Given the “mind prison” concept, this could have been a far more surreal episode, as seen across many shows which have delivered trippier descents into a character’s mind (even 19 years later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Restless” remains hard to beat for its artistry). But while “Inescapable” doesn’t push too hard into visual trickery, there are still some well-executed transitions within the surreal mindscape Fitz and Simmons occupy here, especially Fitz climbing after Jemma’s seven-year-old self into her childhood bedroom.

Written by Jordie Bellaire and illustrated by Dan Mora, this new take on Buffy begins with an arc titled “Welcome Back to the Hellmouth” (a nod to the original show’s pilot), which finds Buffy juggling her fast food job, meeting soon-to-be-best pals Xander and Willow for the first time (while saving them from a vamp), and butting heads with her new Watcher, English librarian Giles. The first issue teases a storyline boasting magical jewelry which gives its wearers absolute immortality (even vampires), all while narrated by Xander via his blog. By the end of the very first issue, the first arc’s Big Bad has been introduced, teasing a surprising departure from what fans might expect from a retelling.

A new story arc, a new Artist and a new dilemma for the Scooby Gang: there is a lot going on in the new issue of Buffy The Vampire Slayer from BOOM! Studios. After the shock ending of issue 4, Jordie Bellaire is taking the series into new territory where nothing feels safe anymore.

Fortunately, the series has not lost its edge; in fact it feels much tighter, like a season 4 “pod” from the Ghost Rider days that most remember fondly. Roles have shifted and the scope has broadened, but the rebuilding of the SHIELD organization feels like a logical next step in a story that allows this strong ensemble cast to really highlight each character’s evolution.

This Firefly comic series from BOOM! Studios breaks new ground. It tells a story that belongs to Malcolm and Zoe, with BOOM! Studios promise to reveal “a secret history” fans have only seen shrouded in trauma, somber illusions, and a soldier’s need to leave the battlefield behind.

Avengers: Age of Ultron was the last time Marvel’s films embraced pure superheroism. There’s no denying that the result was messy, but it also had moments that no other Marvel movie can match. It’s the closest Marvel has come yet to showing the Avengers operating together as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. For whatever flaws the film has, it’s successes are still worth celebrating.

The first arc of Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been near perfect from start to finish. Bellaire has captured the essence of the characters and given them her own spin. In turn the entire art team have all pulled out their best work to make sure that this comic would be a hit.

As we count down to Avengers: Endgame, we’re looking back at the point where Thanos said “fine, I’ll do it myself…” with Avengers: Age of Ultron…

In BOOM! Studios new Buffy series, Jordie Bellaire understands this all important aspect of the shows history and issue three is still part of the introduction to this Buffy-verse. There is a monster of the week and the laying of groundwork for future stories. Characters are dropped unceremoniously into the mix as if they are simply residents of Sunnydale and not major players in the story; exactly as Joss Whedon did back in the day.

<align=”center”>Buffy the Vampire Slayer #3: Sassy and mostly stake-sharp</align> <align=”center”>Jordie Bellaire continues to prove that she knows Buffy Summers, inside and out.</align> Before we gets…