Something is wrong with the men in Sunnydale. It’s become clear that Giles’ blowup at Jenny Calendar in the previous issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was not a fluke, and wasn’t an issue isolated to just Giles alone. Buffy the Vampire Slayer #10 takes that situation and dials it up.

In this issue, the new slayer, Kendra, demands that Robin Wood take responsibility to act as her Watcher, as ordered by the Watcher’s Council. Robin tries to go to Giles for help, leading to a nasty confrontation between them. Meanwhile, Cordelia and Rose (Willow’s ex) get into a violent altercation with Sunnydale boy, who has been affected by whatever is causing all the rage in the men in Sunnydale.

Jordie Bellaire’s writing is strong in this issue, as she navigates all of these subplots as well as the introduction of a significant new character. This issue is an excellent example of the mandate of the series, remixing characters and concepts from the original TV show (Robin as Kendra’s Watcher is an inspired choice on Bellaire’s part). This issue also takes the series’ original concept of “high school is hell” and puts it squarely in 2019 sensibilities.  

The art by David López is solid. His panel layouts are dynamic and exciting, and his character work is powerful, particularly in close-up shots of Cordelia and Rose. This issue takes place entirely during the daytime--a rarity for this series--which gives colorist Raúl Angulo a chance to do something different, and his work shines here. Ed Dukeshire’s lettering tells the story clearly and concisely.

This is another solid issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s also yet another issue made stronger by the absence of its lead character, which has been a constant for both this series and its sister series, Angel since the Hellmouth crossover (which this issue is nominally part of) began. Here’s hoping that Buffy’s eventual return doesn’t mark the end of the high quality of the series.

Grade: A-