bad - Twilight. A nice story that lets readers know bad Twilight really is (he doesn't just float around!) and sets interesting themes that'll hopefully be further developed later on. Plus it fills some gaps in the story that the past volumes had left empty.
In 'Wolves at the Gate', the legendary scythe is stolen by a group of Japanese vampires who seem to possess magical abilites simular to the infamous Dracula. In need of his help; Xander seeks Dracula in order to stop them. The first volume of this story raised questions as Buffy has a one night stand that was accused of being a 'marketing ploy' - personally I have no problems, it seemed fitting considering how 'A Beautiful Sunset' left off. The only problem I did have is Dracula, some of the character traits he has in this story don't seem to fit how he was protrayed in the TV epiosde he appeared in - but that's just my opinion.
Otherwise; a good story, nice twists added plus great imagrey. There were some nice scenes in here that would work brilliantly on-screen if they ever decide to do another Buffy film (currently rumoured).
Overall; the 3rd time's the charm, the best collection Season 8 of the lot so far. Can't wait for volume 4.
I hope this helps.
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