In addition to their strong run as the main writers on the “Buffy Classic” comic books, Tom Fassbender and Jim Pascoe also tried their hand at prose with the illustrated novella “Creatures of Habit” (March 2002). As the only “Buffy” story in this format, it might get lost in the shuffle with some fans. That would be too bad, because it’s a fun, easy read with wonderful art by Brian Horton and Paul Lee that will call to mind the “Buffy” comic-book covers from this era.
The story smoothly slots into the chronology of early Season 6 — for better and worse. For better, because there are no continuity glitches and everyone is in character. (Well, Anya is less of a laugh factory than usual, but I actually appreciate that.) For worse, because there are no surprises. All of the Scooby Gang’s arcs in “Creatures of Habit” are straight-up prequels to their Season 6 journeys.
Buffy is unhappy to be back from the dead, but not telling anyone. Spike is in love with Buffy and trying to chip away at her defenses. Xander loves Anya but is scared of the upcoming wedding. Giles feels like he isn’t needed anymore and longs to return to England. Willow is a little too into magic, which worries Tara especially.
“Creatures’ ” greatest strength is the simple fact that it is a Dawn-centric story, which the TV series could’ve used more of. Telling her guardians she’s sleeping over at her friend Melinda’s house, Dawn is actually partaking in the Sunnydale rave scene with her peer-pressuring friend. Buffy briefly takes on the mother role in a funny scene on page 16 where she smells smoke in Dawn’s hair after little sis sneaks in late at night:
Dawn: “(Melinda) just had a cigarette, okay? Besides, Spike smokes.”
Buffy: “Did I just hear you use Spike as justification for smoking?”
A mini-Big Bad named Parnassus Jones is in town, and ultimately he needs a virgin to sacrifice, so of course Dawn is in deep trouble like Xander in “Teacher’s Pet” (1.4).
Fassbender and Pascoe give everything a light touch and everyone is a bit too self-centered for things to jell into a memorable yarn. Buffy is too in her own head to notice Dawn’s teenage rebellion could be dangerous. Willow is too obsessed with a newly discovered magic book to notice anything else.
The villainous vampires are evocatively but broadly drawn – both as artwork and as literary figures. Parnassus dates back to the days of Southern slavery, but he ultimately leans toward a dreadlocked drug-dealer stereotype. The sexy porcelain-skinned Velatti, the DJ at the raves, is Parnassus’ sidekick who secretly wants revenge for some barely defined slight from their past. Her story is left hanging in this book, although it would later be wrapped up in “Withdrawal” (Issue 46 of “BTVS Classic”). The vampires’ scheme of getting teens high on a designer drug, which then gives vampires a high when they drain the kids, is clever, but it has no thematic resonance.
I sometimes get a sense that the 122-page “Creatures” is purposely thin because it’s mostly about the art, and the prose shouldn’t overshadow it. Still, I do appreciate that the writing is crisp and clean, a marked improvement from Dark Horse’s “Star Wars: Dark Forces” illustrated novels from a few years prior. While the story lacks the depth to make it a memorable read, “Creatures” is a respectable first step into this medium, and it’s too bad there weren’t a few more “Buffy” illustrated books produced.
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