The Vampire Slayer Introduced a Killer New Spin on a Buffy Icon
A fan-favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer character just returned with a killer twist, and he might be the worst friend the Slayer could have asked for.
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The following contains major spoilers for The Vampire Slayer #3, available now from BOOM! Studios
While Buffy Summers will always be synonymous with the words “vampire slayer,” she isn’t the only iconic character that those words bring to mind. The likes of Willow Rosenberg, Angel, and Spike have all become fast fan favorites during their respective times in the spotlight, and the latter of those three has just returned to it once again. But, like so many other things in the world of The Vampire Slayer, this version of Spike is both strikingly similar and eerily different from the one fans know best. And, as of now, there is no telling what he has in store for the mostly unsuspecting Scooby Gang.
The Vampire Slayer #3 (by Sarah Gailey, Michael Shelfer, Valentina Pinto , and Ed Dukeshire) finds the Scoobies at an unexpected impasse. While Willow and Giles discuss the current situation surrounding Buffy’s status as Slayer, the consistently lighthearted Xander can’t help but find jokes to crack. When his attitude sours the mood, Xander takes his leave, eventually cutting through a local cemetery on his way home for the night. Unfortunately, his self-loathing attracts the attention of a carnivorous Hallyx Wyrm intent on making Xander its next meal. Thankfully, the outmatched Scooby is saved not a moment too late by the sudden appearance of none other than Spike, although the timely save may not be as benevolent as it seems on the surface.
Spike became a part of the Buffy-Verse early in the second season of the original television series. The Season 2 episode “School Hard” introduced Spike as a brooding new antagonist, second only to the season’s big bad, Drusilla, who debuted at the same time. While Spike had nothing but ill intent for the heroes early on, he quickly garnered an affection for the Slayer that could not be ignored. Over the years, Spike became a steadfast ally of the Scoobies, playing an instrumental role in the final battle against the First Evil. Not only did all of this culminate in Spike becoming an indelible part of the series, but one who would constantly keep fans guessing as to where exactly his loyalties lay.
Spike’s appearance in the world of The Vampire Slayer immediately raises questions. It’s clear enough that he is intensely interested in the Scooby Gang, particularly the goings-on of the Slayer herself. Or rather, the woman who should be the Slayer, meaning Spike likely isn’t aware of the shift in the status quo that Willow and Giles’ spell created. Assuming Spike is back to his villainous old habits, he could be walking himself right into a losing situation simply by way of his abject ignorance. Then again, Spike has never really been that simple of a character.
It would be easy enough to say that Spike has returned to torment the Slayer all over again, especially after his conversation with Xander implied as much so many times. Yet there is the question of what exactly is her after, and it would be hard to imagine that all he has in mind is death and destruction. If anything, Spike is likely working towards some greater purpose, quite possibly at the behest of a far more nefarious force. Whatever the case, the only thing readers can count on for sure is that Spike will be subverting their expectations at every turn, save for the one he has never been able to shake.
Whatever the reason that Spike wants to get close to Buffy is, he has absolutely no hope of escaping that experience unscathed. Whether by driving a stake or cupid’s arrow though his heart, Buffy is going to end up being a far more critical part of Spike’s life than he is hers. That is unless he is after the Slayer in general instead of Buffy in specific. In that case, both Spike and Willow will be in for an exceptionally awkward first encounter.
Original article at CBR
This article has been reproduced for archive purposes.
