Last time on Buffy: Vampires disguised as wolves attacked the Slayer HQ in Scotland and got Buffy’s scythe. Buffy and another slayer, Satsu, had a one-night stand. Xander and Rene went to Transylvania to enlist Dracula as an unlikely ally.

Xander, Rene, and Dracula

The first part of the issue gives us an intimate look at Dracula’s private life. It shows him as a wasted old man, a far cry from the dashing Dracula of legends. When he sees Xander flying in via helicopter, and he quickly transforms into his handsome persona to meet his visitors. This issue canonizes Antique, a Tales of the Vampires story wherein Xander goes to live with Dracula for some time as his servant. It’s a subject of debate, but I won’t get into that here. For this review, I’d just like to say that I’m pleased with Rene and her “no fear attitude” towards Dracula. I don’t mind seeing them tangle at some point, with Rene kicking the crap out of the Master Bater. When Xander and Drac were complimenting each other nonstop, which was so gay, even for me, I’m glad Rene stepped in and called a time out. I mean, what was that all about?

Contrary to some people crying foul for Dracula’s racist remarks (”moor”, “filthy yellow swine”, “orientals”), I found it in keeping with the character, since Vlad the Impaler, from whom the fictional character was drawn, was the Christian world’s last defense against the Ottoman Turks and their growing empire. I imagine he hates “moors” more than anything else.

We also learn that Dracula gambled his powers in Tibet for *gasp* a motorcyle. Specifically, a Kawasaki Z1000. Here’s a pic of the muscle bike:

Andrew

Adorable Andrew is at it again, giving an odd lecture to the slayerettes in classic Count Dracula costume (with C.O.A). Since I became a Trekkie, the Vulcan reference in Season 7 just got funnier. This time, he explains Xander’s trip to Dracula’s castle, their background, and how the two have been pen pals all along. Turns out Xander went to Transylvania for some “guy time” right after Anya died. I honestly don’t know if I can buy this, but I’m glad Anya’s name was mentioned. *weeps* Crap. Now I have the urge to sing (“Bunnies! It must be bunnies!”).

Buffy and Satsu

What’s wrong with Buffy this episode? Bitchy much?

Feelings-wise, she’s been handling the Satsu thing really well ever since it started, careful about the things she says so as not to hurt the girl. That was the one redeeming thing you could say about Buffy after their ill-conceived tryst, but her dismissive behavior in this issue makes me lose some love for her. Besides, Satsu has a valid point in suggesting that at least a squad of slayers stay to guard the castle. For all they know Twilight might use this diversion to ransack the place, and they got a lot of high tech equipment out there that I’d hate to see destroyed.

Willow and Satsu

Willow sees the harsh Buffy-Satsu episode and later offers words of comfort to the younger slayer. The “friend of Sappho” euphemism was fun, that actually made me smile. However, Willow asking about details of the Buffy-Satsu encounter was weird. I’m trying to rationalize it and here’s what I came up with: 1) it’s a joke and she’s just trying to lighten up Satsu’s mood, 2) she likes making Satsu squirm, 3) it’s her way of telling Satsu that’s she’s fine with it, 4) it’s generally the way she bonds with another “friend of Sappho”. Nah. I still can’t convince myself. It just feels out of character. Maybe it would have been more believable if Willow teased Buffy about the details, because they’re closer and it’s something that they could talk about in a BFF way. Anyway, for the next issue, I’m looking forward to some Willow-Kumiko action… er, witches’ spell fighting action, not H.G.O.G.A.

Aiko and the Japanese Vamps

The way she was presented, Aiko’s certainly a very impressive slayer, almost worthy of being a recurring character. She’s definitely more fascinating to me than Leah and Rowena, who have yet to show an ounce of intriguing personality. Aiko single-handedly took on a nest of Kabuki demons, who could do nothing more than give her a scratch. Now that’s a slayer. This gets me thinking, maybe the reason why most of the slayers seem nothing more than foot soldiers is that they’re always in the shadow of Buffy & Co. I hope there will be at least one issue wherein all Scoobies are incapacitated and it’s up to the Alpha Squad to save the day. Joss, I’m watching.

Alas, Aiko died at the hands of Toru, leader of the vampire gang. I wonder how it would have been if Aiko had her slayer mojo on. But because Kumiko cast a spell with the aid of the scythe to de-slayerize Aiko, the kid went down in the most brutal way. It’s a direct contradiction of what Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a concept is all about - a girl who opts to fight instead of run, who’s a hero, not a victim. From all indications, things will get worse before they become better.

As for the spell used by Kumiko, it’s Kanji meaning “nikeru”, the command form of “nikero” (”to escape” or “to run away”). So it’s more like “Away!” or “Begone!”

Conclusion

Personally, I enjoyed Issue #12 better than #13. There were more surprises and laugh out loud moments, which made it enjoyable for me. But Wolves at the Gate Part II did succeed in making me eagerly await the next part of the arc. These Tokyo vamps mean business. I want to know what their motivations are, and how they might be related to Twilight. And this time, I promise not to look at any more spoilers. Cross my heart.