The Buffy Comic Project: "Remember the Beginning"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer # 35

(Dark Horse, Vol. 1: 1998-2003)

Creators:  Tom Fassbender & Jim Pascoe (writers); Cliff Richards (penciller); Joe Pimentel & Will Conrad (inkers)

Setting:  Season Five

T.V. Character Appearances:  Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Giles, Anya, Riley (flashback only)

Major Original Characters:  Mysterious Vampire; Unnamed Mentor

Summary:  Still sad about Riley leaving, Buffy becomes annoyed with Dawn's attempts to follow her around on patrol.  Buffy and Dawn talk, and Buffy realizes that Dawn "remembers" events that never happened--like her being present after the Master drowned Buffy.  Later that night, when Buffy goes out on patrol, Dawn secretly follows her--only to fall into the clutches of a mysterious vampire planning to kill Buffy.

Review

Excellent start to a new story-arc.  The characterization of Buffy and Dawn is really well done, and the dramatization of Dawn's memory of Buffy's death at the hands of the Master was fun to see.  Focussing on the relationship between a couple of the Scoobies is a good idea, as there's just not enough space to give each character on the show something to do.  The artwork remains strong, especially the scenes featuring the arc's new villain--blood and gore popping off the page.

Notes

*  I have no idea who the floating head on the art cover (behind Dawn and Buffy) is supposed to be.

*  Dialogue indicates that Buffy started going out on patrol when she was 14; I think 16 is the right number, at least if the movie and t.v. show are to fit together.

*  An ad for "Buffy Fruit Snacks".  Man, I would eat those every time I played the "Buffy Board Game" I still don't have!  [If I were really cool, I could do so while sipping from a "Buffy Stainless Steel Travel Mug" and wearing a "Buffy T-Shirt", "Buffy Pewter Cross," and "Buffy Men's Claddagh Ring."]

*  The letters' page is in the wrong issue, as it was clearly meant to go into the previous issue.

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