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Buffy #4 is told from Xander’s point of view, catching readers up on a few things that provide contextual details on the Scoobies’ lives. Because he expects something big and sinister is on the way, Giles gives his slayer the night off, so the teens plan a movie night. But, it quickly becomes a date scenario and Xander’s feelings of loneliness increase to a painful level.

This issue by Jordie Bellaire is all about the teen lives with little scary action. Xander may have two really good friends, but he’s also a teenager with awkwardness and raw emotions that he suppresses until they come out at a not so good time. Which is when a scary, simmering situation develops.

So far, Buffy has great character interaction, good dialogue, and expressive art by Dan Mora and colors by Raúl Angulo.

-Amanda Sheriff