Jo Chen provides another striking cover for this series.

After the events of the opening story arc, “The Long Way Home,” writer and Buffy creator Joss Whedon offers a quiet, stand alone story for Buffy the Vampire the Slayer Season Eight #5.

“The Chain” focuses on an unnamed potential Slayer whose powers are activated during the events of “Chosen” (Season 7: Episode 22 and the series finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer).  She becomes a Buffy Decoy and enters the Under-Community (literally underground) and battles the demon leader, Yamanh, although it may very likely mean her demise.

THE LOWDOWN:  “The Chain” is a well-written, poignant story about sacrifice for a cause.  Whedon seems to eschew the idea of the “noble sacrifice” and focuses on the sacrifice that a warrior willingly makes knowing full well the personal costs and consequences.  Perhaps, the warrior sees the benefits for the greater good or rather, sees the “bigger picture.”  The pencils by Andy Owens (briefly relieving series regular Georges Jeanty) provide excellent storytelling and hit the right note in capturing the mood Whedon sets for this sad tale.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Buffy fans should continue to dig this.

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