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Note: This article is about the 2009 comic book one-shot. For other uses, see Willow.

Willow: Goddesses and Monsters is a one-shot of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight comic book series. Written by Joss Whedon and illustrated by Karl Moline, it was originally published on December 23, 2009, by Dark Horse Comics.

Synopsis[]

Willow Rosenberg has worn many faces — a shy computer geek, a loyal friend, a passionate lover, a fierce Wiccan, and a dark Willow.

Now in Season Eight of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Buffy comics series, Willow's powers have grown exponentially. She can fly. Teleport. And may or may not be immortal.

All we know is that Willow went on a walkabout following the demise of Sunnydale, and she met a very sultry, extremely powerful serpent lady who seems to be the key to unraveling the mysteries of what Willow is, and will become.[1]

Summary[]

A few months after having activating all potentials, Willow Rosenberg has decided to take a mystical journey which was traditional for witches. The first level of the trip appears as a train station, where she is greeted by one of her guides, a girl in a wheelchair named Muffitt. The second level is a field full of flowers, which Muffitt explains means that Willow is gay, as straight witches see a pine forest instead; this also reveals that Willow's subconscious shapes the world around her. The next level has Muffitt and Willow sinking through the ground. Underground they meet another guide: Aluwyn.

For a moment Willow thinks back to San Francisco where she has left Kennedy behind training other Slayers, and a talk about fidelity. Aluwyn urges her not to think about Kennedy, as they have to go down ever deeper. Aluwyn hints at a wound that Willow has, but suddenly they are stopped by a giant man in a dark armor. He claims that Willow should not follow this path, as it will corrupt her. He also believed that Aluwyn, the trickster, is not a suitable guide. He attacks Willow, but Willow defeats him without killing him, saying that is against her nature.

When Aluwyn brings Willow to a shore where a boat is laying, Willow realizes that she wasn't helping her on her journey and that the world around her is an illusion. Then the illusion disappears and gargantuan goddesses appear in the void. They reveal Willow that she can choose her own guide, and point out that Willow already had Tara in mind. They show her an image of Tara, who appears in an idyllic setting. Willow figures it is either an illusion or Tara is indeed in heaven, in either case, she doesn't not want her as a guide.

Elsewhere, in a mystical forest near a lake, Aluwyn and the other guides are discussing how they had failed in keeping Willow with them, when suddenly Willow emerges naked from the lake. She tells Aluwyn that she has chosen her as her guide, much to the surprise of the others. They walk off together.

Continuity[]

Appearances[]

Individuals[]

Organizations and titles[]

Species[]

Locations[]

Death count[]

  • None.

Behind the scenes[]

Distribution[]

  • Willow: Goddesses and Monsters was the 38th best selling comic issue in its publishing month, with 45,136 sales in December 2009 at comic specialty stores.[2]

Collections[]

Pop culture references[]

International titles[]

  • French: Willow: Déesses & Monstres (Willow: Goddesses and Monsters)
  • German: Göttinnen & Monster! (Goddesses & Monsters!)

Gallery[]

Covers[]

Cover artwork[]

Preview[]

Quotes[]

Kennedy: "Man, I just mastered monogamy, now I have to practice not-getting-any-at-allgamy."
Willow: "I wanted. I hoped. I lied. I said I wanted to understand my power — and I do. But under that, I wanted to know my fate. Darkness? Enlightenment? Was I a good witch, or a bad witch? I feel the pull of each. That was my secret motive… But it's not. Under the under, I just wanted her. She was my light. She was my order. She was my journey. Completed. But either she's an illusion… or Tara is at peace. And either way, no thanks."
Willow: "I'll know if you lie."
Aluwyn: "I always lie."
Willow: "That's how I'll know."

References[]

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