Scan barcode
A review by tanemariacris
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Love Dares You by Rebekah Isaacs, Christos Gage, Nicholas Brendon, Joss Whedon, Megan Levens
4.0
Although the good vampire has dreams of killing people oh no did he turn evil has been done more than once in the Buffyverse, and Spike being mind-controlled by the Big Bad is also not a new situation, I won't say the trip into Spike's brain wasn't enjoyable.
His inner turmoil between the demon part that still lurks under the surface and the man he wishes to be has been explored in a more subtle and nuanced manner on Buffy and Angel, of course, but this volume serves as a valuable reminder that the fight is never over. It brings forth the complexity of this character, all the layers that Buffy (and him) has to embrace, or at least be aware of, before commiting to a serious relationship with him, something they are finally ready to give a chance to. Proceed on doing Xander's Snoopy dance. Related to that, following them getting together (which is constructed believably with Spike's cautioness and Buffy's arguments) made me realise that I'm not a huge fan of the straightforward, expository tendency of these comics with the feelings and desires of the characters. Way too much tell (many times through obvious observations), not enough show. Oh. And Buffy's history with stuff turning bad after she sleeps with someone? It should be just that: history.
This volume is about people growing out of relationships (Willow and Aluwyn; Olivia and Giles - quite literally), with them (Spike and Buffy's ever-evolving dynamic), and into them (Andrew and Clive/ Andrew and his identity). It's also about acknowledging when a relationship needs to be rebuilt and that growth can't be rushed or forced (Dawn and Xander). A pretty solid addition to the season. After all, as I might have mentioned already, it gave us Buffy and Spike, successfully capturing their complicate, at times messy connection that's based on a profound sense of mutual understanding, trust, and unconditional love, all of which were acquired and developed in time, and not without a fair amount of pain on both parts. Given this, I am willing to forgive whatever flaws the volume may have.
His inner turmoil between the demon part that still lurks under the surface and the man he wishes to be has been explored in a more subtle and nuanced manner on Buffy and Angel, of course, but this volume serves as a valuable reminder that the fight is never over. It brings forth the complexity of this character, all the layers that Buffy (and him) has to embrace, or at least be aware of, before commiting to a serious relationship with him, something they are finally ready to give a chance to. Proceed on doing Xander's Snoopy dance. Related to that, following them getting together (which is constructed believably with Spike's cautioness and Buffy's arguments) made me realise that I'm not a huge fan of the straightforward, expository tendency of these comics with the feelings and desires of the characters. Way too much tell (many times through obvious observations), not enough show. Oh. And Buffy's history with stuff turning bad after she sleeps with someone? It should be just that: history.
This volume is about people growing out of relationships (Willow and Aluwyn; Olivia and Giles - quite literally), with them (Spike and Buffy's ever-evolving dynamic), and into them (Andrew and Clive/ Andrew and his identity). It's also about acknowledging when a relationship needs to be rebuilt and that growth can't be rushed or forced (Dawn and Xander). A pretty solid addition to the season. After all, as I might have mentioned already, it gave us Buffy and Spike, successfully capturing their complicate, at times messy connection that's based on a profound sense of mutual understanding, trust, and unconditional love, all of which were acquired and developed in time, and not without a fair amount of pain on both parts. Given this, I am willing to forgive whatever flaws the volume may have.