8.4: The Long Way Home, Part IV

[Sara]

Your wish is my command, Jeff.

[jeff]

yorick said:

Your wish is my command, Jeff.

How many wishes do I get? ROFL

[jeff]

Ok, the whole sharp pointy blade at the eye thing, Ewww! *shivers*

Ok, Willow's best friend speech. Is it a tip off that she loves Buffy and was the one that kissed her? Or is it saying she is just best friends and that is that? I think it is still pointing toward Wilow being the one that kissed Buffy. Just IMO.

Nice touch showing Amy her mother's face.

and the priceless line of the comic goes to Warren.

"This isn't over yet Slayer." "I just do not get tired of saying that!"

and Ethan! I didn't connect that he was being held by the milatary. Nice touch.


And what a freaking fantastic ending for the first story arc! Although I have to say being apart of the human race, I am not to thrilled with the Idea of going to war with the slayer.

Now we have to wait 2 months. Also think they are starting another arc dealing with Faith. So this one will be expanded over who knows how many number of comics

I am so excited now. This could be really really cool. I am looking foward to seeing where Joss takes us with this

[Rob]

I agree, Jeff, that indications are very strong that Willow is the one who kissed Buffy, evidenced by the mystical bond that appeared to manifest itself in this issue.

More thoughts on this issue later as time permits.

[Onjel]

I loved the continuity with Ethan and the military holding cell. Also? The numbers on the door. I don't think that Buffy is at war with the human race. That symbol on the general's chest indicates that something other-wordly or dimensional is running this show and using the military as puppets to destroy the Slayers and the entire line. (Again.) I don't doubt what he believes, but he has been brainwashed.

I'm waiting to find out more about Dawn the Thricewise, btw. We don't see Dawn nearly enough. And, who were those entities with whom Willow was conversing while Warren was busy lobotomizing her? Gyah!

Loved the reference back to Amy's worst nightmare being her mother and the rendition was perfect!

I do not think that Xander kissed Buffy, but I'm not yet sold on Willow being the one. I'm going to have to re-read to see if I pick up any more clues.

And, how perfect was it that on the verge of going into battle Buffy was asking for lipgloss because she was "cracky" and then commenting on the flavor? LOL!

So, was Buffy's black-eyed mojo from the witches at the HQ or is it the part of Willow that is always with her?

I noticed the similarity between Buffy's comment about the general hating the words "women and power" in the same sentence with his comment the other day about that awful movie and the wide-spread misogyny in the world. He will always rock my world.

[Anne, Old S'cubie Cat]

rob said:

I agree, Jeff, that indications are very strong that Willow is the one who kissed Buffy, evidenced by the mystical bond that appeared to manifest itself in this issue.

More thoughts on this issue later as time permits.

Got my copy in the mail today.

I know that for a cynic, I can be hopelessly sentimental, and that this is the sort of wooly-headed thinking that gets people eaten, but I think Willow kissed Buffy, too.

After all, I don't think there was anything that said that the love had to be sexual in nature, or requited, for that matter.

[KMInfinity]

Okay I finally found these threads. I was just wishing I could talk to someone about the comics and had this D’oh moment and thought, “well of course the s’cubies are discussing this.” I’m a doofus.

General comments~

I’m ambivalent about the art. Certain panels will be fantastic, then there will be a scene I think is hideous, or superficial, or very sketchy and undeveloped. Or just BAD. I need to educate my comic-eye I suppose. (Lola, if it isn’t too difficult to explain, WHY are the characters not permitted to look much like their originals?)

The “voice” is excellent. Dialogue and clever quippiness and not quite non-sequitur asides and the overall wit and all. Thanks Joss.

I too hate the “done in ten minutes” experience. I’ve decided to reread each episode as a new one arrives. At least for now. Lol

I should learn to be happy with the good I have and not allow it to cause me to pine for a different good…but damn, instead of satisfying my desire for Buffyverse action, the comics are making me miss Buffy all over again.

I still haven’t received Part IV. Why does the local Borders have the issue before a subscriber?

[Karen]

onjel said:

I loved the continuity with Ethan and the military holding cell. Also? The numbers on the door. I don't think that Buffy is at war with the human race. That symbol on the general's chest indicates that something other-wordly or dimensional is running this show and using the military as puppets to destroy the Slayers and the entire line. (Again.) I don't doubt what he believes, but he has been brainwashed.

I'm waiting to find out more about Dawn the Thricewise, btw. We don't see Dawn nearly enough. And, who were those entities with whom Willow was conversing while Warren was busy lobotomizing her? Gyah!

Loved the reference back to Amy's worst nightmare being her mother and the rendition was perfect!

I do not think that Xander kissed Buffy, but I'm not yet sold on Willow being the one. I'm going to have to re-read to see if I pick up any more clues.

And, how perfect was it that on the verge of going into battle Buffy was asking for lipgloss because she was "cracky" and then commenting on the flavor? LOL!

So, was Buffy's black-eyed mojo from the witches at the HQ or is it the part of Willow that is always with her?

I noticed the similarity between Buffy's comment about the general hating the words "women and power" in the same sentence with his comment the other day about that awful movie and the wide-spread misogyny in the world. He will always rock my world.

That comment about the lipgloss was sooo Buffy - but also maybe a clue as to who kissed her, because Buffy commented that the flavor was 'cinnamon', and when she was kissed, the first thing she said when she woke up was 'cinnamon buns'.

I think the Chinese slayer was the one who kissed her.

Joss - it was almost like he timed the comic's first 4 story arc with the upcoming Serenity viewings and the fundraisers for Equality Now. Which I think is damn awesome!

[Karen]

kminfinity said:

Okay I finally found these threads. I was just wishing I could talk to someone about the comics and had this D’oh moment and thought, “well of course the s’cubies are discussing this.” I’m a doofus.

General comments~

I’m ambivalent about the art. Certain panels will be fantastic, then there will be a scene I think is hideous, or superficial, or very sketchy and undeveloped. Or just BAD. I need to educate my comic-eye I suppose. (Lola, if it isn’t too difficult to explain, WHY are the characters not permitted to look much like their originals?)

The “voice” is excellent. Dialogue and clever quippiness and not quite non-sequitur asides and the overall wit and all. Thanks Joss.

I too hate the “done in ten minutes” experience. I’ve decided to reread each episode as a new one arrives. At least for now. Lol

I should learn to be happy with the good I have and not allow it to cause me to pine for a different good…but damn, instead of satisfying my desire for Buffyverse action, the comics are making me miss Buffy all over again.

I still haven’t received Part IV. Why does the local Borders have the issue before a subscriber?

Hi, KM!

Here's an interview with the comic's artist. It gives you some insight as to why the characters don't look too much like the actors.

It's very much a Joss-thing, to have them not look exactly like the actors, and from what I've read, he's very happy with the characterizations so far.

Glad you found this thread!

[beccaelizabeth]

I did not like this one quite so much.
I like it much better when I'm the one turning him into a ghost.

what, you think Ethan is ended?
he's way too much fun.
plus we know he was climbing around in dreamspace, and we also know that the Eyghon-sleepwalker lot shared dreams, so turning up in Giles' dreamspace would be easy.

... yeah, this is my first thought
... I really didn't like that panel with the deadness.

Warren's explanation as to how he's still alive is sort of... well, it reminds me of the way Buffy never had to deal with actually accidentally killing someone, like her universe conspires to always make it untrue. It's like the writers don't want her to look evil or something.
Since Willow did all the stuff to kill him then not actually being dead but it being entirely a coincidence just makes her an incompetent murderer, not lets her off.

I want to see how Andrew reacts to Warren still being alive. With a girlfriend.
... because even canon Andrew could react quite strongly.

The lobotomy section was really, really, really dark.

Actually the whole comic was darker than BtVS typically got.
Nasty, messy, and because it is still easier to stare at.

more ways the change to comics makes a difference.


... I miss TV.


... I go write fanfic now.

[Queen E]

beccaelizabeth said:

I did not like this one quite so much.
I like it much better when I'm the one turning him into a ghost.

what, you think Ethan is ended?
he's way too much fun.
plus we know he was climbing around in dreamspace, and we also know that the Eyghon-sleepwalker lot shared dreams, so turning up in Giles' dreamspace would be easy.

... yeah, this is my first thought
... I really didn't like that panel with the deadness.

Warren's explanation as to how he's still alive is sort of... well, it reminds me of the way Buffy never had to deal with actually accidentally killing someone, like her universe conspires to always make it untrue. It's like the writers don't want her to look evil or something.
Since Willow did all the stuff to kill him then not actually being dead but it being entirely a coincidence just makes her an incompetent murderer, not lets her off.

I want to see how Andrew reacts to Warren still being alive. With a girlfriend.
... because even canon Andrew could react quite strongly.

The lobotomy section was really, really, really dark.

Actually the whole comic was darker than BtVS typically got.
Nasty, messy, and because it is still easier to stare at.

more ways the change to comics makes a difference.


... I miss TV.


... I go write fanfic now.

Becca, you are now so associated in my mind with Ethan that my first thought when I got to that panel was: "Oh, man. How is Becca going to react to this?"

[Lola m]

Here are my first babbly thoughts . . . no particular rhyme or reason to them yet.


I'm glad they explained how Warren was alive still and it makes sense - Amy watching/spying on Willow at the time, etc.

I'm glad they reminded us what Willow did, because it's serious. But the unseen torture of her was still ooky - the blade by the eye (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!) and the lobotomy and so on. Then again, the way it let us see into the forces that are pulling at her, speaking to her? Very cool!!

Dawn as a giant just doesn't get old for me. I can't help it, I just love that plot line so much 'cuz it makes me giggle. ;D

Love how they do the classic edit jumps that the show always did. Like Dawn saying "Will is like a mom to me" and then we get Buffy and Xander "oh I bet you loved hearing that". Or Xander saying that Willow is stronger than all of them, cut to Amy or Warren saying how therein lies, it's very operatic, her downfall.

Like how we're getting glimpses of the other slayers and their relationships. They seem to think not that highly of Satsu (and she doesn't think that highly of herself either), or else they really like to tease her. But I can tell they're wrong. Buffy didn't pick her because of her hair or her nummy cinnamon lipgloss (or even because it might be her that kissed Buffy). She picked her because of what we saw when Buffy was training earlier. Satsu was better at fighting as part of a team than the other Slayers were; not just fighting on her own, but strategizing and working together.

Amy? Scary as hell and damn she doesn't like the scoobies. Really really doesn't like Willow.

The double mirror thing with the portal confused me at first, but it was cool. And now our heroes have gotten a chance to see a bit of what they're facing, so that's good. Hard to fight what you don't know.

Loved how the dreamspace thing is used against Amy. Villians always get hoist on their own petard, eh?

Warren, Warren, Warren. Always the same guy. "This isn't over, Slayer. I just do not get tired of saying that." Warren always did have that in common with Ford from "Lie to Me".

"Someone ask Dawn to stop jumping up and down." Heeeee! Did I mention I find giant!Dawn very funny? ;D

Ethan? So not dead. I mean, come on! Not only is this the Buffyverse, (let's count the number of dead folks that come back, shall we?), but this is Ethan! Chaos is not that easy to permanently eradicate.

At war with the human race, eh? Yeah, at war with your brand of humanity, maybe, buddy! But Buffy and the Slayers aren't the big bad, aren't evil. Yes, their power comes from a demon - stolen from the demon world to let them fight evil. Fight the bad guys, protect the world, save innocents! Stupid army guy who is in bed with the demons himself - I see that mark on your chest! Buffy'll fight humans if she has to, but she's still the one getting Willow to help save the wounded guys who tried to kill her. **nods emphatically**

Last but not least. Damn, I gotta stop reading the letters. Too big a reminder that some fans start every day with the extra big bowl of crazy flakes.


Will be back to comment on other posts later!

[Onjel]

karen said:

onjel said:

I loved the continuity with Ethan and the military holding cell. Also? The numbers on the door. I don't think that Buffy is at war with the human race. That symbol on the general's chest indicates that something other-wordly or dimensional is running this show and using the military as puppets to destroy the Slayers and the entire line. (Again.) I don't doubt what he believes, but he has been brainwashed.

I'm waiting to find out more about Dawn the Thricewise, btw. We don't see Dawn nearly enough. And, who were those entities with whom Willow was conversing while Warren was busy lobotomizing her? Gyah!

Loved the reference back to Amy's worst nightmare being her mother and the rendition was perfect!

I do not think that Xander kissed Buffy, but I'm not yet sold on Willow being the one. I'm going to have to re-read to see if I pick up any more clues.

And, how perfect was it that on the verge of going into battle Buffy was asking for lipgloss because she was "cracky" and then commenting on the flavor? LOL!

So, was Buffy's black-eyed mojo from the witches at the HQ or is it the part of Willow that is always with her?

I noticed the similarity between Buffy's comment about the general hating the words "women and power" in the same sentence with his comment the other day about that awful movie and the wide-spread misogyny in the world. He will always rock my world.

That comment about the lipgloss was sooo Buffy - but also maybe a clue as to who kissed her, because Buffy commented that the flavor was 'cinnamon', and when she was kissed, the first thing she said when she woke up was 'cinnamon buns'.

I think the Chinese slayer was the one who kissed her.

Joss - it was almost like he timed the comic's first 4 story arc with the upcoming Serenity viewings and the fundraisers for Equality Now. Which I think is damn awesome!

I think you are onto something with the cinnamon. Buffy looks thoughtful after tasting it and recognizing the flavor. This reinforces my notion that I have to read all the eps together with each installment. I'm forgetting things and missing some of the comic continuity, focusing on the television show continuity.

[Lola m]

jeff said:

Ok, the whole sharp pointy blade at the eye thing, Ewww! *shivers*

**nods a lot** Eye stuff always makes me go all squicky.

Ok, Willow's best friend speech. Is it a tip off that she loves Buffy and was the one that kissed her? Or is it saying she is just best friends and that is that? I think it is still pointing toward Wilow being the one that kissed Buffy. Just IMO.

Nice touch showing Amy her mother's face.

Excellent touch. Since Amy loves to use mind games and memories against others it was the perfect thing to turn back around at her.

and the priceless line of the comic goes to Warren.

"This isn't over yet Slayer." "I just do not get tired of saying that!"

and Ethan! I didn't connect that he was being held by the milatary. Nice touch.

**nods** I liked the continuity from when he was taken away by the Initiative in "A New Man".

And what a freaking fantastic ending for the first story arc! Although I have to say being apart of the human race, I am not to thrilled with the Idea of going to war with the slayer.

;D Ah, but you are part of the human race that is smart enough to not want to, so . . . .

Now we have to wait 2 months. Also think they are starting another arc dealing with Faith. So this one will be expanded over who knows how many number of comics

I am so excited now. This could be really really cool. I am looking foward to seeing where Joss takes us with this

The wait will be hard, for sure! But yes, I'm very excited about the myriad possibilities before us.

[Lola m]

rob said:

I agree, Jeff, that indications are very strong that Willow is the one who kissed Buffy, evidenced by the mystical bond that appeared to manifest itself in this issue.

More thoughts on this issue later as time permits.

Oh, good point!