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The subject of this article is of alternative canonicity. While created as part of licensed material, it is not part of the original Buffyverse, but its own developed story. |
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer #13 is the thirteenth issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2019) comic book series. Written by Jordie Bellaire and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, it was originally published on March 4, 2020 by Boom! Studios.
Synopsis[]
AFTER HELLMOUTH COMES... RING OF FIRE!
After the game-changing conclusion to Hellmouth, The Slayer must defend Sunnydale... AND IT'S KENDRA? But as The New Slayer must confront an all-new threat to the ENTIRE WORLD, she'll need to pull the Scooby gang together once more after what happened to Buffy... WAIT... WHAT HAPPENED TO BUFFY? The new era of the Whedonverse starts here![1]
Summary[]
In Jamaica, Kendra battles a pair of vampires, reflecting on her enjoyment of being alone, since she can focus on her work. Her Watcher, Zabuto, critiques her performance, frustrating her. The next morning, Vea makes breakfast and asks about the hunt. Vea assures Kendra that Zabuto is only pushing her to be her best. Kendra asks if she'll be able to stay in Jamaica when she is called, so Vea reminds her that her calling may never come. Zabuto arrives and asks to speak with Vea outside. He tells Vea not to give Kendra false hope, because a Slayer must always be ready. Vea insists that Kendra still deserves some happiness and encouragement.
Kendra watches them argue from inside, reflecting on Zabuto's traditionalist mindset and the way he doesn't understand her. Zabuto returns, and he and Kendra discuss the tourist vampires that have been showing up lately. Zabuto tells Kendra that while he is her Watcher, she needs to also trust her own instincts and be her own guide. Kendra has the idea to look for suspicious activity during the day, since the tourists-turned-vampires all wear swimsuits.
As Kendra and Zabuto walk through a market, Kendra admires the beauty of Jamaica and becomes even more sure that she never wants to leave. As the sun sets, Zabuto says he has something to tell Kendra, but they are interrupted by the sound of a vampire attack. Kendra rushes to help as the vampire takes off on an ATV. Kendra and Zabuto mount another ATV and make chase. Kendra drives recklessly, ignoring Zabuto's request to slow down. The vampire swerves and Kendra tries to follow, but they are thrown from their ATV.
Kendra awakens in a beautiful room, surrounded by vampires. Their leader tells her that Zabuto is dead. The master vampire needles Kendra about her life being controlled by men. When Kendra objects, the vampire explains that Kendra is the chosen, not the chooser, and that under the Council and her Watcher she is not much more than a slave. The vampire explains that he has become his own master, and the master of the British tourists who come to the island. Kendra rejects his worldview, and the vampire moves to bite her.
At that moment, Zabuto crashes through the picture window on the ATV, holding a torch. As Zabuto confronts the other vampires, Kendra headbutts the master vampire and pulls out her stake, Mr. Pointy. Kendra pushes the master vampire through the broken window and off the balcony. As they fall into the ocean below, Kendra kills the vampire and reflects that she is just as ferocious and tenacious as Jamaica, and that part of her will always be here.
When she gets back to shore, Zabuto is waiting for her. He tells her that he was just unconscious, not dead, and Kendra replies that she couldn't have done this without him. Zabuto insists that she doesn't need him — in fact, she is leaving tomorrow. She has been called. As Kendra's eyes fill with tears, Zabuto tells her to say goodbye to Vea, and to remember: she walks alone.
Continuity[]
- The events of this story take place before Kendra's arrival in Sunnydale in issue #9, activated just after Buffy entered the Hellmouth in issue #8.
- Zabuto reprimanding Kendra about their roles as a guiding Watcher to an independent Slayer are similar to Buffy and Giles's conflicts in issue #2.
Appearances[]
Individuals[]
- Brad
- Vea
- Kendra Young
- Sam Zabuto
- Unidentified master vampire
Organizations and titles[]
Species[]
Locations[]
- Jamaica
- United Kingdom (Only mentioned)
Weapons and objects[]
Death count[]
- Unidentified vampire, staked by Kendra.
- Unidentified vampire, staked by Zabuto.
- Unidentified master vampire, staked by Kendra.
Behind the scenes[]
Production[]
- Rosemary Valero-O'Connell's "Chosen One" variant cover introduces an unidentified Slayer, active in Spain during the 1890s. The cover also features Goya's painting Witches' Sabbath (1798).
- The back of the issue features a quote by Buffy Summers in the episode "Helpless."
Distribution[]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer #13 was the 149th best selling comic issue in its publishing month, with 11,221 sales in March 2020 at comic specialty stores.[2]
Collections[]
Gallery[]
Covers[]
Cover artwork[]
Preview[]
References[]
- ↑ "Comics On-Sale in March 2020 and Beyond". Boom! Studios, December 19, 2019.
- ↑ "Top 500 Comics--March 2020". ICv2, April 29, 2020.