The latest issue of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer comic book grapples with some unusually serious subject matter — even for the often-controversial Buffy series. But instead of glossing over the difficult decision making process that comes along with this topic, Joss Whedon and his writers dove into the mind of Buffy Summers.
Spoilers ahead…
In January we discovered that the the Chosen One was pregnant. And now it’s time to for her to deal with that revelation. In the latest issue of the comic (out today) Buffy weighs the obligations of the Slayer versus the responsibilities of being a parent.
https://gizmodo.com/yet-another-surprising-change-coming-to-buffy-the-vampi-5875350
From the panels revealed today, Buffy is seen telling Spike (who many suspect is the father of the baby, although the true identity is unknown) that she is going to get an abortion.
In an interview with USA Today executive producer (and Buffy creator) Joss Whedon explained the two most important details he wanted this issue had to convey were that this decision would be portrayed as a difficult one for Buffy, and that it would be handled with respect creatively:
“It’s not something we would ever take lightly, because you can’t. You don’t … It offends me that people who purport to be discussing a decision that is as crucial and painful as any a young woman has to make won’t even say something that they think is going to make some people angry.”
The last statement appears to ring true, since the comic shows a range of emotion from Buffy. As you can see in the dialog in this panel between Buffy and past character Robin, whose mother Nikki was also a Slayer. Nikki’s decision to keep Robin meant that he’s now a part of Buffy’s world.
While we’re still waiting to read the issue before sharing our thoughts on Buffy’s decision, we agree with The Mary Sue that the actual illustration of the conversation and decision making process is a great thing. Especially as contrasted with the conversation in Twilight where an uber-aggressive Edward demands that Bella get an abortion — and when she refuses, she’s ripped in half by the child inside of her and later saved by magic. Of course, we understand asking for realistic conversations in a supernatural world might seem silly, but at least the Buffy comic seems to be pulling it off, judging from these panels.
