What do you think?
Rate this book
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #5
After the stunning events of Issue #4, the Scooby Gang tries to recover and deal with a new threat that’s arising within the very halls of Sunnydale High itself.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2019
9 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Jordie Bellaire
1,161 books171 followersJordie Bellaire is an American comic book colorist and writter who lives in Ireland and works for DC, Marvel, Valiant, and Image comic book publishers. She has colored Pretty Deadly, The Manhattan Projects, Moon Knight, The Vision, Magneto, Nowhere Men, Hawkeye, Batman, among other titles. As a writer, her most famous works are Redlands and the reboot of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Bellaire is credited with starting the "Comics are for everybody" initiative to make the comic book community more inclusive and compassionate.
Bellaire is credited with starting the "Comics are for everybody" initiative to make the comic book community more inclusive and compassionate.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 9, 2019
The issue's story was like 4.5/5, but what's going on with the artwork? Everyone has very weird faces and psycho eyes, like they were born without eyelids or something.
June 6, 2019
Honestly, making would be the most interesting thing to happen in this new series so far.
June 14, 2019
THAT'S IT. I give up.
I only reason I'd dragged myself through the last four volumes was because of the stunning artwork. HOW COULD YOU MESS THAT UP NOW?!
*sigh*
I only reason I'd dragged myself through the last four volumes was because of the stunning artwork. HOW COULD YOU MESS THAT UP NOW?!
*sigh*
December 2, 2019
The first real action of the series finally starts for our Scoobies, and it is a pretty interesting twist. However, with Issue #5, we have a change of artist: Dan Mora, who’d been the artist for the first four issues, has been replaced by David López – at least through Issue #7. Unfortunately, this represents a BIG step down in artistic quality. The only character that looks even remotely like their actor is Buffy (emphasis on “remotely”); everyone else (including Buffy) looks a bit like a poorly-drawn but hysterical manga character, all with HUGE eyes, as if they are perpetually having a coronary from pure shock. Gone are all the loving details like the library, and the unique scenery such as Buffy’s dreams. Even the writing seems have gotten a little wonky; there are a few clunky grammatical constructs that just don’t work or are totally wrong, such as Giles saying, “I implore that both of you remain calm.” (That’s not proper use of implore.) Unfortunately, the art quality in particular really detracts from the story, which isn’t that strong to begin with, and isn’t improved with worsening dialog.
2.5 stars, and I’m probably being generous because, well, it’s Buffy.
Check out my review of the first four issues as compiled in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol. 1.
2.5 stars, and I’m probably being generous because, well, it’s Buffy.
Check out my review of the first four issues as compiled in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol. 1.
August 23, 2019
The comic art in this is effing horrible.
July 5, 2019
Let me just take a deep breath in here before I start — I am sure that illustrating comic books is much more difficult than it looks. I am also sure that I could never be a comic book illustrator in a million years. Not if my life depended on it. However, I really do not like the direction that the art has taken in this issue (I'm really sorry, David López). Okay, let's get into it!
Dan Mora is no longer illustrating the Buffy comics, having gone on to illustrate BOOM!'s Once and Future comics (it's a limited series, so I'm hoping that means that Mora will return to pencilling Buffy once it's finished). I didn't realise what a huge impact that would have on Buffy, because everything that I loved about the art in the first four issues is missing here. Characters are drawn with minimal features if they're not the focus of the panel (not just background characters; the scene I'm thinking of features Buffy and Giles listening to Jenny Calendar discussing Xander's vampirism), or characters have indiscernible expressions on their faces. The characters no longer look similar to their television counterparts (particularly Jenny Calendar and Drusilla) and are frequently drawn without their eyelids which gives them a permanently shocked/surprised expression. That said, I really loved the colouring during Buffy's dream sequence and her subsequent talk with Willow, and when she was recounting her date with Robin (so, basically the first five pages of the issue).
I can finally (finally!) see the deep bond that Willow and Xander share. In the first few issues, it seemed that they weren't that close. Willow has so much going on in her life, which is the complete opposite of the Willow we meet in the television show. Willow is completely distraught by Xander being turned into a vampire, commenting that if Xander is home sick, then she wants to be home sick. Their friendship was such a strong element of the show, I'm glad that it's being built up in the comics more. This issue also highlights that while Buffy is friends with Willow and Xander, she doesn't understand them the way that they understand each other — they have a shorthand with one another. There's a dynamic to their relationship that others simply aren't privy to.
I don't think that the stakes are high enough in this issue — like, Bellaire has already given the Scoobies an out, so you know that Xander isn't going to be a vampire forever. Of course, Xander being a vampire would be straying incredibly far from canon, but given that this is an alternate universe of Buffy, I think kind of permissible. I am interested in the prospect of Joyce being put in danger, and perhaps learning of Buffy's role as the Slayer quite early on in the series. It's also finally become clear why Anya was introduced in the very first issue (although if I recall correctly, she hasn't played a role in the comics since, so I think her introduction could've waited until issue #6, instead of trying to cram as many familiar faces as possible in issue #1).
I think this could potentially be an interesting arc for the comics, but ultimately I was left wanting more. My biggest gripe is with the artwork because I don't think it's doing an adequate job of carrying the story, but hopefully this changes as López continues with the series.
Dan Mora is no longer illustrating the Buffy comics, having gone on to illustrate BOOM!'s Once and Future comics (it's a limited series, so I'm hoping that means that Mora will return to pencilling Buffy once it's finished). I didn't realise what a huge impact that would have on Buffy, because everything that I loved about the art in the first four issues is missing here. Characters are drawn with minimal features if they're not the focus of the panel (not just background characters; the scene I'm thinking of features Buffy and Giles listening to Jenny Calendar discussing Xander's vampirism), or characters have indiscernible expressions on their faces. The characters no longer look similar to their television counterparts (particularly Jenny Calendar and Drusilla) and are frequently drawn without their eyelids which gives them a permanently shocked/surprised expression. That said, I really loved the colouring during Buffy's dream sequence and her subsequent talk with Willow, and when she was recounting her date with Robin (so, basically the first five pages of the issue).
I can finally (finally!) see the deep bond that Willow and Xander share. In the first few issues, it seemed that they weren't that close. Willow has so much going on in her life, which is the complete opposite of the Willow we meet in the television show. Willow is completely distraught by Xander being turned into a vampire, commenting that if Xander is home sick, then she wants to be home sick. Their friendship was such a strong element of the show, I'm glad that it's being built up in the comics more. This issue also highlights that while Buffy is friends with Willow and Xander, she doesn't understand them the way that they understand each other — they have a shorthand with one another. There's a dynamic to their relationship that others simply aren't privy to.
I don't think that the stakes are high enough in this issue — like, Bellaire has already given the Scoobies an out, so you know that Xander isn't going to be a vampire forever. Of course, Xander being a vampire would be straying incredibly far from canon, but given that this is an alternate universe of Buffy, I think kind of permissible. I am interested in the prospect of Joyce being put in danger, and perhaps learning of Buffy's role as the Slayer quite early on in the series. It's also finally become clear why Anya was introduced in the very first issue (although if I recall correctly, she hasn't played a role in the comics since, so I think her introduction could've waited until issue #6, instead of trying to cram as many familiar faces as possible in issue #1).
I think this could potentially be an interesting arc for the comics, but ultimately I was left wanting more. My biggest gripe is with the artwork because I don't think it's doing an adequate job of carrying the story, but hopefully this changes as López continues with the series.
June 27, 2019
My Thoughts On: Buffy the Vampire Slayer #5
1. Immediately, I noticed the artist on this series has changed. Now, David Lopez is drawing the series instead of Dan Mora. The artwork is still good, but it is a distinct shift in style that I will have to get used to.
2. It does kind of bug me that we start with Buffy slaying some vamps and then shift back in time without any indication that we're moving back in time.
3. Buffy's reaction to Robin trying to hold her hand is highly relatable content. I too have not let a boy hold my hand because it was too sweaty.
4. Our first Jenny Calendar sighting! I like how she's just casually in Giles' apartment, and no one questions this. Please don't kill Jenny this time. Let her live, be happy with Giles, and serve as a pseudo-mother figure to the Scoobies.
5. Giles saying he needed Buffy to get the soul tie and to do this for him, and Buffy responding by saying she's doing it for Xander was both beautiful and heartbreaking. These are FRIENDS, guys! Friends save friends from turning into vampires.
6. Drusilla is so salty towards Spike, and I love it. Their new dynamic in this series is great. I like Spike being a beta male to Drusilla's alpha. It's truly a dream.
7. It's a little weird to me that a scene that's both vital and highly entertaining was cut from this issue and only included in the Whedonverse comic from Free Comic Book Day. I wonder if they'll included that in the collected volume.
8. JENNY CALENDAR IS SUCH A GOOD PSEUDO-MOM TO THE SCOOBIES ALREADY! PASS IT ON! "... Let's give the girls a minute." "Thanks, Ms. Calendar." "Call me Jenny. We're not in class today."
9. I'm really not into Vamp!Xander, and I hope the Scoobies are able to save him. Will they be able to? No idea.
10. Oh, Joyce. She's trying so hard to be a good mom. It's hard when your daughter is a slayer, and you don't know about it.
1. Immediately, I noticed the artist on this series has changed. Now, David Lopez is drawing the series instead of Dan Mora. The artwork is still good, but it is a distinct shift in style that I will have to get used to.
2. It does kind of bug me that we start with Buffy slaying some vamps and then shift back in time without any indication that we're moving back in time.
3. Buffy's reaction to Robin trying to hold her hand is highly relatable content. I too have not let a boy hold my hand because it was too sweaty.
4. Our first Jenny Calendar sighting! I like how she's just casually in Giles' apartment, and no one questions this. Please don't kill Jenny this time. Let her live, be happy with Giles, and serve as a pseudo-mother figure to the Scoobies.
5. Giles saying he needed Buffy to get the soul tie and to do this for him, and Buffy responding by saying she's doing it for Xander was both beautiful and heartbreaking. These are FRIENDS, guys! Friends save friends from turning into vampires.
6. Drusilla is so salty towards Spike, and I love it. Their new dynamic in this series is great. I like Spike being a beta male to Drusilla's alpha. It's truly a dream.
7. It's a little weird to me that a scene that's both vital and highly entertaining was cut from this issue and only included in the Whedonverse comic from Free Comic Book Day. I wonder if they'll included that in the collected volume.
8. JENNY CALENDAR IS SUCH A GOOD PSEUDO-MOM TO THE SCOOBIES ALREADY! PASS IT ON! "... Let's give the girls a minute." "Thanks, Ms. Calendar." "Call me Jenny. We're not in class today."
9. I'm really not into Vamp!Xander, and I hope the Scoobies are able to save him. Will they be able to? No idea.
10. Oh, Joyce. She's trying so hard to be a good mom. It's hard when your daughter is a slayer, and you don't know about it.
September 30, 2020
Yikes, that art though. I mean, the faces scare me a bit..
However, we get follow-up on the events of issue 4 and even see a vampy Xander. Also, Jenny and Giles already!
My big gripes here are the art and Spike just feels a little less important than I am used to.
However, we get follow-up on the events of issue 4 and even see a vampy Xander. Also, Jenny and Giles already!
My big gripes here are the art and Spike just feels a little less important than I am used to.
June 23, 2019
Oh look. Another comic that I didn’t care for. Honestly, I wish they would just off Xander. It would make the story much more interesting.
January 20, 2022
What the heck have they done to the artwork?!? I still love the characters though.
August 10, 2019
I would've put this issue at five stars but I had to take at least a star off (I really want to take more) due to the change in illustrator. I was so disappointed when my brother noted that the drawing style had changed and not for the better.
It was rough, suddenly Buffy, Willow and Xander all look like they're in their 40's and have lead a rough life. The smoke-a-pack-a-day-destroyed-my-liver-courtesy-of-alcohol kind of rough, not the hey-I-died-twice, rough.
The story was still compelling and I just focused in on the word bubbles and tried to skim over the panels.
It was rough, suddenly Buffy, Willow and Xander all look like they're in their 40's and have lead a rough life. The smoke-a-pack-a-day-destroyed-my-liver-courtesy-of-alcohol kind of rough, not the hey-I-died-twice, rough.
The story was still compelling and I just focused in on the word bubbles and tried to skim over the panels.
September 16, 2019
The first four were enjoyable enough, mainly due to the gorgeous art. This new artistic direction is not a style that I like as much mainly because the characters don't look like the actors who portrayed them in the TV show, so it feels like a step backward... Hopefully the new artist tries for a little more resemblance to the original art, and less of a vague suggestion.
September 23, 2019
While I find the story very interesting, the artwork on this one was distractingly not good imo. The first 4 issues had incredible artwork. I wish they had stuck with the same illustrator from those issues.
July 29, 2019
I’m truly loving this series, but I’m not sure why they changed the art between this issue and the last. The character’s eyes look insane and it’s super distracting from an otherwise very well-written storyline.
June 15, 2019
Was NOT a fan of the art in this issue.
December 18, 2019
Art is... interesting...
July 14, 2019
Great story, but what happened to the great art ?
Willow’s eyes don’t even look in the same direction... creepyyy
I’m sorry, but this was too painful to read
Willow’s eyes don’t even look in the same direction... creepyyy
I’m sorry, but this was too painful to read
July 16, 2019
Hate the new artwork but curious where the story is headed.
July 17, 2019
Couldn't really enjoy the plot 'cus these graphics are soooo damn terrible. Geez.
August 18, 2019
Love the story still but not digging the change in artists.
August 30, 2019
Story Rating: 4 stars
I loved the story but the art style really isn’t for me 😭 it was at times jarring to look at
I loved the story but the art style really isn’t for me 😭 it was at times jarring to look at
September 26, 2019
Story is a 4/4.5 but the art was not my style
December 29, 2019
Yikes, the art style change does not do anything for me. Went from being perfect comic book versions of the original actors, to totally disturbing cartoon faces. Wtf!? No bueno.
September 17, 2020
WTF happened to the art!?!
It's horrible!!!
It's horrible!!!
September 22, 2019
turns out I actually read #6 before this one by mistake and made a huge rant in my review for that issue. having finished this one now, it does make a small difference (VERY SMALL) in how I feel, but not by much. just gonna post that review here now:
what the fucking hell. i loved the first [four] issues of this SO much and was beyond excited to keep reading. unfortunately, shockingly, the overall quality of this episode is a HUGE plummet. the artist is different in this issue which is a huuuuuuuuge downer. evidently the author is the same though, so what the hell happened here?!? why is there such a bizarre turn in the story? I know it’s not that out of the ordinary for comics, especially when a new arc/volume is starting, but wow. at least try to connect us to where you just came from. changing buffyverse lore, REALLY??? REALLY??????
this is a clear attempt to re-reboot this comic run and by default, reset our expectations for what this series will be going forward but OUUUUCH. it is SO abrupt. the writing and characterization and story was so tight before and now this is all over the place. and again, the change in artwork is truly startling, originally (aka 30 minutes ago for those of you following my updates in real time HA aka no one) I thought the artist was somehow the same person as the first volume and was totally floored. it's a relief to know the artwork going forward is indeed made by a different person, but oof. clearly the hyperrealistic style of the first issues was a lot of work and they were like hmmm fuck it we gotta change this, but did they think NO ONE WOULD NOTICE??? after an intro like that?!?!?
i’m so speechless. why does Buffy look like a sloth now. THE Sloth even, from Goonies. shit, man. i am so sad. gonna read the next issue but i am sooo sad.
what the fucking hell. i loved the first [four] issues of this SO much and was beyond excited to keep reading. unfortunately, shockingly, the overall quality of this episode is a HUGE plummet. the artist is different in this issue which is a huuuuuuuuge downer. evidently the author is the same though, so what the hell happened here?!? why is there such a bizarre turn in the story? I know it’s not that out of the ordinary for comics, especially when a new arc/volume is starting, but wow. at least try to connect us to where you just came from. changing buffyverse lore, REALLY??? REALLY??????
this is a clear attempt to re-reboot this comic run and by default, reset our expectations for what this series will be going forward but OUUUUCH. it is SO abrupt. the writing and characterization and story was so tight before and now this is all over the place. and again, the change in artwork is truly startling, originally (aka 30 minutes ago for those of you following my updates in real time HA aka no one) I thought the artist was somehow the same person as the first volume and was totally floored. it's a relief to know the artwork going forward is indeed made by a different person, but oof. clearly the hyperrealistic style of the first issues was a lot of work and they were like hmmm fuck it we gotta change this, but did they think NO ONE WOULD NOTICE??? after an intro like that?!?!?
i’m so speechless. why does Buffy look like a sloth now. THE Sloth even, from Goonies. shit, man. i am so sad. gonna read the next issue but i am sooo sad.
June 11, 2019
OK, after the last issue and then waiting a whole extra month for the new issue I was ready for Vampire Xander, and instead, he's caught in some inbetween state, which is BS, and the fact that Anya and Buffy meeting was only in the Free Comic Book Day Whedonverse issue when some of us couldn't get to Free Comic Book Day is bullshit. But the lack of story progression is nothing compared to the horrible new artwork. They don't look like the characters, what's more, they don't really look human, with the overly large eyes and mouths being where chins should be... This was a MAJOR disappointment for a series I've been loving AND looking forward to each and every month. The only reason I gave it two stars is for the Andrew reference in the "newspaper" at the end. I really am interested to see if they bring him in, seeing as he was supposedly there all along... Romeo and Juliet with flying monkeys! BRING IT!
July 29, 2019
I swear, I am a glutton for punishment and that is the only reason why I am still reading this.
First off, the new artist has completely destroyed the character's appearances. I have quite a few artist friends who can draw this 110% better and are freelancing right now compared to the new artist who obliterated everyone's faces. I became creeped out the more I looked at them.
Secondly, this repetitive issue of not respecting the source material and capturing their essence while updating them in a positive fashion - is seriously getting old. They don't sound like our beloved characters that many of us grew up with and bonded with through our television screens. I don't know who these people are. They have the same names, but quite literally, the faces and personalities are completely different.
Listen to your reviewers, writers. Please listen.
First off, the new artist has completely destroyed the character's appearances. I have quite a few artist friends who can draw this 110% better and are freelancing right now compared to the new artist who obliterated everyone's faces. I became creeped out the more I looked at them.
Secondly, this repetitive issue of not respecting the source material and capturing their essence while updating them in a positive fashion - is seriously getting old. They don't sound like our beloved characters that many of us grew up with and bonded with through our television screens. I don't know who these people are. They have the same names, but quite literally, the faces and personalities are completely different.
Listen to your reviewers, writers. Please listen.
January 6, 2020
Someone in a forum inspired me to pick this series up again. Honestly I think it's just not targeted at me despite me being a longtime Buffy (TV) fan. I find the characters here boring and I was excited for Xander to become a vampire because he was my least favorite in this series, but him being out just exposed my dislike of everyone else. I don't believe the friendships here because we had ZERO development of them in previous issues. Also the changes in the Drusilla/Spike dynamic feel contrived to me for some reason. I was so excited to explore this new version of the Buffyverse and I just... God, I just find it so boring. I'm gonna go check out the first volume of Angel now. Maybe I'll come back to this series in a few months when I'm bored enough to have forgotten how boring I find it.
And yeah. Like others have said, art took a bad turn in this issue.
And yeah. Like others have said, art took a bad turn in this issue.
February 26, 2024
I keep fearing that at one point, Hoopla Digital shall say, "NO! You cannot borrow any more for a long time!!" Thank the Gods, so far, that has not happened.
As I may have previously mentioned, I love and adore all things "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as well as its spinoff, "Angel." I have watched both series from pilot to series finale at least seven times for "Buffy," and at least five times for "Angel." In fact, I AM watching both series, all over again (yet another reason why Hulu remains my number one, personal favorite streaming service).
I have been enjoying this reimagining of the series, via comic books, and so happy I can save time and money by borrowing these issues, from my local library, via Hoopla Digital.
Oh, and what happened in this issue is INSANE!
As I may have previously mentioned, I love and adore all things "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as well as its spinoff, "Angel." I have watched both series from pilot to series finale at least seven times for "Buffy," and at least five times for "Angel." In fact, I AM watching both series, all over again (yet another reason why Hulu remains my number one, personal favorite streaming service).
I have been enjoying this reimagining of the series, via comic books, and so happy I can save time and money by borrowing these issues, from my local library, via Hoopla Digital.
Oh, and what happened in this issue is INSANE!
June 21, 2019
This fell flat for me. First off, they changed the artist for this one. I don't like it as much as the artwork from the first 4 issues. Secondly, the way they executed the story in this issue was kind of all over the place? It went from the presentence, to a dream, to the past tense. The presentence was still kind of confusing to me. I was trying to figure out where the ending of this issue transitioned to the presentence of the beginning of this issue. My cover variant is AWESOME though. Not sure why it was so expensive though!
I'm also reading Firefly. I'm glad the art and writing hasn't suffered.
I'm also reading Firefly. I'm glad the art and writing hasn't suffered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews