Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 Volume 2: On Your Own by Andrew Chambliss

 On Your Own by Andrew Chambliss

2012, Dark Horse

Series: Volume 2 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9

Goodreads / Amazon

Rating

Synopsis: With the Scooby gang on the skids, Buffy finds herself increasingly alone. When faced with some tough decisions grounded in “real world” problems (i.e., not the slaying of pesky demons), Buffy is determined to make her own choices, but that doesn’t mean she won't need a little handholding along the way. Cue Spike, compelled to stand by his best friend in her moment of need. Together they'll tackle the increasing zompire population and a rogue Slayer out for blood.

The Good: A lot of well loved characters show up in this volume - Spike! Andrew! Robin! And a lot of heavy issues mixed with wacky situations. This volume is very close to the show, in that it has some great stuff going on, some weird stuff going on, and some what-drugs-where-the-writers-on kind of stuff thrown in for good measure. We don't get a lot of plot progression, but we do get a deeper look at where the characters are now and what the driving force is that's motivating their choices.

The Bad: Glossed over too-drunk-to-consent rape. An inexcusable choice in any form, but especially offensive coming from a series known for female empowerment.