The Buffy Comic Project: "A Stake to the Heart" Act 4 [COMICS]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer # 63
Dark Horse Comics (Volume 1, 1998-2003)

Creators: Fabian Nicieza (story), Cliff Richards (pencils), Brian Horton (paints), Will Conrad (inks), Michelle Madsen (colors), Clem Robins (Letters)

Setting: Between Movie & Season 1

T.V./Movie Character Apperances:  Dawn, Buffy, Hank Summers, Joyce, Angel, Whistler, Willow, Xander, Giles, The Mayor, Finch,

Major Original Characters: Trepidation Demon

Summary:   A Trepidation Demon has followed Buffy and her family to Sunnydale, and all over the town people are faced with anxiety and indecision.  Buffy confronts the demon but is entranced until, secretly, Angel distracts it and Buffy breaks free and destroys it.  Life returns to normal in Sunnydale--at least as normal with a Hellmouth and the Slayer can ever be.

Review

This was a plot-light but meaningful final issue of the series.  So many people get cameos, from the Mayor to Buffy and Xander to Giles.  It starts with Buffy and Dawn saying goodbye to their father for the move to Sunnydale, and anyone who's been through a marital separation (kids or parents) will recognize the emotion involved.  The scenes in Sunnydale are equally great, supported with some gorgeous painted artwork in parts of the interior.  It's a classy and fitting way to end the comic series, and brings things nicely around full-circle to the start of the show.

Notes

* Dark Horse wouldn't be finished with Buffy.  The month after this issue, the five-part Tales of the Vampires begins.

* I've got the Annual to talk about in one more post, and then my Buffy Comic Project has reached a milestone!