Story By: Joss Whedon
Pencils By: Karl Moline
Inks By: Andy Owens
Colours By: Michelle Madsen
Letters By: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Dark Horse Comics
After destroying Sunnydale and the Hellmouth, creating an army of Slayer’s and nearly destroying the planet, Willow has finally decided to seek further guidance into her powers by taking part in an ancient ritual of guides and external self. Willow will need to let everything go, Tara included, if she is too successfully complete her goals of self and magical discovery. She is a woman of unending strength and magical power, if she can forget the past her future will brighten before her.
Willow’s journey begins at the rail station leading to Hogwarts with who appears to be Alice of Wonderland in a wheelchair. She is lead deeper into the magical worlds where her training is to take place. Upon arrival she unites with a trickster named Aluwyn who shows her that these trails are not meant to be beaten paths taken by every witch, but, a personal journey through uncharted territory that will forge a trail no other had taken before her.
Willow has finally accepted the death of Tara and proves so in the denial of her guidance. With this new found strength and understanding Willow, Alice, Aluwyn and the others begin the jaunt toward Willow’s confidence as a witch and for who she is beyond it all: A powerful, strong, near immortal, and genius woman who could save the world given the proper chance.
Admittedly, I got into Buffy the Vampire Slayer far too late. I was extremely young when it first began and for some reason, despite my love of Whedon, I had never attempt to tackle the show. With the purchase of Netflix that instantly changed and within weeks I had powered through all 7 seasons – feels more than tedious to shout about how much it ROCKED but it did. Obviously, once I ran out of episodes and watched it through again I decided to take the leap into Buffy comics, beginning with the Willow one-shot which takes place immediately after the series’ finale and with Willow being my favourite character by far, I knew it would act as a perfect introduction.
Whedon, of course, does a fantastic job with the writing. Willow is a very complex and multi-leveled character with an unpredictable mind. Joss plays clearly off of her more prominent traits and introduces characters that compliment her perfectly: a bit outside of the box and originally styled allowing them to make for some hilarious moments and touching scenarios. Comic book Willow and tv show Willow appear to be one in the same: they look the same, talk the same, act and behave in a similar right – it’s grand to see the transition of her character go from screen to paper so smooth and accurately.
Karl Moline is an artist I have yet to encounter up until this point. My original opinion of his art was lacking before I had read the tale it surrounds because it appeared to be choppy and unrealistic. The purpose of this artistic styling was made clear, however, within the first few pages upon discovery of her presence in magical territory. Moline keeps everything very clean and simplistic, leaving the mystical atmosphere to penetrate your interest and room for the imagination to do it’s work. The world carries a sense of surreal peacefulness, the kind that can never be destroyed – even the battles give off a sense of hope and success. Karl seems to have a knack for letting your imagination work to his advantage, and I say kudos to that because it was a hell of a ride.
It brought a tear to my eye to watch Willow let Tara go, but, that was quickly off-set by the books quirky humour and outrageous styling. You can get lost in the arts mystical essence while becoming a part of Willow’s ultimate journey, one that will determine her control and capabilities as a witch for a long time to come. And as garish and raw as bad-Willow is, I would prefer we keep the sane one. And as always with Whedon, expect Easter Eggs galore.
5/5. Whedon does Willow a great justice in this issue and has inspired me to continue forth into the vast world of Buffy comics.
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